Though he was tempted to deny her access, several journalists heard Ellen’s announcement and began to press forward in an effort to engage her in an interview. Seeing that he could stand fast and face being crushed by a gaggle of frenzied reporters or let the woman in, the marshal opted for self-preservation.

Once inside, Ellen collect herself. Looking up after smoothing out her skirt, she searched the room for the man whom she had been following for months. Not surprisingly, everyone that mattered in Idaho was there, including the Governor’s personal assistant, the state’s attorney general, and the head of the state police. Seated in the row behind this assembly of officials was her man, Louis Garvey. Just how he had managed to make his way past the Federal marshals intrigued Ellen, as well as the question why he had chosen that particular place in the courtroom to roost.

Putting those concerns aside for the moment, Ellen scanned the courtroom. At the front of it, standing inches away from the judge’s bench, was Kevin Duke, the high profile lawyer who was representing the Idaho Six. He was consulting with the judge in private. She also noted that she was the only FBI agent on the scene. Stepping aside, she found a seat, fished out her cell phone, and began to make a call to the office to report.

Another spectator who was seated behind Ellen leaned forward to shush her as she tried to fill her boss in. Angered by this, Ellen turned around to tell the person trying to hush her where she could go. When she saw who it was, however, the special agent checked herself. It would not be in the best interest of the Bureau at a time like this to piss off Jan Fields. After exchanging glances with the nationally renowned journalist, Ellen settled down to listen to the proceedings.

While the harried Federal attorney cooled her heels at the table reserved for the prosecution, the judge and Kevin Duke conferred in whispers. “Your honor,” Duke repeated, “my clients are pawns.”

Placing his hand over the mike before him, the judge nodded. “I fully understand that the decision I am about to hand down has all sorts of political ramifications.” Then, sheepishly, he looked into Duke’s eyes. “Kevin, I did the best I could.”

This did little to calm the attorney for the accused. “Frank, you know as well as I do that the people of this state are not going to let their own be carted off to Seattle to be tried in a community noted for its liberal leanings.”

“Kevin, it’s Seattle. The Attorney General was pushing for San Francisco.”

Duke shook his head. “If you ask me, Seattle is no better. Hell, you might as well ship my clients off to Tiananmen Square and let the Chicoms run them over with tanks. In the end the results will be the same.”