“Hey, it’s nothing personal.” Suttles tried to reassure him. “I’m just doing my job here. So are all these other people. Mr. Hager.”
“How come you know my name?”
“We do our research.” He fought to contain his impatience. “Ever since that first encounter I’ve been curious to have a closer look at your dead alien. So have some friends of mine.”
The driver considered this. “I don’t reckon it would do mc any good to refuse.”
“We don’t want any trouble. Nobody’s mad at you. Mr. Hager. Bui my friends are pretty determined.”
“Uh-huh. I don’t want no trouble either.” He sighed heavily. “Okay, but just keep in mind that Jed’s my dead alien.”
“Nobody’s disputing your proprietary rights, Mr. Hager.” Not yet, anyway. “You named it Jed?”
“That’s right.”
Wearing a look of anguished impatience, Robinett had straightened and was staring over the roof of the Caddy. “Could you get him to roll down the window, maybe? It’s dark, the glass is dirty, and we can’t see very well.”
“Just a minute.” Not wanting to rush things, Suttles threw him a warning glance. There was no need to hurry, not with their quarry finally secured. For one thing, the subtle byplay Suttles had observed between the big Texan and the alien corpse needed to be studied in much greater detail, and that would be difficult to do without Hager’s cooperation.
“You’ve made what some people think might be a very important discovery, Mr. Hager. Important to the government of the United States. We’re very interested in what you’ve learned.”
Ross Ed jerked his head in the direction of the parked trucks. ‘fat the reason for the army? Jed don’t have any military value.”
“Just a precaution, Mr. Hager. May I call you Ross?”
“Nope.”
This time Suttles had to force the smile. “I hope that will change. How did you come to develop your ventriloquist’s act with the alien, Mr. Hager?”
Ross shrugged. “Started bringing Jed to the bar, folks noticed him, and they commented. I smart-mouthed ’em back and it just grew from there. The customers liked it. So did the boss.”
“You smart-mouthed me some pretty interesting formulae. Have you ever taken any advanced chemistry courses, Mr. Hager?”
The Texan turned away from his interrogator. “Don’t really recall. Been out of school some time now.”
“Very advanced chemistry,” Hager added, pressing him.
“Sometimes things just pop into my head.”
“Do they?” Suttles looked past him, at the motionless alien form. “Does Jed have anything to do with that? If he does, then I’m sure you can understand our interest. Him being dead and all. I assure you, Mr. Hager, that no harm will come to you if you cooperate with us.”
“Wasn’t worried about me.”
His guts knotting with repressed excitement, Robinett joined in. “Surely you can understand how important it is not to keep a discovery like this to yourself, Mr. Hager?”
“Yes,” added Kerry, “that would be very selfish of you.”
Ross Ed eyed them through the closed window before turning back to Suttles. “Who’re they?”
“Captains Kerry and Robinett.” Lowering his voice, he looked for a way to establish some rapport. “Captain Kerry is the good-looking one. By the way, I’m Steven Suttles.” He extended a hand.
The Texan shook it automatically. “Can’t say as I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Suttles.” Thick fingers withdrew. “I know this is probably too important to keep to myself, but I kind of wanted to break the news about Jed in my own way and in my own time.”
“I guess I can appreciate that. But you know, while you’re waiting, bad things might happen to”—he hesitated only for an instant—“Jed. He could suffer irreparable damage, or be lost, or even stolen.”
Ross Ed shook his head. “I don’t think so. I know he won’t be stolen.” This was stated with such conviction that Suttles didn’t attempt to dispute it. “And I know he won’t be misplaced. As far as damage, well, he’s been dropped a few times and he don’t seem none the worse for wear.”
“Must be a pretty strong suit he’s wearing.” Suttles squinted past the driver. ‘here are some people who’d really like to have a closer look at that suit.”
“I bet.”
It was about time to put an end to the small talk, Sutures knew. Not only were Kerry and Robinett having a silent fit, but their superiors were anxiously awaiting a report. He took a step back.
“I know we can come to some sort of mutually satisfactory arrangement regarding Jed, Mr. Hager. Why don’t you step out of your car and we’ll discuss it.” He gestured toward the featureless van. “There’s hot coffee and doughnuts inside.”
“Not hungry, thanks.” For the second time Ross Ed gestured in the direction of the truck. “If everything’s okay and nothing’s going to happen, then why all the guns?”
“Like I told you, just a precaution. Now that I know everything’s okay, I can take care of it.” Straightening, Suttles barked an order. Immediately, every soldier within range put up his or her weapon. ’here, feel more comfortable now?”
“A little; not much. Nobody’s put anything away.”
“Please, Mr. Hager. It’s vital that we have your help and cooperation. Won’t you please get out of the car?”
Ross weighed his choices. “And if I don’t?”
Sutures didn’t like the turn the conversation had taken but was compelled to follow through. “I’m afraid you really don’t have much choice, Mr. Hager. Neither do I. You’re not under arrest or anything, but it really is imperative that you come with us. Preferably willingly.” Turning, he showed how army vehicles and troops had blocked both the entrance and the exit to the rest stop.
“As you can see, you can’t leave. I’d be personally upset if you were to try.”
