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"For amber waves of grain, for purple mountains majesty..." the voice faltered, the singer shrugged, then continued despite the forgotten words, arms stretched wide for the refrain. "...for amber waves of grain, America, Ameri-ack!"
The slightly corrupted version of America the Beautiful stopped suddenly as a hand dragged the happy songster back through the skylight of the stretch limousine.
"C'mon, Skip!" Murphy assumed an air of annoyance no one really believed he felt as he guided his cousin to a seat beside him. "We're guests, try to act a little bit like an adult."
"When I am, I will," Skip declared. He scooted around in the long bench-like seat that ran the length of the passenger area of the car to press his nose against the glass. "How can you guys just sit there calmly with all this?" He turned long enough to indicate the countryside, lit brilliantly by the early morning sun, speeding by them, then returned to the window. "Those amber grains are wavin' at us." He waved back.
Murphy couldn't quite suppress the chuckle. "Skip, besides the fact we're all together, this has got to be the most boring spot on the planet. How can you be so excited? Now if there were some 'purple mountains majesty' we could at least go hiking or camping."
"Boring?!" Skip chastised, resuming his seat properly. "My baby brother, Alister Carmichael, a.k.a. the great Alan Hunter, is making his major epic mini-series directorial debut and you think it's gonna be boring?!"
Andy hrmphed. "Only thing wastes more time than a recording session is filmin' -- hurry up and wait." Andy pushed his ever present cowboy hat back a bit.
Lee stifled a yawn as he watched his cousins -- bemused. Arms folded and legs stretched out in front of him, he shifted a bit to get the kinks out from the long plane ride. He was looking forward to a little R&R, though he'd miss his family -- he always did when Skip arranged these outings. Amanda and the kids would be joining him in a few days, but Skip had insisted the "Four Musketeers" come early for some time together. Skip was up to something. When they'd arrived, he couldn't help acting more Skip than normal -- a sure sign of a plan.
Murphy knew it, too. Lee could tell. Maybe that accounted for the almost crankiness at their exuberant cousin. Detectives never did well with mysteries -- they felt the need to solve them. But they all knew Skip well enough to know he wouldn't share until he was ready.
Lee watched as Andy sat there, trying to be above it all while Murphy attempted to civilize their unruly cousin. Andy's brood would also be joining him by the end of the week. He didn't think Andy could last much longer without them. They used to be quite the bachelors, but these days...
"At least Allie treats his family right." Lee glanced around the fully stocked vehicle -- bar, television, VCR and probably much more Skip would have discovered and announced to them if not for the hypnotic wheat calling him away. He had to agreed with Murphy on that one -- wheat, waving or not, was boring. "This is pretty posh for the middle of nowhere."
"Yeah," Andy agreed. "Why are we here, anyway? I can't imagine it'd be worthwhile to bring cast, crew and equipment all this way."
"Guess Kansas likes the revenues. They bent over backwards to get them to come," Skip explained. "Wined and dined and all." His face lit with a wicked smirk. "'Sides, Allie wanted to build a lotta sets and destroy 'em big time... where else you gonna find so much open space... and folks that'll let you do that?"
"Too bad Allie'll be too busy to visit much," Lee said. He leaned towards the bar to find something to drink, settling on a chilled designer water. "Let's just hope he doesn't get fired for having pesky relatives around."
Skip ignored Lee and reached over for one of the packets their driver had handed them and thumbed through it to prove he was ignoring Lee. "Tim Burton filmed Mars Attacks here." He stared out the window again as they entered a small town. "Hey, I recognize this place." He grinned delightedly at the tiny downtown. "Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!" He turned his finger into a gun, shooting at his companions.
"Oh, please," Murphy began, but was interrupted as Andy shot back, using the Denver P.I. as a human shield.
"Puberty looooveee," Skip started to sing, then stopped. "Wait, wrong movie..."
"When I'm calling yoooouuuuuu," Andy picked up, warbling in his best Slim Whitman imitation. Skip joined in.
"Not you too," Murphy complained.
"The kids love that movie," Andy defended. "It's weird, but kinda funny."
The town passed them by and Skip settled down laughing.
"Well, that looked like a pretty hot spot." Lee gazed out the back at the rapidly fading vestige of civilization and the town's denizens who had magically appeared out of nowhere to enthusiastically point and wave at the passing limo. It couldn't have taken them more than a few minutes to traverse the whole length.
"Besides entertaining film crews, is there anything else to do here?" Lee asked, hoping Allie realized what chaos inviting several dozen family members to a place with nothing to do could cause. He suspected they were invited for support, and no matter what else, Allie would get plenty of that from the various groups that would be arriving and departing over the several month shoot.
"Branson, Missouri's not too far from here. Hot spot of country music," Andy supplied. "Once Cait and the kids arrive, we'll be heading there for a few days, we've got Oak Ridge Boys tickets. But until then..."
Skip shrugged. "You could come see my presentation at the Cosmosphere tomorrow."
"Presentation?" Murphy asked surprised. "What are you talking about?"
"The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. Their Hall of Space Museum is a chronicle of the American space program," Skip quoted dramatically, "with the world's largest collection of space suits and spacecraft."
"In Kansas?!" Murphy exclaimed.
"You've got to be kidding," Lee added. "This is why we're here, isn't it?" Lee grinned at his cousin -- mystery solved. Maybe Skip would calm down a bit -- maybe.
"Yeah," Skip admitted. "When I found out where Allie was shooting, I called up the museum and asked if I could tour." He leaned forward excitedly. "Not only did they wanna meet me, they've planned an event around it." He frowned a bit. "I just wish Harry and Mel coulda come, but the timing didn't work."
"Congratulations, Skip." Andy slugged him playfully on the shoulder. "But what's a space place doing way out here?"
"Don't know, but we're gonna get a personal tour of Space Works," Skip declared.
"Should we know what that means?" Murphy inquired.
"It was set up to restore the museum's collection, but it's turned some pretty impressive profits by re-creating space artifacts for movies and tv," he announced. "They provided information and hardware for Apollo 13. And they worked on some of the stuff we brought back from the moon. Harry's great friends with the engineers there."
Lee relaxed in his seat. Maybe this would be more fun than he'd been expecting. Skip loved an audience and was always entertaining.
* * *
"Hi, I'm Laurell." A young woman with strawberry-blonde hair that curled down to her mid-back appeared from nowhere to greet the four cousins as they stepped out of the limo. "I'm the intern to the assistant to the second unit's second AD and it's my job to make sure you have everything you want, when you want it," she announced without taking a breath or break. She pumped their hands enthusiastically. "Mr. Carmichael, Mr. Stetson, Mr. Michaels, Mr. Travis."
Lee shook her hand in turn, amazed at how well she'd been briefed. She not only knew the names, she got them with the right person.
"Well, now. It's a pleasure to meet you, Laurell," Skip assured her, matching her exuberance. "But it's Skip, Lee, Murphy and Andy, please."
"Great." A wide grin spread across her face. "You can leave your luggage in the limo, the driver'll be taking it to your hotel room, so if you need anything, you might want to get it out now. Then we can start on the tour."
"No, I think we're fine," Murphy stated. "Is Allie... Alan busy now?"
"Yes, but he's hoping to be free by lunch," Laurell informed. them. "I thought we'd start at Kraft Services so you can get some breakfast or a snack and then you can let me know what you're interested in."
Their guide indicated points of interest like flight attendants did to indicate exits. Laurell kept a quick pace going, talking a mile a minute. They were walking down row after row of portable trailers, but between the artificial buildings, glimpses of newly constructed sets could be seen.
The catering truck seemed the place to be. Cast and crew mingled, chatting and joking. The actors already dressed for shooting that day were incredibly costumed -- knights in full garb, with ladies in fantastic gowns.
"I didn't realize this was a medieval epic." Lee smiled as two of the men started an impromptu sword fight. One wore an elegant costume, the other a simpler one. Lee became confused as a modern-dressed gentleman with a sword strapped over his everyday clothes picked up the mock-battle when one of the original combatants surrendered. He frowned a bit as he realized the new arrival looked familiar, though he couldn't quite place him.
Andy chuckled. "Guess that guy forgot something in wardrobe." He shifted a little towards the left as the fight moved closer to the food truck.
"No, not really," their guide supplied. "The film is a fantasy about alternate realities co-existing next to each other." She pointed to the young man in what could be everyday wear. "That's John Cusack. He's been exiled to our world with amnesia and is now trying to find his way home."
"Of course," Lee declared. "I should have recognized him." Images of Jenny's room flashed in his memory. John Cusack pictures and posters from those, those -- teen drool -- magazines practically wallpapered every empty space, including over a portrait of him she kept on her nightstand. Lee couldn't decide whether Jenny coming out here now would be good or bad -- or would still be happening. Amanda assured him Jenny would outgrow this phase, but Lee thought it unhealthy -- and subversive. If he let his baby near this guy, they wouldn't be alone.
Drawn back to the fray by cheering from the crowd, Lee started enthusiastically routing for the older actor. He found himself cheering when his team got through Cusak's guard and slapped the teen idol on the backside with the flat side of his blade.
Murphy nudged Lee. "We probably don't want that guy winning, Lee. He usually plays a warlord or evil god or something on one those action shows Sherry says Tommy likes so much." With his tone, though, it became apparent Murph's son wasn't the fan, and it must have bothered his cousin a bit.
Lee gave Murphy a quick once over. Maybe if the two of them teamed up, they could keep their families away from the set.
"He's one of the Princes in the movie," Laurell added absently, obviously impressed by the handsome man's abilities. She sighed slightly. "There're lots of them and..." she frowned as she mentally counted, "...almost as many princesses, plus wizards and unicorns and lots more."
"Oh my gosh, Cait's gonna die," Andy whispered in awe.
"What?" Lee glanced around quickly.
"Over there." Andy motioned almost imperceptibly with his head, not daring to actually point in the direction. "Howard Keel's over there. Cait is gonna die! I gotta call her tonight," he declared.
Laurell turned momentarily from the duel. "Oh, yeah, he plays the king of the real places." She immediately returned her attention to the fight. "I love when they do this."
"They often fight around breakfast?" Andy asked.
"Oh, yes. It's a lot of fun when they do, but I hope Alan doesn't come by now. He has to officially stop it for insurance purposes, but you can tell he loves it too."
Lee directed his attention back to the sword-play as the older actor Murphy obviously didn't like won the fight.
"See, told ya guys this would be great," Skip announced, he backpedaled, motioning for his companions to follow him and their guide as they wandered off through the sets.
"Skip, look out," Lee called, just as Skip ran into two men and dropped to the ground. It appeared to Lee they'd deliberately placed themselves directly in Skip's path, tripping him as he plowed backwards.
"Oh, sorry," Skip began, trying to get up. "I didn't..."
"Yeah, I guess you didn't," the larger of the two announced, pushing Skip back down.
"I'm really sorry," Skip continued. "I should have been more careful."
Lee, Murphy and Andy immediately were at Skip's side. "Come on, guys," Lee placated. "This was an accident." Lee assisted Skip up, keeping an eye on the man right in front of him.
The first guy sneered. "Yeah, accident. Big-shot space guy like this can walk over us little guys and get away with anything." He made an attempt to poke at Skip but found Andy in the way, his hands clenched in fists, ready for a fight.
Murphy stepped in between. "Maybe you'd better move along," he suggested as Lee positioned himself in front of Skip.
Before anything else could happen, Laurell appeared with two burly men, "Security" distinctly visible on their arm patches.
"Hello, gentlemen," she addressed the troublemakers who backed away a bit. "I think you've worn out your welcome on the set here. Would you kindly follow my friends here out of the area," she commanded.
"This is our town," the smaller man protested. "We got a right here, you don't."
"I'd be more than willing to show you the contract we made with the city, county and state, if you like," she informed him pleasantly. "I suggest we don't see you again, please."
The two men shook off the hands and started to stalk off towards the parking area with their escort. "You haven't heard the last of this, Space-Boy," the bigger one shouted. "We don't think you're anything special 'round here! You'll be sorry!"
"Are you all right?" Laurell asked.
Skip dusted himself off. "Yeah, I'm fine." He watched after the disappearing men. "What was that all about?"
"I have no idea," their guide apologized. "We've been pretty open about letting the locals come by and watch the filming. We haven't had any trouble until this. We may have to close the set."
Murphy shook his head. "I don't know. I think they were specifically looking for Skip. They knew who he was."
"Well, that doesn't make any sense," Skip declared. "I don't have any enemies, 'specially not 'round here."
"I can promise you, they won't be allowed on the set again, Skip," Laurell assured. "Why don't we continue the tour. We have some pretty exciting state-of-the-art video editing equipment..." She led her charges away.
"That'd be great," Andy agreed, taking up his unspoken position on Skip's right with Murphy on the left and Lee guarding the rear.
* * *
"Settle down, you're making me nervous." Murphy poked Skip in the ribs as the ex-astronaut resumed his fidgeting. "You do these speeches all the time, Skip. What's the problem?"
Skip frowned at his cousin's lack of understanding. "Those were usually little old blue-haired garden party ladies or space enthusiasts at SciFi Conventions who are already into this..." He pulled the curtain they were standing behind open just a little, then gestured around the hall at the displays, and particularly to the Apollo 13 command module behind the podium. "These are impressionable school children! The future astronauts of America. I can't screw up!" Skip lamented, as he dropped the fabric back into place.
"You'll do fine, Cuz," Andy assured.
Skip sighed heavily and stuck his head through the curtains again to gaze upon the gathering sea of field-tripping kids.
With their cousin distracted, Lee got Murphy and Andy's attention and winked. He yanked Skip back into their midst and they circled him. "I know you're supposed to pretend the audience is naked, but that's never worked for me. Just pretend we're back at the cave."
"And you're giving us one of the boring 'space is the be-all-and-end-all' speeches," Andy added.
"Boring? Hey..." Skip protested, turning to Andy.
"And we can kibitz," Murphy suggested, drawing Skip's attention. "Just like old times."
"I don't think..." Skip began, but was interrupted.
"And harass." Lee smirked at the idea as Skip whipped around to face him. "You know, we'd only do this for a friend."
"And cat-call," Andy declared enthusiastically. "How's your whistle, Lee? It's been a while, but I'm sure I can still do it."
Andy started to put his fingers to his lips, but stopped as Skip rolled his eyes, with the faintest of smiles appearing on his lips. "Okay, okay." The smile spread. "If you promise to behave, I'll knock 'em dead," Skip vowed, fingers raised in their old Boy Scout pledge.
"What more can we ask for?" Lee slapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, I think it's time."
Panic briefly flitted across Skip's face, but disappeared as he glanced around at his friends. He confidently stepped through the curtain and headed towards the stage.
"...American enterprising spirit. We'd like to welcome Skip Carmichael, pilot of the world famous Vulture spacecraft," the host announced.
Skip bounded up the aisle on to the stage, glancing over to where his companions were finding their seats at the rear of the auditorium. He nodded slightly in their direction.
"Hey guys! How's it going today?" Skip waved enthusiastically at the crowd, who'd stood at his appearance. "First off, I've gotta story for you, and then I can answer questions. How's that sound." The kids cheered, and Skip continued. "Once upon a time, a junkman had a dream..."
* * *
Lee caught Andy yawning hugely when Skip seemed to be looking in their direction. Lee nudged him in the ribs.
"Hey, what was that for?" Andy asked innocently.
"C'mon. Give him a break," Lee whispered, making sure a thumbs up would be visible if Skip were actually seeing them.
"Is it just me, or is he starting to get interesting?" Murphy leaned over Andy to pointedly ask Lee.
"The kids seem to think so," Lee answered.
The school children listened raptly, enthralled by Skip's stories of the moon and his days at NASA. Funny how those times at the space center hadn't been so wonderful when Skip was living through the politics. But that didn't matter now. Skip was right, these kids were the future and that was very exciting.
These students impressed Lee with their questions -- there were none of the typical "how do you go to the bathroom in space," type. No, they were technical and intelligent. Though not his strength, Lee prided himself on his knowledge of the space program -- no relative of Skip's could survive around him without knowing -- but Lee would have been hard-pressed to answer even half the questions posed to his cousin.
"I encourage you all to learn everything you can here at the Cosmosphere today," Skip declared. "This place is full of magic. Thanks for comin'." Skip took a step back from the podium, but before the kids could even start to applaud, the stage erupted in fireworks.
The crowd was stunned for a second, then began to cheer, thinking it part of the show. Lee was on his feet almost immediately, but he couldn't find a clear path with all the school children in the way.
"What's going on? That wasn't supposed to happen." Andy peered through the smoke that billowed through the room.
"Is Skip okay?" Murphy asked. "I can't see him!"
Lee scanned the auditorium for signs of his cousin, and a way to get up there. Something caught his eye to the side. Not completely hidden by the smoke, a lone figure stood by one of the side entrances. Lee couldn't be sure, but it looked like the guy wore a -- cape. One thing Lee could tell, the guy was confused and scared. His head darted back and forth in a panic, then a second later, the man bolted through the exit, tripping on his way out.
"Wasn't that great... uh, magical, wasn't it?" the museum director's voice stuttered. He'd made it to the stage, but appeared dazed. Lee admired the attempts to maintain order. "Uh, we'd like everyone to clear the room now, so we can reset up the display." With the smoke finally dissipating, Lee couldn't see Skip anywhere -- and the command module that had been Skip's backdrop was missing, too.
"Come on." Lee grabbed his friends, dragging them out the door before the kids could stampede through. "We'll get there faster using the side entrance."
The last of the children were just leaving as Lee skidded through the door closest to the stage with Murphy and Andy close on his heels. The museum's director bent over the holes where the pyrotechnics had come from.
"They must have disabled the sprinkler systems." He glanced up to the non-functioning spouts on the ceiling. "Make sure no one can get in here until the police arrive." He motioned an assistant to take care of the main entrance doors.
"Where's Skip?" Lee demanded. "What happened?"
The director shook his head. "We don't know yet. There's a loading dock back there, behind some pretty heavily locked doors." He indicated the large curtains that ran from floor to ceiling. "Best we can figure, someone set up the fireworks then grabbed Skip and the capsule. They jammed the doors from the other side, but I've got someone working on them."
Lee ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "What can we do?"
"I'm afraid nothing. If you go back to your hotel, as soon as the police know something we'll..."
"Look," Andy interrupted. "I know you think we'd just be in the way, but Murph's one of the best Private Investigators in Denver and Lee used to...," Andy stumbled over his words as he realized spy was not the right one to use, "...work with Murphy on cases, too. We are gonna help!" Andy took a deep breath, controlling his usually volatile temper, for the moment.
"Andy's right," Murphy assured the director. "We will be helping, with your blessing or not, so you might as well work with us."
The director sized up his volunteers. "Okay, I have no objection, but you'll have to convince the police."
* * *
The police didn't take long to convince that the three cousins would be helpful investigating. Mention of Remington Steele had gotten Murphy an instant in and Lee's own credentials were accepted immediately. Somehow, the police hadn't found out that Andy's skills lay in a totally different area -- radio programming and horse-ranching might not have impressed them much.
But it might not have mattered. This would become a high profile case if not solved right away and the locals, though highly professional and thorough, were not stupid. Any help would be accepted gratefully.
Remembering the incident of the day before with the thugs who'd been harassing Skip, Lee had volunteered to see if he could come up with some names to check out possible connections. Andy and Murphy stayed behind to study the surveillance tapes for any leads. Maybe Andy's knowledge would come in handy. He did know his way around a sound board. The bank of video cameras couldn't be too much different in principle.
Unfortunately, Lee also drew the task of telling Allie what was going on. The police requested that the incident be kept quiet for at least the next day, but Lee successfully argued that if Allie got suspicious, it would be worse.
Lee pulled up to the location parking area and before the ignition was even turned off, his door opened.
"Hi, Lee," Laurell brightly greeted. "How was the Cosmosphere? Where are the others? I know Skip was nervous, did he survive the ordeal? We weren't expecting you back today. Where's everyone else? Since you are back, there're some great scenes coming up I think you'll love..." she rattled on without a break, smiling the whole time.
"Uh, yeah," Lee interrupted. "Uh, thanks, we had a great time. Uh, do you know where Alan is?" Lee scanned the area quickly.
"Sure. He's at the castle." Laurell grabbed his arm and led him off in the correct direction.
They arrived at the set and Lee immediately spotted Allie holding court, surrounded by assistants and actors. Even though technically the boss, Allie's magnetic personality always made friends with everyone. Lee stopped, disengaging his guide's arm. "Thanks, Laurell. I'm sure you have other things to do. I'll be fine from here." Lee gave her his best smile.
Laurell hesitated. "Sure, Lee. But if you need anything, I won't be far. Just give me a call." She bounced off towards trailer row, disappearing almost as quickly as she had appeared.
Lee took a deep breath to steel himself. He had to get Allie alone without alarming anyone, which was not going to be easy. Normally the center of attention, being the director gained him even more.
Allie caught sight of him as he stood there. "Hey, Lee!" Allie waved him over. "Whatcha doing back so early?"
"The others stayed behind." Lee put around Allie's shoulder. "Can we talk privately?" Lee whispered.
"Of course." Alan frowned briefly. "Hey guys, take a break. I'll be back in a sec." He led Lee towards the command trailer. "Okay, what's going on?" he demanded the second the door closed.
"Something happened at the space center," Lee began. "The lecture went fine, but somebody set up some kind of diversion and when the smoke cleared, Skip was missing, along with the Apollo 13 command module!"
Allie sat hard on a chair, drawing his hand through his hair. "The Michaels curse strikes again!" he announced dejectedly. "Lee, we're in the middle of Kansas! Nothing happens here!"
Lee put his hand on Allie's shoulder. "The police don't want this getting out yet, Allie. They've asked we don't tell anyone."
"But Mom and..." Allie protested.
"I know," Lee assured him. "It's best to wait until we at least get a ransom note or some kind of leads." Lee smiled ironically. "They were taken in front of a whole auditorium of kids, but the museum's director is positive he convinced them it was part of the presentation." Lee shook his head. "Those kids were pretty bright. I don't know how long they'll believe that."
Allie reluctantly agreed. "Okay, but what can I do?"
Lee sat down across from the tiny table. "We need to know who those two yokels were who were harassing Skip yesterday. Is there any way to find out?"
Allie thought for a second. "Fred would know, and if he doesn't, he can find out," he concluded. "He's our local contact." He grabbed the walkie-talkie from his belt, taking a moment to change the frequency. "Laurell, is Fred here today?"
"Yes, Boss," the young woman's voice announced through a bit of static.
"Great. Have him come to my trailer," Allie requested.
"Right away, Boss."
The director wearily replaced the radio down on the table. "I never should have asked you all here," he stated dejectedly. "One Michaels in a room -- okay. Two -- you're beggin' for the curse to kick in."
"Allie, there is no curse," Lee assured him. "Whatever's going on would have probably happened anyway. This is a space thing, not a family thing. "
The knock at the door interrupted them.
"Come in," Allie called. "Fred!" Allie greeted. "Lee, this is Fred. He's our local liaison and expert in all things Kansas. Fred, my cousin, Lee. He's got a few questions for you."
Lee shook the man's hand.
"Alan's too nice." Fred grinned. "I do what I can. What's it that ya need?"
"There were two guys here yesterday," Lee informed him. "They were bothering Alan's brother. They were, uh, loud and obnoxious, uh, and..."
"Rednecks," Fred finished, chuckling at Lee's obvious avoidance of the word. "Don't worry, we got 'em here and we know it. Seems we draw 'em in like a magnet." Fred rolled his eyes. "I did hear about the problem and made sure Security knows to keep 'em out if they come by again."
"Do you know who they are?" Lee asked.
"Pretty sure I do," Fred informed them. "Kyle and his half-brother, Kenny." Fred straightened a bit in his seat. "Those boys are pretty harmless. Mostly talk, obnoxious and annoying, but no action. Did they do something?"
"No, no." Lee didn't care to arouse any suspicion. "Just want to make sure they don't bother Skip any more."
"I can probably get their address. Gimme a minute." Fred scooted through the cramped trailer to the phone near the back. Allie and Lee sat silently, waiting for the information.
"Well, here it is." Fred handed Lee a slip of paper with the address. "Hope this helps. If there isn't anything else, I have to run."
"No. Thanks." Allie stood to look over Lee's shoulder as the man left.
Fred stopped at the door. "Those boys were born troublemakers, but they don't mean no real harm. You can prob'ly scare 'em pretty easy into leavin' your brother alone."
"Uh, yeah." Allie nodded as the man left the trailer. "But can we get them to tell us where he is?"
Lee turned to look at his younger cousin. "I hope they can tell us."
"Well, let's go." Allie grabbed up his jacket and started for the door.
"Allie." Lee's hand on the director's arm stopped him. "I need you to stay here."
"What?!" Allie protested. "You can't expect me to..."
"We need a base to check into," Lee explained. "Murphy and I are trained investigators, and you don't really want us leaving Andy here, do you?" Lee stood to face Allie. "I know it'll be hard, but you're a born communicator. Why don't we keep Laurell at your side with a cell phone."
Allie flopped into the chair he'd just barely vacated. "All right," he reluctantly agreed. "But you'll keep me up to speed."
Lee nodded.
"And if we don't hear anything in 48 hours, I have to tell Mom and Dad."
"Agreed." Lee pulled out a pad of paper from his pocket. "I need to know how to reach you. Let's get this set up with Laurell so I can check out our friends."
Allie picked up his walkie-talkie. "Laurell, can you come to my trailer."
Lee watched as Allie tried to pace in the small confines of the mobile home. So much like his brother, Lee knew it would be difficult for him to stay here and just wait. But Lee also knew he would. And he was grateful he could count on that.
* * *
"How many cameras does this place have?" Andy complained, straightening for a second before bending back over the tiny monitor in the Security Room.
"Not enough, obviously," Murphy answered. He couldn't believe the guard hadn't realized the picture on two of the monitors had been photographs. But to be fair, the rest of the security measures were incredible, nothing should have been able to get in and out with such ease. Any views of the auditorium and surrounding corridors were useless, so they'd concentrated on the previous days' tapes. "Whoever did this knew the exact set up of all the cameras, including the hidden ones. They must have been working on this for some time to get it all timed perfectly. This has got to be an inside job."
Murphy and Andy had volunteered to check out this aspect of the investigation, leaving the police to other things, but after a few hours of nothing important, Murphy was becoming discouraged. It'd taken half that time for Andy.
"Maybe, but we pretty much know everyone," the guard explained. "I can't even think of anyone who would ever do this."
"It's always the last... Wait! Go back." Murphy leaned in closer to the monitor to get a better look. "There's the guy Lee saw."
Visible in one of the hallways, a tiny figure draped in black cape nervously scurried past the camera's view. It stopped at the far end of the corridor, and glanced backward briefly before disappearing into a door at the other end.
"Is that the only angle of that corridor. His face is in shadow. We need a better angle." Andy began rummaging through the stacks of tape, not sure what he was looking for, but at least he was doing something."
"That's it," the guard announced, popping the tape of the VCR. "This's dated yesterday." He replaced it and rewound for a second playing.
"He looks... like a magician." Andy frowned, squinting at the blurry image. "I think he's got a top hat on, too." Andy straightened up. "Publicity stunt?"
"Not on the part of the museum, sir," the guard assured. "Even if we needed publicity, kidnapping isn't the way to get it."
"Maybe the museum doesn't need it." Murphy turned and leaned on the desk. "But could be someone else does," he speculated. "Maybe some of Allie's crew can help us get a better picture."
* * *
"Ow!" Skip tried to yelp as his body slammed into metal, but no sound escaped his lips. Barely conscious, he slowly became aware of -- nothing. Something covered his eyes, the total darkness assured him of this. His numb mouth must have been the cause of his silence and he couldn't move his arms or legs. But he could feel movement. He had to be in a moving vehicle, and guessing from the amount of bumps and curves, whatever they were on had to be unpaved and windy.
His last memory remained fuzzy -- the podium, the kids, then... an explosion that threw him backwards and arms grabbing him. He remembered thinking they were there to help, but doubted that very seriously now.
He heard the squeal of brakes at the same time he flew forward into a steel hardness again. He wished with all his might that he could yell, positive that would help with the pain. But he couldn't so he concentrated on what he could perceive. A metal door rolled upwards and let in fresh air Skip hadn't realized he missed. He attempted to keep his breathing at a standard pace, hoping to fool his captors into believing he remained unconscious.
Arms came soon enough to drag him out. Obviously they didn't really care if they damaged him or not and Skip reconsidered whether walking under his own power might not be a better idea. But they deposited him on something vaguely cushioned and he heard a door close.
Skip lay there for just a second, trying to get his heart to stop racing, then he started to struggle against his bonds.
"Oh, isn't that nice," a calm, soft, male voice came from near by. "Playing possum, Mr. Carmichael. That is just so clever. But then, that's to be expected of you."
Skip felt the man lean down close to him.
"What? No witty replies." The man chuckled. "Oh, yes, that's right. I guess this might help." He yanked the tape hard and fast from Skip's mouth.
"Ouch!" Skip finally yelped, not happy at all it really didn't make him feel any better. "What do you want with me? What's goin' on?"
Giggles from beyond the man caught his attention.
"Who are you people?" Skip demanded.
"Please, Mr. Carmichael," the voice cooed. "You're part of the conspiracy perpetuated upon the people of this planet. Surely you can figure out the time for unmasking the whole charade has finally come to be."
"What are you talkin' about?" Skip shifted awkwardly into a sitting position. "I'm not part of any kinda conspiracy!"
"You keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at nights, but soon, the whole world will know the truth," he assured his captive.
"You're a fruitcake, Mister. My friends'll..."
Skip felt hands grab his shirt, drawing him forward suddenly. "I'm not the one lying to the people of the United States of America," the voice hissed uncontrollably. "And as for your friends..."
Skip could almost feel this man fighting to regain his composure.
"Your friends will never find you, and if they do, we'll be ready for them." He released his hold on Skip. "Now why don't you get some rest. You're going to be here a while."
Fighting back a reply, Skip kept silent as he listened to the sound of feet shuffling out and the door closing for the second time. He was pretty sure they'd left him alone finally.
Fruitcake, for sure. Always nice to know you were right about a person's mental status, a status Skip promised himself he wouldn't test again any time soon. Though uncomfortable, the blindfold gave him hope of getting out of this alive. If they were going to kill him anyway, why hide their identities? He would try and bide his time and not irritate that guy into another rage -- but he felt he was missing something that nagged at his mind. He wished he weren't so fuzzy still. Maybe it would come to him soon.
With the immediate pain and adrenaline gone, Skip could feel whatever drugs the kidnappers had given him working on his mind again. As he drifted back into sleep, he smiled slowly realizing his cousins were being completely underrated by this nut case. Boy, that guy would be surprised.
* * *
Lee collapsed into the chair in his hotel room. It'd been an exhausting day and he expected the evening would be much the same. Murphy and Andy were due back any moment from their respective investigations. He thought about calling Amanda for some research help, but that could wait for a little while longer to see if his cousins had anything to add.
He picked up his notes to review when Murphy dragged in, followed by Andy.
"Anything?" Murphy plopped wearily into the chair next to Lee, laying the case he'd carried in on the table.
Lee pulled in his legs so Andy wouldn't trip over him as he headed for the bed to stretch out. "I found the two guys who picked the fight with Skip yesterday."
"And...?" Andy asked expectantly.
Lee sighed. "Seems Beevis and Butthead were hired for $25.00 bucks each. They were supposed to pick a fight with him and then threaten him, but they didn't count on Security." He leaned forward. "They were told to specifically spout off about space and astronauts."
"But who hired 'em? Who would hire 'em?" Andy declared perplexed. "Everybody likes Skip!"
"They said that some little guy came up to them. He was very specific about what he wanted," Lee explained. "I did check with some of those cretins' neighbors and it was pretty unanimous they don't have a brain between them. I think this 'little guy' was setting 'em up to throw us off the real trail."
Murphy stood to pace. "Still the question -- who and why?"
"He came up to them on the street, no names, no addresses." Lee watched his cousin. "Did you come up with anything?"
"Your cape guy," Andy supplied. "All the cameras'd been tampered with, but one of them caught this guy skulking down one of the corridors yesterday, but he was in the shadows."
Murphy stopped and pulled open the case he'd brought in. "We took the surveillance tape to Allie's people and they were able to play with the image until we got a passable picture." Murphy turned on the lap top computer and waited for it to boot. "We also borrowed this from those guys. They've got some amazing equipment. We've got a hard copy we can take back to the museum tomorrow to see if anyone recognizes him, but the techs gave us a computer picture, too."
"Not much to go on." Lee started to reached for the telephone. "I'm going to have Amanda research the area and see what she can find in the way of criminals or terrorists."
"She's already on it." Andy grinned to Lee. "Murph also called his agency from the car. They've got instructions to e-mail here."
"We thought we'd better get started," Murphy informed him.
"Oh." Lee ran his hand through his hair. "Not much more to tell her then, but at least it's a start."
"Uh, Lee," Andy sat up on the bed. "We kinda made sure we avoided Allie. How's he doin'?"
Lee shook his head. "He wanted to be in the middle of the investigation, but I convinced him we need him where he is. Laurell's going to try and keep him occupied, but that's only a temporary diversion."
* * *
Allie re-read the shooting schedule for the fourth time. The sun had long ago set and he really needed to prepare for the next day's shoot. His mind wandered again and he lost track of what was in front of him. Lee and the guys meant well, but this was his brother. He couldn't just sit around. He sighed heavily. Lee was right, though... what could he do? Being a Michaels almost automatically guaranteed the ability to handle situations like this -- terrorists, bombs, mercenaries, kidnappers -- even hot-headed Andy, the radio programmer, helped out more than you would have expected. It should have been second nature to him. But in his case, he seemed to be missing that essential gene. VJ'ing and directing were his specialty and so he sat here -- not reading tomorrow's shooting schedule for the fourth time.
Most of the day remained a blur. Fairly certain Lee had conspired with Laurell to keep him occupied with the production, Allie hadn't yet decided whether he was grateful or annoyed at this.
Where could Skip be? And who would want to take him? It just didn't make any sense. One of the most easy-going guys, even for a brother, Skip had no enemies. There might be a few business associates who weren't happy with some deal or other, but nothing that would warrant this. And it couldn't have been for ransom. Skip wasn't rich and there hadn't been any demands yet.
Allie stood to pace. And why steal an Apollo command module? Skip had never made it up in any of those missions. Allie stopped. Maybe they were going about it all the wrong way. Skip might be hard to find, but not that ship. Though not huge, it certainly wouldn't be easy to conceal -- at least not for long.
"Laurell." Allie stuck his head out the door to speak to his ever present baby-sitter. "Do we have copies of the location scout's pictures here?"
She shook her head. "I doubt it, Alan. But I can have copies faxed to us once Production opens in the morning." Laurell stepped into Allie's office. "Do you have a lead?"
"No, just a thought!" He moved aside so she could make her way to the telephone, then resumed his pacing.
She completed the calls, then turned to Allie. "I can contact Lee to fill him in." she offered her boss.
"There's nothing to fill in," Allie assured her. "It's a possible angle that probably won't pan out. I don't want to waste anyone's time."
* * *
Andy blew air out from between his teeth. "How can there be so many wacko's in such a small area?" He dropped the paperwork on the table and rubbed at his eyes. "When does the museum open so we can see if anyone recognizes that guy?" he moaned.
Lee concurred with the sentiment. Amanda had e-mailed them what turned out to be only the beginning of an extensive list on local radical and oddball organizations. They'd been reading dossiers all night. Most seemed harmless, but the Federal government had pretty thorough files on all of them -- from the guy who wanted his cow pasture declared a sovereign state (and his cow supreme ruler) to the paramilitary organizations who might actually be dangerous.
What was it about the Central United States that brought this out in people? Maybe it was that hypnotic wheat Skip had been so enthralled by -- subliminal messages in the way it waved. Lee shook those thoughts from his head. He was tired.
The FBI and police had already been by the hotel room to exchange information. Someone must have done some checking on him and his cousins. They were treated as part of the team instead of annoying relatives to be dealt with. He returned his wandering attention back to the files but before he could pick up the next group, the phone rang.
"Lee, it's Amanda." Murphy held the receiver out for Lee and waited for what she might be telling her husband.
"Yeah. Nothing so far at this end," Lee answered, pausing. "What?!" he exclaimed. "Lost him? How do you just lose someone like that? Okay. Right. Send us a picture. Thanks."
Lee handed the phone back to Murphy to hang up.
"Well?" Andy asked, leaning in closer for the information.
"What'd Amanda have to say?" Murphy moved to the table.
"She had a hunch," Lee began, shaking his head in disbelief at the ridiculousness of the situation.
* * *
Skip awoke to music. He stretched and immediately found himself on the floor. He'd fought with the tiny cot all night, and finally in the filtered daylight the darned thing declared victory. Now safely on ground level it seemed far more comfortable than his bed had been. Maybe he should have done this earlier.
Sitting there for a minute, he tried to adjust his hearing to the sounds coming from beyond his prison. Someone had mercifully untied him in the night, though they'd left the blindfold on. Skip debated on the wisdom of taking it off -- considering the consequences of accidentally seeing his captors -- but his shins, knees and elbows outvoted that danger after their several encounters with the little bit of furniture present. Once his eyes had adjusted, he found his surroundings to be tiny and primitive, though well reinforced. The roof showed signs of nasty structural damage, but nothing that offered any hope of escape.
Skip finally stood and stretched again. Pressing his ear to the door, he could have sworn he heard the ending notes of Hotel California.
"How inspiring," a filtered voice squeaked through the feedback of a microphone. "Now, would everyone please join us in our anthem."
A guitar's uneven strums started, a flute falteringly picked up somewhere in the middle and then they were joined by a cacophony of voices -- very off-key and seemingly proud of it if the sheer volume were any indicator. The exact words were lost in the midst of horrible, mismatched singers but Skip strained to understand. He finally picked out key phrases about "flat earth" and "fake looks real" and "convince people of anything." The tune, if the noise produced could really be called that, sounded like the "Union Label" commercial.
Surreal didn't even begin to describe this whole thing. As the music ended, the squealing of their sound system started up again as the same man began to address the people.
"Operation -- We'll show them all is a complete success," he triumphantly declared. Cheers greeted his announcement. "We have one of those responsible for perpetrating the greatest hoax on the American people and we have one of their props. We will soon show the world the truth."
"With that kind of technology you could convince people of anything," the crowd chanted in unison in response.
The nagging familiarity kept Skip listening through the nonsense the nutcase spouted to his followers. That voice especially brought back feelings. The meeting broke up a few minutes later with the "convince people of anything" phrase repeated several more times
Skip retreated to the cot. "Nutcase... fruitcake... spouting... ranting... who could... Oh no," Skip whispered to himself in horror. "George Fox," he groaned as the short, ex-government wacko walked through the door... the same lunatic who'd kidnaped Harry last year.
"It's so nice to be remembered." George grinned crookedly. "Hope you've been enjoying your stay."
"What is your job description? Official kidnaper of the Jettison Salvage Yard?" Skip sighed in exasperation. "Come on, George," he stated. "Do I really have to tell you you're not gonna get away with this?"
"I have already," George rejoined confidently, folding his arms across the chest. "You're here and I've got you."
"Okay, let's go another way... Why're you doin' this?" Skip queried.
"Why? Why?! You had me locked up!" His voice rose hysterically. He turned from the ex-astronaut for a minute to regain his composure. "You had me incarcerated in that place of... non-believers." His head twitched slightly. "They tried to make me think I was..." another twitch, "not in my right mind. That I was... in error... when I said the world is being overrun by... aliens." His whole body jerked at the last word. George breathed deeply. "But now I'm here and out there are my faithful followers." He grinned smugly.
Skip hesitated slightly, concerned he might set Fox off ranting again. But if he were going to get out of this, he needed information. "Followers of what? They believe in aliens?"
"Of course not. No plan's perfect." George pouted briefly, then brightened. "When I found them, they were pacifists who believed the world was flat. They complained about the misinformation, but did nothing else." He stood straighter with pride. "I've transformed them into militant doers... They now believe the space program is a conspiracy to defraud them out of their tax money so senators can use it for women, booze and Bugs Bunny postage stamps."
"You believe that?" Skip asked cautiously, his mouth dropped open in amazement at the absurdity.
George rolled his eyes heavenward. "You are so pathetic," he declared. "Of course I don't believe that, but they do. And they'll do anything for me. I've made that stupid movie, Capricorn One, proof of what can be done. That's the one where they fake the Mars mission. You're brother's a filmmaker, how much more did I need to prove you're at the heart of all of this. And I even wrote the words and composed the music for our theme. How can my people help but be inspired to my cause?"
Skip refrained from the smart aleck response straining at his lips.
George saluted Skip, backing away from his captive. "I couldn't have asked for a better hiding spot than to be with those who are misguided and believe the opposite of the truth. No one will look for me here."
Skip took a step forward, but stopped when his jailer pulled out a gun. "What are you gonna do with me?" Skip demanded.
"You'll never leave here," George responded pleasantly. "But don't worry, you won't be lonely. Your friend's parents live nearby here in Smellville or Smileville or something like that. They'll be my guests soon and then Kent will follow and his girlfriend and then I'll get Harry again." He frowned at Skip. "Harry was a much politer prisoner than you are. He talked to me nicely and didn't pester me with so many questions." George glanced around to make sure no one listened. "Though with Jason blathering on and on, Harry probably couldn't get a word in edgewise. You should be glad Jason hasn't thought to look for me here," he droned on as he walked out the door. "Though what we're going to do with that stupid capsule... Oh well, no plan is perfect..."
Skip sunk back onto the cot in his tiny cell. He clung to the small hope that George Fox had underestimated his family. They wouldn't let the little nutbar get away with this.
* * *
The rental car bounced wildly down the rutted two-lane highway with Andy behind the wheel. As Lee slammed into the passenger door for at least the tenth time, he silently questioned the logic of their choice of drivers. Used to this kind of road, Andy argued himself as the best choice. At least Lee didn't have to look directly at the passing wheat. Stupid as it sounded in his head -- he didn't even want to imagine how it would go over if he said it out loud -- it kept creeping back into his thoughts.
He sighed. They'd saved valuable time by faxing pictures of the "magician" to the museum. The personnel director immediately ID'd the guy as their night janitor, Barney Lock. He'd called in sick and so they were on their way to find him. This guy certainly had the access required to set up the whole thing, so they found themselves on their way to the first lead they'd had since yesterday morning.
"I can't believe they lost the little weirdo." Murphy complained, interrupting Lee's thoughts. "California bureaucracy at it's best."
"My favorite part's the fact they didn't know they'd lost him," Andy added sarcastically. "That's pretty incredible -- even for bureaucrats."
Facing the back seat, Lee noticed Murphy grabbing wildly for something to hold on to. He turned around in time to see Andy barely miss a head-on collision with a semi. Lee breathed in sharply, then relaxed. "Uh, Amanda said that when Camarillo State Hospital closed last year, the residents were scattered throughout the state. Caseworkers were inundated at all the facilities and only knew their patients by their paperwork. The only thing they can figure is Fox got a hold of his file and walked out the door."
Murphy shook his head in disgust. "If Amanda hadn't called, they still wouldn't know he was missing.
"If this Barney guy can give us a positive ID, we'll at least know who we're looking for." Lee studied the map, then scanned the countryside. "We've gotta be close," he began. "Wait, there's the crossroads." He braced himself as Andy took the turn without slowing. "Over there." Lee indicated a house standing alone off the street.
Lee got out of the car, glad to be on solid ground again. He waited for his cousins to join him and they walked up to the door.
Andy rapped loudly. After a second attempt with no response, he reached out and turned the doorknob. "Hey, unlocked," he announced happily, quickly stepping in. "Gotta love Kansas."
Murphy and Lee exchanged looks, then hurried after their rash cousin. "Andy," Lee cautioned. "We don't know what to expect."
"Oh, yeah." Andy rolled his eyes. "You didn't see this guy on the tape. Seemed like a real doofus." Andy continued confidently.
Andy found the basement stairs, trotted down them two steps at a time with his friends following close behind. As they reached the bottom, Lee heard a whimpering sound. It took him a minute to get his bearings. It came from a sub-basement off to the left.
Huddled behind a couch in the corner, the man they were looking for alternated between shaking and moaning.
"Told ya," Andy announced. "Hey, Barney, we wanna talk to you." Andy closed in on the man.
Suddenly aware of the cousins, the pathetic figure attempted to withdraw further into the corner. "Please don't hurt me," he cried. "I didn't mean no harm!"
Murphy pulled around Andy, crouching down to talk to the man. "No one's going to hurt you. We just need some answers."
The man peered up at the detective, tears welling up in his eyes. "It wasn't s'posed to be like this. Please don't hurt me." He glared suspiciously at Andy and Murphy motioned to Lee.
Lee led Andy away. "Let Murph handle this," he entreated. Andy didn't argue, but crossed his arms in annoyance.
Murphy smiled at Barney. "Come on." He coaxed the frightened janitor out of the corner on to the couch. "Now tell me what happened."
Barney ran his sleeve under his nose and sniffed loudly. "He said he found me from my magician's Web page. That's all I ever wanted to do -- to be a magician. He said he was a producer at FOX and they wanted me to audition for their next magic special."
"Who said," Murphy quietly asked.
"George." Barney stated absently, then babbled on. "It was to be the greatest trick ever. I was gonna make the capsule disappear in front of all those kids and then I was gonna bring it back." His eyes darted back and forth, terrified again. "I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. It was a trick. It was only s'posed to be a little smoke, but there were flames and I saw them grabbing that guy and that's not how it was supposed to be. I set it all up and now I'm gonna lose my job!" He broke down sobbing again.
"Was this the guy?" Lee came forward, showing Barney the picture Amanda had sent of George Fox.
"Yeah, that's him. Can you fix this?" he begged. "Make it okay?"
Andy's voice softened at the pathetic man's plight. "We're gonna try," Andy assured him, shrugging off Lee's questioning look at his attitude change. "Do you know where we can find George?"
"I'm not sure," he began. "But there's an abandoned farm not too far from here. The killer tornadoes a few years ago destroyed a lot of the barn and house. I thought I saw George's car there one day. He might be there." He moaned again. "I shoulda known TV people don't drive old Geo's."
"Barney, I'm not going to lie to you, you're in a lot of trouble," Lee explained. "But you've helped us and I'm sure that'll be taken into consideration. We need you to stay here until the police arrive."
"Okay," Barney agreed. "I messed up. I'll take my medicine for it." He sat up a straighter, gaining a little composure in his acceptance of the situation. "Please just help him -- and tell him I'm sorry."
"Will do." Andy waved as they left the basement and headed for their rental car. "We gonna call the police?"
"Let's scope it out first," Lee answered, walking deliberately to the driver's door. "Gimme the keys, Andy. I'd like to be in one piece when we rescue Skip."
Andy started to protest but stopped when he realized it wasn't worth the time. They had a friend to save. He'd drive the triumphant rescue party home.
* * *
Allie spread the pictures out on the table. He needed to find a place not too far from the museum, a place large enough to store a stolen spaceship. His location scouts had taken photos of almost everything within the State of Kansas that might be useful, but he'd had Laurell send only the ones nearest to them.
An old, dilapidated farmhouse fit the bill perfectly. He'd already visited the Prop Department and armed himself with some things he thought he might need, they weren't real, but they looked it. He hoped he wouldn't have to use them, but he thought he should be prepared.
Laurell watched him with concern. "Alan, you shouldn't go alone," she pleaded. "Let me call the police, or come with you."
"Look, this is probably nothing," he returned. "But I can't just sit around and wait for my cousins to not tell me what they're doing. I don't want anyone going off on my wild goose chases when they can be looking for Skip in more productive ways. Besides, you have to stay and cover for me. You're director for a day," he informed the intern to the assistant to the second unit's second AD and ran out the door.
* * *
"It's big enough," Lee announced. "And it's not as abandoned as Barney thought." He handed the binoculars to Murphy and dropped back below the shrubs they'd taken cover behind.
"I don't see any guards." Murphy scanned the area. "Some people hanging around the barn, but that's all."
"Good, I'll go in and get him," Lee declared.
"We'll all go," Andy stated, standing up defiantly.
Lee put a hand on his cousin's arm. "If all three of us go trouping in there, Fox won't have needed a guard. It's broad daylight now and there's no way we'd all get in safely." Lee held up his hand to forestall any further protests. "Murph and I are trained for this and I'm going 'cause he has a bad leg."
Lee skulked off before anything else could be said.
"My leg hasn't bothered me in years," Murphy mumbled under his breath.
* * *
Once inside Lee knew immediately where Skip must be. The building was pretty bad off, except for one corner section that showed fresh signs of construction -- a new padlock on the door set it off as well. The large group near the barn was probably where they were keeping the spacecraft. With no one in sight, Lee quickly made his way to the door and picked the lock.
"Skip!" Lee exclaimed, rushing to his cousin's side.
"Man, I can't believe you made it." He drew Lee into manly back pats and arm slugs. "We gotta get outta here. It's George Fox and I think he's gone even farther over that sanity line he was toyin' with."
"We know. You okay?" Lee asked.
"Yeah, just sore and tired and I wanna leave." He grinned at his cousin, about to follow him out the door. Before he could move, Murphy stepped through the entrance, his hands behind his head, with Andy right behind him.
"We shoulda all come together," Andy groused. "Then they wouldn't have found us."
"Well, isn't this nice -- reunion time," George sing-songed. He held a small gun on the men. "And to think I didn't even plan to revenge myself on you gentlemen. This is just such a pleasant bonus. We'll talk later." He left the cramped room, locking the door securely behind him.
"I've had better rescues," Skip announced dryly. "Please say you have back up..."
"Not exactly." Lee replied embarrassed.
Skip sank back on his cot.
"Maybe we can overpower him," Andy suggested, trying the strength of the door with his shoulder. "There's only one of him."
Skip peered up at his cousin. "Yeah, but the little fruitcake has groupies who'll do anything he wants," Skip countered. "We gotta..."
A police siren interrupted the ex-astronaut. Skip leaped up and joined his companions by the door. "The place is surrounded. Come out with your hands up," the bullhorn announced. The sounds of panic ensuing reached them even behind the barrier. Then they waited. And waited.
"Where are they?" Andy asked hopefully. "Maybe they don't know we're here." He tried pacing in the tight confines, stopping only when the scrapings of the lock being worked reached them.
Allie stood there with a gagged and handcuffed George Fox next to him, one gun in his hand and another tucked in his pants. "Hey guys," Allie greeted before the cousins mobbed him.
Skip hugged his sibling tightly. "Good goin', brother! I am so happy to see you."
"Thanks for keepin' me outta the loop, guys. Never could have done this without you." His wide, infectious grin mirrored his brother's.
"What happened to Fox's people?" Lee asked, glancing around the deserted building.
"Scurried out through the fields like rats deserting when they heard the siren." Allie laughed. "This guy wouldn't stop ranting... at his followers... at me." Allie paused. "Then he started screamin' at some guy named Jason to go away again and leave him alone. Hadda gag him. Do government conspiracies, flat earths, alien with glowing balls and filmmakers mean anything in particular?"
The director nudged George towards the entrance. The ex-cult leader glared at them.
Allie glared back and then laughed again. "Man, if this guy had known the gun and siren were fakes, I'd be locked in there with you now."
George's eyes grew large and menacing. "Mrr mrdur rrmrm," he spouted.
"Give it a rest, George." Skip patted his shoulder. "You're gonna have to wait a good long while for that revenge. You might as well just save your strength."
More sirens could be heard in the background. "Ah, the Cavalry's about to arrive," Allie declared. "Called 'em before I started my raid."
* * *
Police interviews had occupied the rest of that day and most of the next. But it was worth it. Locked up safely, George Fox would not be bothering them again -- or at least not for a long while. Lee made a mental note to keep better tabs on this guy from now on.
Spin control from the museum's officials had worked well through the first day of the crisis, though now with everyone safe and the Apollo 13 craft back where it belonged, rumors were leaking out. Hutchinson was just a small town, after all, and small town's love their gossip. The museum had a press conference scheduled for the afternoon, though how much would be revealed they'd just have to see.
The locals authorities had their hands full trying to round up George's followers. It had taken both he and Skip to convince them that they really didn't need to look for George's partner, Jason Trask. Poor George, guess his nightmare had returned full force when his plans went south.
And Allie was back directing his movie -- with Laurell at his side, no longer just an intern to an assistant.
"Daddy, Daddy," Jenny cried, interrupting Lee's thoughts. She pointed to an actor. "That guy was a ranger. He died for love." She turned to her cousin, Katrina, and the two sighed dreamily in unison.
Amanda and Matt, with all of Katrina's siblings, were off somewhere watching the stuntmen and stuntwomen practice their swordplay. But the two pre-teens wanted to stargaze -- and had roped Lee into helping them. Finding a the perfect spot underneath a tree near the trailers, they watched as the actors came and went.
Word spread quickly that most of the visitors on location that day would be Alan's relatives so many of the cast and crew actually stopped to talk, sending the girls further into heaven with each encounter.
Another actor passed them by. "Who's that?" Jenny whispered.
Katrina shrugged.
"Hey, I know that one," Lee supplied proudly. "He does those coffee commercials."
"Uh huh." Jenny nodded. "No one we care about," she dismissed.
He frowned. He thought he'd scored some points.
"She's on Working." Katrina pointed at the green-haired lady. "But she's usually blonde." She tilted her head and studied the actress. "Think Dad'd let me change my hair?"
Lee chuckled. "We'll run it by him later." He winked at her. If he couldn't score points with his daughter, maybe he could with Andy's -- it would be nice to have someone else be the villain for a change.
He glanced off towards the right, just as John Cusack rounded the corner of the nearest trailer. Up till now they'd missed the one person Lee dreaded his daughter seeing. But it was inevitable. He sighed deeply and decided to at least be the one to give her the news.
"Honey, I think there's someone coming you might want to meet," Lee told Jenny.
She turned in the direction he indicated, her mouth dropping open at the sight of him. "Oh, Daddy! I love you!" Jenny threw her arms around her father and kissed his cheek gratefully before she ran off with Katrina to actually meet their idol.
"Hmm," Lee mused. "A kiss, hug and an 'I love you.'" He'd reached the big time. Maybe Amanda was right. Maybe meeting this guy wouldn't be so bad. He stood up to join his daughter.
And maybe the subliminal wheat had finally gotten to even him.