Lee decided not to argue with Amanda knowing it was futile to do so. As they got in the car Lee got a text from Mattie's phone.
"This is Jaza Bukhari. I have your daughter at the Pentagon. I'm waiting for you" the text said
Lee replied "I'm coming"
Amanda received a text from JJ that she was on her way to meet them at the Pentagon.
They were at the Defense Department in no time and they could see smoke curled over different areas outside of the building. There didn't seem to be any major damage from what they could see. They flashed their badges to some of the security detail and were led to the head security person in charge.
"Federal Agents Lee and Amanda Stetson what is the status of your breach," asked Lee
"Mr. Stetson, Sargent Rosen. We have reason to believe that there is a terrorist inside. Now we think we have just about have everyone out however we think Joint Chief General Welsh and his aide Mattie Stetson are inside. You're her parents aren't you?"
"We are," Amanda answered.
"We think that the terrorist is Jaza Bukhari. He matched a facial ID to a photograph that was taken at our home" Lee informed the Sargent.
"It turns out he has been dating our daughter. I'm sure she was unaware of who he was." Amanda added
Sargent Rosen briefed them.
"Once we're completely secure and able to determine that people are accounted for then we will try to contact him inside. We have located a hostage negotiator who is on the way."
"This guy is a terrorist! You are not going to talk him out of anything" Lee argued. He was very agitated and pacing and running his hands through his hair.
"Yes, it seems so. We have already caught four men who used drones to drop some homemade bombs." They also beat up one of Joint Chief General Odierno's aides very badly. She's been taken to the hospital" the Sargeant stated.
Amanda grabbed Lee's arm in fear thinking about what Mattie might be facing. She had never seen Lee look so agitated.
"We want to go in by ourselves," Lee demanded
"No sir that's not possible" argued Sargrent Rosen
"Look buddy.." Lee was getting angry and the muscles in his jaw were twitching wildly.
"Lee don't. We will have to wait" Amanda tried pulling him away and stroked his arm hoping to calm him.
"Listen, give us thirty minutes, and then if you want to send in the cavalry be my guest. But if you storm the building he could cause more harm. You don't know if he or any more guys are with him and were able to booby trap the corridors. You send in all your security forces, you could have a blood bath on your hands."
Just then Jennifer arrived from her apartment and joined Lee and Amanda.
"I dunno. We just don't know what we're dealing with." surmised the Sargent.
Another security guard came up and informed his superior Sargent Rosen.
" Sir We have all the joint chiefs accounted for except for General Welsh and about twenty other personnel that could be hiding, trapped, or held hostage inside with the terrorists"
"Damn I just wish we could contact him! I don't want something like Waco or worse!" the Sargent replied.
Lee tried to persuade the Sargent again. "Look like I said give us thirty minutes. I'll give you an update once inside!"
Rosen became distracted by one of his men and turned away and started to discuss with him more about the situation.
At that moment Lee took Amanda's hand and ran past the guard with JJ in hot pursuit. The head of security yelled for them to stop and fired a warning shot in the air.
Once inside the three stopped in the hallway of one of the passageways of the Pentagon.
Lee stated "It can be very confusing in the hallways. But I bet they are somewhere where he can protect himself and be secure.
"Do you think we should split up?" asked JJ
" No, I don't think we should since we don't know if there are more of Jaza's people. I think we need to cover each other" Lee said.
"OK so I think we should try the General's office first," Amanda said firmly.
Lee looked at Amanda and nodded "I think your mother's right. Her instincts have never let me down"
"I was here a few months ago having lunch with Mattie. I know where it is, follow me" said JJ
JJ quickly led them down corridor E and up the stairs avoiding the elevator. Lee started to slow down because his bad knee was hurting. Amanda steadied him as they got to the floor that JJ showed them. She cleared the hall and motioned for them to enter. Going down the hall they saw the offices of the Joint Chiefs. They slowly entered. The General was sitting at Mattie's desk trying to make a phone call.
"General Welsh! Lee announced.
The General looked up."Good to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Stetson"
"Are you alright General?"Amanda asked
"I'm not too worse for wear, thanks! Since we have had this threat they have had us wear bulletproof vests. That guy shot me and I played dead but I sure am sore!"
"We're glad you are ok, General. Do you know where Mattie is?" asked Amanda
"I'm afraid whoever he is still has Mattie. I was just trying to call the head of security to let him know I am on my way out."
"We kinda got past Sargent Rosen without his permission" replied JJ
"Do you know if there are more of his people in the building or any other of ours? Lee asked.
"No, I'm afraid I don't," The General answered.
"General, do you mind telling Sargent Rosen to give us thirty minutes before all hell breaks loose" Lee asked.
"I am going to order him to proceed with caution after thirty minutes Mr. Stetson. We can't allow this man or any other of his group to prolong a standoff."
"Thank you General, we appreciate it "Amanda replied.
"Do you know which way they went?" asked JJ
"No, since I was playing possum I couldn't see" replied the General.
"He may be using Mattie to try and get out of the building secretly" suggested Amanda "Are there any underground tunnels?"
"Yes we only use them for emergency drills and that's how they would get out secretly."
"Can you direct us which way to go? asked Lee
"I can do better, I can give you a map" offered the General.
He left Mattie's desk and went into his office and rummaged around in his files and came out with a map of the building. The General marked where they were in the Pentagon and then drew how to get to the underground tunnels.
"Thanks, General" JJ looked over her father's shoulder at the map as they all studied it. "Let's go"
As they left the General started calling Sargent Rosen to give him his orders.