Terry and Ace are sitting patiently at Gate A30, which is used exclusively for charter flights and private jets. The plane is a little late, so they've been waiting half an hour when it should have been only ten minutes. Finally, though, a gate attendant opens the door to the boarding ramp. Several seconds later a small knot of lawyers and secretaries emerges, followed by Wayne himself. Terry waves to him as Ace emits an enthusiastic bark and heads for his master, dragging Terry after him by the leash. He nudges his way through Wayne's entourage – Terry excuses both of them along the way – until he's within arm's reach of the old man, who smiles and pats him on the head.
"It's good to see you too, boy," he says. Them he looks up at Terry. "How'd you get them to let him in without a crate?"
"Oh, I just used my natural charm," Terry replies with a smile.
Wayne actually chuckles at that. He gives a brief set of instructions to his attendants, then dismisses them. They each take their leave politely, melt into the mass of people walking up and down the concourse and disappear. Terry, Wayne and Ace take the same route, but more slowly.
"So, how was your trip home?" Terry asks.
"Long," Wayne says simply. "And frustrating, like most of the things I've been doing for the past few days."
"Oh, speaking of frustrating, a bunch of reporters came to talk to you," Terry says. "They wouldn't let them through security, though, so they're hanging around until you come by."
"Great," Wayne says with an irritated grimace. "Just what I was looking forward to."
"Don't worry, I figured out a way around them," Terry says. "We can go out a back door." At this he turns left and heads for an out-of-the-way alcove lined with vending machines. At the back of it is an unassuming door with a sign that reads 'Employees Only.' Terry looks around to make sure nobody's watching – no one is – and extends a hand and knocks on it in a prearranged sequence.
After a couple of seconds there's a click as the door unlocks. It opens onto a dingy service corridor.
"I'm impressed," Wanye says. "Just how did you arrange this…"
He falls into stunned silence as the answer steps out from behind the door.
Max is dressed in the uniform of a female gate attendant, with a blue skirt and jacket and her pink hair mostly hidden under a cap. "Hi," she says cheerfully.
Terry tries to look as innocent as possible while he treasures the rare expression of surprise on his boss's face.
"My dad works here," Max informs Wayne as his expression shifts into a more common glower. Terry's attempt to look innocent does not save him from one of the old man's Looks. Ace whimpers nervously and flicks his tongue over his nose. Max grimaces a little.
Finally, Wayne sighs as if resigned to his current situation. "Thank you," he says, albeit grudgingly. She grins brightly at him, pushes the door open a little further and gestures for them to enter. Once her charges have gone though, she follows them and lets the door close behind her. Then she shuffles quickly into the leading position and starts walking down the corridor. They make their way through the twisting maze of bland white tile, harsh fluorescent lights and metal doors. Occasionally they pass an airport employee going from one place to another: Max exchanges greetings with them, and if the question comes up she explains who her companions are and why they're here. Her willingness to share this information seems to irritate Wayne a great deal, but he doesn't chastise her for it. Everyone they meet seems to agree with Max's strategy anyway – a few even commend her for coming up with it.
Finally they reach an employee entrance, which is occupied by a security guard sitting at a desk. He greets them cheerfully and points to two suitcases waiting in a corner behind them. Terry recognizes them as Wayne's – Max got someone to bring them here. After handing Ace's leash to Wayne, Terry picks up the suitcases. The security guard wishes them well as they go through the door and emerge blinking into the sunlight.
"Well, that's it," Max informs them. "You better get out of here before the press catches on."
"Thanks again," Terry says. Wayne shows her a modicum of politeness and respect though a nod.
Max knows better than to expect a real thank-you from Wayne, since what she just did counts as unwelcome meddling, at least as far as he's concerned. She waves politely and goes back into the building, closing the door behind her. Terry, Ace and Wayne are left alone on the sheltered sidewalk at the far end of the terminal.
Wayne turns to Terry with a frown. "Was that your idea?" Wayne asks in a quiet, slightly ominous voice.
"Nope. It was all Max," he says truthfully. He may get in trouble for this, but not anything serious enough to worry him. "But hey, she got you past the reporters, right?"
Wayne is not going to admit that he's grateful for her favor. "Where did you park?" he asks as if the past fifteen minutes never happened.
"Right over there," Terry says, pointing in the direction of the car. Wayne nods and starts walking in that direction with Ace in tow. Terry follows them. "So, when are you going to tell me about Natalie? You promised you would once you got back." He might be able to improve Wayne's mood by bringing up this subject.
It works. Wayne looks over his shoulder at Terry, a half-smile on his face. "I'll tell you on the drive home," he says.
Author's note: I know this chapter is shorter than usual, but don't worry – I'll have the whole Natalie story up soon.