The producer stepped behind the camera. “In five, four, three, two, one,” she pointed at Chet.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this special report. A few minutes ago, important events have unfolded in the story that’s captured the attention of the Nation. That’s right, folks, the story of D.B. Cooper.
“Flying above me as I speak, a lone man circles the airfield. Moments ago that same man eluded authorities and escaped into the air. With me now is Special Agent Alan Bradley to shed some light on this mystery man. Agent Bradley, is D.B. Cooper in that plane?”
“I’m afraid not, Chet. D.B. Cooper is the mastermind behind this drug smuggling operation. The man in the plane is one of Cooper’s operatives.” Alan said.
“We have a tape of the events leading to the suspect’s escape. We’re going to play that tape now and I’d like you, Agent Bradley, to describe to us what’s happening.” Chet pointed to a large monitor behind the producer, which indicated what the public was now watching on TV.
“As you can see,” Alan said as he viewed the screen. “The suspect is running down the flight line with myself, the Sheriff, and one of his deputies in hot pursuit. When it was apparent that he’d get away, I did the only thing I could. I pulled my gun out and attempted to shoot the plane and disable it.”
“But it looks like you didn’t get a chance. The Sheriff ran into you,” Chet said.
“He didn’t just run into me. He tackled me on purpose,” Alan replied.
“Tackled you! Why would he do that?”
“I have no idea, Chet. It’s hard to say what goes through the mind of a man as incompetent as this Sheriff is,” Alan replied, shaking his head disapprovingly.
“Incompetent? Isn’t that a pretty harsh charge?” Chet asked with astonishment.
“Yes it is, Chet. But the facts speak for themselves. This Sheriff has been grossly uncooperative and has hampered my investigation from the start. In fact, prior to his escape, I had the suspect in custody and was questioning him. Just before the Sheriff arrived, the suspect was about to give me a full confession.” Alan said in a matter of fact tone.
“Confess to what?” Chet questioned.
“The suspect, who has a previous record of drug smuggling and was found with opium in his possession, was about to turn States evidence and become a material witness against the others in the operation. He was in the process of telling me about how he delivered the drugs to Henderson, the man killed yesterday.”
“Amazing! Did he tell you who Cooper is and where he’s hiding?” Chet asked.
“He didn’t get a chance,” Alan explained. “Before the suspect could tell me anything further, the Sheriff showed up and allowed him to escape.”
“That’s unbelievable!” Chet exclaimed. “The Sheriff’s responsible for your witness escaping twice in one day!”
“Unfortunately, it’s true,” Alan replied, shaking his head sadly.
“What about your own department?” Chet continued his questioning. “Haven’t they been able to keep the Sheriff’s department out of your investigation?”
“Actually, Chet, I haven’t heard a thing from my department. Since the investigation started, I’ve been expecting a DEA task force to arrive and assist me. So far, that hasn’t happened.”
“Damn it!” Governor Wilson yelled. “The biggest investigation in thirty years is going on and Cranston’s flat on his butt! Get him on the phone, right now!” Wilson’s aid pulled a cellular phone from his pocket, dialed a number and handed it to Wilson.