The Private Investigator meets with Albus and Pern in her apartment. He's trying to gather information on Cash Nedakh, the long absent father of Pocahontas, Nakoma, and Anakin Smith.
Albus: Sad to say, I was the one who introduced him to Kida. I tried to warn her that he was no good, but she wouldn't believe me until it was too late. I saw him play his game in towns all across the country when we were working as carnies.
PI: Kida had bought out the carnival, correct? This was the start of the amusement park that stands today?
Albus: Yes, and she offered us both jobs. Cash realized she was not only wealthy, but Indian.. sorry, Native American. He zeroed in on her like I did enemy camps back in the war. He had a real thing for "squaws" - his word, not mine.
Pern: My story's pretty much the same as Kida's. He never married me, though. I guess you needed a bankroll to get the ring. When I first met the girls, I was shocked that he'd not only married their mother, but stuck around for ten years. He skipped out on me five minutes after I told him I was pregnant.
PI: You have not seen or heard from him since? Neither of you?
Albus: I'm a pacifist, but if I saw him again, I'd probably be in prison right now. He broke Kida's heart and deserted two children. Weird thing is, he didn't empty the bank accounts on his way out of town.
****
Across town, Federal agent Carol pays a call to the police chief.
Carol: There's a detective sniffing around for Cash Nedakh.
Lynch: I heard a rumor to that effect. He could have been hired by another scorned mother. Anakin already came out of the wood work and I really wouldn't be surprised if there are more out there.
Carol: Or he could be working for the people he went into Witness Protection to avoid. We allowed him to come here only because he refused to help in the case unless we did, and it's a major investigation.
Lynch: I suppose the people on your end are trying to find out who his client is?
Carol: We are. But I need you to keep and eye on this detective. He's already spoken to the Smith sisters and he's got interviews set up all over town.
*****
At Helena House, renovation work has paused while the County Oversight Committee investigates.
Lex: Let me get this straight. You, Dionne, are the mayor's niece. What are your qualifications for this position?
Dionne: I'll be happy to give you a detailed resume. Most women with my background would laugh at the idea of doing this for the agreed wages, but this has been a pet project of mine and Rose-Grace's since I was in high school.
Maisie: I was in and out of foster homes all my life. Dionne talked to her aunt about the problems I was having, hoping to help me since at the time Rose-Grace was working with Children's Services. They bonded over a desire to reshape the foster care system.
Lex: You're a law student, correct?
Maisie: I'll give you a copy of my resume, as well. I'm here more as advisor than anything else.
Zenobia: And everything is above-board with my donation of the house. I made certain of that because I don't want to give my father a leg to stand on when he comes after me for squandering his money. I asked Mrs. Pike if the town could use the manor for something and she accepted my offer.
*****
Later that evening, Mace sits down with the investigator.
Mace: Rosie was a teenager when she worked for Kida Nedakh. She joined the military after graduating, to get the college fund, so she wasn't here in town when Cash vanished. Took leave as soon as she could, though.
PI: Kida considered Rose-Grace her best friend, even though there was a sizable age difference.
Mace: Rosie felt the same way. Kida was matron of honor at both Rosie's weddings, but she died before the little twins were born.
PI: Did either you or your daughter know him well?
Mace: No. We traveled in different circles, as they say, and he gave Rosie the creeps. She avoided him unless Kida was in the same...
Suddenly the entire house shakes. They can hear glass breaking and the cries of frightened children.
******
Breaking news: The small town of Barbieville, on the south shore of Muneca Lake, was hit by an earthquake. The upstream dam gave way and flooded the low-lying areas of town. Rescue efforts are underway.
(Flood photos from the Internet.)
