Tina just smiled while Bette blushed profusely, and everyone laughed as they settled in the living room.

“If you keep rolling your eyes, Alice, some day it will stick that way,” Dana nudged her girlfriend’s shoulder.

“Old wife’s tale,” Alice shrugged and rolled her eyes again, “See? Nothing happened.” She once again assumed the position at the head of the table as she spread the documents she brought in front of her.

Just then Kit had arrived with their breakfast and Alice waited patiently as the girls helped themselves to steamy coffee and delicious homemade scones. When everyone finally settled on the sofa and chairs with their food, Alice cleared her throat and smiled smugly, “I’m a genius and you all will finally admit that soon enough.”

“All words and no action,” Tina commented with laughter.

“Oh, you want action, do you?” Alice looked at everyone and pulled first document from the manila envelope. “Exhibit number one. Copy of the LA Daily News dated July 1979.”

“You found it,” Bette’s voice sounded surprised.

“But of course,” Alice said indignantly. “Did I ever tell how I became an investigative reporter?”

“Yes,” everyone said simultaneously.

“Just tell us what you’ve found, Alice,” Tina said.

“Fine…you guys take all fun out of investigative reporting.”

Alice began reading the editorial letter that she had found.

“Dear readers, every day we get letters and calls from lunatics and attention-seekers and we usually ignore them but this particular letter did get our attention, though not right away. The letter was almost dismissed by our clerk because it came from one of the regulars who was constantly proclaiming having been a witness to everything from a drug exchange in a back alley to an alien abduction. This time he described witnessing a mysterious scientific experience in Orange County. According to this ‘eye witness’, one early morning he saw some unexplained sparks and a brief flash of light in the sequoia grove behind some old mansion. He went to investigate but saw nothing except an old hag, as he described her, who was apparently lost in the woods. Our reader claimed that she was dressed really funny, in the ‘Wild Wild West’ style so he concluded that the stranger was either a time traveler or a part of government’s secret experience.”