“That is quite a story Mr. Snapp. I’m not aware that our government has spacecraft and little green men from outer space,” he said.
“I know it sounds crazy. I’m having a hard time believing it myself. As crazy as all that sounds, I think they are telling the truth. I also think this General Devin is up to something that is unauthorized by the government.”
“Wait here for a few minutes Mr. Snapp,” he said, and left the room.
George sat there thinking what a jerk he was. They would never believe him. Aliens and spaceships. Now it even sounded crazy to him. He would be lucky if they didn’t lock him up in an isolation cell with padded walls. Twenty minutes went by before the man came back.
“Mr. Snapp, we cannot confirm any part of your story. No General Devin is listed as being in the military. No one by the name of Dr. Lake or Dr. Dan Barnett is listed as a scientist working on any military project in the present or past. In fact, not one item of this story checks out,” he said.
“I understand. I explained why you won’t find Lake or Barnett. In fact, you will find that they don’t exist on paper at all. But I have seen them and talked to them. I’ve even been to Dr. Barnett’s house.”
“Of course, or you wouldn’t be here telling us this story,” he said.
“You don’t believe any of this, do you?” George said, sitting up in his chair.
“Actually, you’re wrong. It is rare that nothing checks out. Usually made-up stories have an element of truth or fact woven into them. This has nothing that can be checked out and that makes us curious,” he said.
“So you believe what I’m saying it true?” Snapp said, surprised at this turn of events.
“Certainly not all of it, but any time people disappear on paper it concerns us. There has to be a reason and someone behind that reason. When birth certificates are removed and school and university records are purged, it is done by someone with immense power. All I can say for now is that we intend to do a little more checking. We will want to talk to Dr. Lake and Dr. Barnett. Tell me how to contact them.”
George wrote out the meager information he had on the two men and handed it over.
“We will have you driven back to where you were picked up. Do not leave the city, understand? I want you to know up front that we will have surveillance on you.”
“Fine. I have nowhere to go but home anyway.”
They dropped him off at the same location where he had been picked up. Neither man said a word during the trip nor when they let him out.
“Nice talking to you,” he said as he got out. Both ignored his comment.
“Dr. Barnett?” he said.
“Yes. What can I do for you?”
“I’m from the Homeland Security Office. I would like to have a few words with you,” the man said, showing his badge and card.
The name was Willis Gardner. He looked so much like a government agent that Barnett wondered if he was a poster boy for them. He had short hair, a black suit, white shirt, dark tie, and black wingtip shoes. Probably had his name stenciled on his underwear, Dr. Barnett thought.
The doctor sighed and said, “I knew this day was coming. Come on in.”
He led him back to a quiet study and had him take a chair.
“I suppose this is about the information we gave to George Snapp,” Dan said.
“Yes sir, it is. Doctor, I’m not sure if you’re aware that the statements and information you passed along to Mr. Snapp may be in violation of the law. Are you aware of that?”
“I’m not too worried about it. I don’t exist. You must have found that out by now. I’m here in front of you and yet I exist no place in any records. It’s hard to put someone behind bars that isn’t real, is it not?”
“My point is, we are taking all of this very seriously. That I would like for you to do, is to describe in as much detail on tape and camera, what you were working on prior to…all of this.”
“You mean my non-existence?”
“Whatever. Please. Do I have your consent to video this conversation?”
“I see no reason why not. You will be just as skeptical when you leave as you are now. What I tell you will make you doubt my sanity and I can accept that. On the other hand, I have no reason to lie or make any of this up. If I were just trying to make a name for myself I would have written a book or some damn thing. Now all I want to do is clear my conscience and start getting what I know out there before it is too late.”
“But you expect to become famous once this does come out,” the investigator said.
“No, not really. I have everything I need. I don’t need more money or feel the need to be famous. That is not the compelling reason behind bringing all of this out now.”
“So I can record this conversation?”
“Be my guest,” Dan said.
Two hours later the investigator left with his head swirling. This had to be the ramblings of a mad man. Maybe he actually did believe what he was saying, but it was far too fantastic to believe. Spaceships since 1947, Presidents visiting aliens, secret labs to alter human DNA with alien DNA.
