Chapter 40 – The Denouement
Dr. Barker had already written new propaganda for the board to disseminate among the conservative talk show hosts. Beginning the next week, those talking heads would unanimously stress the indisputable opinion that the hero's bravery was in no way diminished by the fact that the attack turned out to be domestic. For that day, though, Brad couldn't have designed a greater program to air on the anniversary of Adam's death. The show opened with the previous afternoon's poignant scene between Mick, Jasmine, and Tyro, which needed no commentary to engender pathos. Miss Jade's sizzling slap caused the entire watching populace of the planet to recoil in unison.
The director of the FBI flew to Pinewhittle and personally presented Special Agent Tyro Newbee with the bureau's highest commendation. The director was pleased to profess he had assigned his bravest and brightest young agent to remain in Pinewhittle, complete the investigation, and close the case. With great pride, the director officially announced that Agent Newbee would be accompanying him on the flight back to Washington, D.C., to assume a trusted position on his personal staff.
The production reaped the highest ratings ever recorded.
At The Palace, Mr. Doe was berating Tony with the newest programming he had received. Tony frowned, refusing to argue any further. Mr. Doe smiled victoriously over having the final comment and then barbed Tony with his usual chastisement, "And, by the way, you didn't bring me a check yesterday."
The postal worker sighed heavily over that daily scold and decided to finally ask, "Exactly who are you expecting a check from, Mr. Doe?"
Mr. Doe's eyes alit as he answered hopefully, "Why, Ed McMahon, and The Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes!"
"Ed McMahon?" Tony parroted in disbelief and disgust. Letterman paused to fume over the hundreds of times he had been hassled about that impossible check. Tony screamed at Mr. Doe, "He's dead, Dill!"
Friday morning King was whirling across Lake Michigan in his golden chariot to reach the Chicago skyline and the tower's rooftop heliport. Mr. Midas was being flown by his personal pilot, a highly decorated airman who had retired from a sterling career with the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of chief warrant officer. He was hired by King at ten times his former, military salary and had shuttled Mr. Midas ever since. As the chopper approached to land, it suddenly dropped onto the pad. The impact nearly cracked the copter's skids. Such an incident had never occurred in the past. "What happened, Sky?"
"I don't know, sir. It was as if the engine lost all power for a moment. It could have been a glitch in the avionics."
"What exactly does that mean, Sky?"
