Alan watched from the cabin’s porch as two men in white uniforms loaded the body into the back of an ambulance. Milhouse was by the barn pouring a white mixture into the tire tracks. Alan turned towards the female deputy sitting on a chair. “Deputy…” he started to say as he tried to see the name tag.
“Rissley.” She informed him.
“How are things going?”
“Fine, sir,” came the reply. “As the evidence is brought out, I’m tagging it, then recording it in this book.”
“Good. Keep up the good work,” Alan said encouragingly as he looked at his watch, it was ten forty-five. Alan looked up the road. Chet’s vehicle came over the hill and was stopped at the barricade by a deputy. Right on time, he thought as he stepped off the porch and walked up the road. Alan could hear the two men arguing as he approached.
“Haven’t you heard of the first amendment?” Chet said, angrily.
“Yes sir, but I’ve got my orders,” the deputy replied.
“It’s all right, deputy. Let him through,” Alan ordered.
“Yes sir.” The deputy moved out of the way.
Chet picked up his tripod and camera cases, then followed Alan down the road.
“Where do you want to set up?” Alan asked.
“Let’s do it right over here,” Chet replied. “I want to get a shot of the lake.” Chet set up the tripod and fixed his video camera to it. Alan removed his jacket and threw it over his shoulder. “No! Not this time. Leave the jacket on. We don’t want to give the audience the impression that you’re some sort of gun slinger.” Alan put his jacket back on and Chet stepped over to him. “Give me your badge.” Alan removed it from his pocket and handed it over. “There.” He hooked the badge to Alan’s lapel. “We want the audience to see a public protector behind his shield with the authority of the Federal government.”
“Do you have it all straight?” Alan asked quietly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it memorized,” Chet answered confidently. He then returned to his camera and looked through the viewfinder. Something was missing, he thought about it for a moment. “Why don’t we bring a couple of deputies in? They can stand behind you during the interview. It will show the audience that you’ve got the support of the local authorities.”
“Good idea,” Alan agreed. “A little publicity may also motivate them to work harder. Milhouse! Conley! Come here!”
The two deputies hurried over.
“Yes sir?” Milhouse said.
“How would you like to be on the news?”
The two deputies smiled at each other. “You bet!” Milhouse said, excitedly. “I can’t wait for my wife to see me.”
“Great,” Chet said. “Now stand behind Agent Bradley and look official.” They all got into position. “All right here we go.”
Chet looked at the camera and lifted his microphone. “I’m standing on the shores of Mineral Lake, in southwest Washington. In the past twenty-four hours, at this pristine location, some of the most unpure events have occurred. With me now is Special Agent Alan Bradley of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. Agent Bradley, can you tell us what happened?” Chet asked, then moved the microphone in front of Alan.
“Yes I can, Chet.” Alan looked seriously into the camera. “After a long and growling investigation, I finally got the break I was looking for when late last night an informant told me that a large amount of opium was being moved through this location. I got here as soon as I could, but, unfortunately, I was too late.”
“Why do you say that?” Chet moved the microphone between them.
“Well, Chet, when I got here most of the drugs were gone and the only person left behind was brutally murdered.”
“What do you mean by most?”
“I found some opium which was left behind. It was probably used by the victim himself.”
“That’s very interesting. What else did you find?”
“We found some drug money and an arsenal of weapons, including military assault rifles.”
“Amazing!” Chet exclaimed. “Tell us about the victim. Do you have any suspects into his murder?”
“Actually, Chet, we know exactly who he is. It’s locating him that’s the problem. You see, he’s been eluding authorities for years.”
“Can you tell us who he is?”
“The murderer is none other than D.B. Cooper,” Alan said confidently.
“Are you talking about the man who hijacked a plane and parachuted out of it into these mountains almost thirty years ago?” Chet asked in amazement.
“The very same.” Alan confirmed.
“How do you know this?”
“Most of the evidence to support this has been provided by the victim himself. The victim kept a journal in which he claims to know Cooper personally and in fact that they were close friends. It states in the journal that Cooper often came to visit the victim.”
“Amazing!” Chet exclaimed. “But I thought Cooper died when he jumped from the plane?”
“That’s not the case, Chet,” Alan explained. “According to my informant, Cooper parachuted into this area because he knew these mountains very well. He then hid out somewhere until the investigation was closed. Cooper then used the hijacked money to start a drug smuggling operation.”
“That’s incredible! Can you tell us more?”
“Not at this time, Chet. But as my investigation progresses, I’ll keep you informed.”
Chet turned back to the camera. “Thank you Agent Bradley. I’ll be here to bring you the latest news as it unfolds. But for now, this is Chester Green coming to you from the shores of Mineral Lake, Washington.” A moment later the camera lights went out.
“That’s it,” he said after a short pause.
“Thanks guys, you can go back to work now,” Alan told the deputies. Milhouse and Conley walked away in silence. Chet walked over to the camera with Alan close behind. “How do you think it went?”
“I don’t like it, Alan,” Chet said nervously. “You’re really reaching this time.”
“Just relax,” Alan reassured him.
“How can I?” Chet replied. “Did you see the look on Beavis and Butthead’s faces when you said D.B. Cooper? They think you’re nuts! If you can’t convince those two idiots, no one will believe you.”
Alan looked over at Milhouse and Conley. They were standing together near the porch, with Rissley, whispering and occasionally looked towards Alan. “You’re right. They aren’t very bright. I practically had to spoon-feed them all the evidence. Don’t worry though, I can keep them under control.”
“It’s not them I’m worried about.” Chet lifted his equipment. “If you don’t find some real evidence soon, this will blow up in our faces. Why did you have to pick Cooper anyway? Why not just make someone up?”
“I told you that earlier,” Alan replied. “I need a target that’s captivating– one so intriguing that people can’t help but focus on it. Cooper will generate excitement and headlines. If I can keep them focused on a target as big as Cooper, they won’t get around to looking at me.”
“I’d better get moving if I’m going to make the noon news.” Chet looked at his watch. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
Alan could see that he hadn’t convinced him as he watched his friend walk up the road towards his vehicle. Chet is right, Alan thought to himself as he turned around and stared at the lake. I’ve got to find something fast. “Milhouse!” Alan yelled without taking his eyes off the lake. A second later, Alan heard footsteps approaching.