The Last Chance Detectives

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to a special presentation of Adventures in Odyssey, The Last Chance Detectives. Please keep in mind that Last Chance is aimed for a little older audience than Odyssey and may be intense for younger listeners under the age of 10. Kids, make sure your parents are listening, okay? And now, we hope you enjoy this special presentation of The Last Chance Detectives.

Brian: Previously on The Last Chance Detectives: Professor Belmont leaves a cryptic final message to his friend Pop Fowler just before his laboratory is destroyed.

His final request: pilot a DC-3 to Pensacola. Given your knowledge and experience as a pilot, you're the perfect person to deliver the Dragon Lady to Pensacola, Roy. I'm sorry if this puts you in a spot, but I just don't know who else I can turn to or trust.

Brian: Pop asks the Last Chance Detectives to come with him.

Pop: You kids wouldn't happen to know where I could find a support crew willing to go to Pensacola for a few days, would you?

Brian: Meantime, the FBI shows up at the Last Chance Diner with Sheriff Smitty. They aren't looking for a home-cooked meal.

Guest (Male): We need to talk to Pop immediately, Zeke. Carrying a cell phone with him?

Pop: Pop? No, no, he doesn't believe in the things. But Gail's planning on meeting up with him tonight. She's got one.

Agent Garfield (Fake): Ma'am, I'm afraid I'm going to need that number. I'm Agent Garfield with the FBI.

Gail: The FBI? Pop and the kids aren't in some kind of danger, are they?

Smitty: No, it's very possible Agent Garfield and I are just jumping to conclusions.

Gail: Shoot straight with me, Smitty. What if you're not jumping to conclusions?

Smitty: Then they could be in trouble. More trouble than you can possibly imagine.

Mike: Hi, my name is Mike Fowler. When I was six years old, my dad was my hero. As a fighter pilot, Dad went on dangerous missions. One night, he didn't return. They never found him.

So now, I work on my detective skills. One day, I hope to find my dad. My clubhouse is a B-17 bomber. My three friends and I solve the mysteries of the town of Ambrosia. Together, we're the Last Chance Detectives.

Brian: Last Flight of the Dragon Lady, Episode 10.

Ben: Mike, wait up! Where are you going?

Mike: I thought I'd take a walk around the airport.

Ben: But the sun's not even up yet.

Mike: Hey, why aren't you still in bed?

Ben: I couldn't sleep either.

Mike: Who said I couldn't sleep?

Ben: Well, you were tossing and turning all night. It kept me awake.

Mike: I'm sorry, okay? Maybe I just don't like sleeping in motel rooms.

Ben: Mike, we've been friends for a long time. Now I can tell when something's wrong. What is it?

Mike: Ben?

Ben: Yeah?

Mike: You're only in your boxer shorts.

Ben: What? Oh, yeah.

Mike: You might want to put something else on.

Ben: Right. I'll just be a sec.

Mike: Hold it, Ben. No, look at our plane. The door's open.

Ben: It's not my fault, okay? Spence was in charge of locking it up.

Mike: There's stuff scattered all around the door. I think it's been broken into. Mike, there's somebody still in there. Yeah, it looks like two of them. They're ransacking the—they can't do that.

Ben: Get off the fence, Mike. They'll see us.

Mike: Go get the cops, Ben. Hurry! Police! Help! Over here!

Guest (Male): Those kids! Hurry up, let's go!

Mike: Stop! I said stop! Hurry, Ben, hurry, they're getting away.

Guest (Male): Mr. Fowler, I'm sorry we weren't able to stop them.

Pop: I am too.

Guest (Male): I guess we got distracted chasing that half-naked kid.

Ben: I was wearing boxers!

Mike: Officer, how could they just get into our plane like that? I thought this area was supposed to be secure.

Guest (Male): It is. Nobody can gain access without an ID.

Gail: Hello, this is Gail. Hey, Smitty. Oh, I'm sorry. I only remembered to turn on my cell phone this morning. Pop? Yes, he's right here. Pop, it's Sheriff Smitty. He says it's urgent.

Pop: What can I do for you, Smitty?

Smitty: Pop, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. The FBI has reason to suspect that someone's following you.

Pop: After what happened this morning, I shouldn't be surprised. So what tipped you off? Was it Agent Garfield?

Smitty: Pop, that man back in Ambrosia wasn't the real Agent Garfield.

Pop: Garfield was an imposter?

Smitty: And I brought him right to you. Fake ID and all.

Pop: That must have been how they gained access to the airfield last night. Anything else?

Smitty: That's about it.

Pop: Okay, Smitty. Thanks. Did everybody catch most of that?

Ben: Pretty much. What began as a scenic cross-country jaunt for our heroes has suddenly turned into a terrorizing story of espionage, intrigue, and murder.

Mike: Who said anything about murder, Ben?

Ben: Sounds more dramatic that way.

Spence: So Agent Garfield was a phony.

Mike: And apparently, he's on our trail. What should we do, Pop?

Pop: I think the best thing is just to keep moving. Hopefully, once we drop off this plane tonight, all this sordid business will be behind us. Gail, they seem to be after something on the plane, so you and Winnie should be safe.

Why don't you two hit the road, and we'll take off as soon as I can verify that none of the plane's equipment has been damaged?

Gail: Okay, but be careful.

Pop: We will.

Gail: Then we'll see you all tonight. Come on, Winnie.

Winnie: All right. Bye.

Pop: Boys, I've got a job for you. Since Mike and Ben interrupted those men, whatever they were after must still be on board. While I check out the instruments, I want you to go over every square inch of this plane and see what you can find.

Mike: Right.

Ben: So what are we looking for again?

Pop: That's the problem. I have no idea.

Mike: Well, Pop, we checked every nook and cranny, but we only came up with this.

Pop: What is it?

Spence: It appears to be a small homing beacon. It's not part of the plane's emergency system, is it?

Pop: No, Spence, it's not. The emergency beacon is built right into the plane. This looks more like a homemade job.

Mike: So that's how they're tracking us.

Pop: Not anymore, Ben. I'll toss it overboard while you guys get ready to leave.

Agent Garfield (Fake): Well, the old man found the locator. At least they didn't discover my listening bug. What does it matter? Without that locator, we can't follow them anyway. Game over.

No, it's not. I'll sabotage the plane before I let them get away. What about the canister? It should be able to survive a crash. And just how do you plan to bring down an entire plane anyway? I'm working on it.

Pop: With all that's happened, I've plumb forgot about breakfast. Problem is, I don't want to leave the plane unattended again.

Spence: I'm very certain that the restaurant in the airport delivers. I'd be happy to call them on my cell phone.

Pop: Good idea, Spence.

Agent Garfield (Fake): Hey, that's it. What? You heard them. They're not going anywhere. They're just going to order in food. Bingo.

Mike: How's everything look, Pop?

Pop: Shipshape. Both tanks are fueled. We're ready to hit the trail.

Ben: Hey, guys! Our breakfast is here!

Guest (Male): I've got an order here for a Mr. Fowler.

Pop: That would be me. I'm Roy Fowler.

Guest (Male): And where would you like me to set this down here?

Ben: I'll take it! Right here!

Guest (Male): Easy there, son. Some of this is a little hot. Your napkins and your little plastic utensils are right inside the bag.

Ben: Oh, french fries! Oh, this is so good.

Mike: Ben, did you just bite off a piece of fork?

Ben: Probably.

Pop: Sorry about that, mister. We're all a little hungry. How much do I owe you?

Guest (Male): Let's see. That'll be $34.50.

Pop: How about I make it an even $40?

Guest (Male): Bingo.

Brian: Find fun for your kids just a click away. And now, Adventures in Odyssey. The Adventures in Odyssey Club where your 8 to 12-year-old can find trusted, faith-building entertainment in a safe online club. It features almost every episode ever, plus special monthly club-only episodes and content and a Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine subscription. Sign up today. Just go to AIOfamily.org/radio.

Mike: Hey, Pop. Can I get you anything?

Pop: Oh, no thanks, Mike. I'm fine. Who's winning the Monopoly tournament?

Mike: I'm not sure. Game pieces keep sliding off the board.

Pop: Oh, sorry about that.

Mike: It's all right. I don't feel much like playing today anyway.

Pop: Yeah, well, I know what you mean. Kind of feels like somebody kicked the stuffings out of you, doesn't it? Son, you know, it would probably do us both some good to talk about what happened to your dad. Don't you think?

Look, I don't think I need to ask you what you're feeling because I'm going through it myself. I lost my own dad when I was in my teens. Losing a son is every bit as bad, if not worse. Okay, well, I reckon we can talk about it some other time when you're ready.

Mike: Oh, Mike. Son, I am so sorry. It's just—it's just that He didn't answer my prayers, Pop. I went to God every day. I was really trusting that everything would be okay, but He didn't answer, Pop. Why?

Pop: I don't understand it all either, Mike. I'm not sure we're meant to. Look, the Bible says, "Man's steps are ordained by the Lord. How then can man understand his own ways?"

You see, I don't think we're supposed to know why God allows bad things to happen, but we are supposed to trust. Trust that He is a loving God that works all things together for our good.

Mike: Yeah, but what kind of good can come out of my dad dying?

Pop: I don't know, Mike. I just don't know. But many times, it seems like God lets things get worse just before He makes them better.

Mike: Pop? Pop!

Pop: Oh, got to pay more attention to my altitude there.

Mike: You okay?

Pop: Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be distracting you like this. Are you sure you're okay? I think so. Just got a little lightheaded there for a minute. Maybe I do need some water.

Mike: Hey, Ben! Can you get Pop a bottle of water?

Ben: Gotcha.

Pop: It's probably just the heat.

Mike: It's not really hot in here, Pop.

Ben: Here's the water. Good grief, Pop! You're sweaty like a turkey on Christmas Eve.

Pop: What? Thanks for all your help, Ben. Oh, here it comes again.

Mike: Pop!

Pop: Mike, take a look at that flight atlas, would you?

Mike: Yeah, sure. What am I looking for?

Pop: We just passed over New Iberia, Louisiana. See if there's an airport between here and New Orleans, or if I should double back.

Mike: You're setting her down?

Pop: I'm not taking any chances. Pop! Mike, grab the wheel for a second and hand me the microphone.

Mike: Okay. What altitude should I keep her at? Pop? Pop! Pop! Pop!

Ben: Haha, you guys are teasing. Right? Pop, what's going on?

Mike: It's Pop, something's wrong. He's unconscious.

Ben: Bingo!

Winnie: What? Already?

Ben: I saw a baby in a car seat, a stop sign, a yellow school bus, a farm dog, and the letter Q. That's a diagonal win, making me the undisputed car bingo champ.

Winnie: Hello?

Spence: Give me Mrs. Fowler.

Winnie: Oh, how's it going, Spence?

Spence: Now, Winnie, now! You know what? You have absolutely no sense of phone etiquette. Here, Mrs. Fowler, it's only Spence.

Gail: Hello?

Spence: Mrs. Fowler, please don't panic, okay?

Gail: Why would I panic, Spencer?

Spence: It's Pop, he passed out.

Gail: What?

Spence: He got sick or something, and he is not moving.

Gail: Okay. Who's flying the plane?

Spence: Mike. Mike's flying it.

Gail: But he doesn't know how—Spencer, have you tried using the radio?

Spence: Yes, but when Pop passed out, he snapped the microphone cord in half.

Gail: What? Mrs. Fowler, I'm really scared.

Gail: Oh, don't worry, Spence. Don't worry. I'm going to do something. So don't you worry.

Ben: Mike, you know how to fly this thing, right?

Mike: Pop showed me enough that I think I can keep her in the air, but landing? Guys, I don't even know where to begin.

Ben: Keeping it in the air is good.

Mike: Airspeed and altitude seem okay. Okay, I think I got things pretty much under control, at least for now.

Ben: Good. Okay, I'm feeling calm. What's wrong? It's the fuel light!

Mike: I think it'll be all right.

Ben: Mike, fuel is kind of important!

Mike: No, this happened to Pop once before. We have two tanks. I just need to switch over to the full one.

Ben: How do we do that?

Mike: Well, I'm pretty sure we just have to—I have absolutely no idea.

Ben: You don't know? Why didn't you pay better attention?

Mike: Hey, how am I supposed to know, okay? I didn't know I was going to fly the plane.

Ben: And you're the one who wants to be a pilot someday?

Mike: Oh, you think you can do a better job?

Spence: Easy, guys. Take it easy.

Ben: Take it easy? Spence, we don't know how to land, and we're about to run out of fuel.

Brian: Have you ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of Adventures in Odyssey? Well, now you can with the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast. This program, available only online, includes questions and answers with the producers.

Guest (Male): Can Mr. Whittaker dance?

Brian: Actor interviews.

Guest (Female): Hi, this is Katie Leigh. Hi, this is Jordan Orr. Courtney Brown. Lauren Schaff. Arya Curzon.

Brian: And even a few surprises. We actually have a video clip of Mr. Whittaker dancing. Enjoy the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast today by visiting whitsend.org.

What if everything you thought you knew about the epic battle between Dr. Regis Blackgaard and John Avery Whittaker was just the tip of the iceberg? What if there's much more to the story than anyone ever realized? And what if Blackgaard and Whittaker knew it all along?

The Blackgaard Chronicles Book 5, "Night's Scheme," is now available at focusonthefamily.com/store. That's focusonthefamily.com/store. Come along for the great adventure of following Jesus every day with the new Adventures in Odyssey Bible.

Want to come along? From Focus on the Family, this full-color book features the full text of the New International Reader's Version and lots of great features from your friends in Odyssey. Read more than 100 devotions for kids.

Guest (Male): Wow, look at all this stuff.

Brian: Unpack scripture with candid conversations with Connie. Make sense of the big questions as you look through the Bible with Whit.

Pop: That's why it's so important to read God's word every day.

Brian: Study Eugene's introductions to every Bible book.

Guest (Male): I'm sure I can supply the details.

Brian: Page through Wooton's fun facts about biblical people, places, and animals.

Guest (Male): You can ask me anything.

Brian: Hide God's word in your heart with Penny.

Guest (Female): This is going to be so much fun.

Brian: Check out eight comic book adventures as you travel through time in Whit's Greatest Invention.

Pop: It's the Imagination Station.

Brian: And we're only getting started. There's so much more in the new Adventures in Odyssey Bible. Learn more at AIOBible.com. That's AIOBible.com.

Ben: Mr. Fowler! Pop! You've got to wake up!

Mike: Try dumping the water bottle on him, Ben.

Ben: Good idea. How's he looking now? Wet. What was that?

Mike: We just lost our number one engine.

Ben: No, no, this can't be happening.

Mike: Calm down, Ben. We got to think, not panic. Spence, you got to help me find the gas tank switch before we lose the number two engine.

Spence: Okay, I'm looking, I'm looking.

Ben: It's no use, we're doomed.

Mike: You're not helping, Ben. You're right. You're right. I'm sorry. You guys are my best buddies, you know that.

Mike: Find anything, Spence?

Spence: Not yet, there's too many buttons. Doesn't this thing have a driver's manual?

Ben: And I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I ate your chocolate Easter bunny three years ago, Mike. And Spence, I one time kind of borrowed your school papers and said they were mine.

Mike: This isn't necessary, Ben.

Ben: I just need to get these things off my chest before— I have a secret crush on Winnie!

Spence: You do?

Mike: Hello?

Spence: Hello, Mrs. Fowler?

Sam Logan: No, son, she gave me your number. This is Sam Logan. I'm an air traffic controller.

Spence: Mike, it's an air traffic controller!

Mike: Oh, good. Ask him how to switch tanks.

Spence: We need to switch tanks. We've lost our number one engine already and we're almost out of fuel.

Sam Logan: All right, now first, can you tell me what the altimeter is reading?

Spence: Mike, he wants to know our altitude.

Mike: 3,600 feet. Oh, no, no, make that 3,500.

Spence: He says—

Sam Logan: I heard him. Now how about your airspeed?

Spence: Airspeed, Mike.

Mike: A little over 110 knots.

Sam Logan: That's good. Now before we switch over the tanks, I want you to gain a little altitude.

Spence: He says we should gain some altitude.

Mike: Right.

Sam Logan: And while he's doing that, can you tell me what you see out the window? Any visual landmarks that might help us to get a fix on your position?

Mike: We passed New Iberia about 20 minutes ago and we're due south of New Orleans, I think. Ben, he needs some visual landmarks.

Ben: Well, I see a cloud on the ground. Oh, well, there's a lot of trees and water. Man, looks like a swamp down there. Oh, there's a long bridge and it's painted orange.

Spence: Did you catch all that?

Sam Logan: I sure did. That's good enough. Now let's turn our attention to that fuel problem.

Spence: Okay, what do you want us to do?

Sam Logan: Do you see the center console with all the long levers sticking out of it?

Spence: Yes, it's right in front of me.

Sam Logan: Good. You guys are doing great. Now I want you to listen to me very carefully. I want you to maintain your airspeed and monitor your—

Spence: Hello? Sir? Hello?

Mike: What happened?

Spence: I don't know, we just—

Guest (Female Voice on Phone): I'm sorry, you have traveled outside of our service area. Please try your call again later.

Ben: Oh, man, you guys aren't going to believe this.

Mike: It's our number two engine. We're out of fuel!

Gail: Lord, we just pray that You would watch over them and keep— Hello?

Sam Logan: Hello, Mrs. Fowler. It's air traffic control.

Gail: Did you call them? Someone's talking them down, right?

Sam Logan: I'm afraid we've lost contact before we could get very far.

Gail: What?

Sam Logan: We're trying to call them back, but so far we're having no luck.

Gail: Please. They're only boys. Please help them.

Sam Logan: Yes, ma'am. We're doing our best.

Mike: We can't glide much further. Did you find that fuel switch yet?

Spence: Maybe. I'm not sure.

Mike: Hurry up, Spence! Just keep your eyes on our altitude, Ben.

Ben: 700 feet.

Mike: Spence, we're running out of sky. We can't wait any longer for you to be sure.

Ben: Yeah, just start pushing things. We're down to only 500 feet.

Mike: This might be it.

Ben: Then push it!

Spence: What if it's not it? What if it does something awful?

Ben: 400 feet!

Mike: Just push it, Spence! Push it!

Spence: Okay, I'm pretty sure it's the right one. Here goes.

Pop: Whatever you do, don't push that button.

Ben: Pop! Mr. Fowler, he's awake, you guys! He's awake!

Mike: Quick, get him in the seat.

Pop: No, too dizzy.

Ben: Altitude is only 200 feet!

Mike: Pop, we're running out of gas. What do we do?

Pop: Two dials. Bottom of the console.

Spence: I see them.

Pop: Those are the fuel selector valves. Rotate them right.

Spence: It's done!

Ben: 100 feet, Pop!

Mike: The engines, Pop! The engines!

Pop: Push the red ignition switch above the front window.

Mike: Got it!

Ben: Yeah!

Pop: Now pull back. Nice and easy.

Ben: Tree! Mike, we're going to hit that tree!

Mike: I can't pull—

Brian: Well, what did you think of today's show? Stay tuned. We'll give you a sneak preview of what's ahead. Hi, this is Brian, and we'd like to hear from you. Just drop us a note in the mail. Send it to The Last Chance Detectives, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995.

In Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. That's P.O. Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. You can also log on to lastchancedetectives.com. And if you'd like a copy of today's show, just mention the title, "Last Flight of the Dragon Lady, Episode 10."

Gail: Mrs. Fowler, this is Sam Logan at the FAA. We think we've spotted your son's plane.

Mike: Excuse me, sir.

Agent Garfield (Fake): FBI, ma'am. What can I do for you?

Gail: I'm Gail Fowler, the mother of one of the boys. We're looking for the crash site.

Agent Garfield (Fake): Oh, jump in. We'll take you right there.

Gail: Thank you. That would be a huge help.

Agent Garfield (Fake): Bingo.

Brian: This is Agent Garfield of the FBI. Remain where you are.

Guest (Male): Drop me right here!

Brian: Negative, no can do.

Guest (Male): What's the problem?

Brian: It's risky. Too many trees. We got a clearing about 100 yards from here that should do.

Guest (Male): Then hurry up about it. Did you get close to the crash site? What's going on?

Guest (Male): The place is crawling with cops, mostly FBI. They've got the whole place locked down.

Guest (Male): Which way are they headed?

Guest (Male): East. They're headed east.

Brian: The Last Chance Detectives is a presentation of Focus on the Family, created by Robert Vernon. "Last Flight of the Dragon Lady" was written and directed by Robert Vernon. Mike was played by Adam Wylie. Winnie was Mae Whitman. Spence was A.J. Noel. And Ben was Daryl Sabara.

Our cast included Steve Kanaly, Jim Custer, Sherry Hursey, Greg Berger, Greg Baldwin, and Ari Ross. Engineering and sound design by Glenn M. Joy, and our producers were John Fornof and Bob Hoose. Hope you enjoyed today's show. You're always welcome back for another mystery adventure of The Last Chance Detectives.