The Sheriff, despite the dark shadows under his bright yellow eyes, was pristinely dressed in his Class A uniform, badge and ribbons immaculately polished – The low brim of his uniform hat deflected the steady flash of journalists’ cameras.

“Good morning,” He began, his voice low and measured. “My name is Sheriff Blacach, B-L-A-C-A-C-H,” he spelled out for the sake of the journos, although he knew they’d still get it wrong, “…of the Sterling County Sheriff’s Office. I’m here to provide you with an update on the ongoing investigation into the events of the evening of July 9th.”

“At 6:43pm Mountain Standard Time, Dispatchers at the Sterling County Centralized Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an explosion in the vicinity of Washington Street and Colfax Avenue in Eclipse Ridge. The caller reported that a vehicle was on fire. Dispatchers also received a number of additional calls consistent with reports of an explosion in the area.”

“Deputies of the Sterling County Sheriff’s Office, and personnel of the Eclipse Ridge Fire Department responded the area within three minutes, and confirmed a fully-involved vehicle fire at the location.”

“Two victims were located in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, and were tended to quickly by paramedics. Both victims were transported to Eclipse Ridge Medical Center, and later onward to a level 1 trauma center by air ambulance. Both victims are listed in a serious but stable condition. We will not be releasing any further details on the victims at this time.”

He took a breath, his hands gripping the edges of the small podium – The media room was stuffy, it rarely saw more than one or two local journalists covering the mundane day-to-day politics and issues of rural Colorado. However, in the aftermath of the explosion, state-wide media, and even some national media, had shown up to get the scoop on the small town rocked by an explosion.

“Once the initial triage, security, and safety of the site had been completed, Crime Scene Investigators of the Sterling County Sheriff’s Office worked through the night to conduct preliminary investigation work, later assisted by local assets from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations.”

Another pause, knowing the barrage of question that would follow his next statement.

“Through our continued investigation of the scene, it has been determined that the blast resulted from a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, located in the engine compartment of the vehicle.”

A moment of shocked silence was quickly drowned out by the intensifying of camera shutters and murmurs of journalists.

“At this time, we do not believe this to be an act of terrorism. Instead, a targeted attempt on the life of one or both of the victims. At the behest of the Colorado State Attorney’s Office, additional assets from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and other federal law enforcement agencies have been dispatched to the crime scene. The Sterling County Sheriff’s Office will work closely with the ATF and our federal partners to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation.”

“In the interest of preserving evidence, the area around the crime scene will remain closed for an extended duration – Until such time as that evidence can be transported to a secure facility for further evaluation.”

“The Sterling County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its deepest appreciation to our partner agencies, particularly to the Eclipse Ridge Fire Department, for their quick and fearless response – Exhibiting the very highest standard in professionalism and life-saving intervention.”

“Further updates will be issued by my office in due course. I will not be answering any further questions at this time. Thank you.”

A flurry of shouted questions from the journalists followed the Sheriff out of the room. The fancy uniform would come off, and work would continue long through the day.