Chapter Twenty-one of the Story

Elliot leaned over to peer out the window. The familiar shapes of the famous buildings of Washington D.C. greeted her eager eyes. The last time she had been to the capital was her freshmen fieldtrip in high school. She was excited to be back.
“Control Tower, this is Wolf Nineteen. We have a code thirteen, requesting immediate landing.” Jerin flipped a few switches.
There were so many buttons in the cockpit of the small jet that it made Elliot’s head spin. She wished the Agency had taught her how to fly planes. It was awfully handy that the Agency kept planes at the J.F.K. Airport for their agents to use when they needed them. All Jerin had to do was show his I.D. and tell them where they were going.
“So,” she said, pulling her eyes away from the cityscape, “what did that sentence just mean?”
“Every Agency plane has the code name ‘Wolf’ and then a number. That shows up on the control tower’s computers as a government aircraft, so we get priority. ‘Code thirteen’ means we have a national emergency—like the nation is at stake—so we need on the ground now.”
The radio crackled. “Wolf Nineteen, this is the Control Tower, you have clearance to land on military runway one.”
“Thank you.”
Elliot watched Jerin as he began the landing process. The tip of his tongue protruded from his mouth—as it always did when he was concentrating—and his eyes flicked over the instruments. Soon, they were on the ground.
The maintenance men had been told about the code thirteen plane and quickly brought the stairs to the door. They stood by, curious to see who would emerge. Imagine their surprise when a normal-looking man, a woman in semi-punk clothes, and a dog walked down the steps.
“Thanks!” Elliot said as she, Sherlock and Jerin hurried to the exit.
After leaving the airport, they quickly disappeared into the closest subway station, or as they called them in D.C., the metro station. Jerin traced a finger on route after route, thoroughly confused.
“Now, do we take this one, to the zoo, or this one?”
Elliot rolled her eyes. “Come on, they aren’t nearly as complicated as New York.”’
Jerin frowned. “Yeah, but we don’t live here.”
Elliot sighed and sat down on a nearby bench. “What if he’s not there? This is a long shot. We’re not even sure he’s afraid of snakes. What if there in Russia, or something? What if this is a wild goose chase?”
Jerin sighed, still befuddled by the metro routes. “I think this is it. I checked the flight plans of the other planes that had left the airport while we were waiting our turn on the runway. A private jet had left this mourning bound for D.C.” He smiled at her. “I think we’re on the right track. If he’s not there, we’ll hunt around. They’re here somewhere.” Turning back to the map, he groaned. “I give up. Let’s just take a train and see where we end up.”
Sherlock sat next to him and placed her paw on the map. Jerin glanced down. Out of curiosity, he traced it. It went right by the zoo.
Grinning, Jerin ruffled the dog’s ears. “Excellent. Good work, Sher.”
Smithy knocked on the door to the small lounge. Given permission to enter, he opened the door. “There’s something you should see, Mr. Vang.”
Lisa Clearwater cleared her throat. “I am in charge here. You will address me, first.”
The man looked between Dante Vang and Lisa. Vang did not appear too happy that Lisa had suddenly taken control. Smithy swallowed, deciding Lisa had the most power at the moment. “Miss Clearwater, there’s something you should see.”
Both rose and followed the man to a room filled with video monitors. They showed scenes from all over the zoo. The man monitoring the feeds rewound the video on a screen to his left. Smithy leaned over and pointed to two figures and a dog walking in through the main entrance to the zoo. A security guard stopped them, and pointed to the dog. Obviously, pets were not allowed. The man reached into his pocket and produced a paper. The guard looked at it and waved them through.
Lisa Clearwater balled her finely manicured fingers into a fist and emitted a half-squeal half-growl from her throat. “How did they find us so fast?! I’m not prepared!” She stomped a stiletto heal and then composed herself. “Vang, tell your men to make themselves scarce. Put some out, but make it seem as if we have no idea they’re here and will ever show up. Notify the airport to have the Lear jet ready. You, Mr. Smithy, Elliot, and myself will be making a trip. Smithy, with me.” She turned, then paused. “Oh, and kill Swanson and Kolzak and that awful dog, too.” She left the room, Mr. Smithy at her heals.


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Thar we go. I had to come allllll the way to Panera just to post. The things I do for you people. Well, that and I needed some alone time. Spending an entire week trapped in the same house with your family can be quite taxing. Plus, I had cabin-fever, books overdue that wouldn't renew, and wanted Dr. Pepper.
Anywho, this was not the place I was going to end this chapter, but I ended up making it far to long to post and decided to draw the remaining part of the story out. It's coming to a close, did you know? My brain is running out of obstacles to throw at my characters. They begged me to end it, and demanded a vacation. So, I wrote the very last chapter while sitting on the beach, haha. I have this habit of writing out of order. Plus, I was working out plot details. I have several things to throw at my chars, and then we will be done. Wanna hear something scary? I have the beginnings of a sequel running around in my head.
Yesh, Zann is still kidnapped. He's gonna get himself eaten by a snake if he isn't careful. What's Lisa planning? Where's she going, with Elliot, no less? Who the chocolate is she? (yes, Holly, I know the answers to all these questions.)
I just realized that I have no idea if animals are allowed on subways. Well, they let my brother on....
Oh, and Gen, Washington (yeeesh, he had a long name) is in the right place at the right time. I am a genius!
I'm contemplating posting that story after this one is done. Maybe I'll actually finish it. It's one of those work here and there ones, like yours, Foaly.
Guess what! We have a travel date to pick up my siblings in Ethiopia! It's August 6ish. I'm sooooooo excited. Due to the fact they do not have internet there, I will not be posting that week.
See ya'll next week!