"So, the Monroe County sheriff's office has contacted the necessary authorities?" Blake asked as the team sat on the jet reviewing their files.
"They certainly have," Garcia replied via computer screen. "Initially, they contacted the FAA and the local weather center. When neither of them could come up with an explanation, they moved on to the National UFO Reporting Center in Spokane, WA."
"And, the result was?" Rossi asked.
"The Center has sent one of their experts out to the site," Garcia told him. "He should be arriving at the airport just about the same time as you."
"Does this expert have a name?" Hotch inquired.
"Indeed he does, Sir," Garcia chirped. "It's Dr. Stephen Hayward, and, yes, I have already checked him out."
"Dr. Hayward!" Reid was thrilled. "I've read reports on his investigations of reported UFO sightings. He's done a lot of research into the subject and is considered to be an expert."
"Okay, Dr. Know-It-All, knows all about him," Morgan commented. "Baby Girl, what have you found?"
"Well, Dr. Stephen Hayward is actually quite the subject of controversy," Garcia began her review. "After he received his undergraduate degree from The University of Ohio he joined the Navy and became a pilot. It was during one of his training flights that he claimed to have come into contact with an alien being from outer space. And, that was when he took up the cause, so to speak."
"After he completed his stint in the Navy he returned to school and earned his PhD in astronomy from UCLA. While he was in school there, he headed up a program at their observatory that concentrated on searching for signs of life in outer space. After graduation, he accepted a post-doc position with the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. And, it appears, that that is where his problems began."
"How so?" JJ questioned.
"According to a report filed by his superior," Garcia reported. "He was obsessed with the possibility of contacting beings from other planets. No matter what project he was assigned to, he always seemed to be working towards that end."
"Single minded individual," Blake observed.
"You're right about that," Garcia agreed. "So, when his post-doc assignment was completed, they cut him loose. He managed to land on his feet and secured a position teaching at The University of The Lakes where he is currently a Professor of Astronomy. He also continues to consult with the government from time-to-time."
"As I recall," Reid spoke up. "His last investigation involved a commercial jet pilot who said he encountered a UFO at approximately 64,000 ft."
"And?" Rossi inquired.
"His results were inconclusive," Reid reported sadly.
"Well, it also appears that there was one other incident no too long ago which involved Dr. Hayward," Garcia continued.
"Oh, that," Reid replied.
"Yes, that," Garcia replied. "For those of you who aren't up on the latest UFO gossip, it involved another investigation he carried out."
"I would guess he was not successful?" Morgan suggested.
"That is putting it mildly," Garcia told the team. "It appears that the sightings were in an area quite similar to the one you'll be visiting. By which I mean swampy, foggy, froggy, and all that. Anyway, after he looked over the area, examined all the evidence, and talked to the people involved he came up with a very unpopular conclusion."
"And that is, Garcia?" Hotch asked.
"Swamp gas," Garcia replied.
"Swamp gas?" Rossi asked, trying to keep a straight face.
"And, that my lovelies, is why I will never be investigating UFO's," Garcia declared.