Suzie Coltrane Saves the Day

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

​"I want them brought to me! Now!!"

The frail-looking man yelled out of the shadows of the back seat. Just minutes after the cab had raced away from the stunned man, a sleek black sedan had slid into the vacant spot. The younger man stiffened as he took the full brunt of his boss's wrath.

​"I'm tired of playing around with these little girls, they have had their fun, now bring them to me!"
​"Yes sir." Said the younger man. "But are you sure that they have the case?"
​"Of course they have the case you idiot! They wouldn't be running if they didn't have the case, now would they?"

​"Right sir. Yes sir. We'll get them. We have our men stationed at LaGuardia and JFK, as well as, Grand Central Station. We also have their pictures out to all of the rental car places just in case. They can't leave this city, sir. There's just no way."

​"Good. They had better not! I'm tired of hunting for them and following after them. They have tried my patience for too long. Now they're going to pay for my wasted time!"
​"But sir, they are only little girls. They don't really know better, do they?"
​"They sent me to Pittsburgh!!" Screamed the dark shape.

​"Yes sir, I know sir. But, well, they're still only children. We took care of that old man at the train station. Isn't that enough revenge?"
​"I'll show you enough revenge when you bring them to me! Now move, I want them and the case in our possession by this afternoon!" He shouted as the window of the black sedan slid back up.

***

​The cabbie drove up cautiously to the Newark airport terminal, not only to protect the girls, but he also knew that if they were found or caught, he was going to have to explain why he did not turn them over before. And that explaining might involve some pain on his part. He certainly did not want that.

​As they drove into the airport grounds, all three had been on the lookout for any cars that appeared to be out of the ordinary. Their search was helped greatly by the increased security enforced around the airports. None of the cars in front of the terminal were staying there for long. It was mostly people there to drop off loved ones and then head back home. Not one car had stayed parked in front for the whole five minutes they were watching.

​"Okay," Said Suzie. "I think we're safe. Just drop us off at whatever terminal is best."
​"Sure," Replied the driver. "Whatever you say."

​He drove to the first airline counter he saw and pulled over. The cabbie didn't even quote them a fare this time. Really, he just wanted them away from his car and out of his life.

​"Here," Said Suzie, dropping five of the $100 bills through the partition. "And thank you for all of your help."
​"Well," The driver had softened at the sight of the money. "Good luck to both you."

​Suzie smiled back at him and hopped out of the car. Gwen held back for a second to mention something to the cabbie before she too got out and shut the door.

​"What did you say to him?" Suzie asked as the cab sped out of sight.
​"I just told him that we were tipping him for his silence, and that he never saw us—ever."
​"Oh..." Said Suzie looking impressed. "You know, you're pretty good at this spy thingy."
​"Yeah, well I watch a lot of TV, what can I say?" She replied smiling.
​"Let's get out of here." Suzie said turning toward the terminal.
​"Good idea!"

​They made their way inside the terminal and walked up to the first available attendant that they found. Both of them scanned the departing flights to see both where they wanted to go and how fast they could get out of this airport.

​"There's one!" Pointed Suzie. "Fargo, North Dakota, and it leaves in five minutes."
​"But we'll never make it all the way to the plane in time. Besides, who wants to go to Fargo?"
​"Oh yeah, I guess you're right."
​"Wait, here's one—Chicago O'Hare, and it leaves in twenty minutes. That's a huge airport; I've been there before. We can get lost easily in there."
​"Yeah, let's go there. I've always wanted to go to Chicago!"
​"You know, it's just the airport, we're not going to take a tour of the city or anything."
​"Duh, but we can still at least see the city through the windows, right?"

​"Yeah, sure, if you say so." Gwen said, turning to the ticket counter.
​"Can I help you?" Asked the overly cheerful attendant.
​"Um, yeah, two tickets on the flight to Chicago." Suzie told her.

​"Okay," Said the attendant, frowning at them. "And how will you be paying for those?"
​"With this credit card." Suzie said back just as sarcastically.
​"Oh, yes ma'am, of course." Said the attendant, smiling again.

​She punched in the information, and then looking at the screen, frowned again.

​"I'm sorry, but we only have first class seats available for that flight."
​"Awesome!" The girls said looking at each other. "We'll take them."
​"Okay, you're all set for the flight, but you better hurry, it's about to leave."
​"Thanks." The girls said in unison as they ran off to the gate.

​After finally making it through security, which was time consuming even though they were rushed to the front, the girls had just enough time to sprint to the gate.

​"You guys just made it here." Smiled the flight attendant.
​"Thanks for waiting." Said the two who were bent over at the waist trying to catch their breath.

​They handed her the tickets and climbed aboard. As soon as they sat down in their plush first class seats, another flight attendant was standing there.

​"Would you like something to drink? Or perhaps a hot or cold towel? A quick snack before we take off?"
​"I'll take a Coke." Said an impressed Gwen.
​"Me too!"
​"This is so cool!" Whispered Suzie after the flight attendant left.
​"I know, I've never flown first class before. I could get used to this."

​They both sat back in their seats and enjoyed their drinks as the plane took off toward Chicago.

​"Boss, we found them! They're on a flight to Chicago right now!" Said the breathless voice as soon as the old man picked up the phone.
​"How did they get away from us? Do we at least have someone on the plane with them?"
​"No sir. They, uh, flew out of Newark."
​"So?"
​"Well sir, we, er...didn't have anyone there."

​"What?!" He yelled into the phone.
​"But don't worry sir. I've already contacted Chicago; we'll have a team waiting for them at their gate. They won't escape this time."
​"They better not!" He screamed, spit flying from his mouth. "Don't screw up again! Next time it's your head!"

​He slammed down the phone in disgust.
​"Idiots! I have hired idiots! John, take me to my plane." He said to the driver. "I'm going to take care of this myself.