The Mojave Heathen, Robert F. Clifton [beginner reading books for adults .TXT] 📗

do things that we can’t. For instance, we know that whatever, whoever it is used a scintillator in 1849. At that time people were trying to figure out how to get seeds out of cotton. It came to the Mojave desert, I presume for the purpose of collecting borax and according to Ross use it for preventing chained nuclear reactions. While it was doing that, our engineers were trying to figure out other uses for the steam engine. Carl Sagan in his book, “Dragons Of Eden”, stated, “ Natural selection has served

as a kind of intellectual sieve, producing brains and intelligences

increasingly competent to deal with the laws of nature. The same evolutionary winnowing must of have occurred on other worlds that have evolved intelligent beings.”

“Then why is someone watching us? I go to the market and I’m followed. Lately, I discovered that when you go to get the morning newspaper the blinds in the house across the street open just enough for human eyes to peer through. I’m starting to think that we should just give it to them. Anything, to be left alone and be able to return to a normal life.”

“Keep in mind love, that we are scientists. We work and live in a world of discovery. Our intentions are to discover life in other worlds. Then, make contact with them. Learn from them.

Imagine what their knowledge of medicine would be. While we slice and burn cancer cells they might know of a medication, simple like aspirin that destroys cancer completely. Think of the ability to heal the blind, the deaf, spinal injuries and the list goes on and long. I just wish at this time that I could X-ray it, see its bone structure, the location of vital organs and the size of its brain.”

*************

Steven Bennett looked at the agents assembled in the living room of the house used for the surveillance. First, I want one of you to go to City Hall. Go to the building department and request a blueprint of the house across the street, 1414 Beach Avenue. Bring it back and after I study it I’ll decide what to do next. Meanwhile, Miss, I’m sorry but I do not know your name.

“Atkins. Martha Atkins.”

“Well then. Martha Atkins you and Tom Terrific here are going to pretend that you are the happy married type. I want you out on the front porch. I don’t give a damn what you do.

Water the flowers, lay in the sun, whatever. Tom you can raise the hood of the car in the drive way and pretend to be working on the engine.”

“Yes sir. By the way, my name is Tom Terica.”

“Terrific, Terica, whatever, just do your assignment,” said Bennett.

Bennett’s conversation was interrupted by the ringing of his cellphone. He glanced at the screen and the answered.

“Yes sir?

“Are you aware that one of the subjects of interest had died?”

“No sir, who is it?”

“George Bingham.”

“Damn! I was looking forward to questioning him. From what we learned about him, he would be the one to shoot his mouth off and tell us everything we wanted to know.”

“Well, you’re too late.”

“Do we know what was the cause of death?”

“Right now, they suspect radiation poisoning. His residence is hot. It seems that Bingham was receiving between six hundred to three thousand Gray Units of radiation a day.

I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did.”

“I imagine that they destroyed his body.”

“I haven’t heard one way or another. However, continue

with your assignment. I expect results and soon, despite the death of Bingham. Do you understand?”

“ Yes Sir.”

CLICK!

The next day Edth looked through the slats of the closed Venetian blinds. “Well, well. Now Miss Goody Two Shoes has decided to come out and sit on the porch. she’s been in there ten days with the others and now, all of a sudden she needs fresh air and sunshine. Oh, oh. Here comes a guy. Instead of joining her he’s lifting the hood of the car in the driveway. Just how stupid do they think we are?”

Her conversation was interrupted by the ringing telephone.

She answered. “Hello?”

“Edith? Bill Ross. Have you heard about George Bingham?”

“What about him?”. Se asked.

“They found him dead in his bedroom.”

“From what? A heart attack?”

“No, from what I hear it looks like radiation poisoning.”

“Oh my.”

“It seems that his entire home has high levels of radiation, but it was more evident in his bedroom. I got to thinking. If you recall both of you asked me about the aliens need for borax. At that time I told you that possibly, just possibly the need for borax was to control nuclear, chain reactions. With that in mind

it is evident that Bingham came in contact with nuclear fusion

material of some kind. Do you recall him finding any such substance?”

“No, but if he did he didn’t report it or turn it over to the university or the National Park Service.”

“Well, if you ask me, it appears that he found and took something. Whatever it was is radioactive and it killed him.”

“I see. Well thanks for calling Bill. Do you happen to know if, when or where a type of remembrance service will be held?”

“I understand that it is to be held Wednesday, at seven PM at Saint Marks Church.”

“Thank you. We’ll be there.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Nine

Questions

 

Steven Bennett sat at the dining room table reading and studying the blueprints of the house built the became Edith Shipley’s home. He noticed the amount of entrances and windows. To Martha Atkins he said, “I want you to drive into town. Here is the address of the shipping company where the package I requested is being held under your name. Go there, present your identification, pick up the package and bring it back here. Do you know they way?”

“Yes sir.”

Looking at Terica, Bennett said, “Take a look at these plans. There are seven windows. Your assignment is to enter the house across the street, leaving no trace that you’ve been inside.

However, you are to place listening devices over those windows.

Tell me Tom Terrific. How are you going to do that? There are seven windows. I only order six bugs. Where are you going to place them?”

Terica looked at the blueprints and answered. “Simple, providing you ordered solar powered receivers.”

“I did.”

“Then, I’ll place them high in the draperies where the available sun and daylight will keep them charged and working.”

“So far, so good. Which windows?”

“All except the bathroom window.”

“Why not the bathroom. People talk there. Hell, they even sing.”

“We both know that running water distorts reception and in particular, conversations.”

“Very good. There might be some hope for you yet. Now, all of you sit tight. I’m going over there tomorrow and see if just maybe I can save us all some time and wrap up this investigation. Someone put the car in the garage. I’ll leave tonight. They probably know they’ve been watched by you clunk heads, but I don’t want to seen coming out of this house.”

At one o’clock the next afternoon. Special Agent, Steven

Bennett drove into the circular driveway of Edith Shipley’s home in a black, Lexus seadan. After exiting the automobile he walked slowly to the front door. There he stopped and resisted the feeling of being watched by his agents in the house across the street. “Dumb bastards. I don’t know where in hell they’re getting these people. They come out of college with a degree, but no common sense,” he thought, then rang the doorbell.

Edith opened the door. “Yes?”, she asked.

“Edith Shipley?”, asked Bennett.

“Yes.”

“Good afternoon. I’m Special Agent Steven Bennett of the United States Commission For Study Of Extraterrestrial

Phenomenon. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“About what?”, she asked.

“Come now Doctor Shipley. Let’s not play games. I want answers to questions we have about what you found at your dig in Death Valley.”

“You can find that answer in my report submitted to the university and to the National Park Service.”

“I’m sure that you know that by now I have already not read your report but, also noticed that everything found was not

recorded or reported. Now, instead of us standing here and getting no where fast why don’t you invite me in and at the same time introduce me to Doctor Cortland?’

“Very well. Please come in. Ben?,” she called.

Ben walked into the living room. Seeing Bennett he asked,” who are you?”

“I’m the guy who wants answers to what you discovered in the Mojave desert. At the same time let me first inform you of two things. First, you will attempt to hide information from me.

Second, in doing so you will even lie to me. Lying to me as a Special Agent of the United States is a serious crime. A felony so to speak. Now, so far as I’m concerned the only offense is that you found and removed a relic from a National Park. Both of you can be arrested. However, believe me. I’m not here to destroy your professional reputations. If anything I’m here to prevent that from happening. So, I’ll come right to the point.

Give me, or I should say, give the government what it wants and has a legal right to take and all of us can start a new day tomorrow free from cares and worries.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I listed what we found,” said Edith.

“True, true, but Doctor Cortland didn’t. I could at this time say he hadn’t. Saying that gives him time to do so.”

“Just like doctor Shipley said to you. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Ben.

“Well now, I see that both of you intend to be difficult,” Bennett replied.

“Since you appear to come across as a tough guy let me tell you something. If, let’s say if, we had something that the government wanted what makes you think that if you took it that we wouldn’t talk about it, give lectures on it, or publish scientific papers? Some form of government for centuries had made attempts to stop the progress of science. For instance the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century insisted that the earth was the center of the universe. Galileo taught that the sun was the center and that earth and planets revolved around the sun.

Guess who won out? Now, this isn’t my house, but Doctor Shipley being a lady is too proud to ask you to leave. So, in her place I’ll just say, Get the hell out of here and if you think we have something to hide come back with a warrant,” said Ben.

Bennett smiled. OK hotshot. Have it your way. I gave you both the opportunity to co-operate. You choose no to do so. So,

I’ll leave. Thank you for your time, but I’ll be back. I promise.

At six PM Wednesday, Ben backed Edith’s automobile out of the garage. He waited behind the wheel as she made her way to the passenger side door, open it then got inside. Ben then drove on the circular drive way and into Beach Avenue. Bennett watched from behind the blinds. “Alright, just as I thought. They’re headed for the memorial service for Bingham. Tom, time for you to go,” he said.

“Yes sir.”

Terica left the house, crossed the street and went to the side, garage door. He knew that the lock on that type of door was usually, cheap and flimsy. In a matter of seconds he was inside the garage. Once there he knew that when Ben backed out of the garage that he had entered the garage from the door that led into the kitchen and that it would be unlocked. He opened the door and stepped into the laundry room then into the kitchen.

He quickly placed the listening devices, four inside the top of the drapes that covered each window. He looked around the spare bedroom noticing a peculiar smell. To him it was a mixed odor of

wet ashes and vinegar. He looked at his wristwatch. He had plenty of time to look around, but his orders were to place the devices and get out. He quickly turned and left.

Edith