Petey Running Cloud grinned with wide eyed abandon as he entered the large doors to the aviary. The university had one of the largest protection reserves for birds of prey in the area. And the first thing he saw was the huge, majestic bald eagle that seemed to survey it’s surroundings with an appraising eye. Some might have screamed in excitement, but not Petey. While his eyes flashed with excitement, he remained calm around the giant bird. As he watched the giant bird, the bird itself seemed to turn to study him.
Niaomi watched her son as Professor Seymore Phips went through a short educational lecture with the boy. She smiled as she saw the light in his eyes as he watched the majestic bird, and looked over to her brother. “Thanks for arranging this,” she whispered to him.
“Hey, anything I could do,” he replied quietly. “You said Petey hasn’t been very outgoing lately, so I thought this trip might just help with that.”
Niaomi smiled with a nod, then furrowed her brow as her cell phone rang. Excusing herself, she walked back into the hallway to speak as Petey continued his educational field trip. “Hello,” she said in a quiet tone, and looked back to Maxwell as he gave her a sideways glance.
“Agent Running Cloud,” the voice on the other end stated. “This is Inspector Phil Cortez, Columbus Police Department. We received a package from your office early this morning with instructions. We’ve been tipped about a possible terrorist threat at the convention. We’d like to work with you on this, as it seems you’ve done a good deal of leg work already.”
“Yes, Inspector,” she replied with a small smile. Amanda had done her work well, pushed the proper paperwork through in record time. “I had noticed something odd at the convention dinner and contacted my people. I had hoped that we would be able to work together on this one.”
“We would be more than happy to have both of you on this, Agent,” Cortez announced. Niaomi smiled and turned to look at Maxwell. Her brother furrowed his brow for a moment as he tried to determine what it was she might be plotting.
“I’ll tell my brother right away,” she said into the receiver. “When shall we meet you.”
“In three hours,” Cortez replied without hesitation. “Main station house. Captain Schwatz will be handling the details.”
“Good to hear Inspector. We’ll see you in three then.” She quickly rang off and looked again to her brother as she pocketed her cell phone. “Remember the information we dug up last night?”
“Yes,” Maxwell said with a smile as the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. “So we’re being asked to assist, I assume.”
“We’ve got three hours to prepare before meeting the Captain.”
Maxwell nodded as he crossed his arms. “Well, only one thing left to do.” He looked toward Petey as the boy was listening intently to Professor Phips’ improve lecture. Maxwell didn’t have to say anything. Niaomi knew that her brother’s look would lead to a question about a baby sitter.
“Professor Phips,” Niaomi called out. The older gentleman looked to the pair with a smile. Petey followed suit. “Really hate to interupt you, but I have to ask you a very big favour…”
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