Mother's Day Weekend

Friday, before dawn, at Witch's Cove Campground.

Lorina: Stop trying to talk me into staying longer.  I want to spend Mother's Day with my daughter and grandson.  

Albus (making puppy-dog eyes): Well, if you must...  

Lorina (laughing): I must.  It's been fun, Albus, but all good things must end. 

Albus: Bummer, right? 

******

Friday,early evening, at The Overlook.

Jason: I'm sorry I didn't have time to take you home, kiddo.  But I'm sure Pocahontas won't mind if you explore the beach down there.  

Moana: I'll be the best dressed beachcomber this town has ever seen.  

Jason:  Sorry if I'm late.  We went to the graveyard so Moana could put some flowers on her mom's grave and got caught in traffic on the way back.  It is okay for her to go down there, right?

Pocahontas: That's what those steps are for.  I was just telling the others that this month's flowers had a Mother's Day card in it.  I'm not even ten years older than Nakoma! 

Jason: Maybe he knows you've generously given them maternal care even though they aren't your children.  I'd hate to think this guys doesn't know you're their sister if he's courting you.

Pocahontas:  Courting me?  I guess that term works as well as any, if a little dated.  

Nova: Mariko and I are going to do an on-line chat with her mom, and then we're taking mine out to lunch.  What do you guys have planned?

Becky:  Nothing.  The kids are totally bummed - this is their first year without theirs, and my parents expect us to fly across the country just for the day.  With Ron and Ginny's money, you know. 

Ben: Claudia wants to go see our mom, but the prison doesn't have visiting hours on Sunday, so we're going tomorrow. I'd just as soon not do it, but the social worker says I need to let Claudia work things out for herself. 

Nova:  Wait, your parents are in jail? 

Ben: Just mom.  Dad is in the cemetery.  I don't want to talk about it. 

******

Sunday morning, the Pike house.

Rose-Grace:  This might be the most unusual breakfast in bed I've ever seen. 

Fred: Taylor said you'd want boring ole bacon and eggs and I said no way.  Step Mommy likes pizza!

Taylor: He was... um... quite insistent.  

Rose-Grace:  Well, he isn't wrong.  I do like pizza, bear claws, and cappachino.  

Fred: Now eat up!  We got lots of fun on the Jenda for today! 

Rose-Grace:  I hope you aren't forgetting Candy.  She did give birth to half of you.

Tanner: She's still on assignment.  We'll have a belated one for her when she gets back.  

Fred: She likes raw fishies, so we can take her to the ornamental buffet.

The Investigation: Part Three

WDLL News interrupts the evening's programming with breaking news.

Anchor: Shock waves ripple through Doll County as Detective Glimma Spiro, is arrested for the recent arson in and around Barbieville.  Federal Agent Lorina Dahl and Barbieville Police Chief Becky Lynch took her into custody about an hour ago.   

Barbieville Mayor Rose-Grace Pike and Chief Lynch speak to the press in a live broadcast.

Rose-Grace:  We were as surprised as anyone at what the investigator found.  We can't speak to the particulars, obviously, but several past arson convictions are now in question.  We can't thank Agent Dahl enough for her assistance.

Reporter: Your department couldn't solve this on their own? 

Lynch: The sheriff's office claimed jurisdiction, as the county agency, and refused to work with us. It wasn't until the mayor requested assistance from a federal agency that we had access to much of the information.  

Another Reporter: Was the sheriff in on it? 

Rose-Grace: There's no reason to believe he's guilty of anything more than being blinded by the detective's stellar reputation.   

*****

Early the next morning, Albus bumps into Lorina in the park.

Albus: There she is, the heroine of Barbieville.  You busted the case wide open in less than a week. 

Lorina: It really was just a matter of getting the evidence to a lab.  The county lab just wasn't equipped to handle it.  Or maybe Spiro was lying about that.  I don't know, but my lab made short work of it.

Albus: I heard the arsonist's hair turned out to be from a wig?

Lorina: Where did you hear that?  (leans closer and whispers) It was from a dog.  

Lorina: I'm going to be in town a couple more days.  Are you busy? 

Albus: Besides work?  No.  What did you have in mind? 

Lorina: Well, I seem to recall you poorly hiding some marijuana... 

Albus:  You're a Fed! 

Lorina: Nope.  I've been retired, again, for about twelve hours.  Besides, the stuff is legal here.  (Albus starts to say something about federal laws.)  Don't make me quote the Tenth Amendment at you.  I promise not to cuff you unless you want me to. 

*****

While Albus is getting better acquainted with Lorina, Rose-Grace sits her boys down for a talk.

Rose-Grace: I understand why you feel as you do about Ryan.  I agree that his discovering an African ancestor is poetic justice, but you need to be careful how you express it.  You say it serves him right, like it's a bad thing. 

Finnick: Well, for him it is.  

Tanner: Is this about setting an example for the younger kids? 

Rose-Grace:  That, too. I'd really hate to see your futures suffer because of out-of-context remark.  To those who don't know you, your reaction to the news looks like you have a problem with blacks.  I just read a news story about a woman who got fired for something akin to this.  

Finnick: Pocahontas isn't going to fire us over this.  She probably agrees. 

Tanner: She won't have a lot of choice if a lot of people boycott Witch's Cove.  And colleges could turn us away.  Albus can only teach us so much, man. 

Rose-Grace: Just be more careful how you express yourself publicly.  

Albus goes to the office for the day's work order.  

Albus: These are lovely.  Who sent them?

Pocahontas: I have no idea.  I've gotten flowers about once a month since Valentine's Day. 

Albus: It's not John? 

Pocahontas: He swears it isn't.  And Ben Kishi said I'm not his type.  

Albus: Well, it isn't me.  You'd feel too much like incest.  

Pocahontas: Gross.  (Prints up the work order and gives it to him.)  I'm not worried about my secret admirer and you shouldn't be, either.  You aren't my daddy.  

Albus: More of a daddy to you than Johnny Appleseed. 

Pocahontas: Yeah, he's too busy planting his seed all over the country.  I've heard it a million times.

Claudia, Moana, and Nikki hang out in the cafeteria before school

Moana: I can't wait to show Jason the thing in our science book about uncles and cousins.

Nikki: What about them?

Moana: Uncles are second degree relatives and cousins are third degree relatives.  If the DNA test says what degree we are, then we'll know which he is to me.  We know he's one or the other, but none of the men in the family will admit to being with Mom. 

Draco: What kind of a slut is your mom? 

Moana: She might have been a slut, but at least she taught me not to eavesdrop and butt in on other people's conversations.

And last but not least, Spiro is being transferred into Doll County Jail. 

Spiro: You know I didn't do this.  

Lynch: I know you're the height and weight of the perp in the footage, you have no alibi for any of the fires, and your entire career is built on arson investigations.   In every one of those cases, the one convicted was the town pariah.  

Spiro:  Do you know what those criminals are gonna do to me?

Lynch: Yeah, but I don't care. 

The Investigation: Part Two

Federal investigator Lorina Dahl is creating waves, but life in Barbieville goes on regardless.

Midna: I'm glad you've decided to join us here at Sunburst. 

Jason: Thanks for giving me time to think it over,  I had another offer, which paid more, but the benefits and hours here are better for me and my, um, kid. 

Midna: I understand.  Let's get Violet to take you into the office.  You can finalize the paperwork and start tomorrow.

Violet: We have a problem.  The larger tables are in, but they're purple with an inlay design. 

Midna: We don't have time to return them and wait for the faux marble ones. (Thinks for a moment.)  But you know what?  This might work for us.  Several customers have suggested I return to the look I had at the diner.  A little messier, not so upscale looking.

Violet: Seriously?

Midna: Yes, seriously.  Purple family tables will add a little pop of color.  

Violet (not sure if she's angry or amused):  You're the boss.  Jason, if you'll come with me?

Zenobia:  Are you ladies ready...  What's wrong with Sylvia?

Phoebe: David showed his true colors.  

Zenobia:  Oh, crap.  What happened?

Phoebe: We had a DNA thing done, for the family tree Mom's been working on.  Found out Dad's theory about my hair is correct - we have African ancestry.  

Sylvia (sobbing):  He spit on me, Zen!  I thought he loved me! 

Phoebe:  You think she's bad, you should see Ryan.  He caught racist from David. 

Zenobia (kind but firm): Sylvia, we've been telling you since High School that David was trash.  

Lorina comes in as Jason leaves.  She joins Midna uninvited.

Lorina: Violet had security cameras in her store, but there's nothing useful on them. They don't show the area where the fire began.  What sort of security did you have at your former location?

Midna: Just the camera at the register.  You've seen that footage.  

Lorina (disappointed): You didn't have footage of the dining room?

Zenobia: Excuse me, ladies, but the Guinness sisters have ordered.  I need my cook.   (To Lorina)  Someone videoed the time Clara screamed at Becky and Ben.  I've seen it on Facebook. Would that help?

Lorina:  Yes, it would!  (Gets out her laptop.) Ms Sunburst, I need to borrow your waitress for a bit.

Midna: No problem.  They're the only ones in here at the moment, and they're waiting for their food.

Zenobia: I do have to grab their drinks, but I'll be right back.

Walking home from work, Zenobia sees the twins at the school. 

Zenobia: Y'all love it here that much?  

Tanner:  Our grandma is inside, meeting with Suzie Dean.  Suzie's helping her with the annual play. 

Zenobia:  I loved that thing!  But you know what a ham I am.  Oh, did you hear?  It hit the fan at the Guinness house last night.

Finnick: I noticed Ryan was absent today.  (Zenobia catches them up on the gossip.) Wait, Ryan found out his great great grandpa or something was black?!  

Zenobia: It's not funny, you guys!  Sylvia is devastated! 

Tanner (laughing): Well, I'm sorry for Sylvia, but after the things Ryan has said and done...  It's hilarious.  Wait til I tell Frodo!  

Finnick (imitating Frodo):  Yo, Ryan, man!  I hear you found out you was a homeboy! 

Suzie: You are over-thinking the entire thing, McG.  It's not a history project, it's to get them to identify with the characters.  To make them really think about the literature.

McG: Perhaps you're right.  I do tend to over-think.  

Suzie: If a play is too much for you, have them do monologues.  In character, telling their story.  

McG: That would fill the course requirements.  

Rose-Grace is enjoying a book on the deck when the twins get home.  Lorina arrives while Tanner catches her up on the gossip.

Tanner: Zenobia's mad at us for laughing, but...  Sylvia's her friend, not ours, and Sylvia's little brother is the bane of my existence. 

Rose-Grace: We'll discuss it later.  I need to talk to Ms Dahl now.  Privately, I'm sure.

Lorina: I wanted to give you a quick update on the case and I was in the area interviewing Mr. Spiner.  I hope you don't mind my coming to your home. 

Rose-Grace:  I'm tripping over in laws, children, and pets.  What's a Fed going to hurt?  (Both laugh) 

Have a seat. Tanner will warn the rest I'm doing mayor stuff, they'll leave us alone. 

Lorina: My technical analyst found some data I think you should see.  (She reaches for her bag, but her headset pings.)  Excuse me, I have to take this call. (Rose-Grace waits while Lorina does so.)  Well, Madam Mayor, would you like to go along while I make an arrest?  

The Investigation Part One

The federal agent, Lorina Dahl, arrives in Barbieville on a sunny Tuesday morning and sets to work immediately.  Her first order of business is a meeting with the mayor, fire chief, police chief, and the county's lead detective on the case.

Detective: I don't understand why the mayor felt the need for help from an outside agency.

Eddie: Might have something to do with the lack of interdepartmental cooperation.  

Detective: I have this handled. 

Lorina:  No, my agency has this handled.  Anyone who refuses to share information will meet federal consequences.  

Detective: Mayor Pike, are you really so insecure that you -- 

Rose-Grace: I nearly lost both the twins, as well as a dear friend, to this arsonist.  You'll have to forgive me a bit of insecurity.  

Detective: Your dear friend?  Albus?  That burn-out?   

Lorina: Ladies, please!  I'm not afraid to pull rank on any of you.

Eddie: Please, pull rank on them.  Pull rank on me.  Whatever it takes to track this pyromaniac down.

Lorina: Thank you, Chief Dean. (checks her computer)  It looks like I have everyone's files now, and I've got Miss Staulbahm waiting outside to be interviewed.  I'll contact you if I need anything more, and I expect to be notified if you learn anything pertaining to this case.

They leave Lorina to talk to Clara.  After the initial introductions, Lorina gets directly to the point. 

Lorina: Did you set these fires?

Clara (annoyed):  I've already told Spiro, no.  The only incident I don't have someone to vouch for me on is the one at the medical center.  All the others, I was in class with about 50 other people.  

Lorina: You've had a contentious history with the victims.  

Clara (rolls her eyes): I've got a history with this whole stupid town.  Me and another girl did a socio-political experiment last fall that people are still holding against me.  Us.  Mostly me, though, because they believed her apology.

Lorina: Yet they have you in protective custody.  Why?

Clara (shrugs): Same reason I've not set fire to anything.

Albus comes home from work to find Lorina waiting for him. She shows her identification.

Lorina: I'm here about the fires.  When I listened Detective Spiro's interviews with you, I noticed there were several times she cut you off when you were trying to make a point. 

Albus: She thinks this old hippie's got nothing upstairs.  (laughs) I didn't do that many drugs in the sixties.

Lorina: Would you mind going over those recordings and telling me what points you were trying to make?  

Albus: Only if we go inside.  I've been on my feet... well, on these crutches... all day.  

Albus: Okay, right here?  She kept saying the charges on the haunted house wall were placed professionally, but they aren't.  A pro would have put them about a foot higher that they were.  

Lorina: You've worked in demolition? 

Albus: Many years ago.  The technology has changed, but laws of physics haven't.   

Lorina:  Interesting.  (She leans across to fast-forward the recording.)  And here, she becomes angry when you say you can't remember?

Albus: I had a flashback to Vietnam and then passed out.  Or maybe it was the other way around.  (chuckles) I suspect she thinks it was an entirely different kind of flashback.

Lorina: Well, as poorly as you hide your weed...  

A few days later, Lorina calls a meeting with Chief Lynch and Detective Spiro.

Lorina: Why is Clara Staulbaum still a suspect?  She has an iron-clad alibi for most of the incidents. 

Detective: She spearheaded KBV, which targeted the same people.

Lynch: So why isn't Becky Weasley a suspect?  She was KBV, too. 

Lorina: You found blond hairs at one of the scenes, but never had it analyzed.  I've taken the liberty of doing that for you.  I've also got my team working on analysis of the video footage from Witch's Cove and the medical center. 

Detective: We have a backlog at our labs.  

Lynch: No wonder you didn't want to share information.  You didn't want us to know you were sitting on your hands while our town burned, one building at a time.

After Lynch and Spiro go, Lorina makes another call to her team.

Lorina: Check the background on the following individuals...