Read Under Suspicion - The Legend of D.B. Cooper Page 31

Not far away in the bedroom of his condo, Bradley sat up in bed. It was dark except for the light of the TV.

  “That’s it for the news, stay tuned for the morning traffic report,” the television newscaster said.

  Ring!

  He glanced at the phone on the other side of the room. Chet was right, Alan thought with a smile as he clicked off the TV with the remote and reached for his robe. With this kind of press the Agency will be begging me to take Cranston’s job. He walked to the window and opened the drapes, filling the room with dull gray light from a typical Seattle overcast day.

  Ring!

  Alan reached for it.

  “Hello,” he said, and he gazed out the window at Elliott Bay then across to West Seattle.

  “Bradley, this is Rodriguez. Cranston wants to talk to you. You will have to hold while I transfer you.”

  Great, my biggest fan, he thought sarcastically. Alan had hoped to avoid a confrontation with Cranston until his boss had a chance to calm down.

  “Bradley!” Cranston barked from the other end.

  “Yes sir?”

  “As of right now consider yourself suspended until a full investigation determines whether you should remain with the Agency or not.”

  “But sir, you haven’t heard my side of it,” Alan complained.

  “Save the bull for the investigation. Now get your butt in here now!” Cranston ordered.

  “Alan?” a soft voice said, as a blond head emerged from under the covers. “When are you coming back to bed, sweetheart?”

  Alan looked over at her and smiled. “I can’t come in today, sir. I’ve got some…under the covers work to do.” He smiled at his little joke then hung up the phone. “I’ll be right there, just let me make one more phone call.” Alan thumbed through his private phone book, and dialed a number.