Free Space and Time Issue 121 by Hildy Silverman Page A

sounds.”
    “Tell that to Skyler,” Jan said.
    “I’m afraid that’s going to fall on deaf ears,” Taylor replied. “He wants us to leave.”
    “But you’ve made so much progress,” Dan protested. “You’ve come this far, you can’t go now.”
    “Well, if you can convince your boss to extend our stay we’d be happy to finish the investigation.”
    Dan’s brow furrowed in thought. “I’ll work on it.”
    They listened to the audio recording of the mad laughter, and Taylor enhanced the sound quality again. He came to the same conclusion about this clip. Next, they reviewed the most important evidence, the video footage of the clown. Taylor kept hitting the ‘PLAY’ button, and they watched it multiple times. He enhanced the video quality as best as he could. In one version, he blocked out everything except the clown. He also zoomed in close on the image.
    “What do you think?” Taylor asked.
    “It looks pixilated,” Jan commented.
    “That’s how video is. But if you look carefully the ghost still retains that mist-like quality that we saw in person. And notice there aren’t any strings attached to it, controlling it or making it float. I double checked that part of the tunnel and didn’t find any strings or theatrical equipment to support that claim.”
    “Remember the sensation when he flew through us?” Dan asked.
    Taylor nodded. “It was a cold draft.”
     
    * * *
     
    Dan approached the stage, where Taylor was putting papers into his briefcase.
    “Great presentation,” Dan said. “You had me scribbling notes like a madman.”
    Taylor chuckled. “You sound like one of my students.”
    The security guard’s face turned glum. “I pleaded my case with Skyler but he was like a stone wall, completely unyielding. I advocated like hell for you and Jan…I’m sorry.”
    “Thank you for trying, Dan. I know it’s not easy communicating with him.” Not to mention pleasant, Taylor thought.
    “I’ve got an idea. I’ll secretly let you guys into the park to continue your investigation.”
    “No, I don’t want to get you into trouble. Besides, it’s not your park. Why do you care? It’s Skyler’s problem.”
    “Let’s just say I care about innocent people getting hurt. Call it the humanitarian in me. I’m a low-level security guard but I’ve got morals. Also, I wanna get to the bottom of this mystery.”
    “The murder?”
    “That and all the quote, unquote fatal accidents allegedly caused by this ghost.”
    Taylor nodded. “I see your point. Is it all hocus-pocus or is there some truth to it? I’m curious, too. I just don’t want to see you get into trouble.”
    “I appreciate your concern, Professor.” He frowned. “Plus, I’m getting sick of Skyler’s attitude.”
    “Join the club.”
     
    * * *
     
    In his hotel room, Taylor surfed the Internet, reading articles on Funland, Bizarro, and Skyler. He drank some orange juice and clicked on another article, this one about the history of both amusement parks. Strangely, there was no mention of a murder but there was some information about accidents. He reread a sentence: ‘Some park employees, eyewitnesses, and family members of the victims believe the fatal accidents were the result of the supernatural, specifically a ghost.’ He scrolled down the page. Another sentence caught his attention: ‘Several employees and visitors reported seeing the ghost of a clown in the park. Some say they saw the ghost in the Funhouse and the Haunted Goldmine, both of which are attractions at Funland, with the majority of sightings in the Haunted Goldmine. Park administration had no comment and did not return phone calls.’
    Taylor surfed the Internet further, not finding any useful articles on Skyler. The ones he came across gave very little information on him. Essentially, he remained a man of mystery. Taylor clicked on an article from the 1980s. The headline read: Murder at Funland. He reread a section: ‘Police say the victim, Larry