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Doherty nodded and stood up.
Castillo opened the stair door. Max came charging up the aisle, headed
for the door with Madchen behind him. They pushed Torine out of the way and jumped to the ground. Max ran to one of the King Airs and raised his leg at the nose gear. Madchen met the call of nature under the wing.
Torine went down the stairs and saluted the general.
"Torine, sir," he said. "Colonel, USAF, attached to the Department of Homeland Security. This is Inspector Doherty of the FBI. Would you like to see our identification?"
"I think that would be a good idea, Colonel," the general said.
Torine handed his identity card to the general. Doherty took out his credentials and held them open.
The general examined both carefully.
"Welcome to Fort Rucker," he said. "I'm Brigadier General Crenshaw, the deputy post commander."
"I'm sorry about causing the fuss, sir," Torine said. "But we had planned to land at Hurlburt-"
"They took a pretty bad hit from Katrina," General Crenshaw said.
"-and we were getting pretty low on fuel."
"Where'd you come from?"
"I'm sorry, sir, but that's classified," Torine said.
"The reason I asked had to do with customs and immigration, Colonel."
"We'll do that when we get to Washington, sir. Presuming we can get fuel from you."
"That's a civilian airplane," General Crenshaw said.
"Sir, if you will contact General McNab at Special Operations Command, I'm sure he'll authorize you to fuel us."
"You work for Scotty McNab, do you?"
"With him, sir."
"Okay, Colonel. You have an honest face, and the FBI seems to be vouching for you. We'll fuel you. Anything else we can do for you?"
"Two things, sir. Forget we were ever here, and…uh…the dogs aren't the only ones who need a pit stop."
"They did have the urge, didn't they?" General Crenshaw said. "Not a problem. We can even feed you."
"Very kind of you, sir. We'll pass on the food, but some coffee would be really appreciated."
"Is there a problem with me having a look at your airplane?"
"None at all, sir," Torine said, and waved the general toward the door stairs.
Castillo stepped away from the door as Crenshaw mounted the steps.
"Hello," Crenshaw said to him as he stepped inside. "Who are you?"
"I'm the copilot, sir."
"Air Force?"
