Read Under Suspicion - The Legend of D.B. Cooper Page 112
“Director Cranston!” Stapleton exclaimed. “I can’t believe what I’ve just witnessed. Why have you arrested Agent Bradley?”
Cranston turned towards the camera. “We have an eye witness who has positively identify Alan Bradley as the person who killed Henderson,” he said as he lifted the Desert Eagle in front of the camera. “This witness has also stated that Alan Bradley used this weapon to do so.”
“But what about D.B. Cooper?”
“Bradley made up the Cooper story in order to focus attention away from himself,” Cranston replied. “I’m surprised any of you reporters fell for such a trick.”
Stapleton immediately felt embarrassed that she had and changed the subject quickly. “But Agent Bradley said that the Sheriff’s department was involved in the drug gang, and that they intentionally got in his way. What about those claims?”
“Those statements are completely false. There is no drug smuggling operation going on here and never has been. Bradley planted false evidence, such as this opium, in order to substantiate his charges,” Cranston replied as he lifted the package of drugs in front of the camera. “As far as the Sheriff’s department is concerned, they’ve cooperated fully with my department and have done an excellent job of investigating this case. In fact, their help has been essential in solving it.
“From the beginning, Sheriff Harper has been in constant contact with me and together we’ve brought the wrongful party to justice,” Cranston lied to the camera. “Under my direction, Sheriff Harper allowed Bradley to conduct his so called investigation in order to lull him into a false sense of security while we investigated him. Alan Bradley finally slipped up and we caught him, just as I planned. Sheriff Harper and his staff should be commended for their efforts.”
“But what about the Governor’s office?” Stapleton asked. “Just a couple of hours ago, Governor Wilson publicly denounced you and what he called your unprofessional inaction in this case. What about those charges?”
“Governor Wilson has been involved in this case from the start,” Cranston lied. Cranston was now behind the steering wheel of the propaganda bus and was going to give Wilson a chance to jump on. Since Bradley arrived in Seattle, Wilson had been one of Cranston’s worst critics and that had threatened his position in the department. If he could swing the pendulum of the Governor’s political power in his direction, he felt it would be wise to do so.
Bradley wasn’t the only one who could spew bull in front of a camera, and Cranston was determined to get some mileage from this opportunity. Cranston would allow Wilson to save face and in doing so, he knew the Governor would be forced to smooth the waters for him with his superiors in DC.
“Governor Wilson has been well aware that Alan Bradley was one of my suspects and had instructed me on how to proceed with this case. The Governor’s crime policy not only is intended to take the criminals off the street, but bad cops as well. This case is a testament to how truly effective this policy has become.
“Governor Wilson is a very intelligent man. His denouncement of me publicly was just another ploy in order to lull Bradley into a false sense of security. Governor Wilson’s efforts have been essential in causing Bradley to slip up.
“As you can see, Governors Wilson’s plan worked perfectly. In fact, Governor Wilson is so confident in my abilities, that before I came down here today he called me and said that as soon as this case was closed he was giving me and my staff a commendation.” Cranston grinned ear to ear as he lied to the camera.