Special Talents

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Special Talents

J.B. Tilton

Copyright © 2012

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The information presented in this report represents the views of the publisher as of the date of publication. The publisher reserves the rights to alter and update their opinions based on new conditions. This report is for informational purposes only. The author and the publisher do not accept any responsibilities for any liabilities resulting from the use of this information. While every attempt has been made to verify the information provided here, the author and the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Any similarities with people or facts are unintentional.

"So in conclusion, for the next few classes we will be discussing the concepts of morals and ethics. How are they different and how are they similar."

Dr. Jeremy Sloan looked up from his notes at the class of forty-some-odd students in his Psychology 101 course. As he looked up he noticed two men dressed in dark suits enter the room and stand against the back wall. Jeremy had lived in Washington, D.C. virtually his entire life. As such he found it quite easy to identify federal agents when he saw them.

"For our next class I want each of you to find one example of moral behavior and one example of ethical behavior. We'll discuss them during class. And I'll give extra credit to any student who can bring me examples I haven't seen before. Class dismissed."

As the students began to file out of the classroom, Jeremy gathered his notes. As he did he could see out of the corner of his eye the two men in suits begin to make their way toward him. It was not unusual for people to audit his class. But these two had come in at the end of the class. Which meant they were there for another purpose.

"Professor Jeremy Sloan?" asked one of them, holding up a wallet with an identification card in it.

Jeremy looked at the ID card. Department of Homeland Security. Now his curiosity was piqued even more than before. He was a psychiatrist and a professor of psychologist at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. What could the Department of Homeland Security want with a psychology professor?

"Actually I prefer the term doctor," replied Jeremy.

"Of course sir," replied the man. "I'm Agent Todd. This is Agent Groesbeck. Secretary Napolitano would like to meet with you. If it's convenient, sir."

"Napolitano? The Secretary of Homeland Security? Can I ask what this is in reference to?"

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss that, doctor. I was simply asked to convey her desire to meet with you and to tell you it is of the utmost importance. We have a car waiting, doctor. If you'd care to accompany us."

"Well," said Jeremy, looking at the new students beginning to filter into the room, "I do have another class. It will be over at 1:50. You did say if it was convenient."

"Of course, sir. We'll be outside in," the agent looked at his watch, "67 minutes."

"I'll see you then," replied Jeremy.

As the men left the classroom Jeremy thought about the encounter. He didn't know of anything about himself that might be of interest to Homeland Security. But since it had been an invitation – and not a summons – he decided it wouldn't hurt to see what the Secretary wanted. Putting the matter out of his mind for the moment, he began to organize his notes for the class.

It was just after 3:00 and Jeremy sat in the office of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The secretary had ushered him in as soon as he had arrived and told him that Secretary Napolitano would be right with him. As he waited he was still curious what she wanted to see him about.

Suddenly the door to the office opened and the Secretary entered. Napolitano was exactly as she had appeared on the news reports that Jeremy had seen. In addition to Napolitano, there was a two-star general of the army with her.

"Dr. Sloan, I'm so glad you agreed to meet with me," said Secretary Napolitano, shaking Jeremy's hand as he stood to greet her. "I'm Janet Napolitano. This is General Porter, the military advisor to Homeland Security. Please have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee, a soft drink?"

"I'm fine, Madam Secretary," replied Jeremy. He seemed to be looking at her intently.

"Well," said Napolitano as she took her seat behind the desk, "I suppose you're curious why I asked you here."

"The thought had crossed my mind," said Jeremy. "I assume you have a psychological or psychiatric situation that you think I can help with."

"Interesting choice of words," replied Napolitano. "Why would you think that?"

"Well, I'm a psychiatrist. But then, you all ready know that. I doubt I would have even been let into the building without first being checked out. I would assume you've done a background check on me to insure I'm not some nut case or something like that and to be sure that I have the qualifications you're looking for. But I must admit I am at something of a quandary. I'm sure Homeland Security has any number of psychiatrists and psychologists on staff. I'm not sure what it is you think I can do for you."

"Direct and to the point," replied Napolitano. "I see my information on you is correct."

"Well, as I tell my clients, one of the main problems with most relationships is communication. Many people have a tendency to talk around a subject especially if they feel the person they are talking with might be uncomfortable with the subject. I think the direct approach is best. Say exactly what you mean. That way there can be little room for doubt."

"Of course, doctor. You do understand that whatever we discuss here must remain in the strictest confidence. As a psychiatrist I know you're aware of confidentiality. I would ask, doctor, that you treat this as if it were a session with one of your patients. Nothing that is said here can leave this room."

"I understand, Madam Secretary. And I can assure you that whatever you tell me I'll treat as if it came from one of my patients."

"Good. Now, where to begin? I think it best if you had some background information first. To understand why I've asked you here and exactly what it is we want from you. General Porter, why don't you fill Dr. Sloan in on some of the background information?"

"Certainly," replied Porter. He picked up a file from Napolitano's desk and removed several sheets of paper. Jeremy could see the file was very thick: nearly two inches. "You are, of course, aware of the significance of September 11, 2001, doctor."

"I think everyone is aware of that date," replied Jeremy. "The attack on World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and the airliner that crashed in Pennsylvania."

"Yes. Well, in 2003, a suicide bomber walked into a local Pakistani police station and detonated a bomb. The bomb killed 27 people and injured nearly 150 more. In 2004 a terrorist was able to gain access to a top secret government facility in the United States and gather some very sensitive intelligence information. The terrorist was eventually discovered and was killed when he tried to make his escape by climbing an electrified fence.

"In 2007 there was an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of England. The assassin, a suspected terrorist, gained entry to Number 10 Downing Street. Fortunately the Prime Minister wasn't at home at the time. The assassin was wounded by security forces at the residence but escaped. His whereabouts are still unknown. And just 8 months ago Salmaan Taseer, a prominent Pakistani political figure was assassinated."

"I remember reading about that," said Jeremy. "As I understand it, he was assassinated by one of his own bodyguards."

"That's correct," replied Porter. "Apparently he was assassinated because he had spoken out against Pakistan's blasphemy law. His assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, was taken into custody. But there was a second individual involved. Another known terrorist. He was shot and killed by C.I.A. operatives when they tried to apprehend him and he resisted.

"These are just a few examples, doctor." He handed the folder to Jeremy. "Every page in that folder is a separate report on similar incidents around the globe. Some of the terrorists involved were either killed or apprehended. Others escaped and their whereabouts unknown. As you can see, the list is quite extensive."

"I see. I'm not sure how this all applies to me. I'm not an expert in terrorism. In fact, neither my teaching position at Georgetown University nor my private practice deals with terrorism."

"Doctor," said Napolitano, "most of those reports are what might be called common knowledge. Many were reported by the news services. But what isn't common knowledge are the types of terrorists involved."

"I'm not sure I understand. Types of terrorists?"

"Yes. You see for several years: since 9-11 and even before: the intelligence community has been getting reports of a special type of terrorist. They apparently operate in all areas of terrorism. But they all seem to have one thing in common. They all seem to possess some type of special ability."

"The hijackers who took control of the planes on 9-11 seemed to have some special ability that allowed them to control the passengers and crew," interjected Porter. "The one on the fourth flight; the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania; missed his flight. That's why those passengers were able to stop the terrorists. The other three, however, were all controlled, for lack of a better word, by one of the hijackers on the planes.