about to be attacked. I didn't want him to have an opportunity to defend himself and screw up Stanley's defense.
When it was time to go home that night, Bart came into my office with his coat on and briefcase in hand. I got the hint and started to wrap up what I was doing when Jodie rushed in. "You need to come watch the 5:00 o'clock news. They're doing a follow-up story on Cheryl Windsor and guess who they're going to interview?"
"Who?" I asked.
"Alex!"
I looked at Bart. He shook his head and then followed Jodie to the conference room. I reluctantly joined them. I had hoped never to see Alex Garcia again after our affair had been front page news but fate had decided to punish me one more time for my transgression. The media loved to dig up old love triangles so they were sure to be speculating as to whether Stan and I were lovers as well. The interview was being conducted by Ramona Mitchell and was just starting.
"Mr. Garcia, the Globe Inquirer published a story attributed to you about Cheryl Windsor mysteriously being abducted in the middle of her jury trial last year."
"Yes, Ramona," Alex replied. "I've been working on this story ever since Ms. Windsor's disappearance."
"In your story you allege that the aliens were involved in the abduction."
Alex smiled. "Yes, that's true."
"Isn't that a little far-fetched?" Ramona asked.
"No, not really. Not only was Cheryl Windsor abducted but a key witness in federal custody escaped as well. Remember the trial testimony about memory losses, time gaps, and crime scenes that were meticulously cleaned? These are not things that could be done by ordinary people. These were acts of alien beings that have infiltrated our society."
"I hear what you're saying, Alex. But what proof do you have that these aliens actually exist?"
"Well, do you remember the explosion that occurred out at Possum Kingdom Lake that same day that Cheryl Windsor disappeared?"
"Yes. The FBI has said it was unrelated to the Cheryl Windsor trial."
"Sure, that's the official line, but do you remember the photographs introduced into evidence showing that Martin Windsor was alive."
"Yes. That's what finally convinced the judge to declare a mistrial."
"Well, those photographs were taken at the exact location where the explosions occurred later that night. So, there has to be a connection. Also, I can prove Stan Turner was at the scene of the explosion and was brought to the sheriff's office after it was over."
"So, you think Stan Turner was in on the abduction of Cheryl Windsor?"
Alex shook his head. "No, I think he had his investigators at the lake and they spotted the aliens with Cheryl Windsor, so Stan went out there to try to stop them from taking her. Unfortunately, he either got there too late, or wasn't able to stop them."
"In your story you claim the explosions were the result of the aliens blowing up the entrance to the caves that allegedly run under the lake to Cactus Island. Do you have any proof of that or is that just speculation?"
"Unfortunately, I have no proof of what happened at Cactus Island or in the tunnels under the lake, if they even exist. I think you should ask Stan Turner about that. He knows what happened to Cheryl Windsor and it's about time he told us."
"So, you haven't actually seen an alien?" Ramona asked.
"No," Alex said. "Not that I know of; however, the aliens could look just like us. You never know."
Ramona turned toward the camera, smiled broadly, and said, "This is Ramona Mitchell with Alex Garcia of the Globe Enquirer, who is asking some troubling questions about Cheryl Windsor's disappearance and attorney Stan Turner's knowledge of what actually happened that fateful day in court. Have aliens infiltrated our society? Does Stan Turner know the answer to that question? Hopefully by tomorrow night's newscast we'll have been able to talk to Stan to find out. Until then watch the skies and pray Alex Garcia is wrong. Goodnight."
Everyone turned to see Stan's reaction but he was gone. I called out for him but got no response. We searched the office but there was no trace of him or Tehra. I told Bart to check the parking garage to see if his car was there while I searched the office. A few minutes later he returned.
"His car is still there," Bart said. "I'm going to go check the john."
As Bart hurried away, I racked my brain trying to figure out where Stan would have gone. I thought maybe he'd left with Tehra to get some privacy while they tried to figure out the best way to respond to the news report, but why hadn't they taken his car? Then a horrible thought came to me. What if the aliens had taken Stan—afraid he might crack under the intense media pressure that would be coming down on him in the next twenty-four hours? My heart sank. What if they had killed him to protect their secrets. Was I next? They must realize I knew they existed. Oh, God! My heart began to pound in my chest. I couldn't breathe.
"Goddam you, Alex!" I cried.
39
Media Crisis
Stan Turner
Alex Garcia turned out to be smarter and more tenacious than I'd thought. Not only had he stayed on the Cheryl Windsor case long after it had gone cold, but he'd put the pieces together and come very close to figuring out the truth. I was afraid of what Kulchz' reaction to all this might be, so I thought it would be wise to contact him immediately before he had time to react. While everyone was glued to the TV, I got Tehra and we slipped out of the room. There was no time to take the car to East Texas, so I grasped the telepathic modulator and squeezed it. When I woke up, I was lying on a bed next to Tehra. We were in one of the crystal rooms I'd seen at Kulchz' headquarters. Tehra began to stir. She looked up at me.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
She sat up and put her feet over the side of the bed. "I think so," She said. "What happened?"
"I thought we should talk to Kulchz right away. I didn't want him to think for a moment that I might betray him."
"So, you used the TM?"
"Right."
Tehra nodded and stood up. " Where's Kulchz?"
"I don't know. I just woke up a moment before you."
Tehra looked around at the stark white walls. There didn't appear to be a door anywhere, but she walked over to the wall and said something in her alien language. A door materialized and she walked through it. I followed her immediately not wanting to be left in the room if the door closed after her. A lone guard stood in the hall outside our room. He motioned for us to follow him.
He led us through a complicated maze of hallways and tunnels until we reached Kulchz’ office. He motioned to us to enter, so we went inside. Kulchz was seated at his desk. He looked up and smiled. "Mr. Turner. I trust your trip was satisfactory."
I shrugged. "I guess. I feel okay. How long have we been out?"
"Just a few minutes. We have to put you out for rapid transport. It's too traumatic for the conscious mind to handle."
I rolled my eyes and smiled. "I'm glad I was asleep then."
"So, why did you want to see me?"
"I think you probably know. One of the reporters from the Globe Enquirer is getting close to figuring out what happened to Cheryl Windsor. Fortunately, the Globe Enquirer is what we call a tabloid, so they don't have much credibility. What is disturbing is that the legitimate media is picking up on the story and there's going to be pressure on the FBI to look into it."
"So, how are you going to handle it?" Kulchz asked.
"Usually the best way to deal with the tabloids is to ignore them. If you respond to them, it just gives them credibility. That's why I wanted to talk to you. I didn't want you to think I had lost control of the situation."
"What about the FBI?"
"I figured that Mo could handle them. Where is Mo, anyway?" I asked.
"He's in Washington reporting to his superiors. He'll be back tomorrow."
I nodded. "Anyway. I just wanted to let you know that it might get nasty for a few days, but that nobody was going to find out about the Tarizon Project."
Kulchz studied me for a moment a
nd then replied, "I'll trust your judgment for now, Mr. Turner. Mo assures me you are quite trustworthy, but the minute it appears your strategy isn't working, I'll have to take measures to protect the project."
I swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. I understand." I turned to Tehra. "We should get back. Paula's probably organizing a search party."
She nodded. "You're right about that."
Kulchz signaled to one of his guards, "Arrange transport for them back to Dallas."
The guard nodded and motioned for us to follow him. A few moments later we were standing in front of a small ship shaped like an arrowhead. There were two passenger compartments on both wings. Tehra was strapped in one and I in the other. Before we left they injected us with something and the world faded. When I woke up I was in Tehra's bed but she wasn't there. Then I heard banging on the door. I got up quickly and rushed into the living room. Tehra was opening the front door.
Paula barged in shaking her head. "What are you two doing? We've been looking everywhere for you."
"Ah. We just came here for a little privacy," I said. "I couldn't believe the BS your ex-lover was dishing out."
She sighed. "I know. What are you going to do?"
"Tehra and I have been talking about it, and we think the best strategy is to ignore the whole thing."
Paula frowned. "I don't know if you can do that. If you don't come out with a strong denial, people are going to think Alex is on to something."
"No, they're not. Nobody's going to believe there are really aliens running around."
Paula looked at Tehra. "Normally that would be the case, but the evidence is
Act Normal, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 9 Page 39