An Unexpected Passenger

To the Editor: 
My husband Bob and I were on our way back from Atlantic City to Virginia March 18 and decided to take the 10:30 a.m. Cape May-Lewes Ferry for our trip home. As we were flying down the Garden State Parkway toward the ferry, I noticed my gas tank was showing empty. I decided to stop about a half mile from the ferry to fill up. I was relieved to get to the ferry compound 15 minutes ahead of departure and noticed they were already boarding cars. I drove down the lane for inspection by the security personnel as instructed. The security team consisted of three guys – one to take the ticket, one to inspect the bottom of the car with a vehicle inspection mirror and a Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) police officer with a German Shepard checking for contraband.
The DRBA Officer Santiago and dog circled my car and the dog alerted on something near the front of the car. Officer Santiago instructed me to pop the hood. I immediately complied and suddenly all three of them looked shocked when they looked under my hood. They said, “You’re not going to believe this but there’s a cat sitting on top of your engine!”
Apparently, all the excitement scared the cat and he disappeared deep into a hidden compartment under my engine. He was so scared he wasn’t coming out. The security personnel could see it but couldn’t reach it and they tried everything to rouse the cat. I gave them some small flags on sticks I had and they tried to poke at it but it wasn’t budging. I gave them some water because I thought I read somewhere that cats don’t like water but again, no go. I was beeping the horn to scare it but it wasn’t budging. 
Meanwhile, passing cars were staring at us with our hood up and security folks surrounding our car surely thinking something highly illegal was going on. A couple of state troopers also stopped by to see what the commotion was and they thought it was hysterical when they saw there was no emergency – just a cat in an engine. 
As time went by I was starting to sweat that I wouldn’t make the 10:30 a.m. ferry and would have to wait till 1 p.m. The guys assured me to be patient and that they would do their best to get it out and get me on the ferry (I had no choice but to wait because I didn’t want it to be shredded by my engine fan). They were holding up the ferry until they saved the cat and their plan was to put us on last. 
Bob noticed that the whole time they were trying to get the cat out the huge German Shepard was watching so no wonder the poor animal was terrified.
With all three guys with their heads under the hood making all this commotion trying to get it out all of a sudden it must have seen an opportunity for escape. Out of nowhere, this cute little cat bolted from the car and scampered across the parking lot. Bob said he thought he saw it headed for one of the ferry cars! I was cleared to board and all ended well.  
I went upstairs for some much-needed coffee and a bunch of guys stopped me and said very loudly, “Are you the lady with the cat in your engine?” At least they didn’t think I was some kind of drug dealer though I noticed I was getting some strange looks from the other ferry passengers.
Bob’s theory is that the cat hopped a ride at the gas station. I hope he found a nice, warm home somewhere in the ferry compound. Maybe they’ll adopt him as a mascot.
I would like to thank Officer Santiago and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry employees for all their efforts and patience. I’m sorry I didn’t get all their names. They were awesome!