JC: Ed Biggers Part 6: Doyen Chapter 3 By Lazlo Zalezac Copyright (C) Lazlo Zalezac, 2004 Sitting at the obscenely large desk, Ed stared up at the picture of John that hung on the wall of the office. It was an official color photograph of John. His white hair and beard with the robe, cane, and cloak made him look like a mystic. The whole world saw John as a mystic, but Ed knew better. He sighed and said, "John, you brought out the best in me. I'm a better man for having you in my life. I really miss you." "Talking to yourself?" asked Ellen Faber as she entered the office. "Talking to John," answered Ed with a sigh. Although Ellen ran the daily operations of the Fusion Foundation and knew both men, she knew very little about the relationship between John and Ed other than the fact that they were married. She had watched the news coverage of John's death and had been shocked when she had seen him struck by lightening in the middle of the glade. She couldn't imagine what it must have been like for the family to be there and observe that scene. She said, "He was a great man." Smiling, Ed said, "He was a man and he was great. Calling him a great man diminishes his life as a man and his greatness." The comment gave Ellen pause and reminded her why she had come in the office. She said, "The rest of the board is present." "Okay," replied Ed as he stood. He paused to look around the office before saying, "Too fancy." Ellen shook her head. Over the past few years she had been invited in the offices of some of the most powerful men in the country. This office was barren compared to any of those she had encountered. It was hard for her to imagine billionaires feeling uncomfortable sitting behind a desk that cost five thousand dollars. She shrugged and said, "Its' purpose is to impress." The comment made Ed laugh and he retorted, "I'd rather be impressed by the person behind the desk than the desk they are hiding behind." He walked across the hallway to the conference room and took his seat. The seat at the head of the table was conspicuously empty. Ellen stood by the seat and said, "I call this meeting to order." After everyone acknowledged her, she continued, "The agenda is on the table in front of you. Normally, the first order of business is to review the minutes of the last meeting. However, today we have a different and far more difficult task as the first order of business." Breaking the tension in the room, Fluffy yawned as though bored with the meeting. Looking over at the bear in irritation, Ellen continued, "The first order of business is to elect a new Chairman of the Board." As she went through the process of reading the charter of the Fusion Foundation, Ed listened with only half his attention on what she was saying. His thoughts turned in the direction of the others in the room wondering which one of them would take the place of John at the head of the table. He felt sorry for that person, as there was no way they could ever live up to the reputation of John. His attention returned to Ellen when he heard her say, "There has been a motion that Ed Biggers take over as Chairman of the Board." "Pardon?" asked Ed wondering how he had missed the nomination. Ling said, "I second the motion." Ellen asked, "Are there any other nominations?" Looking around the room in the hope that someone would say something, Ed tried to come up with a name to nominate. His mind went blank and he couldn't remember the name of anyone in the room. As panic welled up in him, Ellen said, "If there are no other nominations, then I move that we vote on making Ed the Chairman of the Board." "Seconded," said Sidney and Sherry simultaneously. "All those in favor say aye." Everyone except Ed said, "Aye." "All those opposed, say nay." Ed's throat swelled up as he tried to get out a word. He grabbed a glass of water and took a sip. Sherry was sitting across the table from him watching his discomfort with a smile. Ellen asked, "Abstain?" Ed finally managed to croak, "Ah." Smiling at Ed, Ellen said, "The motion has carried. Ten votes for the motion and one abstain. Ed Biggers is now the Chairman of the Board." As everyone clapped, Ed shook his head in disgust while wondering how this had come about. It was clearly time for him to say something, but his mind was still blank. After a minute, he said, "I did not seek this position, but I shall do my best to carry it out in the manner that John desired." Ellen said, "If you will take the chair at the head of the table, I turn this meeting over to you." Ed moved to the head of the table and looked down the table at everyone gathered there. Most of the board members were Druids and he felt that it was time for that to change. He said, "The second item on the agenda is approval of the minutes of the last meeting. Does anyone have any corrections or comments on the meeting minutes?" When no one said anything, he continued, "I move that we accept the minutes as they stand." "Seconded," replied Ling. They went threw the formal business of voting on the meeting minutes. Even as they went through the process, Ed glanced at his watch wondering how long this meeting was going to last. Once the minutes were accepted, Ed said, "The next item on the agenda is the empty spot on the Board of Directors. I suggest that we identify potential candidates and bring the names to the next meeting. We'll cull the candidates down to three and then invite them in for an interview. After that, we'll vote on the person to fill the spot." Harold Hawkins, the only businessman on the board, raised his hand. When Ed acknowledged him, he said, "We need more businessmen on the board." Ed said, "If you find a businessman that is willing to forsake all current and future business with the Fusion Foundation, then go ahead and nominate them." "I was going to question that rule," replied Harold. That rule prevented any of the businesses that he owned from selling their products to the Fusion Foundation. Although he ran a chain of video rental stores, there were opportunities to get into other businesses that this rule prevented him from pursuing. "You can make a motion to change that rule, but I assure you that changing that rule will be defeated. It would put the tax-free status of this organization in jeopardy. This organization deals with huge amounts of money and we have to prevent any hint of conflict of interest on the part of the board," said Ed. He looked at Harold with the expectation that he would make the motion or threaten to resign, but the man surprised him and settled into his seat. Sidney raised his hand and when Ed acknowledged him, he asked, "What would be the primary area of responsibility?" Ed thought about it for a moment and replied, "I guess they would take over the Emergency Response Section." The meeting lasted for another two hours as they established that a technologist would be a good candidate and covered the other items on the agenda. The discussion concerning the budget seemed to drone on forever, but in his new position of Chairman of the Board he found that he had to pay attention. It was with great relief that he was able to call an end to the meeting. As people left the room, they stopped to congratulate him. Ed still didn't know who had nominated him. When the room was empty of everyone except Ellen, Kelly, Ling, and himself, Ed asked, "Who nominated me?" Laughing, Ellen answered, "Sidney." "I'm going to get even with him one of these days," remarked Ed. It was hard for him to believe that Sidney had done that to him. Kelly said, "He only voiced what everyone in the room was thinking." Ed sat down in a chair and thought about it. In a way, it made sense since most people thought that he was John's right hand man. He never thought of himself in that manner, but it was true in many ways. John had shared more of his thoughts with Ed than anyone else. Sighing, Ed replied, "I guess." Ling asked, "Will you be coming home with us?" "No. I'll finish up a few items here and head to the University," answered Ed. He had given up his position at the University and now it was time to see if he could return. Kelly and Ling kissed him before leaving to return home. When they were gone, Ed turned to Ellen and said, "I suppose that it is time to write a press release." "I already have one written for you," replied Ellen with a smile. She had assumed that it would be Ed that took over for John. She added, "I assume that you'll want to edit it." "Of course," said Ed. He decided that he would do that and then get something to eat. There was going to be a lot of work to do this afternoon and he scratched making it to the University off his list. He asked, "Would it be appropriate that I talk to the heads of each of the Fusion Foundation Sections?" "I was going to suggest that," answered Ellen. She actually had a list of things that Ed needed to do that afternoon before the news spread too far. She added, "I have a press conference scheduled for this afternoon." Ed returned to the office while Ellen went to get all of the work items that she had arranged for him. Sitting behind the desk, Ed looked around the office wondering how much time would be spent at the desk over the next few months. Things didn't look good for him in the future. Kim Green knocked on the doorframe to get his attention. Looking up at her, he was surprised to see how old she looked. He had met her when they were undergraduates in college. He said, "Come in, Kim. How are you doing?" "I'm fine. I really enjoy working here," answered Kim. In the past few years, she had traveled to many places around the world establishing staging areas for the Foundation, negotiated purchase agreements with companies, and served as a press agent during crisis situations overseas. For a young woman that had dreams of making the world a better place, this was the perfect job. After holding the position for nearly sixteen years, she still thought it was the perfect job. She looked at Ed and said, "I'm sorry about John." "Thank you," replied Ed. Getting condolences still threw him for a loop, as he didn't know how to respond. Gesturing for her to enter the room, he said, "It's really good to see you. I hear that you've been globe trotting on behalf of the Fusion Foundation." "Just got back from Italy where I negotiated a storage area for supplies," replied Kim while she entered the room and took a seat. She added, "I have to say that it is a very lovely place. So much history packed into such a small area." "How was your reception there?" "When people heard that I was with the Fusion Foundation, they went out of their way to show me a good time. You'd be surprised what a great reputation the Fusion Foundation has everywhere around the world," answered Kim. When she had arrived in Italy, very high-level government officials did everything they could to help her. Curators had given her personal tours through some of the greatest historical landmarks once they learned that she was from the Fusion Foundation. Everywhere she went, people told her what a great organization she represented. It was overwhelming. "That's good. I'm very glad to hear that," replied Ed. This was the kind of feedback that he liked to hear. Kim was quiet for a minute as she struggled to figure out how to bring up a request. Ed noticed her sudden change in demeanor and asked, "What do you want?" "Uh, I kind of wanted to ask you about something." "Ask away," replied Ed curious what could be so serious that she wouldn't know how to go about asking him a question. Leaning forward with his elbow resting on the table and his finger to his temple, he watched her struggle with asking her question. It was clear to him that she had no clue how to make her request. He suggested, "Maybe if you give me a hint I can help you formulate your question." Kim looked down at the floor, feeling like she was about to loose her nerve. Summoning her nerve, she said, "I haven't been satisfied by a man since my rape." He didn't know exactly what she meant. Did she mean that she hadn't been with a man since the rape or that a man hadn't been able to give her an orgasm since the rape? Regardless of which answer was correct, the news shocked Ed as he realized that it had to be at least sixteen years since she had been raped on the campus. In as soothing of a voice as he could manage, Ed replied, "I don't know what to say." Hesitating, she smiled at him and said, "It's not your fault that I can't be satisfied in bed by a man." "I thought that you had gotten beyond the rape," replied Ed very disturbed by this revelation. "You don't understand. I've gotten over the rape and know in my heart that it was an act of violence by a very sick man. The problem is that I haven't found a man that can satisfy me," she said. "I know it's not physical as a few women have been able to bring me to orgasm, but it's that I haven't been in bed with a man that turns me on." Rather than say anything, Ed sat back to listen to her. It was better to let her come to the point than try to put words in her mouth. She licked her lips nervously and then said, "You rescued me. No one has done anything that significant for me." He realized where she was headed and wondered if she was actually going to request him to sleep with her. Rather than address the question now, he decided that this was something that was best dealt with in a more private environment. He asked, "Would you like to come over to dinner tonight?" Believing that he was agreeing to sleep with her, Kim sighed with relief that she hadn't had to say it aloud. A wide grin spread over her face as she said, "I'd love to come over." "Great. Come over about seven," said Ed. He watched as she thanked him and fled the room far faster than she had intended. Smiling to himself, he shook his head at having to rescue another damsel in distress. Helen returned in time to hear the final exchange and was relieved to know that Ed was going to take care of Kim. The two were occasional lovers and she was fully aware of Kim's unrequited desire to sleep with Ed. She knew how frustrating it could be since she shared the same feelings. Entering the room, she placed a stack of papers on the desk and said, "Here you go." Groaning, Ed stared at the stack of papers knowing that it would be hours before he could get through them all. Sighing, he picked up the first paper finding that it was the legal form establishing him as Chairman of the Board. He reviewed the signatures of other members of the board and signed it. Ellen had recorded his vote as abstained. He signed the form and handed it back to her as he said, "I would have objected, but I was too shocked to think straight." Ellen laughed and said, "The choice was obvious. No one would have listened to your objections." He looked over the next paper in the stack. It was a draft of the press release that she was going to send out to the news services. Looking over it, he thought that it made him sound inhuman and unreal. Grabbing a pencil, he immediately removed statements that talked about his heroism and his unrelenting dedication to a list of causes. He then took out all of the references to his past accomplishments that had nothing to do with the Fusion Foundation. Finished, he handed it back to Ellen and said, "You might want to review this. I've made a few changes." She looked at it in dismay. The one page press release had been reduced to four sentences. The first indicated that he had been elected as Chairman of the Board. The second told how he had helped set up the Emergency Response Center. The third described his dedication to the keeping the mission of the Fusion Foundation on track. The fourth expressed the honor that he felt at being given the responsibility. She said, "I'll release it if you allow me to include your Fusion Foundation resume with it." "I have a Fusion Foundation resume?" "Yes. Whenever you've done something for the Fusion Foundation or achieved some other public recognition, we've documented it," replied Ellen with a grin. "I'd like to see that," Ed mused aloud as he wondered what was in the resume. There were no doubts in his mind that it would exaggerate his past accomplishments. "I thought that you would say that. The binder contains your resume," replied Ellen watching the expression of disbelief that crossed his face when he took in the thickness of the binder. "This isn't a resume, it a biography!" "Not so. Each of your accomplishments has a single paragraph describing the significance of your involvement," replied Ellen. Kelly and Linda had worked with her in developing the resume. It was based on the material within a biography about Ed that the two wives were preparing. She had found the material in the biography so captivating that she had read the entire thing in a single night. Looking at the thickness of the binder, Ed laughed and said, "It's too thick. No one would possibly bother to read it all. Go ahead and release it with the press release." Ellen shook her head at his reaction knowing that he was probably the only one in the world who would believe that statement. There were no doubts in her mind that thousands of people would read it from cover to cover over the next few days. She took the binder and the marked up press release to hand over to the press. Standing, she said, "Let me release this to the press now." "Okay," replied Ed as he turned his attention to the other papers in the stack. Two hours later, Ed stood up from behind his desk and looked around. He stepped out of the office to find Ellen at her desk working on her computer. Having finished the stack of paperwork, Ed sighed and said, "I'm heading out, now." "No you're not," replied Ellen. Looking at her as if she had declared that the world was flat, Ed asked, "And why not?" "You have to meet the press in twenty minutes," answered Ellen. She worked for a minute on the computer and then the printer came to life. Turning to watch the progress, she said, "I've written a small speech to introduce you to the press. You should probably consider what you want to say to them." The announcement that he would have to meet the press sent chills down his spin. He hated the press since they usually wanted to get more information of a private nature than what was the nominal subject of the press conference. Grumbling, he returned to his office to consider what he would say to the news vultures. His desire to flee was strong as Ellen led the way to the room where the press conference was being held. He followed her into the room and saw the huge number of cameras aimed at the podium. Ellen walked directly to the podium and looked around for a minute. She was used to holding press conferences as they were almost a weekly event as one tragedy or another struck the world. Seeing that everyone was ready, she spoke, "Hello. I'm Ellen Faber, the Executive Director of the Fusion Foundation. I am sure that you are aware that John Carter, former Chairman of the Board of the Fusion Foundation, has passed away. At the meeting of the Board of Directors this afternoon, Dr. Ed Biggers was elected the new Chairman of the Board. It is my great pleasure to introduce, Dr. Ed Biggers." As all eyes turned to look at him, Ed slowly took his place at the podium. In a serious tone of voice, he said, "Hello. I'd like to thank you for showing up to this new conference. It is with great sorrow that I became the Chairman of the Board of the Fusion Foundation this afternoon. No one can replace John Carter and his vision for a better world. I will do my best to see his vision become a reality. I will entertain your questions now." A reporter from the front asked, "Are you on any other Boards associated with charities or companies?" Ed answered, "I'm on the board of a major airline and have started a number of other charities." A woman reporter from the back of the room asked, "I noticed in your resume that you have performed some services for the CIA. Those services have earned you the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. Is the Fusion Foundation a CIA front company?" The question shocked Ed as he stared at the woman that had asked the question. He answered, "No. My work at the CIA is as an American Citizen who supports his country in whatever fashion he can. I work with the IRS, FBI, CIA, and other government agencies to make the United States a better place to live. I also work to make the world a better place through my charities. The Fusion Foundation was established by John Carter to help the world using royalties from his inventions. The charities and other activities are totally separate." The woman said, "I'd like to follow up on your answer. If it were a CIA front, you wouldn't tell us that it was. What proof can you provide that the CIA is not involved?" Looking at the woman, Ed replied, "I can't prove a negative, but you are welcome to view all of our books. In my service to the Gods and Goddesses, I can not tell a lie without feeling horrible pain. I tell you straight out, there is no connection between the Fusion Foundation and the CIA." "You expect us to accept that you are telling the truth just because you say you have to tell the truth?" asked the reporter with a sneer. Ed realized that she was trying to create a story rather than report on this one. The medallion on his chest started to burn and then glow with brilliant light that blinded all that looked upon it. The cameras facing him went blank as if they had been turned off. Leaning forward on the podium, Ed said in an inhumanly loud voice that reverberated through the room, "There is no connection between the Fusion Foundation and the CIA." The power of his voice, the light emanating from the medallion and the flash of anger from his eyes convinced the reporters in the room more than his words. The technicians recording the press conference didn't hear a word through their headsets. Relaxing back, he said, "Let us remember the mission of the Fusion Foundation. It is to help people. We have education programs, health programs, art and science programs, and disaster relief programs. All these are to help people, all people, live a better life. We give with equal ease to the homeless poor and the wealthy in their castles. Almost every one has had their lives touched in a positive manner by the Fusion Foundation. I am proud of that history and will work my hardest as Chairman to assure that it carries on into the future." Another reporter asked, "Why is it that the Emergency Response Teams of the Fusion Foundation are the only part that has an international scope?" Ed smiled and said, "Social issues tend to differ from nation to nation and we would never impose a solution for this nation upon another. However, a disaster is the same everywhere. We go to disasters where our people can help victims through the hardest times of their lives. Medicines, food, shelter, and clothes are provided. Other services are brought to play as necessary. Once the emergency is over, our people leave. We ask nothing of those that we help. We give and then we go." Another reporter asked, "Are there any countries that have refused your assistance?" "Yes, there have been a few. It is their sovereign right to refuse admittance of individuals into their country and one that we respect." A woman on the front row raised her hand. Ed looked over at her. She was tall, blond, and with her hair short. She reminded him of his late wife, Beth. In a very sultry voice, she asked, "Why do you do that?" "Do what?" asked Ed confused by the question. He wondered if she had been sent here because of her similarity to Beth. "Give and then go," replied the woman reporter as she adjusted the position of her hair. She crossed her legs and pulled her shoulders back to pull attention to her breasts. Although she looked like Beth, she didn't act like her. While at work, Beth was a consummate professional and not a flirt. Ed answered, "John Carter established the Fusion Foundation to help people with the money that he earned from the Fusion Well and Fusion Battery patents. His goal was to make the world a better place for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The Fusion Foundation is working. Inner-city slums are slowly disappearing as young people achieve a better education and move up economically. Health costs are down, performance arts are flourishing, and science is solving problems that have long haunted people." The grilling continued for another ten minutes before Ellen stepped up and said, "That's all for now, folks." She led Ed out of the room. Once the door closed behind them, he sat down in exhaustion letting the wall support his back. Putting his elbows on his knees, he held his head in his hands and said, "That was horrible." Ellen looked down at Ed amazed at his collapse. The press conference had gone much better than she had expected. The reporter that had asked all of the questions about CIA involvement had been trying to find something negative to report about the Fusion Foundation for years. Trying to tie the Fusion Foundation to the CIA was a very imaginative approach. She looked down at him and said, "It went pretty well." "I don't like talking to the press," replied Ed. One of the men that worked in the press office walked down the hall and stopped in front of Ed. He said, "Three of the reporters are asking for private interviews with Dr. Biggers." Ed looked up at the man, realizing that he didn't recognize him. In a tired voice, Ed replied, "I don't give private interviews." "This is important," replied the young man. Tired, Ed stood and faced the young man. He said, "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name." "I'm Eugene Ford," replied the young man. "Eugene, you have to understand that I don't give private interviews. I am a private person and value my privacy much more than my money," said Ed. The young man didn't know what to make of Ed's statement and looked to Ellen for guidance. She smiled and said, "He doesn't do private interviews." Ed started to walk away and then stopped as a thought occurred to him. He turned to Eugene and said, "I am not giving a private interview, but I will talk to the reporter that wanted to tie the Fusion Foundation to the CIA. Bring her to my office." Both Ellen and Eugene reacted with surprise. This was the last person that they would expect him to meet privately. Eugene left to deliver the news to the woman while Ellen followed Ed to his office. Once there, she asked, "Why would you want to talk to Brittany Lee? She hates the Fusion Foundation." "You just answered your own question," answered Ed as he took a seat. Learning that there was someone that had a deep dislike for the Fusion Foundation hurt Ed more than he would admit. There had to be a reason for it and he wanted to discover it for himself. Realizing that he had worked through the afternoon without drinking anything, he asked, "I really hate to be a bother, but could you please ask someone to bring us some coffee?" "I'm sorry. I didn't even think about that," replied Ellen. She returned to her desk trying to figure out how she had answered her own question. She called down to the front desk to send up one of the volunteer workers to serve as a hostess. Eugene entered the top floor looking lost followed by Brittany Lee. It was his first time to the top floor and it took him a minute to get his bearings. Brittany looked around rather disappointed at the executive quarters of the Fusion Foundation. She had expected something a little richer in appearance considering the wealth of the people that sat on the Board. Eugene took her to Ed's office and knocked on the doorframe. Ed looked up and said, "Please come in." "Dr. Biggers, I would like to introduce you to Brittany Lee." From behind his desk, Ed looked over at Eugene irritated at the formality of address. He requested, "Please call me Ed. I do not like formality when I deal with people. That goes for you, as well, Ms. Lee." The reporter looked at Ed and wondered why he hadn't stood up to greet her. When Ed gestured to a chair, she sat down wondering why he had asked that she come up to talk. Her mind flashed to the questions about the link between the Fusion Foundation and the CIA, making her wonder if she had stumbled upon a secret. Eugene had been very insistent that this wasn't an interview, so it must be an attempt to silence her. She asked, "So why did you want to talk to me?" "First, this is an informal conversation and not an interview. Are you recording this?" "No." The lie struck Ed like an out of tune piano. He ignored the lie and declared, "You hate the Fusion Foundation." "No, I don't," she answered looking at him through narrowed eyes. Taking a deep breath, Ed replied, "Don't lie to me. You hate the Fusion Foundation. What did the Fusion Foundation do that hurt you?" "Nothing," replied Brittany with a straight face. The lie ripped through Ed like a chainsaw. Something bad had happened to her in the past that she blamed on the foundation and it was up to him to discover what it was. Her name didn't ring true, but that was common among television personalities. He said, "You weren't always called Brittany Lee. What is your real name?" "Brittany Grant," replied the reporter with bitterness in her voice. The name released a floodgate of memories in both of them. Ed recalled the case where a woman had tried to use the Fusion Foundation as a means of leaving her husband by claiming that he was physically abusing her and sexually abusing her daughter. The charges had been false, but the father had died before he and his daughter could be reunited for even a visit. The daughter, a young girl by the name of Brittany, had blamed the Fusion Foundation for the fact that she couldn't see her father before he died. A volunteer knocked on the door and asked, "Would you like your coffee now?" "Yes, please," replied Ed as he considered how to address the problem at hand. The volunteer handed a cup to each person in the room and dealt with adding sugar and cream to Brittany's coffee. When she had finished and left the room, Ed asked, "Do you remember me?" "No." "Try to imagine me wearing blue jeans and a work shirt," requested Ed as he saw the light of recognition cross her face. Makeup couldn't hide the clear flush of anger that came over her face as she charged, "You and that fat bitch kept me from my father!" As the young woman started to rant, Ed sat and let her vent her anger. In this state of mind, nothing that he could say would deflect her need to express years of frustration, hate, and anger. After a few minutes, she stopped shouting and broke down into tears. Ed moved around the desk and handed her the handkerchief that was always present in his robe pocket. She accepted it without thinking about the source. When she had calmed down, Ed said, "Years ago a woman came to a shelter claiming that she had been physically abused by her husband and that her thirteen year old daughter had been sexually abused by him. She had bruises, cuts, and a fractured arm to back up her story. The problem was that it didn't seem right to the caseworker since the woman didn't act like any other battered woman that we had in the shelter." Brittany looked up at Ed, startled to hear what he was saying. She asked, "She didn't?" "No, she didn't. The caseworker called in Sherry to review the case. Sherry is the fat bitch that you referred to a moment ago. Sherry talked to the mother, to the young lady, and to the father. She suspected that the mother was lying, but the injuries were real. Sherry called me to talk to the family. Unfortunately, I was not in the area at the time. If I recall correctly, I was with John hunting a serial killer that preyed upon prostitutes. When I returned, I came to the shelter and talked to the mother, the father, and to the young woman. At that time, I didn't wear the robes when I worked." Brittany stared at Ed unable to believe what she was hearing. Ed continued, "It didn't take me more than a minute of talking with the mother to determine the truth. She had lied to everyone involved, including her daughter. She had paid a high school athlete to beat her and then told everyone, the daughter included, that her husband had done it." "You discovered that?" "We figured it out and then made arrangements for the father to visit the daughter. He died before the visit was to take place. The daughter blamed us for keeping her separated from her father. The problem was that once the father was dead, we had no legal recourse to right the wrong that had been perpetrated on the young woman. Her mother had legal custody and we had no proof that would hold up in a court of law. The mother left with the daughter that afternoon and we never saw either of them again." Ed stopped and looked at the reporter. Brittany unable to think took a sip of her coffee. With a trembling hand she brought the cup to her mouth, spilling some down the front of her dress. At one time, she wouldn't have believed the story, but it explained all of the disturbing details that had come to haunt her nights. She asked, "How did you figure it out?" "I'm a human lie detector. I know that you are recording this conversation, so don't try to convince yourself that I didn't know," replied Ed. He looked at the young lady and then added, "I think you need to have a long talk with your mother. However, I'm sure that she has been telling the lie for so long that she believes it to be true."