by Alex Cage
“Well, it made you sound very smart, Mr. Black,” she said, biting her lips and batting her eyes.
“Why, thank you.”
They heard the front door creak open and a pair of footsteps knock against the hardwood floor. The park manager appeared in the lounge and walked over to them. He stood with a smile on his face, waiting for an acknowledgment, but didn’t receive one.
“Excuse me, Agent Chapp, Mr. Black. I wanted to see if you two needed anything,” he said, still smiling.
“No, I think we’re okay,” Ashley said.
“Good. I also wanted to thank you for what you’ve done today. If it wasn’t for you two, someone could’ve gotten hurt. Especially those guest speakers.”
“It was a team effort. Credit should go to the police and you and your staff too. Thank you for getting onboard.”
The manager nodded. “Just so you know, I’ve already informed my boss and my counterpart at Fantastic Universe. They’re taking the necessary precautions.”
“Necessary precautions,” Black echoed. “I guess that means the 324 event is still happening tomorrow?”
“Yep… the panelists were already adamant about it, but after this they’re even more pumped.”
Black and Ashley exchanged a glance.
“But I have to get back to it. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything,” the manager said before disappearing into the foyer area.
“So these activists are still going through with it,” Ashley sighed.
“To them, it makes sense,” Black started. “They believe the whole thing is a big government conspiracy and the government is behind the bombings. They won’t allow the government to beat them when it comes to human rights. But if they knew the truth about who’s behind the bombings, they might give it a second thought.”
The front door opened once again. This time multiple footsteps scuffed across the floor. Black and Ashley both turned their heads toward the doorway into the foyer, and a second later Toben came through it. Stuart and a uniformed officer were behind him, but they stopped in the foyer. Black stood first and Ashley followed suit as Toben paced over to them.
“I’m sorry I got off the phone so fast. I was trying to hurry off the plane—I didn’t realize there was an explosion. Are you okay?” He posed the question to both of them before placing his hand on Ashley’s shoulder and repeating the question in a lower tone to her only. “Are you okay?” The two looked at each other for three or four seconds before she answered.
“Yeah… Yeah, we’re fine. No one got hurt.”
Here they go again, Black thought. “Did you say you got off a plane?” he asked.
Toben nodded, finally removing his hand from Ashley’s shoulder. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you guys about. As you know, we were able to locate Tyler’s car using the tracker in Matt’s backpack. We searched through the airport’s surveillance and records and discovered Tyler got on a flight to Orlando, Florida, last night. Guess who else we saw boarding a flight to Orlando, two hours later?”
“Stokes.”
“Exactly. So I’m on my way to Florida now.”
“You’re flying out from LAX?” Ashley asked.
“No. I have one of Homeland’s private jets.”
“What? How?”
“I wanted to get to Florida as fast as I could. Hanten approved all of it.”
“The director,” Black said, “she approved it?”
“Yep. That’s the one. Look, I figured you guys can come with me. The plane is at a private airstrip about ten miles northeast of here. I’m thinking we fly there today to be at Fantastic Universe bright and early tomorrow morning.”
Ashley fluttered her hand. “Wait. Do we have any idea why Stokes would be following Tyler? I’m sure it’s not to bring him to justice.”
Black said nothing. He was in his thoughts, trying to make sense of everything.
“That’s the question I plan to ask when we find him,” Toben replied.
I wonder if— Black was thinking before he said aloud, “Toben, if you want to make sure you catch this kid, we should leave now.”
“Why?”
“Johana mentioned Tyler would be hiding in the park tonight to set up for his attack tomorrow. Florida’s time is three hours ahead, plus it’s about a four-, four-and-a-half-hour flight. If we’re going, we should go now.”
Toben hunched his shoulders. “Okay.”
The three started for the front door. After a few steps, Ashley rubbed her side.
“Oww,” she exhaled.
“What’s wrong?” Toben inquired.
“She took a hit to the ribs,” Black answered. “Ashley, I think you should stay here and rest a little.”
“Black, no, it’s nothing,” she said.
“Yeah, but we don’t want the injury to get any worse.”
“I agree with Black,” Toben said. “Stay here and rest, Agent Chapp.”
“What am I supposed to do? Sit here and watch TV while you two go after these guys?”
“Exactly,” Black encouraged. “Take a load off. We can handle this.”
Ashley paused for a moment. “Okay, okay. I’ll rest here for another hour or two, then head back home,” she agreed.
They said their goodbyes, then Black and Toben headed to the foyer, where Stuart and the other officer were standing. Toben talked to the captain about hitching a ride to the airstrip, and five minutes later the group was in an SUV, exiting the theme park and steering onto the main road. Black was in the back seat with Toben. Stuart was in the front passenger seat and the officer was behind the wheel. The vehicle’s interior smelled like takeout and gym clothes, as if it belonged to a bachelor. Black rolled down his window to about halfway. The breeze infused with the warm rays from the afternoon sun created a tranquil experience. He wanted to doze off but figured he would have time to do that on the flight.
AFTER TWELVE MINUTES of driving, the car hung a right onto a long, deserted road. Another mile on the road and the sight of a hangar appeared in the distance. They stopped at a security booth, where the officer at the wheel and Toben presented their badges to the guard. The guard nodded as if he recognized Toben. He raised the barrier gate and waved them through. They drove across the tarmac before veering a half circle and stopping in front of the hangar. Black opened his door and slapped his feet on the blacktop. Toben did the same. The two walked to Stuart’s window, which he rolled down.
“Thanks, Stuart.” Toben shook his hand.
“Thank you, Captain,” Black said, also shaking his hand.
“Anytime. You two have a safe flight.”
Toben pivoted and started walking in the direction of the hangar. Black turned his back to the car but paused at his name being called.
“Mr. Black,” Stuart beckoned.
Black turned to face him.
“Do me a favor and catch this kid. This whole mess has caused too much uproar.”
“You got it, Captain.” Black smiled and rotated in the direction of the hangar. He listened as the SUV tires sped against the asphalt of the airstrip. The hum of the vehicle had completely disappeared by the time he caught up with Toben. The two stopped near the double-door entrance of the hangar where the private jet was parked. It was a Dassault Falcon 10, a small, lightweight jet. The top half of the aircraft was painted dark blue and the belly white. Two turbine engines were to be seen near the back, below the stabilizers but above the wings. It appeared to be a well-maintained bird. The exterior door was already open and provided a steep staircase into the plane. Standing next to it were two men in similar attire—a white shirt with a tie, dark slacks, and pistols. Black was certain they were the pilots. The men were chatting and laughing. One of them noticed as Black and Toben approached.
“Agent Toben. You’re ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes, we’re ready.”
“Okay, how many passengers are we expecting, sir?”
“Only two. Myself and Mr. Black here.”
“Alright then. Let’s get you two onboard.”
They followed the other pilot into the plane. He pointed them to the cabin area as he slid into the cockpit. Black ducked into one of the chairs close to the back on the right side of the plane. Toben took a seat across from him. They sat quietly and watched as the first pilot closed and latched the cabin door before easing into the cockpit.
“So, Mr. Consultant,” Toben said. “What’s your current prognosis of the situation?”
Black looked at him and opened his mouth to answer.
“Hold that thought,” Toben said, standing from his chair.
He walked to a cubby attached to the wall of the cockpit. From a small crate, he lifted two wrapped sub sandwiches in one hand and two bottled waters laced through his fingers on the other. The subs were ham and cheese. Black could smell it as Toben handed him one and a bottle of water.
“I thought you might be hungry,” Toben said, sitting in his chair.
“Thanks.”
“What’s your situation appraisal?” he asked again over the ruffling of the sandwich wrappers.
“I think we have at least two forces at play, two motivations,” Black answered.
“Which are?”
“The first is Johana. She’s broken because of her childhood and wants someone to pay for it. Specifically, parents who are not taking responsibility for the kids they bring into this world. She wants them and all who support them to suffer like she did. That’s why we had the bombings.”
“Yeah, I get that. Both she and Tyler are cut from the same cloth. How do these kids get like that?” The question was expressed as rhetorical.
“Don’t be so quick to judge. I do remember seeing your son, Matt, with the two of them. All of them are hurt. Just in different stages of the process.”
“I don’t think my son is like them—but wow, Black. Tell me how you really feel.”
“Speaking of which, how long have you and Agent Chapp been having an affair?” Black asked, finally taking a bite of his sandwich.
Toben adjusted in his chair. “What? What are you talking about?” he asked in a higher octave than normal.
Black looked at him with a mouth full. “Don’t play with me.”
The pilot entered the cabin. “We’ll be up in the air in about eight minutes. You can buckle up for takeoff.” He nodded, then disappeared back into the cockpit, closing the door behind himself.
Black found his seatbelt and clicked it over his lap. Toben did the same. The cabin was quiet while Black swallowed his first bite.
“So how long?” he asked again, taking a second bite of his sub.
“Months.”
“Has Stokes seen you two together?”
“No. At least not directly, but he knows about it.”
“What do you mean, not directly?” Black asked.
“The night of the bombing at Fisherman’s Wharf, Reeves and Guo followed me to Agent Chapp’s house. I’m sure that’s how Stokes found out.”
Black said nothing, just chewed his food.
“But don’t worry about him using that against me. I broke things off with Ashley.”
“Plan on telling your wife?”
Toben paused before answering. “I don’t know.”
The jet engines kicked on. Faint vibrations waved through the cabin.
“I’m sure she already knows,” Black said.
“What makes you say that?”
“If anyone has spent any time around you two, they know something’s up. Maybe except Boyar. He’s so high on Agent Chapp he can’t see her doing any wrong. But it’s up to you if you tell your wife or not. I just want to know what Stokes can use against us.”
Toben’s eyebrows wrinkled. He was quiet for a few seconds. “So what’s the other force? You mentioned there were at least two at play.”
“Stokes, of course.”
“And what’s his motivation, you think?”
“Not sure.”
“So you have no idea?”
“No, I have an idea.”
“Okay, tell me.”
“No,” Black said, taking another bite.
“Why?”
“Because it’s only a hunch. It’s a little thin. I’ll let you know when it fattens up,” Black mumbled.
The jet began to taxi forward and Toben finished unwrapping his sandwich.
“Has Boyar come across anything new with Tyler’s adoption records?” Black asked.
“No, not yet.”
“Let’s check with him once we land.”
“Sure,” Toben hunched his shoulders before taking the first bite of his own sandwich.
Ten minutes passed and they were up in the air. The little plane hummed along—smoothly, to Black’s surprise. He took his and Toben’s trash to the garbage then wavered back to his seat. He noticed Toben reclined. He wasn’t sleeping but seemed to be in a trance. Maybe rehearsing that conversation he’d have with his wife, Black guessed, as he reclined his chair and closed his eyes.
WHEN HE NEXT opened his eyes, he was soaring across the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida. Turbulence shook the plane. He sat upright and glanced at Toben, who was sitting tensely and holding the armrests of his chair as the craft quaked under the turbulence.
“We ran into a thunderstorm,” Toben said. “I forgot there’d be scattered storms in Florida tonight and throughout tomorrow.”
Black shrugged. The plane hit a large pocket of air, bouncing from a brief drop.
“Whoa. Good thing we have two pilots,” Toben continued.
“I guess,” Black replied.
“Let something happen to the pilots. Then you’ll start worrying.”
“If something happened to the pilots, I’d just fly the plane myself.”
“Yeah, that’s right—you have the Air Medal.”
The intercom system popped and one of the pilot’s voices crackled on the line. “We hit a storm but should be through it shortly. There’re scattered storms across the state, so we won’t be landing in Orlando, and Tampa is a little backed up because of the weather. We have the okay to land in Lakeland.” The intercom line scratched closed.
“Lakeland?” Toben winced. “That’s a small, ratty city. You ever been?”
“Yeah, actually I have. But I didn’t have much time for sightseeing. It was a quick hit-in, hit-out deal,” Black said with a grin on his face.
Twenty minutes passed and they started their initial descent. Ten minutes after that, the wheels of the jet touched down on the airstrip at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The aircraft took a few moments taxiing to a hangar before it stopped and the engine switched off. The pilot slid from the cockpit and stepped to the cabin.
“We made it,” he said with a smile, raising his hands palms up. “Sorry about the bumps towards the end, but like I mentioned, we ran into a storm. I told the airport you’re in a hurry so they’re getting a loaner car ready for you. We’ll run some checks on the aircraft then probably grab a bite and get some rest. You have our numbers. Just let us know when you’re on your way back.”
“Sounds like a plan. Thanks,” Toben said.
The man nodded before sidestepping to the cabin door and unlatching it. He pushed the door open and the hydraulics did the work of lowering the steps. Toben ducked out of the plane first, with Black a few paces behind him. Both pilots stayed inside. Outside the sky was dark, covered by clouds crying drizzles of cool rain. The rev of an engine sliced through the moist air. Black saw a dark-colored car streaming across the slick tarmac towards them. The car stopped a few yards in front of them and a young lady with a yellow hooded poncho exited from behind the wheel and jogged over.
“Mr. Jake Toben?” she asked, shifting her glance between Black and Toben.
Toben raised his hand. She walked over and handed him the key to the car.
“Thank you,” Toben said.
“You’re welcome, sir.”
Black and Toben waved to the pilot, who was standing at the cabin
door. He waved back as he knelt, grabbed a lever, and pulled to close the door. Toben reached in his pocket and handed the young lady some cash. She smiled her thanks, then walked off in the direction she had driven from. A guy on a go-cart met her, she hopped on, and they took off. Meanwhile Black had already started walking to the passenger side of the car. He eased into the front passenger seat while Toben made a call. A couple of minutes later, Toben opened the door and settled in under the wheel.
“That was Boyar,” he said. “He still hasn’t had much luck with Tyler’s adoption records.”
Black said nothing. Toben placed another call. He talked for less than thirty seconds before ending the call.
“Sorry. Had to confirm the manager is still at the park. He and a couple of uniforms will be meeting us there.”
Black nodded. Toben pressed the ignition button and the engine purred over. He peered around the small-scale airport, looking for an indication of the way out. Soon they were cruising out of the airport and onto a local road westward, which led them to a tolled parkway, which took them even farther west. At the end of the highway were two exits, one for Tampa and the other for Orlando. Toben veered right, taking the Orlando exit onto I-4 East. The drive was quiet and the roads were mostly empty. The sound of the engine humming, the intermittent swiping of the wiper blades, the slush of the tires treading the wet road, and the occasional pair of headlights from other traffic kept their senses occupied for most of the ride. The car droned on for another hour before Toben exited onto Fantastic Universe Drive.
“You know exactly where you’re going,” Black commented.
Toben kept his eyes on the road. “Yeah, I brought Kristi and Matt here a couple years back,” he said. There was a tone of sorrow in is voice.
The drive into the theme park was nearly identical to the drive into Fantastic Galaxy. There were similar billboard advertisements and the ticket booths were oriented the same way. Toben rolled the car to the only open booth, where he flashed his badge to a security guard and received directions to the main office. They traveled through a couple of parking lots before making it there. A police squad car and a white Chevy Blazer with the Fantastic Universe logo were parked near the office. Black and Toben exited the car and headed to the front door. Toben knocked twice. Footsteps raced towards the door from the other side, and the next moment the door swung open and a husky middle-aged Hispanic man stood before them.