The Investigation Part Five (The Fed Arrives)

 Outside Barbieville Police Station

Hank:  How are you lovely ladies this morning? 

Midge: On my way to work, Mr. Higgins.  (pulls up her neckline) I guess you've finally decided to give Lynch your statement?  

Nakoma: We've got the okay to get back to work on the Overlook.  Lost two days so the police could make sure they had everything they need. 

Hank: Aren't you a little young for that?

Nakoma: I'm part owner of the largest employer in Barbieville.  (laughs)  At least that's what my sister tells me.  Never mind that she's still holding my hand every step of the way. 

Midge: From what I saw at the crime scene, she's got absolute faith in you. 

Hank: Did I miss something?  The crime scene's up by the lake.

Midge: Second victim was found on Witch's Cove property, Mr. Higgins. 

Hank: Really, Miss Sherwood?  Who was it?

Nakoma: I think you mean Doctor Sher--  (Someone shouts at Hank from across the parking lot.)

Hank: Settle down.  We were just passing the time of day.

Carol: You are to avoid any and all contact with that girl and her family.  You know that.  

Hank: So I should be rude?  Wouldn't that draw unwanted attention?

Carol: I don't care if you run away screaming.  Stay away from all of them or you're out of the program.   The agency already made a grave mistake letting you come here.  Get inside.

Lynch: Are you ready to give us your statement, Mr. Higgins, since Agent Danvers is here? 

Hank: I don't know why you're all acting like I'm out of line.  It's my legal right.

Lynch: In order to cover for the fact that you're in the program, my department has had to request federal help in this investigation.  That's how we're explaining her being here.  It makes us look incompetent as hell.

Carol: You're a small town department.  Something like this is bound to overwhelm you. 

Lynch: Let's just get this over with, shall we? 

After Hank has gone, Lynch apologizes to Carol.  

Carol:  I understand.  I'm no fan of him, myself.  If he wasn't so important to the case - you know, our case - I think we'd just cut him loose.  What are we dealing with here? 

Lynch: Our second victim was jogging in this area.  She was hit hard enough to toss her across the inlet and onto Witch's Cove property.  A security camera at the Overlook caught footage of her hitting the ground.  Tire track across the grass indicate the same type of vehicle used in the first attack, so we're assuming a connection. 

Carol: Large vehicle chases woman across grassy area in order to hit her hard enough to kill.  It's a hell of a coincidence if it's not connected. What about that nature preserve? Do they have cameras?  

Lynch: The first victim worked for the county park services, there were three foals dumped at the preserve, but we've got nothing on the preserve's cameras.  For the horses or for this case. 

    

Lynch: This is where the first victim was found.  So far it appears she was hit at the same speed, but differences in the terrain and the body mass of the victims means she wasn't launched as far as the second.  

Carol: I see you've been brainstorming commonalities. 

Lynch: Yeah.  Both women were white and in the same age group, but that's where any physical resemblance ends.  First one was an amazon and the second incredibly petite, one with black hair dyed partially blue and the other a platinum blonde.  One divorced, one married.  

Carol: Let's get to work. 

The Investigation Part Four

 

Lunchtime at Sunburst.

Becky: Oh, man, that looks good.  And smells even better.

Tris: Brick oven in the back, from the auction when Taste of the Orient closed.  Strange thing to have in an Asian buffet, but we aren't complaining.  

Becky: No way!  I knew Midna hired the Rhees, but this?  It's their recipe and everything?

Tris: Sure is.  I took leftovers home last night and barely got any, between Four and the new puppy.  I keep telling him not to give Dauntless people food!  

Ben: When Dauntless barfs all over him, he might learn.  Maybe.

Ben: Now, what were you saying?  The kids are insisting they each need their own room?

Becky: Yes, and I know we can afford it now that I've got the WDLC job, but... Sorry, I can't get over how different you look with your hair down.  I almost didn't recognize you when you picked me up.

Ben: Claudia told me only pretentious losers have a man bun.  

Becky: I never thought you were a pretentious loser. 

Ben: Oh, neither does she.  She just thinks I looked like one. My grandmother said it made me look like a samurai.  Claudia told her we don't live in feudal Japan.  (laughs)  Also, I'd probably chop off my own leg if I swung a katana.  

Boudicca stops Tris as she crosses the dining room.  Draco and Leia, who should be in school, are with her.  Leia is crying.

Boudicca: Where's Zenobia?

Tris: She's in the back, flirting with the Rhees.  I'll get her.

Boudicca: Hurry, please.  It's an emergency. 

******

State University, Doll County campus 

Phoebe: I know you, you work at Sundance.  My brother gave you a hard time when he was going through his jerkass phase.  

Whitney: Yes.  But Ryan apologized and has been very nice since.  Are you Phoebe or Sylvia?

Phoebe: Sylvia graduated.  She works for the county parks service now.  I'm doing a mixed major, focusing on the paranormal.  You? 

Whitney: I haven't decided.  I'm still surprised I'm even going to college.  

Paris: I hope everyone downloaded the syllabus without any trouble.  If there was an issue, let me know and I'll get you a hard copy.  I do not allow deviation from the syllabus for any reason and expect everyone to participate in discussions, following the guidelines included within.   

Someone knocks on the classroom door and he commands them to enter, clearly annoyed.

Paris: You're interrupting my lecture.  What is it?

Zenobia: If you'd answer your phone.... you know what?  I'm not going to fight with you.  We need to talk privately. 

Paris: Now? 

Zenobia (bursts into tears): Please, Daddy, it's urgent. 

The Investigation: Part Three

 Picture day at Barbieville High.  

Gabriella: So then Charlotte tells my mom she's a bad sister!  Because she won't lie on the stand! 

Taylor: Will Charlotte leave town when this custody thing is over?  Please say yes. 

Gabriella: Probably not.  Mom thinks her real reason for coming back to town was revenge.  She wants to make this town pay for whatever she thinks it did to her.  

Phoebe: Looks good to me, but you're the photographer. 

Kenna: (to Samantha, who just sat for her photo) You can head back to class now.  Thank you.

Phoebe: Granger, Hermione. (looks towards the assembled students)  

Draco: She and her boyfriend are at home crying because his mommy died. 

Kevin: She's his stepsister, you moron, not his girlfriend. 

Ron: Losing your parent is horrible.  Of course they're sad. 

Draco: Oh, that's right!  You're an orphan, so you know all about what they're going through, don't you? Maybe you'll run over there after school and give them all hugs.  Have a giant pity party. 

Phoebe calls Alex Russo next, but Kenna turns to Draco. 

Kenna: Young man, your lack of sympathy is disgusting.  What I just overheard will be reported.  

Draco: Big deal.  

Kenna: Barbieville has some pretty strict anti-bullying policies.  I'm sure you just violated several. 

Draco starts to reply, but the intercom drowns him out.  He's being called to the office. 

Kevin: You know you're an ass when you get called to the office before they even know you did anything.

Draco: You look like a pimp. 

***** 

Mayor's office

Midge: It's the same person, I'm sure.  Both victims were hit at high speed by a large vehicle.  The same vehicle, or a very similar one.  Our second victim was thrown across the narrowest section of the inlet, from the park.  

Lynch: Your report gives a tentative make and model of the vehicle.  It's a very common vehicle.  

Rose-Grace: My family has three of them.  

Midge: Yes, but your vehicles don't match the paint transfer we found on the victims.  (weak smile) I think you're cleared. The question now is - Do we talk to the media again and how much do we tell them?  

Lynch: We don't want to create a panic. 

Rose-Grace: I'll put together a statement.  Dealing with the media and the public comes with being the mayor.

Midge: I'll practice my "no comment".  

Lynch: And my refusal to discuss an ongoing investigation.