When Exposés Attack (Part 3)
When Exposés Attack
Part 3: Truth Is Sought Two-Fold

Ace and Cosmo quickly arrived at Mona's house on the coast to get the last piece of information they needed to know for sure if sabotage had played a role in the destruction of six yachts for different people.
After letting them in, she sat with them in the living room and immediately discussed the boat problem. "I know Dad did purchase a custom-style yacht for himself, and he took it on its maiden voyage about several weeks ago. Problems soon developed on it, and he, Spade, and Diamond were forced to abandon ship just before it exploded. There was no evidence to use to figure out if someone deliberately did something to destroy the boat."
Ace knew how much Mona cared for her father, even though "Black Jack" Malone would almost always come between them. "We think your father's boat, along with five others, was in fact sabotaged by someone. The others make up quite an odd list: Professor Surge and Sonny Boy, Beager Electronics CEO Jason Beager, model Zelda LeMond and singer Nesh Divine. The boat owned by Miles and Nadine Sawyers is the first one to remain intact. The problem is, we don't know who the saboteur or saboteurs are. We aren't sure if there's just one or more."
"Speaking of saboteurs," Mona noted as she changed the subject, "I can't believe what Paparazzo did to Angie. That false exposé that jerk did on her has got to be the lowest thing he's ever done. Why did he do it for?"
Cosmo quickly responded, "Simple. He's like getting his revenge for her pushing him into the bay yesterday. He said she was trying to grab all the attention for herself, but we know that's not true."
"How's she doing right now?" she asked with slight worry.
Ace put his arm around Mona's shoulder. "She's doing okay right now. Plus, people back in her hometown are helping working on a real exposé on her, one which will show what kind of person Angie really is."
"Um, is this one going to be bad?"
"Not as long as Carrie Jones has anything to say about it."
"Who's she?"
"According to Angie, the best television reporter in her hometown. Maybe even as we speak, she's probably out gathering some real information about her."

In Mason City, Carrie worked ever so diligently on her exposé, the one where the real Angie would be shown. "Okay, so far I've gotten to talk with her aunt Rita Wisland and her cousin Jeff Sullers by telephone, her best friend Ashley Brighton, and other residents who know what Angela Jacobs is really like."
Using additional information gathered from old news tapes and the hospital, Carrie got much closer to completing her task at hand. She then started writing down notes on a sheet of paper. "'Born and raised in Mason City, Iowa, Angela Connie Jacobs has taken the pride of who we are here out west to Electro City, California.' Hmm, that seems like a good start so far. 'She was born at Mason City Hospital to Robert and Nancy Jacobs, who themselves were always looking out for their community. She carries that community spirit with her—' No, wait. I need to add that throughout the story, but I need to let the people I interviewed do most of the talking about her, including some of the things she actually does not like. I just hope we don't make this worse, but Angie has placed trust in me to tell it straight, and I will, too."
Going to the editing room, she started piecing together the people she had interviewed. "I need to get this done as fast as I can, so I can send a copy of it out to the Sensa-News Studio in Electro City. May this story clear Angie's reputation, because I know even some people here believe Duke Paparazzo's twisted tale."
Throughout the city, residents were actually becoming divided on whether Paparazzo's story was true.
Phone calls were going to every local TV and radio station as those who had known Angie and her family voiced their complete disgust with the exposé while others called in and said it was completely true.
With time going against her, she knew she had to do this quickly. "If I don't get this finished, Angie's reputation…and possibly her whole life could be completely ruined."
Working non-stop, Carrie made sure everything was put together with integrity and accuracy.
In the span of three hours, she completely finished her report and allowed her producers to take a look at it to make sure there was nothing wrong with it.
The head of the station himself was pleased. "Well done, Carrie. I'll contact Kelly Wilders and let him know we've got the story and maybe even do a collaboration effort."
"Great," said a happy Carrie. "It's time to rescue Angie's reputation from that creep Paparazzo."

Back in Electro City, Paparazzo himself, in disguise as a hobo, continued running for his life as the crowd against that exposé actually grew larger!
This has got to be a nightmare, he thought frantically. I'm trying to get away from my own loyal viewers just because of an exposé? This is ridiculous! I'm the star reporter for Sensa-News! So what if my story on Angie was fake? It's supposed to get ratings, not cause riots!
A lady in the front of the crowd shouted, "Don't let him get away! He knows where that slime is hiding!"
The reporter took that as an insult. I am not slime! How dare she say that garbage about me!
He had no time to stop and make a comment of his own because any attempt would cause him bodily harm.

Inside the Magic Express, Ace, Cosmo, and Angie intently discussed the yacht sabotage mystery.
"Okay, we know somebody is out to ruin the lives of all the individuals we talked with," Ace said with intense thought. "The questions are simple: Who's doing it, and is there more than one person involved?"
Cosmo stated, "Man, there could be a thousand different answers to both questions, but the other question is why would someone do it in the first place?"
"Who knows?" Angie said even though her mind was practically somewhere else. Petting Zina, she added, "Maybe this person or group of people were all hired by the boating company or something."
Ace immediately noticed the tone of her voice. "Angie, something's wrong, and I don't have to read your mind to know it. Please, talk to us."
She faced him sadly. "Ace, I know there are people supporting me through this exposé mess, but there are just as many people who probably believe Paparazzo's story, including people back in my hometown. I've never really had this happen before, and reacting to it has been a mix of shock and anger for me. I don't know what to think right now."
Ace did his best to keep her comforted. "Angie," he started calmly, "listen to me. Something like this is not an easy thing to deal with, and you're right, even some people back in your hometown may actually believe the lie. What you need to know, though, is those who are closest to you know who you really are, a kindhearted person."
"I'm going to tell you something right now. I'm not sure of what to do. One part of me is saying forgive him for what he did, and the other part is telling me to go after him and make sure he gets what he deserves."
He could literally sense her fuming anger. "Angie, you said it yourself. You are not a vengeful person. This isn't like you at all. Why does a part of you want to go after him?"
"Because he is destroying not only me, but my family as well. It hurts so much…" Hot tears of anger began to fall. "It hurts so much. He decided to do a completely fake story on me mainly because he didn't have enough information, and I wouldn't be surprised if the people who have trusted me the most are now questioning my own integrity. If it were up to me, I'd burn Paparazzo at the stake."
Cosmo could not believe what he heard from the young magician. "Whoa! Angie, what's wrong? You're sounding more and more like Paparazzo himself. He's tried to do that to us a number of times before."
"Maybe it's time to show just how angry I really am, 'cause that's how I'm feeling right now. I want that jerk to pay for what he did to me!"
Seeing the fury in her eyes, Ace had to step back. "Angie, a lot of people want him to accept the consequences of his actions and want to get back at him any way they can, but you're turning into one of them yourself now. You're letting your anger over this take control of you, and you shouldn't."
"Why not? Because I'm the sugar-coated sweetheart magician everyone's made me out to be!?"
"Angie, stop, please. We're only trying to help you out in dealing with your anger. I can feel the anger inside you right now, and I can understand why you feel this way towards Paparazzo. From first-hand experience, though, I can tell you that vengeance will do nothing more than blind you completely."
"Oh, and just how do you know that? You're not my mother or my father!"
"No, but I am your kindred brother. I do care about what is happening to you, but—"
The Magician was soon interrupted by an appearance from the hologram of Angel. "Ace, you have a call from Miss LeSage at police headquarters."
"Okay, I'll take it here."
On the screen appeared Lt. Vega's secretary. "I have some useful information that may interest you, concerning a possible saboteur of those custom yachts. I went through the employment agency records and discovered that one person had been involved with all the individuals on the list."
"Really?"
"Yes. Her name is Helen Michaels. According to the list, she was fired from Beager Electronics for ruining more than 100 of the company's computer chips. She lost her job from Surge Laboratories for dropping a set of rather deadly vials in an open test area. Both the Croesus Palace and the Sunset Casino had her working as a waitress, but she was terminated from the two places for continually getting orders mixed up. As for Nesh Divine and Zelda LeMond, she worked under both of them when they did a music video together but then was dismissed for trying to hog the camera so much during the video shoot."
"What about Mr. and Mrs. Sawyers?" asked Cosmo.
"Well, she had worked at the main plant in Omaha, Nebraska, where her father, Carson Michaels, runs the company now. He is Sawyers's partner."
"What happened?"
"She kept reprogramming the computers and messed things up for all the workers. Her father and Mr. Sawyers agreed to give her the pink slip there as well. She now is employed by the Lehman Boat Manufacturing Company here in Electro City.
"In addition, all seven custom boats were done there."
Ace was satisfied with the results. "Thanks, Miss LeSage. It seems Helen Michaels is pretty good with computers and other mechanical knowledge. Now, um, just one last thing: Is there an address on Miss Michaels?"
"Yes. Her address is 2318 Lake Drive, in a pretty bad part of town."
"Okay, we'll check it out immediately." As soon as the screen went off, Ace turned to Cosmo. "Let's see if we can meet up with Helen Michaels."
"I'm going, too," said Angie determinedly.
Ace shook his head. "I'm sorry, Angie, but your anger is clouding your judgment at the moment. Until further notice, you're out of this mission."
"But I—"
"No buts, Angie. You need to get your mind and heart straightened out, and the only person who can do that is you." He then looked at Angel. "As soon as we leave, I want a total lockdown to assure Angie will not try to get out."
"It shall be done as soon as you leave the garage," the AI responded calmly.
Angie stared at Ace in total shock. "Wha—how could you do this to me? I'm a part of the team, too!"
"Yes, but you need to cool yourself down first. It's no good going head-first into a dangerous situation if your mind and heart are not battle-ready. I wish I didn't have to be so drastic, but your anger could make our situation harder. There's no other choice. I'm sorry."
She put her face down as her anger started fuming again.
As Ace and Zina left for the garage, Cosmo looked at her and said, "You gonna be okay? I mean, maybe I can—"
"No, Cosmo," she interrupted in a low tone. "He's right. My anger is taking control of me, and it won't help you guys right now. It's best I do stay here and cool down for now. It won't be easy, though."
"Okay. Sorry we gotta do this."
"It's all right. I need to find some way to channel my anger and get it under control. Go on, Ace needs you right now."
After giving her a quick consoling hug, Cosmo took off to the garage to join Ace in the Magic Racer.
As soon as the car left, Angel activated the total lockdown sequence.
In the car, Cosmo was completely astonished with Ace's actions. "Dude, did you have to be so hard on her?"
With a sad sigh, he answered, "I didn't want to do it, but I sensed her building anger. I don't want her to do something she would regret for the rest of her life. Some time to herself can be a benefit to her if she lets it."
Angie went to her room and looked outside the window as the Racer disappeared into the tunnel. "Be careful, guys," she whispered to herself. "I'm sorry for blowing up at both of you. I wonder if I even deserve your friendship anymore."
Don't say that, Angie, Ace thought to her. Even the best of friends have major arguments, but I just want you to be able to calm yourself down. I have my days where I can be angry, too, but I take some time to myself to cool off. You need it right now. I hope you're not upset about this.
No, I'm not, Ace. You're right. My anger could cause problems. Just be careful.
We will, kindred sister. We'll be back soon enough. If not, you'll know right away.
Don't make me worry too much, please.
Okay, sorry, he thought with a chuckle.
Angie then stepped away from the window and started walking around the Express in hopes of clearing her mind and heart of the building rage.

As for Paparazzo, he managed to find a hiding spot in a very dark alley as the angry mob passed by that area. "Whew," he said in relief, "I'm safe for now. Of course, the boss is still looking for me as well. I'm gonna have to stick to this forsaking disguise until this all blows over."
He then realized how hungry he was getting. "How am I going to eat lunch? That lady's got my wallet, I can't get into my own home, and I can't buy anything. Now what am I going to do?"
The reporter soon noticed a soup kitchen for homeless people. "I've got to eat right now, my stomach's growling!" He then ran into the shelter.
When he came along, he noticed about 15 people ahead of him. "Excuse me," he said frantically, "I'm really hungry. Can I get to the front please?"
The gentleman in front stared at him and angrily answered, "Look, pal. We're all hungry, but we have to wait our turn, so you can, too."
The others in front moaned as well at the disguised reporter's request.
Maybe if I tell them who I am, I could get the meal on a whim, he thought.
"I'm Duke Paparazzo from Sensa-News, and I demand a meal right now!"
Everyone in the shelter laughed very hard at what he said.
"You? Duke Paparazzo?" the gentleman stated in laughter. "I'd kick him in the teeth if he showed up here, treating Angie the way he did with that story."
"How do you know about the exposé? You don't have TVs here."
"We don't need them," he said in a serious tone. "Don't you know the term 'word-of-mouth'? We learned it from others who were close enough to a TV. He's gotten himself into a lot of hot water, and he deserves to get tarred and feathered!"
Paparazzo angrily thought, As long as I'm the star reporter of Sensa-News, I will be treated with the respect I deserve! I am not going to listen to these ridiculous comments. He then ran out of the shelter to go somewhere else.

In the Express, Angie tried to exercise her way to get rid of the anger inside her. Punching hard into the giant sandbag in the training room, she found some ease inside herself, but she still carried enough of the fury to keep her unhappy. "It's not enough. I don't know what to do."
Noticing one small mat sitting by itself in a corner, she sat down and put herself into her meditating position.
Closing her eyes, she calmly said, "Mom, Dad, I need some help. I'm filled with anger, and I can't get rid of it."
Within her mind, she saw herself in the living room of her family home with her parents.
Her mother Nancy, sipping on a cup of tea, looked at her daughter. "Angie, Robert and I both know how angry you really are right now. What Paparazzo has done to you has made you this way, but as Ace said before, you're allowing it to cloud your thoughts and feelings."
"I know. I mean, I'm upset Ace didn't let me come along, but maybe in a way, he did it to look out for me."
Robert nodded in agreement. "That's right, honey. When someone really cares for another, family or friends, he wants to do what's best for you and maybe all of them, too. Ace could tell how angry you really were, so he forced you to stay away for the time being. He's doing it in the best interests of the team, but you most of all. He really does care about you and your situation."
"I know. I'm trying so hard to cool down right now, but it's not working."
"That's just it," said Nancy, holding her daughter's shoulder. "You're trying too hard. You just need to relax, focus, and center yourself. Think about your situation, about the things causing you to become angry with Paparazzo. Then, consider the types of consequences for your actions if you attempted to get even with him. I think Ace really does know the consequences of seeking revenge first-hand."
"Inside your heart right now," said Robert, "is a demon of anger and hatred for Paparazzo. Anger is an emotion, and it's okay to be angry, but not to the degree where it takes control over you. That demon is controlling you right now, and you need to tell it to leave you alone."
"I guess so, but there's another problem. I'm beginning to wonder if I really have become such a sugary nice person."
"Since a lot of people don't know about you too much, only by your good deeds, they may have come to believe you're a totally nice person, period. They may think you're more than human. However, the ones closest to you know you are a human being, capable of sadness, anger, faults, and weaknesses. People need to know who you really are, a regular human being with emotions and weaknesses. In fact, there are a few things about you even Ace and Cosmo don't know yet."
"True. If Carrie Jones has her way with this, she can help reveal to the people I am a human being. However, right now, I need to talk to that little demon in my heart."
"We understand," Nancy said happily. "Just don't try so hard to cool down. You need to relax and let your body relax itself for you."
The area around Angie soon disappeared, and she found herself journeying deep into her own heart to face her little demon.
There, she noticed herself with a red face. "Hey, you all right?"
"How can I be all right!?" she yelled. "Ace knows how angry you are at Paparazzo and has the stupidity to keep you away from the mission at hand! Some kindred brother he is!"
"No," Angie said in holding her angry self's shoulders. "He resorted to this in order to protect all of us. If I were to go into battle not sound in mind and heart, I could do something I'll never forgive myself for. Besides, I've noticed that a lot of people have seen me as the 'all-around nice girl,' not capable of becoming angry or doing wrong. I mean, remember when I was five?"
Her angry self looked at her and said, "Oh, yeah, when you took the TV Guide by accident. Mom and Dad disciplined you but good."
"True, but they did it out of love for me. They didn't want to see me become a criminal, so they had to set me straight, and if it took scolding me, so be it. Ace had to lock me away in this circumstance. He knew the anger was building inside, and I realized immediately he did it to make sure I wouldn't become a liability to them, and especially to myself. Besides, there's a better way to get even without resorting to violence or bitter anger."
"What is it?"
"What's the worst thing for a reporter to have to do?"
"Um, be humiliated?"
"How about a public apology on live television?"
The angry self smiled. "Ooh, how sweet. That's the perfect way to get revenge on him: Make him say he's sorry for what he did in front of the live audience and millions of viewers around the country."
"Yeah, but I think it's also time I let the world know I'm a human being capable of anger just as much as the next person. I need to let them know I'm not the sugary sweet girl I've been made out to be."
"I agree," the angry self said calmly. "Most people have only seen your good deeds. I have to be a part of you, too."
"I know. I need to have an emotional balance, allow all emotions to be given light, and that includes anger. I mean, I am still mad at Paparazzo, but at least I know now what I can do without going to such extreme measures like that lynch mob is doing now."
"Yeah. Think you've cooled down now?"
"I feel calmer now, knowing I can have the emotional balance within myself."
"And if you ever need to vent your anger," the calmer angry self stated, "I think you found one way by exercising. Another is to talk with your friends, too. I also understand now what warranted Ace's actions."
"Time for me to get out of here and back to the real world. I think we understand each other a lot better now."
"Yeah. Take care of yourself."
"You, too." Angie then floated back up and left her inner self.
She returned to the real world and opened her eyes. "Ah, I feel much better now. I'm much calmer again. I've been made into some sugar-sweetie, and I think I need to put a stop to it, if and when I get a chance."
Just then, Angel appeared. "Angie, someone's at the door."
"Really? Who?"
"I don't know, but I can show you a quick visual." She made a holographic image appear in front of the young magician.
"Hmm, he appears to be homeless, but I don't know for sure. Plus, Ace has put the place in lockdown mode right now, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't help him."

Ace and Cosmo arrived at 2318 Lake Drive, the address given to them by Miss LeSage.
"Hmm," said Ace cautiously, "it looks like an average home, but we'll just have to wait and see."
Coming up to the door, Cosmo calmly activated the doorbell.
Then, a woman of about 27 years of age, with blonde hair and blue eyes answered the door and was pleasantly surprised. "My goodness! Ace Cooper himself! What brings you here?"
"We want to talk to you about seven different vessels owned by different individuals. You've heard about the case, right?"
"Why, yes, I have. Please come in, make yourselves comfortable."
The Magician and his longtime partner entered the cozy surroundings of this young woman. "I'm Helen…Helen Michaels. Let me get you both something to drink."
Taking a seat in a comfortable recliner, Ace said, "Just water for both of us, thank you." He then went straight to the subject at hand. "We understand you had worked for all the individuals who had their boats sabotaged."
"Oh," she said, becoming somewhat nervous. "Um, how do you know that?"
"We've got our connections," answered Cosmo.
"Plus," added Ace, "we know you were fired from all the jobs involving them, as well as the fact you work for the only boating company here in the city. Did you help put together the custom yachts?"
"Um, yes, of course. I had them set to the specifications they wanted, just like I was told."
"I see. We also know you're very knowledgeable about computers and mechanics."
Becoming suspicious about their reasoning for seeing her, she took a small remote control out of her kitchen drawer. "Well, I did graduate from MIT with a degree in mechanical engineering." Putting the control in her pocket, she came out of the kitchen with the two glasses of water. "Here you go, gentlemen."
Taking his glass, Ace soon started to ask some rather odd questions. "Why did you ruin more than 100 of Jason Beager's computer chips in his company?"
"I didn't mean to do that," she said with a slight tremble. "I'm accident-prone, that's all."
Cosmo took his shot at a question. "Were you accident-prone when you decided to mess up the video Nesh Divine and Zelda LeMond were both working on last year?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said fearfully.
"I think you're lying, Miss Michaels," Ace said in standing up. "You're the one who's sabotaging all those boats so you could get back at them, aren't you?"
She quickly took the control from her pocket and pressed the button, which caused the recliner arms to grab Ace and trap him in the chair. As for Cosmo, four arms came up from the bottom of the sofa and pinned him to the floor.
Helen then looked at the Magician angrily. "Yes, Mr. Snoopy Cooper. I did sabotage the boats for revenge against them all. They wouldn't accept my talents of mechanical engineering, so I decided to make certain they would suffer for firing me, and I intend to get back at my father, too! He and that idiot Sawyers fired me from the linen company because they didn't like my improvements for their machines! My own father! I thought he loved me, but I know he doesn't even care about me at all!"
Struggling to free himself, Ace said, "Helen, revenge is not the answer. You have faults like most people, but you don't want to admit that you have made these mistakes to begin with."
"Shut up, Cooper! I do not make mistakes. I'm better than all of those jokers and losers, anyhow, with the knowledge I have, I could take the city away from the mayor and those dufus crime bosses, as well as take over all the big league companies! I'll make this city all mine, and you and your dumb little friend aren't going to stop me." She then grabbed the glass of water. "I hope you like it, because I added some knockout drops to it!" She force-fed Ace with the water, which knocked him out almost instantly.
"You creep!" Cosmo shouted.
"Enjoy dreamland, big mouth!" She gave him his glass of water, which also had knockout drops.
As soon as the two of them were knocked out cold, she programmed the recliner and the sofa to take her two new prisoners to the docks of the Grand Canal.