The Mysteries of the Q Files #2: Screens are Cursed Windows

Chapter Three - In the Land of Conspiracies

Trick looked out the window and saw Utah Lake shimmering below as the plane touched down. Dark clouds were pouring from the craggy mountains to the northeast. As they landed Conturbatio seemed to squirm with excitement. Trick guessed that the upcoming investigation probably had his hopes up. After meeting monsters coming through a magical portal, Conturbatio must have been convinced that he would see similarly spectacular things at the end of this new road.

Naomi leaned into Trick and asked him, "I know that this is probably late mentioning this, but Utah has extreme weather changes. Did you pack warmly enough?"

"Things get pretty cold in Virginia," Trick protested. "I packed well enough for this!"

"We'll see," Naomi shrugged.

The plane ride had been boring for the most part. The Sphinx had not given him or Naomi any extra information on the situation as he had with the last case. All he said was that things seem to come to life around the cursed boy and his family. Maybe the lack of information is what made the strange agent act so oddy? Trick guessed not, because Stacy Miles, his partner, was nowhere near as excited. She also looked bored, as well as his mother. It then struck Trick that the Sphinx's partners both had similar first names. He wondered how often he got them confused.

As they exited the airport and made their way to the car rental station, a biting cold seared into Trick's flesh. It was so sudden that he didn't even get goosebumps. He hurried inside to find reprieve, while Naomi shook her head in a bemused way and laughed. Of course she had dressed appropriately enough.

Following him inside she said, "It seems as though your impressive research skills into people do not extend to researching things of actual use. Like even something as simple as the weather."

"There's nothing simple about the weather," Trick snapped. "Everyone knows weathermen have no idea what they're talking about half the time! Plus the weather is constantly changing! And what was with that jab about my researching people? I recall my skills be of tremendous worth during our last case!"

"Don't yell in here, Patrick," his mother scolded.

Trick turned beat red as Naomi chuckled, "And who had to help save your butt from a giant wolf? Just watch, I'm gonna own you on this adventure. Try to keep up Trick."

"And when did this all become a competition?" Trick just couldn't figure this girl out.

Naomi didn't respond, but took out a small notebook and made some tally marks in it. With a satisfied smirk she snapped it shut and replaced it in her bag. Agent Miles was the one taking care of the car as Conturbatio almost danced where he was. To get away from naomi and her weirdness for a minute Trick went over to the tall agent and spoke with him.

"You seem really, and I mean really, excited to be here," Trick observed.

"I am! Utah is a treasure trove of conspiracies!" The man looked beside himself with glee.

Trick had done a little research (See Naomi! I can do some helpful research!) into Utah and its high Mormon population. The religion was an odd one, being very active all over the world, but had little record of being politically involved. The people were all considered to be really nice, but many suspected that they kept dark secrets. A lot of people posted videos "exposing" the Mormons. The Mormons in turn posted a mountain of musical videos and memes that made no sense to him. It was like they were their own culture altogether.

"Yeah, they are really weird, from what I've gathered. People say they have a lot of secrets and that they can be super judgmental with a facade of sincerity."

The Sphinx held up his hands and said, "Most of the public gets wrapped up in political and social issues surrounding the Mormons that are of very little consequence. Honestly, the Mormons are actually right on most of their stances on just about every issue, and that is really the give away to the bigger things I'm talking about. How does a small religious organization get so many things about the human condition and history right? Most people do not even know their fascinating history! Did you know that the Mormons were already looking to the stars for more life before anyone else? Their doctrine has not changed since its inception, even though people argue that it has, but it really hasn't. In fact, their knowledge, dating back to the 1830s, supports the greatest scientific, engineering, psychological, sociological, and historical problems of the 20th century and in recent times!

"They claim their founder had a direct connection, called revelation, with God, and through that the mysteries of the universe were made known to him. They display this knowledge all over in their religion, like a treasure hunt beckoning others to come to them. Take for instance their fabled Salt Lake Temple! It-"

"Agent Conturbatio, you should know better than to revive your silly suspicions of the Mormons and their connection to some alien life forms," Agent Brown said hotly. "Agents Miller and Sanchez in border security are both Mormon and they have answered your questions plenty of times. Everything they have told you does not support your theory. And it is grating on my nerves! My son doesn't need to hear it!"

"But Susan! We are in the land of the grand conspiracies and withholding of knowledge right now! I want to drop by each temple we can and study it! They hold important clues! Miller and Sanchez are good guys, but they are holding back what they know. I can see it in their eyes. I have done enough interrogations!"

"You're beginning to rave," Susan retorted shaking her head. "Respect their privacy. The Mormons are free with their information, but things they consider sacred they will not talk about with people outside of the faith. It is a sign of their devotion and respect to their god. I would hope that an enlightened man such as yourself could respect that."

Trick felt really embarrassed to get caught in the middle of this.

"Yes. yes of course," Conturbatio said, turning aside. As Susan turned back to Miles and her paperwork, he whispered to Trick, "But seriously, they took all of the good stuff about the knowledge with them when they were driven from Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois by mobs and by the government. I think that they wielded some greater power in their earlier days, because the violence that both citizens and the government brought against them was incredible and unjustifiable, unless there was something else going on.

"Did you know that Missouri's Lieutenant Governor, then later Governor, William Boggs issued an execution order against the Mormons that persisted for over a hundred years? Such an order is unprecedented in U.S. history and there is so much about it we don't know! Not even other hated racial and religious groups received such extreme measures. It makes me wonder what the Mormons have that scared people so much. What knowledge could they still be keeping from us? What-"

"Sphinx, you're rambling," Trick said. "People will attack what they don't understand. I think it is clear that these people in Utah are odd, but I highly doubt that this is a land of conspiracies. I don't think that we'll find what you are looking for. I don't think either that this case will be as big as the last one. I'm sorry, but I had to speak my mind."

The Sphinx patted him on the shoulder and said brusquely, "Yes, I'm sorry.I can tend to get carried away. And your mother is right, the Mormons are very good people. I just... There's so much about the unknown to be discovered, and there is a lot that our government keeps back from us, even from those who work to protect it. And people have a right to knowledge that will make them safer and make their lives more beneficial... As for this case, I'm ot sure what we will come across. It could be, or it might not be. But, there is something going that we need to investigate, especially if it saves a few innocent lives, don't you think?"

Trick nodded in agreement.

"Don't look so glum, Patrick. I'll try not to get carried, and try to enjoy the investigation! It's not everyday that you teens get to help with not one but two federal cases!"

Once Agent Miles received the keys and they went to the van the agents had rented, Trick noticed something.

"I swear it's gotten thirty degrees warmer!"

"It has," Naomi said smugly. "She shed her heavier coat and showed that she had lighter one underneath. "Utah is infamous for its strange weather. You'll be fine now, but wait until it starts snowing."

Trick looked at the darkening clouds and grumbled to himself that she was probably right. The agents all looked as comfortable as ever in their east coast trench coats and suits. He might have to dip into his meager funds for a better jacket soon. Being grounded meant that his financial support had also been cut for the most part.

They traveled the short distance from the airport to the campus of Brigham Young University, and then they turned south down a pleasant street with narrow houses. Naomi commented how much she appreciated the grid design of the streets and the wonderful spacing and architecture of the homes. Trick thought it all looked a little too cookie cutter for his taste.

They soon reached their destination and the agents led the way to the door. After they knocked, the door was quickly opened and Trick's senses were assailed by the voice of a boy whom he would long to slug from that moment on.