"Honey," I told her excitedly, "we're about to stand the whole country
on its collective ear. Ashe is going to reveal his identity!"
Nan's face pinched into a look of disgust. "You mean you're trusting
this--this creature again?"
"Sure, honey. Anyone can make a mistake."
"That's right!" she exploded. "You're making one now! Oh, Ted, stop
being such a fool!"
"Listen here," I said, "this is the last two minutes of the game. We're
trying to score before the gun--and you start an argument!"
She began to blubber.
Why must she always be so unreasonable? Why the constant bickering and
tension and unhappiness? I was sick to death of it. I grabbed Ashe's
arm. "Come on," I said, "let's go."
Even outdoors, the air felt hot and clammy. I headed the car for the
plant, figuring I could do my phoning from there as well as pick a crew.
But on Main Street, Ashe spotted a cab and made me stop.
He said he'd better go on ahead. He thought things would work smoother
that way. He could start the ball rolling on the release of Tommy, and I
wouldn't be held up by having to tell people who he was.
I drove on alone. But it was a mistake. People simply didn't believe my
story about an alien being. In various ways and tones of voice, they all
suggested I go home and sleep it off. In desperation, I went up to
Jones' house, even though he'd already told me on the phone that he was
in the middle of a dinner party.
He came up close to me and sniffed my breath.
"Don't worry," I told him. "I never touch it. But maybe I should smell
yours. Anyone who turns his back on the biggest story of all time must
be drunk!"
He jerked the cigar from his mouth and gave me a narrow-eyed, searching
look. "Ted, I just hope for your sake this isn't some kind of a joke."
* * * * *
Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to the police station in a three car
convoy, with a big crew from the paper. I led the group inside, feeling
the excitement grow in me. I marched up to the desk sergeant. "Where is
he?"