The mission is a go

Charlie Garrison of the FBI had just given the order to contact every airport greeter company pronto -- looking for the young local woman who, dressed in a grass skirt and coconut shells over her breasts, had given a ride to a stood-up young woman they believed could be the niece of Osama bin Laden -- when the Joint Terrorism Task Force caught a break. The Marines' representative to the JTTF, Major Ray Gumption, answered a call from the top MP at Kaneohe.

"Holy key-riste," he said. "He's there with you now? OK, hang tight, I'm gonna put you on hold."

And then to Charlie and the others: "Young Marine MP, Muslim, pulls duty at the brig on Ford Island, was approached barely an hour ago by a classmate at UH-Windward, Muslim gal. Goal: spring Muhammed Resurreccion. Plan B: sneak in explosives and let him die a martyr, taking a few Americans with him. Told her he'd do anything for Islam, or for her. And promptly went to his commanding officer."

"UH-Windward?" said HPD Detective Sherlock Gomes. "We checked out a Filipino student who arrived from Manila on that night." He ran a computer search. "There it is, Fatima San Marcos."

"That's the one," Major Gumption said. "BTW, our Marine says her uncle sent her on this mission."

Eyebrows around the table arched.

"We've got her class schedule and address."

"Let's put the Marine on speaker phone," Charlie said.

Major Gumption introduced himself, mentioned the JTTF. "What's your name, Marine?"

"Sir, Lt. Basel Zakly Faris, USMC, sir."

"Ease up on the formality, son, nobody carries rank in this room. Tell us about the plan."

"They -- she used the word 'we' -- want me to drive one of them out to the brig for a VIP tour, then together we disable any other personnel at the brig, put Osama's buddy in disguise and drive him over the bridge to freedom."

"Then what?" the major said.

"We all sail away to continue jihad. But if, for some reason, we encounter resistance, the trunk of my car will be filled with plastique explosives that can be detonated either by this other person or by remote control. Somewhere nearby, more of them will be watching."

"And you're willing to play along, Marine?" Charlie said.

"Yes, sir."

"Proceed then. Learn what you can about them. We'll have your back."

Ringing off, Major Gumption wiped a gathering cloud of mist from his eyes. "Where the hell," he said, choking up, "do we find young people that like?"

"America, Major," Gomes replied. "America. And God bless him."