The Steel Project

Custody

Authors Note: As stated in my bio, I have deleted all my previous works and I am now starting anew, and keeping it mostly professional. I lack the motivaitan to write sometimes, although often the desire is there, but when I do, I come up with some pretty interesting ideas, and unknown plots. This is a continuing story that I will constantly update.I have no promises of finishing it, as most often, I hardly finish a story. I appreciate comments on whether to continue writing for this story. Thank you all, Claire.

Edited- 08/01/2013

Dedicated to RazorbladeKiss for her cover.

The Steel Project

Custody

American Airlines: 10.13 a.m.

Harvey Birchall was an aged soul, and although most regarded him with as ambitious and courageous, he was hardly a conversational man. He had a large plump figure of which displeased many women which resulted in an empty apartment, and thus, the devotion of his life to airport security.

This particular morning had been very slow and uninteresting if you excluded a dispute between two overweigh ladies that resulted in a physical confrontation, and the removal of 5kg of marjuana from an overdosed hippie. After a quick coffee break, he was on his way for the usual morning dog round with the trainee Jack.

A youthful and handsome man, he was quite the opposite to Harvey. Jack had jet black hair that was neatly tousled, and piercing blue eyes. He was tall, had a slim muscular build, and dark olive skin. His shoes were neatly polished, and his shirt was tucked in neatly. He always found a soft spot in women, and with an adorable beagle by his side, he found himself stared at a lot whilst on the job.

Harvey, however, had thin, greasy grey hair that he attempted to smooth over to one side, but like always, was sticking up by the end of the day. He had thick bushy eyebrows, his nose was crooked in the middle, his shirt messily tucked in, his shoes weathered and aging, and his shirt and trousers were crinkled. Standing next to Jack, Harvey appeared to age ten more years.

"You ready, boy?" grunty Harvey.
"Yeah... I've been here for ten minutes. Where were you?"
"Caffeine call."

Jack frowned but said nothing. He knew better than to question anything. He had nearly finished his training, and to start questioning the motivation of qualified and long servicing customs office would be plain stupid. Even if he was qualified and had the experience to back him up, he knew Harvey was a good worker.
They started walking around the dining areas and continued into lounges twelve and thirteen.

"How was your shift yesterday?" asked Jack, "I heard about the Chinese man who beat up Triffit."
Harvey grunted a small laugh.
"Black and blue he is. 'Twas a funny sight you know. Never seen big ole Triffit taken down." Harvey paused as they hit the escalators and waited on a step, the beagle sitting on his worn shoes. "Also never seen such a small boy frow such big punches. Triffit got out of hospital this morning."
"Seven stitches in all, wasn't it?" asked Jack eagerly.
"Eight. Free above 'is eyebrow, Two on his lip, and Free on the back of 'is 'ead where he hit the floor."

Jack laughed. Triffit was a cocky black custom officer who prided his self on his muscles and looks. No one had ever dared to mess with him, but as it had turned out, he wasn't that strong after all.

The trio, including the loyal beagle, headed to gate one through to four in silence. The two men both had their own thoughts to themselves.

A large wave of people passed them- all from a plane that had departed from Australia. The beagle was hard at work sniffing all of the new people as he had been trained. Jack stared absently at the passing faces- many were tanned, but there was a variety in ages and ethnics.

Suddenly he felt the leash pull hard in his hand and he stopped immediately. The beagle had obediently sat at a middle aged man's shoes. The shoes were polished, and were worn by a man in black trousers and an amber coat. Instantaneously the man ran off, his dirty and hairy face glancing back, horrified. Harvey had walked a few paces ahead before he noticed that Jack had paused. When he turned around he realised that the beagle had sat down. He strode over to Jack and together they started to chase the man.

"You there! Hey! Stop!" cried out Jack, the leash still in his hand as the beagle ran to keep up with him. The man was a blurry red blob in front of them, pushing people aside as he ran to get away. Then Harvey noticed another man running beside him, dressed in all grey.
"Stop! Both of you!" Harvey shouted. Jack was about to quesiton why he had said 'both of you', before he noticed the second figure running- carrying a silver breifcase. The two men had burst through the crowd seconds before Harvey and Jack.

"Take the dog," puffed Jack, handing the leash over to Harvey who appeared disappointed he was stuck with the beagle, but grateful that Jack wans't counting on him to actually catch them. The two men ran down the escalator at full pace, with Harvey following, slowing behind as he did so. Jack's mind was ticking over. He thought quickly, and jumped on the side banister, sliding down on his backside and gaining some extra time. Harvey was sweating severely and couldn't keep up. Jack had to finish this off quick.

Suddenly the two men separated.
"Shit!" cursed Jack. Making a split decision, he followed the man veering to the left towards gates sixteen and seventeen. After leaving the other middle-aged man behind, he realised he was chasing the second figure. It was probably the better choice as he had had no reason to run, and plus, he had the briefcase.

Jack was gaining on the man, and he could sense it. Running down the hallway of the eateries and shops at full pace, the people were separating down the middle and watching in awe. Suddenly the man made a second decision and turned right instantly, plunging into a crowd inside the gift shop. The man had disappeared from Jack's sight, and repeating 'excuse me' over and over, he pushed through the crowd.

Suddenly he spotted him. The briefcase was a giveaway, gleaming in the light, as the man took a cap from a father's head and put it on his own, and cradling the briefcase in his arms. The man casually walked out of the gift shop and attempted to walk into a coffee shop. Jack ran from behind, and unsuspecting, the man was easily pinned to the ground.

Jack kneeled on his back as the man tried to turn over. Jack held a grip on his arm, but the man managed to roll over and the briefcase slipped from his arms. Jack turned the man over roughly and held him there. Suddenly security officers buzzed over and took the man from jack, cuffing him and holding him to the ground.

Jack stood up, breathing heavily.
"Why did you run?" he puffed, looking up the face the man. This man looked completely different to the first one they had started chasing. This man seemed to be in his mid twenties. He had blonde hair and he had some stubble on his cheeks and chin. His lips were dry as he huffed. He didn’t reply.

Jack grabbed him by the collar and repeated himself. "Why... Did you run!?" he demanded. The cold blue eyes just stared angrily back at him. Jack turned around, trying not to show anymore of his anger. He spotted the briefcase and walked over to it. He kneeled by its side and turned around to the man.
"What do you have in here? Cocaine... Heroin?" he asked as he flicked the latches. "Or maybe Mariju..."
Jack caught his breath as he flipped the lid open revealing not drugs, or bomb devices, or illegal documents... but money. It was full with money in Australian currency. He looked at the man who held a smug look. The security officers were as surprised as he was.

Suddenly Harvey ran up from behind, speaking as he huffed.
"Crawford got the other guy. Turns out he had just been smoking some Marijuana before boarding and that’s why the do-" Harvey spotted the open briefcase and lost his thought.
"There has to be a million in there!" cried Dawson, who was holding the man by the left shoulder. The man looked up at him, still smiling smugly, and whispered, "Try a billion."