CHAPTER 54

We dashed through the whooshing glass doors between cars just as the train conductor announced, “Union Station, Washington is our next stop.”

“We can lose them in the train station!” I said over my shoulder to Tommy.

“Chya. If they don’t catch us on the train first!”

We felt hot air rush up behind us. The two goons had just whooshed through the same sliding doors we did.

Tommy and I danced up the aisle as best we could. The train was rocking and rolling as it rounded curves. We scooted around a big guy hauling his ginormous rolling suitcase out of the overhead bin. He created an excellent blockade!

“Get out of the aisle, pal!” shouted one of the goons when they couldn’t get past the man with suitcase.

“I’m getting off at the next stop,” said the man.

“Well how about you get out of our way now!” grunted the other goon as he shoved the rolling bag forward. The businessman pushed back. The goons pushed harder. And the next time I looked over my shoulder, the businessman was sitting on top of his suitcase, rolling up the aisle like he was riding in a little red wagon.

Tommy and I barged into the quiet car.

“We need to warn—” Tommy said, before three dozen angry travelers shushed him.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

I got shushed, too. I guess even a whisper is too loud for the quiet car.

So, Tommy and I tiptoed as quietly as we could up the aisle. The train started to slow.

“Now arriving Union Station,” said the conductor. “Final stop on this train. Union Station.”

A door slid open. The two thugs burst into the quiet car. They saw us!

“There they—”

“SHUSH!” said all the quiet car passengers (very loudly).

“Sorry,” said one of the goons. Now they were tiptoeing up the aisle, too. Have you ever seen hippos do ballet? It looked like that.

Fortunately, all of the quiet car passengers were getting up out of their seats as the train slowed and we pulled into Union Station. The aisle was crowded with people and suitcases. The two goons were blocked. And they couldn’t yell at anybody because, I guess, even goons respect the rules of the quiet car.

Tommy and I made it into the next car.

“We have company,” I said to Uncle Richie, Beck, and Storm. “Pamela Johnston and some thugs who work for the Enlightened Ones.”

“What does she want?” asked Beck.

“Probably to get back together with me,” said Tommy.

“Or the Vermeer,” I said. “They know we found something in Philadelphia. Those two old geezers playing war were ‘friends’ of Ms. Johnston.”

“What should we do?” asked Beck.

“Give them the painting,” said Storm.

“Huh?” said Beck. “It’s a fake.”

“Which means we didn’t find what the Enlightened Ones were looking for. They will lose interest in us and we’ll be able to continue on our true mission unimpeded.”

“Does that mean we can do it without anybody messing with us?” asked Tommy.

“Indubitably,” said Uncle Richie. “Which, of course, means, ‘yes.’”

Tommy nodded. “Cool. Storm? You’re a genius.”

“Thank you, Tommy.”

“Come on,” said Uncle Richie. “Let’s go give the Enlightened Ones a phony Vermeer so we can also give them the slip!”