Arriving at Washington National, Jed wandered about displaying the apparent awestruck confusion of a "country boy visiting the big city." An embarrassed visit to a fashion lingerie boutique, that happened to have doors leading in and out onto two separate corridors, showed that at least he wasn't being followed by a male. A close examination of a shiny surfaced display selling the idea of combining office space and luxury apartments in the same building, to be called The Watergate, confirmed the supposition that no one was displaying more than a casual, passing interest in Jed Smith, horse wrangler.

So, after walking down the stairs between two up escalators, Jed ducked through a door marked with the international symbol for MEN, and made a quick change into his Goodwill Industries business suit. Since he planned to abandon the cracked and battered suitcase Anthoney had thoughtfully checked in as his baggage, Jed rolled his riding boots in the well patched jeans and brush jacket, and stuffed them into the "possible" bag he had carried aboard the flight. This homemade canvas duffel bag jammed into a coin operated locker as Jed made his way to the airline's package express counter.

He arrived just in time to witness Anthoney's attache case being carried on a roundabout circuit which ended at a khaki US Army staff car, across from a line of yellow cabs waiting a turn for a guaranteed $10, and up, fare. Unfortunately the cabs were pointed in the wrong direction. Jed's offer of sacrificing his last $100 wasn't enough to overcome any driver's reluctance to break out of the rank, and make a U-turn, to follow.

By the time he had reached the head of the queue and hired a cab, following this lead seemed hopeless. Stumped, Jed directed the driver to pull over to his airlines baggage loading area for a moment. Yes! That was it. Mentally retracing his steps Jed realized that the messenger claiming the case that supposedly contained his bar of gold had taken a route that avoided the baggage claim area. Jed took up a position two carrousels over from the machine designated with his flight's number, and waited.

It didn't take long to recognize the non-conforming movement pattern of a ram-rod straight, older, distinguished looking Anglo-Saxon type, which Jed further classified, by his spit-shined shoes, close cropped haircut, and pseudo regimental tie, as 1) Military, 2) Officer, 3) Bachelor. When the baggage delivery carrousel finally switched on (the first time Jed had ever been grateful for the delay) this man was the only one who did not immediately turn to look for a particular item. He was far more interested in anyone wearing clothes that could be described as "western garb."