construction of the Cathedral (interrupted by the Civil War) and later renovations resulted in an incomplete compilation of building blueprints.
• Multiple architects. Hundreds of stonemasons.
• The cornerstone has been completely lost. Other details of the original construction are unknown.
Alternative Access Points: In addition to normal access points around the Cathedral’s perimeter, there is underground access from the Rectory and Cardinal’s Residence.
Note: Rectory and Cardinal’s Residence Tunnels are easily secured.
• There are no other known access points, although rumors persist of a subterranean tunnel system with access to the Cathedral.
Renovation Work: Began in 2012 at an estimated cost of $177 million. Interior work ongoing. Exterior work nearing completion. Scaffolding fills the gallery to provide access to the numerous masons and wood craftsmen who are tasked with this meticulous, ongoing renovation. Exterior scaffolding in the front of the Cathedral—above the bronze doors—is in the process of being removed.
Miscellaneous:
• The massive bronze doors each weigh 9,200 pounds and measure 16½ by 5½ feet. They feature carvings of six saints: Saint Joseph, Saint Isaac Jogues, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint Patrick, Saint Frances Cabrini, and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. They were dedicated and blessed by Cardinal Spellman.
• Nineteen Cathedral bells, with a range of nearly two octaves, ring twice a day: at noon and at 6:00 p.m. Once rung by hand, they are now played from a small keyboard.
• There are more than seventy windows, many of which have frontage to Fifth Avenue.
• The Cathedral was named after the patron saint of Ireland.
*Analysis prepared by SA Kendall Longworth for SA Eve Rossi. For internal use only.
Chapter 16
“W e have two videos showing a limited view inside Saint Patrick’s,” explained Neil Brodsky, the FBI tactical liaison assigned to brief Eve. He stood ramrod straight between two computer screens, his wound-up-tight nerves on overdrive. “On the left, you see the YouTube footage uploaded by the Hostage Taker. On the right, you see the video that Special Ops managed to obtain. Individually, neither tells us much—and we certainly don’t trust what the Hostage Taker may have staged for pure theater effect. But taken together, we gain a better understanding of conditions inside.”
“
This
is how we’re gonna figure out how many hostages are holed up in there? Can’t tell a damn thing from that grainy feed,” Mace groused. His enormous frame was stretched back in his chair, sneakered feet on the table. Completely relaxed.
Unlike Neil, who flinched every time Mace spoke.
“W-we confirmed that the Hostage Taker’s video is largely ac-accurate.” Neil stumbled nervously over his words.
“Hope you’ve got equipment that shows something better than snow.” Mace shook his head in exasperation.
“Since when did you become a tech expert?” Eli challenged Mace.
“Calm down, Kotter. Gotta see the ball to make the call. We need a high-def recording.”
“Can you stop calling me that already?”
“Then don’t wear that seventies jacket.”
“Do you always have to be such a pain in my ass?”
“Who—me? I’m two hundred thirty pounds of muscle, sweetness, and light,” Mace retorted with a grin.
Eve was convinced they never actually listened to themselves. She planted her elbows on the table and refocused on Neil. “Can you walk us through the details?”
The question seemed to please him. “W-we snaked a flexible fiberoptic pinhole camera through a sm-small opening inside the construction zone on West Fifty-first Street. A spot where repairs to crumbling stonework are incomplete. We obtained video showing an unobstructed view of what the Church has named the North Transept Entrance. That’s the one on West Fifty-first Street nearest Fifth Avenue. We’re calling it Door Number Four.” Using his cursor, Neil moved a neon-orange dot
• Multiple architects. Hundreds of stonemasons.
• The cornerstone has been completely lost. Other details of the original construction are unknown.
Alternative Access Points: In addition to normal access points around the Cathedral’s perimeter, there is underground access from the Rectory and Cardinal’s Residence.
Note: Rectory and Cardinal’s Residence Tunnels are easily secured.
• There are no other known access points, although rumors persist of a subterranean tunnel system with access to the Cathedral.
Renovation Work: Began in 2012 at an estimated cost of $177 million. Interior work ongoing. Exterior work nearing completion. Scaffolding fills the gallery to provide access to the numerous masons and wood craftsmen who are tasked with this meticulous, ongoing renovation. Exterior scaffolding in the front of the Cathedral—above the bronze doors—is in the process of being removed.
Miscellaneous:
• The massive bronze doors each weigh 9,200 pounds and measure 16½ by 5½ feet. They feature carvings of six saints: Saint Joseph, Saint Isaac Jogues, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint Patrick, Saint Frances Cabrini, and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. They were dedicated and blessed by Cardinal Spellman.
• Nineteen Cathedral bells, with a range of nearly two octaves, ring twice a day: at noon and at 6:00 p.m. Once rung by hand, they are now played from a small keyboard.
• There are more than seventy windows, many of which have frontage to Fifth Avenue.
• The Cathedral was named after the patron saint of Ireland.
*Analysis prepared by SA Kendall Longworth for SA Eve Rossi. For internal use only.
Chapter 16
“W e have two videos showing a limited view inside Saint Patrick’s,” explained Neil Brodsky, the FBI tactical liaison assigned to brief Eve. He stood ramrod straight between two computer screens, his wound-up-tight nerves on overdrive. “On the left, you see the YouTube footage uploaded by the Hostage Taker. On the right, you see the video that Special Ops managed to obtain. Individually, neither tells us much—and we certainly don’t trust what the Hostage Taker may have staged for pure theater effect. But taken together, we gain a better understanding of conditions inside.”
“
This
is how we’re gonna figure out how many hostages are holed up in there? Can’t tell a damn thing from that grainy feed,” Mace groused. His enormous frame was stretched back in his chair, sneakered feet on the table. Completely relaxed.
Unlike Neil, who flinched every time Mace spoke.
“W-we confirmed that the Hostage Taker’s video is largely ac-accurate.” Neil stumbled nervously over his words.
“Hope you’ve got equipment that shows something better than snow.” Mace shook his head in exasperation.
“Since when did you become a tech expert?” Eli challenged Mace.
“Calm down, Kotter. Gotta see the ball to make the call. We need a high-def recording.”
“Can you stop calling me that already?”
“Then don’t wear that seventies jacket.”
“Do you always have to be such a pain in my ass?”
“Who—me? I’m two hundred thirty pounds of muscle, sweetness, and light,” Mace retorted with a grin.
Eve was convinced they never actually listened to themselves. She planted her elbows on the table and refocused on Neil. “Can you walk us through the details?”
The question seemed to please him. “W-we snaked a flexible fiberoptic pinhole camera through a sm-small opening inside the construction zone on West Fifty-first Street. A spot where repairs to crumbling stonework are incomplete. We obtained video showing an unobstructed view of what the Church has named the North Transept Entrance. That’s the one on West Fifty-first Street nearest Fifth Avenue. We’re calling it Door Number Four.” Using his cursor, Neil moved a neon-orange dot
Similar Books
