To a generation raised on news broadcast live as events unfolded, the spokesman’s words sounded like a dodge. Things, they all told themselves, must be going badly. Otherwise, the briefing would have been more upbeat and full of stories of incredible victories against overwhelming forces. Not finding anything of value at National Guard headquarters, the journalists scattered throughout Boise like rats seeking a meal. All of them, Jan included, scurried to those inside sources that they had carefully cultivated over the months. It was time to tap them and tap them hard.

OFFICES OF THE GOVERNOR, BOISE, IDAHO • NOON, NOVEMBER 8

Standing at his window, GO Thomas looked down into the street at the crowd of milling journalists and their entourage of technicians. A line of indifferently uniformed militiamen manned the police barricades and kept them at bay.

A cynical smile lit his face. All they were looking for was something to throw out to the rest of the nation, something to fill air time. They wanted a story, any story, no matter how grim or disastrous.

From behind his back, Thomas brought a piece of paper bearing the State Adjutant General’s seal and looked down at it. Any one of them, he told himself, would do anything short of murder to see this. Some, he suspected after having watched their antics all these months, might even be tempted to try that.

Ignoring the tumult below, Thomas began to reread the letter, hastily drafted two hours before. “You have received further updates, I am sure, since I drafted this note, “the Adjutant General stated by way of a preamble, “so I will not waste time on the particulars of our situation here in Twin Falls. Rather I find that it is necessary at this time to explain to you my actions and plans for the immediate future.

“I can assure you, the men and women under my command will give a good account of themselves if called upon.” Thomas paused, as he had the first time he had read the note and considered the Adjutant General’s use of the word “if.” A plain spoken man, Major General Earl Saunders chose his words with the same care that any other political appointee did. So the word “if” spoke legions.

“Having said that,” the letter continued, “it is my duty to point out the grim facts of life to you, the chief executive officer of the State of Idaho and head of the Idaho National Guard.” Again, he stopped and considered the passage he had just read. What Saunders was doing, GO snickered, was reminding him that he, ultimately, would be held accountable for all decisions, political and military, that were made during this crisis. The Adjutant General was laying the groundwork for the “simple soldier just following orders” defense. Not that Thomas could blame Saunders. If there was a reasonable explanation that he could manufacture and rely on, he’d also be polishing it up.