Chapter Thirteen Summary

Agent Harris listens patiently to Aiden's theory and then dismisses it as chance vandalism. Aiden insists it is precisely the same pattern as the school yard flag downing Meg earlier committed, right down to using the broken flag cleats that held the flags aloft. Harris refuses to budge, but does agree to call the Alexandria Police Department and ask for them to send a patrol car into the area to see if they see anything suspicious. Aiden is upset. He tells Harris that unless someone checks out the area on foot, there can be no possible help for Meg. Aiden leaves, shaken and angry, vowing to do something to help Meg and act on her clue despite Harris.

After Aiden has gone to bed, Harris decides to call on a vacationing FBI agent he knows who owes him a favor. Agent...