She realized dimly that sometime soon she would have to move on, and knew that tonight especially it would entail an effort. But for a while, she thought, she would sit here quietly, where she was.

8

With one exception, those summoned to the airport general manager's office on the administrative mezzanine arrived there quickly. The calls made to them-some by Mel Bakersfeld, others by Royce Livingston-had stressed urgency, and the need to leave whatever they were doing. The District Transportation Manager of Trans America-Tanva's boss, Bert Weatherby-arrived first.
Lieutenant Ordway, having started his policemen searching for Inez Guerrero, though still not knowing why, was close behind. For the time being Ordway had abandoned to their own devices the sizable group of Meadowood residents, still milling in the main concourse, listening to Lawyer Freemantle expound their case before TV cameras.
As the D.T.M., Weatherby, entered Mel's office through the anteroom door, he inquired briskly, "Mel, what's all this about?"
"We're not sure, Bert, and we haven't a lot to go on yet, but there's a possibility there could be a bomb aboard your Flight Two."