Three Against Three: Chaos in New York

Arc Three: Airport Craziness

Part 2: A Mother's Dilemma

Miami-Dade International Airport

December 21st, 1991-1:20 P.M.

(Kate's PoV:)

The bad feeling in my chest and stomach still lingers, as the entire family waits for their bags to appear on the conveyor belt. Peter is beside me, reassuring me that everything will be OK. Peter has already picked up Fred from the area, where the large cargo is unloaded and claimed. It helps to know my furbaby is OK and happy, as I watch the proceedings unfold from his travel carrier. The luggage soon appears, as Peter starts handing it off to the rest of the family.

I soon see Frank walk towards Peter and I's way. He's carrying three bags of luggage with him. It isn't anything; just someone else's luggage got mixed up with ours, that's all. It has nothing to do with Kevin or Christine.

Frank whispers something into Peter's ear. I see Peter's eyes go wide. A look of shock and distress come across his face. "It's nothing," I tell myself, as Peter nervously approaches me.

"Katie, sweetheart… I don't know the best way to word this, but Christine, Kevin, and Linnie are missing,"

"What do you mean, they're missing? Is this some kind of sick joke?" My voice begins to waver.

"No, some way or another, they didn't make the flight," Peter replies. His eyes show no hint of deception or joking.

My mind screams, 'No! Not again!' My surroundings suddenly go black…

(Megan's PoV:)

"Have you seen Linnie anywhere?" I ask my cousin, Tracey, while waiting for my luggage to be passed down.

"No. Didn't she sit next to you on the plane?" she asks, grabbing her bags. I shake my head "no". "That's strange… You two are always together,"

"We do everything together," I reply, depressed. I try talking to Linnie through our bond, but it triggers a headache. It's like she's just too far away.

"Speaking of not seeing people, I didn't see Kevin or Christine anywhere, either," Sondra chimes in. "You don't think something happened, do you?"

"I hope not," My worry is increasing. Tracy glares at her sister, for lacking tact.

"I was looking forward to having some girl time with Linnie and Christine. You, Sondra, and Brooke were welcomed to join us,"

"That would've been fun; especially getting to know Christine, and hearing stories about her boyfriend," Tracy replies.

"That's if you can pry Christine away from Kevin. I noticed those two are really close," Sondra states.

"Yeah…" My ears quickly focus on the conversation going on between Dad and Mom. 'I wonder what they're talking about?' I think to myself. I notice Mom suddenly collapse into my Dad's arms, much to his horror.

"Mom!" I scream, quickly running in that direction, with my cousins following. "What's wrong with Mom, Dad?" I cry. Dad is helping my unconscious Mom over to an empty seat. Fred is watching Mom, worriedly.

"She fainted. I'll explain why in a second, sweetheart. Just let me get your Mom taken care of first, OK?" Dad explains. After getting Mom settled into an empty seat, Dad quickly explains to the entire family that Christine, Linnie, and Kevin are missing; and that Mom fainted, when she was told the news.

"No!" I cry, as I run up to Dad. "Kevin can't be alone again! We just got Christine back… And, Linnie! God, this can't be happening!" I just break, sobbing.

"Megan, it's going to be OK. We're going to find them. Just be strong, OK? Especially for your Mother. Can you do that?" Dad asks.

"I'll try," I choke back a sob. Dad notices Mom begin to stir.

"Will you be OK with your Aunt and Uncle for a bit, while your Mother and I are talking with Airport Security, about finding your siblings?"

I nod, as Buzz and Jeff try their best to comfort me. "It's going to be OK, Megan," Jeff whispers, while Buzz is just in shock. It's heartbreaking to see Mom in such a depressed state. She leans into Dad, as they head over to Airport Security. Fred just whimpers. Jeff speaks to the Collie, "It's going to be OK, Fred. Mom and Dad are going to find Kevin, Linnie, and Christine…"

Miami-Dade International Airport-Police Station

December 21, 1991-1:30 P.M.

(Kate's PoV:)

The Miami-Dade Airport police are housed in a small green cinder block office near the main terminal. Several officers can be seen working at their desks. Peter and I stand in front of the desk of an older, grey-haired officer, who appears close to retirement. He's glancing over some notes on a yellow legal pad, while eating a donut.

A Los Angeles Police Department commendation plaque, for service of valor, can be seen hanging on the wall behind him. The nameplate on his desk reads "Captain Peter Malloy-Commander of the Miami-Dade Airport Police".

Peter coughs to get the officer's attention. The officer looks up. "Sorry, folks. I didn't see you there. How may I help you two?"

"My wife and I are here to file a missing persons report for our son and two daughters," Peter explains to the officer.

"OK. Please have a seat," He motions to the leather chairs, before grabbing a pen. Peter and I take a seat.

"What are your kids' full names, Birthdays, and current ages? Starting with the youngest first," Captain Malloy asks.

I speak, "Kevin Patrick McCallister. Date of birth: November 3rd, 1982. Age: Nine years old. Melinda Grace McCallister. Date of birth: July 4th, 1977. Age: Fourteen years old. Christine Miranda McCallister. Date of birth: December 1st, 1966. Age: Twenty-five years old," I also describe Christine, Kevin, and Linnie's eye color, as well as their hair color, weight, and height. Captain Malloy raises his eyebrow upon mentioning Christine's age, as he jots down the last bit of information.

"Where did you last see your kids?" Captain Malloy asks.

"In O'Hare Airport," Peter answers. "We dropped the bags off at curbside, and they came into the terminal with us."

"Most people get separated at security checkpoints," Malloy says. "Are you sure they got through security?"

"I don't know," I say, looking quizzically at Peter.

"We were late for our plane," my husband explains to the officer. "Everyone ran to the gate." Malloy nods.

"And, when did you notice your kids were missing, Ma'am?"

"Uh, not until we picked up our baggage here…" I reply.

"I see," Malloy writes something on the pad. "Have any of your kids ever run away from home?"

"Yes, our oldest child ran away from home at age sixteen…" I tell the officer, trying not to cry again, as that horrible day, when Christine ran away from home, flashes through my mind. Peter notices my uneasiness take over.

"My wife and I were just reunited with our oldest daughter last year. To suddenly discover she's missing, is bringing up a lot of painful memories from that time. It's like the past is repeating itself," Peter finishes. The officer nods.

"Have they ever been in a situation, where they've been on their own?" the police officer asks.

"As a matter of fact, this has happened before," I admit, with a nervous laugh. "It's sort have become a family tradition." I joke, lamely.

"Oddly enough, we never lose our luggage," Peter adds. Malloy gives a look that he doesn't find our jokes amusing.

"Our youngest son was left home by accident last year," I explain.

"That's what my wife meant about the family tradition," Peter adds. "In addition, that's how we were reunited with our oldest daughter. Our oldest found out he was left home alone through one of our neighbors." Officer Malloy nods.

"We'll call Chicago and notify them of the situation. The odds are that's where they'll be. It's very unlikely they'll be anywhere else," He picks up the phone and starts dialing the number for the airport in Chicago.

While Officer Malloy is on the phone, I'm tapping my fingers nervously, while Peter gnaws on his thumbnail. I silently pray, "Please God, let our three children still be in Chicago…"

…

Malloy hangs up and shakes his head. "Sorry, folks. The police at O'Hare haven't seen any of them," Peter and I stare at each other. What if they've been kidnapped? I slump down in the chair, sick with even more worry. Peter places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Do either of you have any recent photos of your kids?"

"I have one," Peter reaches into his pocket for his wallet, but it isn't there. "My wallet's gone."

"Where could it be?" I ask.

"It was in my travel bag,"

"Where's that?" Malloy asks.

Peter rubs his chin and thinks, "The last I remember, Kevin wanted it at the airport. He was looking for batteries,"

"You think he took it?" I ask.

"I bet he did," Peter replies.

"Then, he could have your wallet," Malloy says. "Were there credit cards in it?"

"Sure," Peter says. "Credit cards, money, my address book, a camera…"

I shake my head, wearily. "I don't think Linnie or Kevin even know how to use a credit card,"

"But, Christine does, Kate," Peter states. "Remember, she had several credit cards of her own, before cancelling them, when she lost her job. I just recently authorized her to be able to use my cards for anything she might need."

"Just to be on the safe side, we'll notify the credit card companies and advise them of the situation," Malloy picks up the phone and starts dialing. "If any of your kids uses any of the cards, we'll be able to get a trace on them." he says, before speaking with the credit card companies…

…

"Do you have a contact number, where we can get a hold of you?" Officer Malloy asks after he hangs up with the credit card companies. Peter nods, as he gives the officer the phone number to the hotel we're staying at. "That's all the information I need, for now. I'll be in touch with you folks, when I hear something," Officer Malloy replies. "The information you gave will also be sent to other police stations and airport police offices across the country."

"Thank you," Peter and I both reply, shaking the officer's hand. We get up from where we're sitting, leave the police office, and rejoin the family.

Megan quickly runs up to us. "Any luck finding them?" Peter and I shake our heads "no", as we explain to the family the current situation. Megan quickly becomes depressed.

"Megan, it's going to be OK. The police have promised to call us at the hotel, once they find out something," I hug her.

"Speaking of the hotel, I think we should head over there and check in. It's been a long, stressful day," Peter suggests.

"How are we going to pay for a hotel, when Christine has the money and credit cards?" I ask him.

"I can pay for it, using my card," Frank suggests, shocking everyone, especially Leslie.

"We appreciate it, Frank. I promise to pay you back for my family expenses after we find the kids and get back to Chicago," Peter tiredly replies. Everyone grabs their things. We call for a van-sized Taxi and head over to the hotel. As for Fred, he's happy to be out of his carrier…

END

This concludes the Airport Craziness Arc.