Page 54 of In Her Bed
A click, followed by Morgan’s gruff voice.“Chief Morgan here.What’s this about, Sheriff?”
Jenna leaned closer to the phone.“Chief, Colonel – we’re investigating a connection between our two murder victims and we need some historical information.What can you tell us about a pirate radio station called Astral Voices?”
“Well, that’s a blast from the past,” Morgan said, surprise evident in his tone.“Astral Voices.Haven’t heard that name in over twenty years.”
“You remember it?”Jake asked.
“Remember it?”Morgan let out a short, humorless laugh.“Colonel Spelling and I helped shut it down back in ‘98.”
Jenna’s eyes met Jake’s.A direct connection – better than she’d hoped for.
“What was the nature of the programming?”she asked.
Spelling answered first.“New age nonsense mostly.Conspiracy theories, paranormal events, supposed government cover-ups.But it wasn’t harmless entertainment.The broadcasts were designed to incite panic and paranoia among listeners.”
“Some folks took it too seriously,” Morgan added.“Followers stockpiling supplies, quitting jobs, pulling kids from school.One family sold everything and moved to a cave system because the ‘Midnight Voice’ told them electromagnetic waves were controlling people’s minds.”
“What can you tell me about the person called the ‘Midnight Voice’?”
“That was their star broadcaster,” Morgan explained.“Had this hypnotic quality to her voice.Smooth as honey but with an edge that got under your skin.She’d come on at midnight – hence the name – and spout the most alarming theories.Had quite a following.”
“The station was run by a man named Ray Tucker,” Spelling said.“When we finally pinpointed the broadcast location, we found him operating out of the abandoned Ozark Sole Works shoe factory with equipment that would’ve made a professional studio jealous.”
“Did he serve time?”Jake asked.
“No prison time,” Morgan said.“But the FCC hit him with massive fines.Equipment seizure, cease and desist orders, civil penalties.Financially destroyed him for years.”
Jenna made another note.“And now?Where is Tucker today?”
“Still in Pinecrest, last I heard,” Morgan replied.“He’s running a podcast called Breaking Tide these days.Same kind of content as Astral Voices, but legal since it’s not broadcast on regulated frequencies.”
Jake leaned forward.“And what about this Midnight Voice?Did you ever identify her?”
“We never did,” Spelling said.“Tucker was protective of his on-air talent.Refused to give names, even when facing charges.”
“Said it was a matter of journalistic integrity,” Morgan added with obvious disdain.“As if what they were doing resembled journalism in any way.”
“So Midnight Voice could still be in the area?”Jenna asked.“Maybe even working with Tucker again?”
“Possible,” Spelling conceded.“Though I’d be surprised if she maintained the same level of...extremism after all these years.”
Morgan cleared his throat.“I guess I’m not supposed to ask what put Astral Voices on your radar after all this time, Sheriff?”
“That’s right, Chief,” Spelling cut in.“Leave it alone.”
Morgan responded with a sigh.“Right.Well, if you need Tucker’s current address, I can pull that up for you.”
“That would be helpful,” Jenna said.
There was a pause, and then Morgan said: “He’s at 1875 Ridgeline Drive in Pinecrest.Operating Breaking Tide from his home studio there.”
“Thank you, Chief.”Jenna wrote down the address.“And Colonel Spelling, we appreciate your help as always.”
“Keep us updated, Sheriff,” Spelling replied.“Whatever connection you’re following, be careful with it.”
“Always am, Colonel.”She ended the call and looked up at Jake.
“It’s not much of a stretch to connect radio towers to a former pirate radio operator,” he said.
