Dawn in Eclipse Bay

it.”
    “You’ve got a point.” Gabe put the peanut butter toast on a plate. “Some things defy description.”
    “Some things are also actionable. The last thing we need is a lawsuit from Marilyn’s campaign.” Lillian poured coffee. “We have to come up with a reasonable story or A.Z. will invent another new conspiracy theory to explain a second missing camera.”
    Gabe picked up a slice of peanut butter toast and took a bite. “You have to admit that it’s pushing coincidence a bit.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “Think about it. Two missing spy cameras. One stolen by force. One confiscated by a politician in a black leather bustier. Both cameras belong to a woman dedicated to uncovering the truth about a clandestine government project housed at the Eclipse Bay Policy Studies Institute. I mean, what are the odds?”
    “You find this all very entertaining, don’t you?”
    He grinned and took a swallow of coffee. “Most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
    “Great. Wonderful. I’m glad you’re amused. But what the heck are we going to tell A.Z.?”
    “Leave it to me. I’ll handle it. I think I’ll go with the truth. By the time A.Z. gets through twisting it, no one will recognize it, anyway.”
    Lillian took a bite of toast. She chewed on it for a while and then swallowed.
    “Something I’ve been meaning to ask,” she said.
    “Yeah?”
    “Did Marilyn wear black leather bustiers a lot when the two of you were an item?”
    “It’s been a long time,” Gabe said. “My memory isn’t so good when it comes to some things. But I’m pretty sure the black leather gear is new. Probably a political fashion statement.”
    “Probably.” She looked at the unfinished portion of her toast. “You’re good with peanut butter, you know that?”
    “It’s a gift.”

    “Marilyn Thornley confiscated the camera?” Arizona slapped a big hand, palm down, fingers spread, on the laminated map that decorated the table of her war room.
    “Damn. I was afraid of this. She’s either working with them or she’s one of their dupes.”
    Lillian suppressed a groan. This was not going well. The good news was that Arizona appeared to be back to her old self. She still wore a small bandage but there was no sign of any other physical problems resulting from the blow to her head.
    “Personally,” Gabe said, “I’d vote for the dupe possibility. I can’t see Marilyn getting involved in a conspiracy to cover up dead space aliens and high-tech UFO secrets. She’s too busy working on the launch of her campaign.”
    Arizona squinted a little while she considered that angle. “Guess you know her better than anyone else around here does.”
    “Guess so,” Lillian agreed brightly.
    “I doubt that she has changed much,” Gabe said deliberately. “She’s devoted to one cause and that cause is Marilyn Thornley.”
    “She’s been involved in politics for the last few years, though,” A.Z. mused. “Makes for strange bedfellows.”
    A vision of Anderson in his red bikini briefs flared briefly in Lillian’s mind. “You can say that again.”
    “We’ll replace the camera, A.Z.,” Gabe said. “In the meantime, you have our full report. The bottom line is that there was no sign of heavy-duty lab equipment in the new wing and we found no evidence of frozen extraterrestrials. If those alien bodies were moved into the institute, they’ve got them well hidden.”
    “Figures.” Arizona nodded sagely. “Should have known it wouldn’t be this easy. We’ll just have to keep digging. Maybe literally, if they’ve hidden the lab underground.”
    “A scary thought,” Lillian murmured.
    “My work will continue,” Arizona assured them. “Meanwhile, thanks for the undercover job. Couldn’t have done it without you. Unfortunately, you’ll never get the public recognition you deserve because we have to maintain secrecy.”
    “We understand,” Gabe said.
    Arizona nodded. “But I want you to know that your names will be legend among the ranks of those of us who seek the truth about this vast conspiracy.”
    “That’s certainly good enough for me,” Lillian said quickly. “How about you, Gabe?”
    “Always wanted to be a legend in my own time,” Gabe said.
    “We don’t want any public recognition,” Lillian added, eager to emphasize the point. “Just knowing that we did our patriotic duty is all the reward we need. Isn’t that right, Gabe?”
    “Right,” Gabe got to his feet. “Publicity would be a