The Investigation: Part One

 

Bertie: In today's news, the quest continues in Barbieville to find the murderer of a local woman.  The remains of Charlie Lake were found near Shore Thing Cafe yesterday morning.  The family of the victim and police chief Rebecca Lynch held a press conference this morning.

Lynch: This appears to be an isolated incident and we do not have any strong suspects at this point.  We're still waiting for lab results from the autopsy, but it appears Ms Lake was struck by a large vehicle in a grassy area. (She waits while questions are shouted to her.)  I'm not going to give details of the investigation, in part because the victim's family is right behind me and most of them are children.  Suffice to say, we have no reason to believe it was an accident.

James: I'm James Potter. (gestures toward the family) My sons, stepdaughters, and current wife. (blinks back tears)  Charlie is... was my ex-wife.  She had recently returned to town after working out west.  We beg anyone who knows anything about what happened to contact the police.  If not for her sake, then for the sake of three boys who no longer have their mother. (Questions from the crowd) We're cooperating completely with the police.  Last time I saw Charlie, she was dropping off the boys after her weekend with them.  Everything was normal.  

*****

Doll County Nature Preserve

Lynch: You're a hard man to track down. 

Hagrid: Sorry about that.  I got a deer out here, hurt, and I'm trying to catch him so... (starts crying) Well, they done killed my wild animal doctor, so... 

Lynch: Did she have any enemies you know of? 

Hagrid: Only everyone in the area that ever mistreated an animal.  Charlie'd just as soon string them up by their... you know what? She did tell me she was getting close to finding who dumped the baby horses.  

Lynch: What about in her personal life?

Hagrid (shakes his head): Never talked about that. But I bet she did.  She could be mean, really mean. That's probably why her and James split up, ya know.  He's way better at understanding sometimes folks just don't know better.  I guess I'll have to get him to check this deer out once I catch it. 

Lynch: I'll let you get back to work, but come down to the station soon for a formal interview.  If I'm not there, one of my officers can handle it.  I have to get down to Shore Thing before their dinner rush, talk to the little girl. 

Hagrid: The little one? She seen something?

Lynch: No.  Mei didn't let her, but she was there when the initial 911 call was made. 

****

Shore Thing Cafe, back corner

Mei: Cho, we'll need you to handle things.  Since Fei is a child, she needs a parent with her while she talks to the police.  Your father is in the kitchen.  If anyone wants to see the manager, you'll have to translate for him. 

Cho: Got it.  I'll bring y'all drinks.  Coffee, chief? 

Lynch: Yes, please. 

Mei: I'll just sit quietly unless I'm needed. 

Lynch: Thank you.  (to Fei) I'm recording this on my laptop camera, but pretend it's not there.  Just talk to me, okay? 

Fei: Okay.  I know Mommy gave you the security tape, but there's no sound, so I guess you need to know what we said.  (Thinks for a moment.) I was wrapping silverware and the man busted in yelling about somebody's dead out there. He needed a phone to call 911, so I offered him mine.  He got mad and said he has a cell phone but he needs a land line. Called me a stupid little... umm... girl dog? Except he said the bad word. 

Lynch: He swore at you?

Fei: Yeah, but I ignored it and got him the land line. He called 911 and I ran in the back to get Mommy. She made me stay in the kitchen with Daddy and the cooks after that. 

Lynch: What did the man act like? 

Fei: He was pretty freaked out.  Scared, I think.  Not really mad even though he cussed at me.  He's usually very nice.  He eats here a lot.  He don't like that one lady who works at Sunburst.  (Mei clears her throat.) I'm sorry, that's gossip. We don't gossip. 

Lynch: He didn't say anything else?

Fei (shakes her head no):  Where it happened, we walk right through there to go home.  I run home now because I'm afraid the bad man will get me. We all do. 

Lynch: It is scary.  (Looks at Mei, who nods.) We think he was just after her, so you're probably safe to walk home as usual.  Now I need to talk with your Mom. 

Fei: I'll tell Mommy if I think of anything , and she will call you, okay?

Upgrades, Shower, and Orphans

Owner's Office, Witch's Cove

Nakoma: So?  What do you think?

Albus: I'm quite impressed.  You must have worked on this for months.

Pocahontas:  I just put her to work on this two weeks ago.  The girl's got some creative skills.

Albus: She did this in two weeks?!  

Pocahontas: We've always known she was the artist of the family.  I'm surprised it took her this long.  

Albus: I could use her help putting together the atmosphere around the Windigo and the updated train ride.  By the way, what do you think of "Haunted Rail" for the name?  

Pocahontas: Once this website is linked to Mom's old one and operationable, she's all yours.

Nakoma: Oh, I've got a plethora of ideas.  Wait until you see what I've got in mind for The Overlook.

Pocahontas: See, Albus, she's alr -- what, wait?

*****

Zenobia's studio

Zenobia: I thought since you aren't doing a traditional wedding, and I'm not maid of Honor, that a bachlorette party was off the table?  I won't lie, I'm bummed about it, but you're the bride.  You call the shots.

Tris: An old-fashioned Bridal Shower is acceptable, you libertine.  You're still my best friend.  

Zenobia (teasing): Just after the presents, aren't you? 

Tris: Kind of.  We're pretty broke, you know.  (laughs)  I also noticed how disappointed you were.  I should have taken that into consideration.  Especially since you're gonna have to live with us.

Zenobia jumps up and hugs her, launching into plans. 

*****

Windu Acres

James: Thanks for the drinks.  This humidity is killing me.

Mace: Big ole storm brewing.  What's the verdict on them orphans?

James: Test results all came back.  Completely healthy, two colts and a filly, siblings.  Same sire.

Mace: So they aren't purebred. 

James: Looks like the mares were.  Some rogue stallion must have gotten into the paddock and whoever owned the mares... well, to put it politely, they reacted badly.  

Charlie: That's putting it way more politely that I did.  

Mace: Y'all got the cops on it, I'm sure.  Does the preserve have security cameras? 

Charlie: In the parking lot and visitor center.  We're hoping they didn't sneak in through private property to dump the babies, but we'll interview the landowners around if we have to.  

Mace:  Well, the little ones are settling in here.  Angus took them right under his wing.   Might even adopt them, since I'm in rebuilding mode. (Changes the subject)  What brings you back to Barbieville?  I knew Iggy was here, but you were a surprise.  

Charlie (hesitates for a moment): Things didn't work out where I was.  So I got my old job back and came home.  Staying with my folks until I find a place for me and Iggy.  (Laughs)  PJ's oldest had just come to stay with them while her dad's deployed and then here comes Iggy.  James's house is gonna burst at the seams.  

Almost Back To Normal

Taylor and Gabriella take Jenny and Fred to the beach.  It's not very hot out, so there aren't any crowds to worry about.

Fred: Look, it's Four and his mommy and brothers and Tris!  Kin we go say hi?

Taylor: Go on.  Remember the Germ Rules.

Four: Are the twins with you? 

Taylor: No, they're at work.  Painting social distancing reminders on the pavement.  Things like horseshoes in the merry-go-round line. Albus said if they gotta do it, they're gonna have fun with it. 

Esmeralda: I was just sending the boys up to the vending machines.  Would you like something?

Jenny: Do they gots candy bars?

Esmeralda: I already have some of those in my cooler bag.  We're out of drinks, though.

Taylor: Who was that with Kevin? 

Four: Ricky.  Or, as he prefers nowadays, Cedric. Mom told him he has to act the part if he wants to use an adult name.  Whenever he gets whiny, we just revert to calling him Ricky. 

Esmeralda: It's done wonders for his attitude.  

Gabriella: But his name's Richard, isn't it?

Esmeralda:  He didn't want to end up being Dick Eaton, for obvious reasons. Cedric is his middle name.

Taylor: I didn't even recognize him.

Four: My dad and your mom have had both families on lockdown.  You haven't seen him in months.  And, you know, puberty.

Tris: By the way, we talked to Rose-Grace about our wedding.  She said all the law requires is a public declaration of intent and signing the paperwork.  Saves us a lot of drama! 

Four: We're going so untraditional, it ain't even funny. 

Gabriella: Hey, it's your wedding. 

******

Hagrid, the caretaker of Doll County Wilderness Preserve, meets with Animal Control and the vet. 

James: How long have they been out here? 

Hagrid: Can't be more than 24 hours.  They weren't here yesterday.

Charlie: This is a new one on me.  Dogs, cats... but horses?  Why would anyone dump horses out here? 

Hagrid: Same reason they do any other critter.  They're disgusting, selfish idiots.

Charlie: Well, I can't take them to the animal shelter.  (to James)  And yours is a mobile clinic.  But I really don't think it's safe for them to stay here.

James: This is even weirder than you think.  They're perfectly healthy, from what I can tell, and look to be purebreds.  Very valuable animals.  

Hagrid (taking out his phone): I might have a foster home for them.  Let me make a call.

Charlie and James exchange a glance, both willing to bet they know who he's calling.

Mace: I see you managed to contain them.

Hagrid: The filly came along nicely, but those two colts... you gotta watch them.  That spotted one just likes to tease, running away and coming back like a boomerang.

Mace: Angus will be glad for the company.  He misses Silverstream. 

Hagrid: Dr. Potter said he'll be by your place tomorrow to give them a real exam.  You sure you're okay with baby-sitting them? 

Mace: I'm okay with adopting them if it comes to that.  I've  finally got grandkids that are interested in following in my footsteps!   

******

Albus meets with the mayor about Witch's Cove reopening.

Rose-Grace: All these measures look good, but why is she putting off opening until next year?

Albus: To quote her, the place is gonna be a hotbed of germs no matter how many changes we make.  This gives the experts time to cope and it won't break her bank.  Dent it real good, but not break it.  I doubt even Kida realized how well-off she left her girls. 

Rose-Grace: She told me once that she was probably a millionaire. 

Albus: I wouldn't be surprised.  She made money hand over fist and lived simple. 

Rose-Grace: What about the ghost hunt?  Is that still on?

Albus: Oh, yeah.  They're gonna release a joint DVD.  Good press and a bit of profit for both the park and the paranormal team. 

Weasleys and Woes

Snow day continues for the residents of Barbieville.  Fred is sledding with Stacie and her friends when Mace shows up in the sleigh.  As children tend to do when Grandpas arrive, they flock to him.

Mace: Rosie send me out to find y'all.  Time for that family meeting to name those new pets.

Stacie: Hi, Grandpa!  These are my new friends Dan and Emma.  They just moved into the house where Mary Ann Bright used to live.

Mace: I know you, Dan.  Your daddy is my horse's doctor.  And Emma's mother is my dentist.

Dan: Yes, sir.  Emma is going to be my stepsister soon.  

Emma:  She's pretty much the whole town's dentist.  Can you give us a ride, just to our house?  (points) It's right over there.  

Stacie volunteers to sit on Silver Stream and give the rest some elbow room.  

James: Thanks for giving my kids a lift.  They've never had a sleigh ride before. 

Fred (amazed): Never?  

Mace: Pike told me you checked the horses. I haven't gotten a bill yet, though. 

James: Pike paid it.  

Mace: I keep telling him that the horses are mine.  They just stayed there when I moved out.

James: Well, that's a family matter.

Rose-Grace assembles the family while Mace puts away HIS horses.  

Tanner:  Why are Anakin and Nakoma voting on this?  Did I miss a couple of weddings or something? 

Rose-Grace: They're not voting.  Did you miss the part where both Finnick and Stacie are too young to get married? 

Finnick: Dad got married at my age. (Nakoma elbows him)  

Rose-Grace: I did remove some of the names from the running.  I am the mayor and have to think about how certain names might appear.

Tanner: There go all my suggestions.

Taylor: Can we remove the human names from the running as well?  I hate when animals have people names. 

Nikki: Remember when you tried to change Max's name?  That was funny.

Finnick: One of your dogs has a people name.  Ash is the dude with the chainsaw hand in those zombie flicks.  Yeah, we know she was born in a fireplace and is the same color as ashes, but still.

Nakoma: And there's a Pokemon trainer named Ash, too.  

Rose-Grace: I'm afraid you're outvoted on the human name issue, Taylor.  Most of -- (Her phone goes off)  I better take this call.  It's the fire chief.  

*******

Several days later

Zenobia:  Welcome to Zenobia's Vlog, the only openly biased news source in Doll County.  Today I've got some good news and some bad news.  We'll start with the good, and satisfy a lot of my viewer's curiosity in the process.  Becky?

Becky:  I made a previous visit to this Vlog and mentioned being part of a hush-hush custody battle.  A lot of you out there have been asking, and now I can tell you.  (Collects her thoughts) If you've seen the news recently, you'll know that millionaire real estate mogul Ronald Weasley Sr and his wife recently died.  They left everything to their two children, and a huge extended family started fighting for guardianship.  

Ron: Of the money.  Most of them didn't care about me and Ginny.  Becky wasn't even in on it til we asked her to take us.  

Ginny: I asked her, you mean.

Ron: Fine, til Ginny asked her.  Most of the family were trying to get us to buy mansions and yachts and stuff.  

Ginny: And then ship us off to boarding school. 

Ron:  Ginny, I'm telling this!

Ginny: Then get it right.  They wanted the money, not us.  

Ron: Becky was the only one who respected what Dad wanted.  We got real used to hearing her defend him.  Everyone else thought he was nuts.

Becky: Ronald was my favorite uncle.  He believed in a modest lifestyle and giving back to the community.  The bulk of his money has been divided in half and put into trust.  I have no intention of touching it.

Ron: We start school at Barbieville Middle School on Monday.  

Zenobia:  Now we move on to the bad news.  A fire late last week took out two local businesses and left the owner of one homeless.  With me are Midna Sunburst, owner of the Sunburst Diner, and Violet Baxter, owner of American Splendor printing.

Violet: I was watching television when Raven came out of her room and said something about a dumpster fire.  I thought she was speaking metaphorically at first, but no.  The dumpster was on fire.  

Midna: The dumpsters and my grease bin are far enough away that the buildings shouldn't have caught, but they did.  Once it got inside and hit my cooking oil...  (tears up)

Violet: I had a lot of flammable chemicals, as well.  The sprinkler system simply couldn't keep up with the spread.  (To Midna) They're down there right now.  They will find out what happened.

Zenobia: Was anything salvageable?

Violet: The first floor of my building was gutted and Midna's diner burned to the ground.  We may be able to save personal items from my apartment, but we've not been able to get back in there.  Arson is suspected and right now it's basically a crime scene.

Zenobia: Is it too early to ask if you plan to rebuild?

Violet: For me?  Yes, it's too early.

Midna: I was getting ready for a renovation.  (laughs weakly) I guess it's going to be a bigger job than planned.  But, yes, I'm absolutely rebuilding.  

Zenobia: Contact me for information if you want to donate things like clothes for the Baxters.  I hope next time, I'm giving nothing but good news.  

Snow Day!

The worst of the cold snap has passed, and finally it's warm enough to enjoy the snow.  The parents are at work and Taylor stays home with the babies, but the rest of the Pikes burn off some cabin fever.

Tanner:  Watch me take this next snow drift like a pro! 

Nikki:  No, I'm not wearing my helmet!  I don't want my brains all over the place! 

Tanner: Why didn't you wear your helmet, dummy?  

Nikki: You promised to be careful.  Some of us actually use our brains and want to keep them inside our heads where they belong. 

Finnick: Tanner would be totally safe in a zombie apocalypse.  

Tanner: At least I don't look like I belong on a magic carpet instead of an ATV.  Seriously, dude, you look ridiculous. 

Nakoma: You're just jealous you don't have a girlfriend to give your coat to. 

Tanner: My girlfriend wouldn't need my coat.

Finnick: Yeah, cause she'd already be frigid. 

Fred: Are we most to the sledding hill, Stacie?  I wanna be there NOW! 

Stacie: We're there.  Check it out.

Anakin:  Holy cow.  That is one steep slope. 

Stacie: Told ya.  This is the best hill in town, and it's all mine!  Well, you know, ours.  On our property.  Step-Mom said once she tried to take the sleigh down it and almost ran over Angus.

Anakin: Yeah, how come nobody got the sleigh out?

Stacie: You gotta be old enough to drive and the twins had to play on the ATVs.  Dad or Mom will get it out later.  Or Grandpa Mace, if he comes over.

*****

Down the block, James is supervising the least professional movers in the known universe.

James: Harry, where is your coat?

Harry: I'm fine.  I'm not a wuss like Hermione. 

Hermione: This wuss isn't going to have frostbite later.  Besides, Mom told you to wear a coat.

Harry: Yeah, but she's not my --

James: Say it and see how long you're grounded.

Emma: Dan and I will get the plants before they freeze.  What room do they go in?

Dan: Let's hurry and stick them in the living room so we can go sled with those kids over there.

Becky watches from her new apartment for the taxi that's bringing her cousins from the airport.  

Morning, Noon, and Night

Morning 

Taylor:  What's going on?  Why is Samantha crying?

Gabriella:  He's back.  I guess he got expelled again. 

Taylor: I can just imagine what he said to her.

Kevin: Actually, he's only spoken to one person since he got here, and it wasn't Samantha.

Samantha (crying): I thought she was my best friend.  How could she...

Alex: I don't know.  But don't let them see how upset you are.

Draco: I hope my parents find a new private school for me quickly.  I loathe having to associate with the likes of these people.

Charmaine: I know what you mean.  I wish my folks didn't insist on my attending public schools.  

Draco: I wonder about your parents, Charmaine, I really do. Are you certain they're as wealthy as they appear? 

*****

Noon

Fred: This is Silver Stream.  She's a mare.  That means girl horse.

Orlando and Samara: Ores!

Fred:  When you get big like me, you can ride her with a grown-up.  When you get big like Stacie, you can ride her all by yourself.

Pike: Fred, get down before you fall and spill the babies.  I've already got Dr. Potter here, I don't want to have to call an ambulance.

Fred (climbing down):  Are the doggy and kitty okay?

James: I can't say for sure until I run the blood tests, but they appear to be healthy.  You'll want to make an office appointment to get them fixed?

Fred: Why we gotta fix them if they're hell-fee? 

Pike:  I'll explain that later, Fred.  Say, James, I heard we might be neighbors soon. 

James: We're closing on a house right down the block.  Hope to be moved in by the wedding.  You've got an eighth grader and a third grader, don't you?  

Pike: Taylor's an eighth grader, but Stacie's in fourth grade.  You have kids that age? 

James (chuckles): Between the two of us, we have one of each sex in both grades.  She's got girls, I've got boys.  That's why we needed a bigger place - either of our two bedroom homes wasn't up to the job. 

Pike: Does she still think Rose-Grace is out to give the whole town to the amusement park?

James:  That's why we bought in your neighborhood.  It'll be the last one gobbled up. (Turns to Angus)  Now that I've dealt with the creatures that could have come into my office, it's your turn.

Pike: Hey, you were already scheduled for today.  I figured you'd offer to check them anyway.

James: Yeah, I probably would have. If all the blood tests are good, then they're going to need names.

Fred: I'm the boss of getting ideas.  You got any?

****

Night

Midna enters the data for today's business while Mariko and Whitney clean the diner for closing.

Mariko: Back of the house is done.  Once Whitney's done cleaning the tables, we can mop...

Someone knocks on the locked door.

Whitney: Jeez, people, we close at ten.  Read the sign!

Mariko: Oh, crap.  That's my aunt.  Something must have happened.

Midna:  Let her in.  I seriously doubt Nova Nakano is going to rob me.

Mariko:  What happened?  Are Dad and Mom okay? 

Nova: They're packing for the move.

Midna and Whitney:  MOVE?!  

Nova:  Don't worry, Mariko isn't going with them.  That's what I've come to tell her.  (To Mariko) Since you were so upset, your dad and I worked things out.  I'm moving into the house with you so you can stay here in Barbieville.  

Mariko:  Thank you!  Oh, Nova, you are the best aunt ever! 

Nova: Now, about that two week notice Mom told you to put in tonight... You can still do it if you want, but your new guardian is totally okay with you working as long as your grades don't suffer. 

Mariko: Why would I want to do that?  I love working here!

Nova: I figured as much.  I loved it, too, when I worked here. 

Mariko:  Wait, what?