Judgment at Alcatraz by Dave Edlund (best historical fiction books of all time txt) 📗

the pilot to step out. He can leave the engine idling. But I want him out of the aircraft, hands on his head.”

“Fine.” Flynn strode back to the helicopter.

The side door was still open. On the seat was a black case. He popped open the lid and removed the portable radiation monitor. Then he relayed the order to the pilot. As Flynn returned to Sacheen, the pilot stepped out, standing a few feet from the helicopter. His fingers were laced, and hands pressed against the top of his flight helmet.

Flynn produced the device for her to inspect. “In case you don’t trust me. It’s a gamma radiation detector. It will not only signal the presence of gamma rays, but also measure their energy. I’ve been briefed on what to look for. From that spectrum, I’ll know if what you say is true.”

The device looked like a small tablet, except it was thicker and had yellow rubber armor around the edges. A probe that looked like a microphone was connected to the tablet with a coiled cabled, much like an old telephone cord.

She said, “Too small to hold a gun inside the case. And if it’s carrying explosives, you’ll be dead, too.”

“No tricks. This will record and display the gamma ray spectrum on the monitor. If it’s cobalt-60, as you claim, we’ll know.”

“Good. Then let’s get on with it. You capture your spectra, and then take the children and the old woman back. Both are good-faith offerings, proof that we wish to conclude our business fairly and swiftly. In return, you are to pass along what you’ve seen to the governor. I want to parlay with him immediately.”

“And what exactly am I to tell the governor? You’ve made no demands.”

Her aim was threefold: To entrench her position on Alcatraz. Then to show the officials in charge that she had control of the situation. And finally, to give them a negotiation pathway to resolution. She had accomplished the first two of her goals.

“Very well. I’ll tell you.” She pointed to the second-floor corner of the barracks building, only fifteen yards away.

On the wall, painted in fading red paint, read Indians Welcome, and Indian Land.

“See that?”

Flynn raised an eyebrow. “I do.”

“This is where the movement really came into being. And this is where we will achieve our final victory.” She paused, but the FBI agent had no comment. “All lands that were taken from my people through violation of legally binding treaties will be immediately returned to sovereign control of the nations. Where that may not be possible or feasible, fair compensation will be forthcoming within sixty days. No backpedaling, no legal challenges.”

Flynn’s eyes widened. “Are you nuts? I can’t agree to that.”

“Of course you can’t. You are merely the messenger.”

“Let me give you a quick civics lesson. The governor can’t agree to your demand, either. This isn’t a question that falls under the purview of the state. Congress and the president will have to arrive at a solution.”

“Do you think I’m stupid? California is not without political influence. Deliver my message. Convene a press conference. I will deliver a recording of our grievances to be aired nationwide. Once Americans learn how First Nations people have been cheated, persecuted, slaughtered by the federal government, they will stand by our side. With one voice, people nationwide will demand what is right and just—that all land illegally taken from the Indigenous nations be returned to the rightful owners. Congress will have no choice but to heed the people’s will.”

“The government will never negotiate with terrorists.”

She chortled. “We aren’t terrorists. We’ve harmed none of the hostages. In fact, I’m taking extraordinary measures to ensure we have a good-faith negotiation.”

“Your men murdered some of the crew on that Coast Guard cutter.”

“We were fired upon first. My warriors acted in self-defense.”

“You have two hundred eight hostages, all of them innocent civilians being held against their will.”

“None have been harmed, and I’m about to release nine children, and a grandmother, into your custody. In return, my demands are modest, only that you deliver my message, along with your data. I believe if you do this, including sharing the evidence of our capabilities that we’ve given you, everyone—the people and the politicians—will make the right decision.”

“You’re really going to let me go?” Flynn said.

“Why not? Who better than you to deliver the message—to impress upon the FBI, the SFPD, and the governor, what we are capable of doing?”

“Okay. Let’s say I believe you. That helicopter is a Eurocopter AS350. Now, I’m not an aviation expert, but those that are tell me it can transport five adults. And you’ve released nine children.”

“Nine young children. Each weighs less than half a full-grown adult. And the old woman can’t weight more than a hundred pounds. Still, that’s your problem. Take all, or some. It’s up to you.”

“If I can’t take them all, can I come back for the rest?”

“No. This is a demonstration of good faith. You’d be foolish to read in anything that’s not there.”

“Very well. Let’s see the drones.”

“Follow me.”

Leonard and Vernon trailed by a couple steps.

“There’ll be three guns on you,” she said. “So please don’t test me. The rules are simple. You can get as close as you want. Not that I’d recommend it. And you are not allowed to touch any of the drones. I suggest you keep a distance of at least twenty feet, unless you want to glow in the dark. As for me and my team, we won’t approach closer than thirty feet. Once you’ve recorded the gamma spectrum from the drones, you are free to leave with the hostages.”

Chapter 21

After passing through the crowd of captives, Danya exited the holding room, into a portico that fronted the barracks building. The leading edge of the roof was supported by concrete pillars spaced about twelve feet apart.

The element of surprise she’d had only minutes ago had eroded, but hopefully had not evaporated. She knew they were aware that Charlie was dead, and they were onto