I had heard a little but never really thought about it. “We’re going to have to be a lot more careful.”
“Careful about what?” Kylie says coming back into the kitchen, obviously hearing my last statement.
“None of your business. Butt out!” Jared tells her.
“Fine. I’ll just tell Dad you’re hiding something and then you’ll really get in trouble. Especially if that captain guy is around to hear it too.” She yanks out the chair at the opposite end of the table and sits down to put her shoes on. She sounds like that bratty little sister that Jared’s always complaining about.
Jared rolls out some threats towards Kylie.
“Jerk!” she yells back at him. I look at Jared.
He leans over and whispers to me. “We can’t let anyone else in on this. There’s already too many people who know.”
“So what’s one more?” Kylie wants to know, apparently able to hear our exchange.
Jared sits back and looks at me. I wasn’t sure what else we could do. “Do we have much choice anymore? She already knows something’s up.” He stands up and leaves the room frustrated.
I turn and pull my chair up in front of her. “Kylie?” I try to be as serious as I can. She smiles at me knowing she’s won. She can be so cute when it suits her. “We did find something, but if I tell you anymore about it, then if we get caught, you’ll be in as much trouble as we will be.” Her expression hardens, and she looks like she’s about to explode again. “I don’t want that to happen,” I continue. “I like you too much.”
Her features soften a little. “Okay,” she concedes, “for now anyway. But sooner or later I’ll find out.” We sit gazing at each other. I can smell the same perfume that she had on coming home from school last Friday; so clean and sweet. Then she gets up and yells, “Jared! It’s time for the tour!” and heads out the kitchen door.
Jared walks back into the kitchen still fuming from their earlier fight. “Well? Did you tell her?”
“Not exactly,” I answer. “I just told her that it would be better for her if she didn’t know.”
Jared and I walk out of the house and into the early afternoon sun. A slight breeze is blowing the dust rising off the road as vehicles from various news media drive in to cover the story.
We walk quickly and catch up to Kylie as she is nearing the old guard house at the entrance to the parking area. As we pass the guard house, there is Jennifer, locking her helmet in the trunk of her scooter.
“Hi,” she greets us cheerily as we walk up to her. “My, don’t you look happy today,” she comments to Kylie who just sulks. “Well, here we all are again.”
“What are you doing here?” asks Jared, sounding annoyed.
“I can see somebody else isn’t so happy today either,” she states sensing Jared’s mood, with a side glance towards Kylie.
“How did you find out about this?” I ask.
“Haven’t you been listening to the radio this morning? This is finally big news.” Then her expression drops a little. “Ty, I was sorry to hear about your uncle.”
“Was that was on the news, too?” I ask with embarrassment.
“‘Fraid so,” Jen continues. “The news guy guessed that’s part of the reason they called this conference so hastily. They don’t want anybody speculating about anything.”
“You mean they don’t want any more nuts showing up.”
“Don’t talk about your uncle like that. He’s a good guy. Just has some strange ideas is all. They said he’d probably get off with a warning.”
“That’s good to hear anyway.”
“Well I’m sure they don’t want anybody snooping around for the bigger story,” Jared adds.
“What story is that?” Jen asks.
“I thought you knew already!” Jared snaps at her.
“And I thought it was something that wasn’t supposed to be spoken of in the open!” Jen retorts hotly.
Kylie looks from one to the other. “Am I the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on around here?”
“Okay. Everybody calm down,” I suggest looking around to see if we are being watched. “I’m the one who seems to be the leak here, but I won’t apologize for it. I trust you all but we also have to trust one another. Can we at least agree on that?” They look around at each other and nod slightly. Kylie looks a little more confused and hurt.
“Kylie, I’m sorry,” I add gently. “I meant what I said back there. I’m sure you’ll find out more shortly, but...” The right words don’t come to mind.
“It’s okay, Ty,” she replies despondently. “I understand, and I can wait. Just not too long.” Then she forces a smile for me, and I feel a little better, and embarrassed again.
“Uh huh,” Jennifer comments with a grin. “I think I’m beginning to understand, too.”
“What?” Jared cuts in, seeming not to have noticed.
“Mmm, nothing, I guess,” Jennifer teases, regaining the playful mood she had before. “Now we better get over to the hangar.”
We make our way over to the steel sided building. The red lettering, identifying building ‘C’, is almost completely faded away. Rust stains are visible around the framing for the double doors. I think about Uncle Earl’s arrest the night before, and wonder why he hadn’t tried to find another way in. But if he had, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. I follow the other three through the doors.
All of the lights in the building are on. There is also light coming in through the windows high around the outside walls. The shiff has not been moved since the previous night, and the office that had served as the dining room for the guards, is to our right with lights off and door closed.
“Come on in everybody,” a voice calls through a sound system. In front of the shiff, a makeshift stage has been set up. Jared’s dad is the one trying to get everybody’s attention. There are a couple of chairs behind him. On one sits Captain Stiles who has changed into his full dress uniform. Next to him is another man I don’t recognize.
The four of us walk around to the right. We stay behind a small group of reporters who are crowding in with their video cams and microphones to catch the presentation.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Jared’s dad begins after everybody has quieted down. “We are pleased to finally announce publicly, that the soon to be retired shiff,” he waves his hand behind the stage, “is to become an exhibit in the soon to reopen Maglev Experimental Launch Facility.” Less than enthusiastic applause quickly rises and falls. As Jared’s dad continues, Jen and Kylie edge a little closer to the stage. I’m no longer listening. Both Jared and I are looking at the shiff, excited to have another chance to look around inside, with all the lights on this time.
Then I remember the prints our shoes had left behind on our first visit and that familiar chill runs through me. I look over at the stairwell passage to the underground tunnels above which the words ‘To Maglev’ are printed. I hadn’t noticed that sign last night, and I also don’t see any footprints on the floor today. I feel some relief as I wonder how they got erased.
My attention is directed back to the stage when I hear Jared’s dad say, “And now I’d like to ask Captain Stiles to say a few words.” I look up. Stiles is looking straight at me. I quickly turn away wondering if he has been watching me all this time. He hesitates just a second before standing with a smile to approach the microphone.
“Thank you, Carl,” he starts off. “It’s going to be my pleasure to join the staff of this exciting launch facility. I’ve been in the military a long time, and I’m looking forward to working as a civilian, to use my knowledge of the space program to help private industry gain a better understanding of what the Maglev program was trying to accomplish. It will also be a pleasure being able to say things about our programs without feeling like I have to kill you afterwards.” There is a slight chuckle to acknowledge his attempt at humor.
“About last night’s incident,” he continues, “I know
it’s been rumored that the individual who was taken into custody had gotten the idea that the government was bringing alien remains back to earth to be studied. I don’t know where these ideas come from but I can assure you there weren’t any alien remains based on the simple fact that,” he pauses slightly for effect, “aliens don’t exist.” Another wave of chuckles travel through the small group. I feel embarrassed and angry at the way he’s indirectly smearing Uncle Earl’s reputation, even if it is somewhat true. “If there were anything on board this shiff that we felt you should know about, we would have invited you all to the landing so you could have seen it yourself. But we just didn’t think you would find waste from the space station very interesting.” Subdued laughter erupts. “Now. Are there any questions?”
“What about that box that was allegedly carried off the shiff?” a reporter asks.
“News does travel quickly, doesn’t it?” Stiles says with a smile. “The box being referred to was nothing more than a data recorder.”
Jared nudges me. I think we both feel like shouting out that Stiles is lying. It is, like Uncle Earl had implied, another cover up. It just isn’t about aliens.
“What will happen to the man who was taken into custody?” another reporter asks.
“He’s being evaluated but most likely will not face any charges. You see, the government does have some heart.” That statement gets the biggest laugh from the group. Stiles seems pleased with himself.
“Thank you, Captain Stiles,” Jared’s dad says coming forward, applauding. “We’re all looking forward to having you around. Now I think Mr. Goodwin has a few words.”
The gentleman introduced as Mr. Goodwin, is representing the launch facility’s private investors group. He waves to the gathering in response to his introduction, saying only that he is pleased to part of such a grand adventure.
Finally, Jared’s dad asks, “Okay. Who wants to see the inside of the shiff?” Nearly everybody cheers. An opportunity like this comes along once in a lifetime for most of us.
Jared’s dad heads over to the shiff to organize the tours which have to be given in several small groups. Stiles and Goodwin leave the stage and walk back to the office where they close the door. I wonder what they might be discussing.
We wait at the end of the line for our turn. There are a couple of other people, junior reporters I guess, in our group that I don’t recognize. Jen and Kylie exchange comments about how great this is, and how they wish they had remembered to bring a camera, and how it would be so much fun to go into space. Jared is quietly observing the gangway stairs and the passage down to the Maglev prep room.
“There’re no footprints,” he whispers to me.
I nod. “I know. I wonder what happened to them?”
“Dad had me clean up this morning before the presentation,” Kylie butts in, eavesdropping on us again. “So they were yours? I thought I recognized your big feet!” she says to her brother.
Jared ignores her comment, seriously asking, “Do you think anybody else saw them?”
“Not while I was in here,” she assures us, “and I didn’t see any other prints around them.” Jared looks a little relieved and actually pleased with his little sister’s good news.
Soon it’s our turn to tour the shiff. We step up the gangway and through the hatch. With the lights on, we can see all of the instruments and equipment that had been hidden from us on the previous night. Jared’s dad explains what he can to our group. We are even allowed to sit in the cockpit seats. It’s pretty difficult to see out any of the windows. It’s explained that most landings are done under computer control, like last night’s, and that the pilots are really there just for backup.
As Jared and I walk towards the back, his dad is ushering the first part of our group off the shiff.
“Can you boys finish looking around yourselves? I should really attend to our other guests.”
“Sure, Dad,” Jared assures him.
“And don’t stay in here too much longer. Okay?” Before we can reply, he’s out the hatch leaving the four of us by ourselves.
Jared and I walk towards the back of the vehicle where we had found the mysterious powder that defies gravity.
“There’s nothing left,” I whisper to Jared.
“Looks like they got everything cleaned up.”
“Cleaned up is right,” a voice behind us agrees. I turn around to see Stiles standing in the hatch. Sweat breaks out on my forehead. “Is there anything you boys would like to say?”
We both shake our heads. “I’d just like to thank you for letting us look around,” I say nervously. Jen and Kylie have come back to join us.
“Well I think we all need to take a ride. Will you come with me?” he says, directing us off the shiff.
The group of reporters has been gone for a while already. Goodwin and the others have also gone off for cocktails somewhere or other. Jared’s dad and an armed guard are standing next to a truck as we walk out of the hangar.
“Stiles, why are you doing this?” Jared’s dad asks the captain as we are ushered into the truck.
“Just part of our investigation,” Stiles replies.
“I just wish you would leave my kids out of it,” Carl Charles says with contempt.
“I wish I could,” Stiles replies, “but they watched the landing and…”
“And were a half mile away,” Jared’s dad interrupts brusquely.
“Where’re we going?” Kylie asks Jared softly.
“I don’t know,” he replies, “but Dad’s with us so don’t worry.”
It is obvious where we are going as soon as the truck starts to move; it’s heading down the lane to The Hill. When we would walk there from Jared’s house, it took a little longer than from my house. In the truck it will only be a few minutes before we get there.
The truck stops on the side opposite from the shelter. I wonder if we will find the missing flashlight. I feel sad, like the whole adventure is about to end, but also relieved.
“Everybody out!” Stiles commands arrogantly. He seems pleased with himself again, like he is about to tell the punch line to somebody else’s joke. “Up to the top now.” We walk up onto The Hill. It seems different. Not fun.
I wonder what investigation Stiles was referring to when we left to come here. Possibly about Uncle Earl. I really don’t think they have a clue about what Jared and I had done last night.
When we are all finally around the fire pit, I realize that the guard who had ridden out with us isn’t here. I look around and spot him peering under bushes and behind rocks; he is snooping around.
“I want you all to think a minute about the last two nights. Friday night, we found you up here and you said you were watching the shiff land.”
We all nod in agreement.
“You watched the shiff land, built a fire, had a little teenage fun,” Kylie giggles, “and then went home. I was wondering, though,” he hesitates dramatically, “did any of you see anything… unusual?”
“Oh, for crying out loud!” Jared’s dad exclaims. “Get to the point, will you Stiles.”
“I just want to know what the kids saw is all,” Stiles replies gently, though suspiciously.
“We’ve been through that already,” Jared’s dad says, sounding impatient and protective.
“It’s okay, Mr. Charles,” I interrupt, feeling suddenly brave. “Captain Stiles just wants to double check.”
“Thank you, son. Now tell me what you saw, again.”
“Well, the shiff passed by in front of us, we saw it land and then,” I move around behind Kylie putting my hand on her shoulder, “we didn’t see anything else for the rest of night.” She giggles again, and reaches up to put her hand on mine. It’s warm, soft, and reassuring.
“I should’ve guessed,” Mr. Charles says, giving Kylie that look parents use when they are disappointed in their kids. I figure if he had remembered what Kylie had done two nights ago, and we didn’t at least pretend that was really the case, it would p
robably look suspicious. Gladly, Kylie doesn’t seem to mind playing along.
But Captain Stiles isn’t buying it. He is looking off towards the runway. “Seems to me you can see pretty clearly from here,” he observes.
“Well, sure. During the day, maybe,” Jared says, catching on, “but at night there are better things to do.” He takes a few steps towards Jennifer. His Dad utters more sounds indicating frustration with his teenage children.
“Then Earl Whitcomb, your uncle, wasn’t up here with you that night?” the captain continues, looking back towards me, ignoring the parental angst.
I answer, “Nope. It was just...” but I get cut short by the guard.
“Captain! Captain Stiles!” I hear the guard yell. “You should see this!” His voice is coming from the area of the shelter. We’re done for now. He’s probably found the flashlight.
Captain Stiles walks hurriedly in the direction of the guard’s voice. In a few moments he comes back, his hands behind his back as if hiding something. The guard is right behind him. “Did you boys build that nice little shelter down there?”
“Yeah, a couple a years ago now. Pretty nice, huh?” Jared tries to sound relaxed.
“Well, if you didn’t see anything on Friday night, what are these?”
I didn’t want to look but was relieved as soon as I did.
“Oh!” exclaims Jen. “My binoculars. Jared, why didn’t you tell me I left them here? I thought I had lost them.”
“I guess I forgot they were here, Jen,” Jared answers. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ve been looking for them for months. I guess I left them out here last fall when we were watching for shooting stars.” Jen walks over to the captain and reaches for the glasses.
“Are you trying to tell me these things have been out here for several months?” Captain Stiles asks, holding the binoculars just out of Jen’s reach.
Her story sounds good to me. I thought I might add, “they sure would have come in handy the other night” but figure Stiles would take it the wrong way. I am really beginning to not like the man. It is a relief that the flashlight wasn’t found but I wonder where it might be.
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