PATRIOT PARTNERS

Chapter 1 Smoke filled the parking garage of the Missouri State Capitol. The smoke was not the result of fire, but a deliberate scheme. A successful scheme. Firemen scurried from the garage to safety as did visitors, employees, and elected officials. It was a sight never witnessed or exhibited by public safety heroes. Firefighters are seen hurrying to extinguish flames, not run from them. The smoke and presumed flames were not the reason for the mass exodus, although the ear-piercing fire alarm did suggest one to leave the premises. It was the gunfire coming from directions unknown. Gunshots echoed off the concrete pillars of the basement garage. Car alarms were blaring from the noise concussion. People were screaming while attempting to escape. The wounded laying on the concrete floor were victims of hate and evil. A gunman donned in fireman gear was shooting at the states elected Chief Executive. His security detail surrounded their protectee sacrificing their own safety. It was their job. Chad Jerguson aimed at the assailant and pulled the trigger on his Glock. He missed. His aim was jarred by someone running scared into him when his gun discharged. Another assailant was identified as smoke filled the death chamber. The other face of evil wasn’t dressed as a firefighter. He too fired at the security detail protecting Missouri’s Governor. Although wounded, he was resilient. The gunning firefighter and his wounded co-assailant left their protected steel and glass car shields to continued their suicidal mayhem. That is where it ended. Megan Swift was on assignment when terror erupted. She crouched below the smoke that filled the garage. She was deathly close to the lethal threat. She aimed and pulled the trigger on her Glock. With her aim came a different result. She didn’t miss. The assault ended nearly as fast as it started, although witnesses would later contest differently. Chad Jerguson was Megan Swift’s handler. Chad and Megan were members of an elite group. This group was not part of any state, city, or county law enforcement, although police presence was more than evident that sultry summer day. Chad and Megan were employed by the federal government. They were there to defend democracy. They were there to prevent terrorism. Terrorism occurred, but the ultimate plot did not. Chad and Megan were members of Missouri’s Tactical Analysis Force. MoTAF was federally funded and clandestine. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thanks to the Missouri’s security detail, the Chief Executive remained safe. Security protocols to the State House changed after the attack. The probability of another attack caused the focus of securing democracy to be paramount. Memorials were held to honor the heroes and remember lives lost. Half a decade later, nobody talked about it ever occurring. It was finished. Done. It was over. Memorials planned on the anniversary of the attack ceased to happen. News faded away to current events the viewing audiences craved. It wasn’t any surprise, that’s the way news cycles worked. Families were compensated for any losses they may have incurred. Finger pointing is part of the process, but who was to blame? The Missouri State Capitol remained the focal point of the most heinous and historical domestic terror event in the state’s history. Those who worked inside the granite fortress would not soon forget the horror, although they would try. Sick minds created destruction. Those same sick minds also perished before the sun sat that day. That is what most would believe. Chad Jerguson remembers the day as if it occurred only a few hours prior. Sleepless nights were less of an issue, but the memory resurfaced more often than he preferred. People go about their everyday business as expected. Chad understood what could go wrong behind the scene of any given day. It wasn’t because he was elected by the people to do the work for the people, although he did take an oath. Capitol employees weren’t aware of his presence that dreadful day or that he was there for them, and the visiting public. Chad was a hero, although nobody would recall his name. He was one of many unsung heroes who stood in the face danger. He didn’t wear a uniform. There was nothing noticeable about his attire, until he pulled the Glock from its holster. Every member of MoTAF participated in their multi-phase aftermath debrief program. It was mandatory. Although other states utilized similar programs, there was no cause in Missouri for a federally funded critical incident debriefing to occur. Then the unimaginable occurred. Debriefing programs proved a beneficial element of ones’ emotional and psychological wellbeing following traumatic incidences. Chad worked to conquer his demons of blame. He understood, following several one-on-one sessions, he alone couldn’t have prevented the loss of life. Chad was MoTAF’s computer analyst and communicated information regarding intel from other states as well as Washington DC. Chad signed his name with the initials C J on handwritten or electronic communication. He communicated with Washington on a regular basis. Chad succeeded in challenges he confronted early on in life. Any failures he experienced resulted in victories for his next challenge. A poster success story of the foster care system, he would mentor others as a way of giving back to the program. Young minds soaked up his encouragement. They too flourished in achievements no matter how big or small. He was never far from his roots and helped in any way he could lending a voice for youth. His desire was the solace in friends and associates. Relationships sustained his purpose. Megan Swift was a close friend and that purpose. Their friendship was bound by MoTAF membership. They faced tyranny together on that memorable day. If not for Megan and Chad, Missouri’s notable mark in history would have resulted a different outcome.