Having been in similar situations, Jan knew enough to back off. Instead she directed her crew to do their shooting and sound recording either from a distance or in a more circumspect manner. At the ammunition point, for example, she had her people stand just outside the wire with their equipment at waist level looking as if they were waiting for permission to enter. Instead, both the camera and recorder were running as the female lieutenant colonel in charge of the ammo point refused to issue ammunition to any militiamen without proper authorization. In reviewing the material later, Jan was thrilled to hear Nancy Kozak’s voice come through loud and clear. “Look,” the determined officer informed a particularly obnoxious militiaman, “I don’t care who you are or what sort of authority you think you have. You’re not getting so much as a single cartridge until I am presented with a proper requisition and authorization from the State Adjutant General to issue to non-Guard personnel.”

Of even greater interest was the reaction of the militiaman, whom Jan recognized as Louis Garvey. “Oh, that won’t take long, little lady,” Garvey replied with a smirk, the type that would send chills down the spine of most mortals.

Jan could tell, even in the terrible light under which this segment had been shot, that Nancy Kozak was within a hair’s breadth of giving way to her anger. Only the timely intervention of a tall sergeant between Garvey and Nancy prevented this. “If you’re finished with your business,” the Native American Guardsman told Garvey in the sort of voice that left little doubt it was a last warning, “then be so kind as to move along.”

Garvey remained uncowered by either Guardsman. With a smile and nod, the militiaman casually informed his newfound foes that he’d be back.

Jan was in the midst of editing this piece when she received a call on her personal cell phone. She was so wrapped up in finishing the piece, she almost managed to ignore it. But a little voice told her that this might be important. Reluctantly, she gave in.

“Jan,” an unexpected voice greeted her. “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind coming by my place. I have some information that would be of interest to you.”

Jan’s sound tech, who was doubling as the crew’s editor, saw the expression on the journalist’s face. Pulling away from the video editing machine, the sound tech gave Jan a worried look. “Trouble?”

Without removing the phone from her ear, Jan shook her head. “No, I don’t think so,” Jan whispered while holding her thumb over the holes of the mouthpiece. “It’s Thomas. He wants me to come out to the governor’s mansion.”

“An interview?”

Jan waved her hand and shook her head again as she listened to the governor’s smooth voice drone on. “No, just me,” Jan whispered.