Meetings

 KAP  (Kin As Parents) has its first meeting since the disaster, welcoming new members.

Ken:  We don't know what we're going to do.  Peeta's dad pays his tuition, but with Mom and Bonnie gone and having the care of Tommy as well as Ox, I may have to drop out of college. 

Pocahontas: I'm always hiring, but during the off season... 

Tony:  What's your business?   

Pocahontas:  My sister and I own Witch's Cove.  She graduated with Ken and his husband.  I also have custody of a brother the same age as his Tommy and your Marty.  How is Marty?  Any news about his father?

Tony:  Rayshawn might be one of the John Does found, but they aren't ready for identification.  Marty's doing about as well we should expect.  His mother's flying in tomorrow.  

Nova:  How are you and Luna holding up? 

Gwen:  We're a mess.  Neither of us has even gone into Rallee's room, not even to get her work things for the new superintendent.  Guinness is starting the job without a lot of vital paperwork because I can't...  I don't even know if I should be here.  

Midge:  If you need us, you should be here.  I was totally lost when Kamala fell into my lap. 

Gwen:  Yeah, but I've been as good as her parent Luna's whole life.  That part isn't a big transition for me.  I thought about grief counseling instead of this, but I know you people.  That makes it better somehow. 

Ben:  Maybe we shouldn't tell them.  Seems mean. 

Becky:  Yeah, we should wait.

*****  

At the mayor's office, Rose-Grace discusses the dam sabotage with federal agent Carol Danvers.

Rose-Grace:  What do you mean, this might not be related to Hank Higgins?  You have other people in my town in Witness Protection?  And that PI is snooping around about Cash.

Carol:  To the best of my knowledge, Hank was the only person here with ties to organized crime.  But then I found out about Maisie Barnes's birth family.  What do you know about them? 

Rose-Grace:  Maisie?  Dionne's friend?  She has no contact with her birth family.  Hates all their guts.

Carol:  Possibly with good reason.  I have an even thicker file on them than I do on Hank-used-to-be-Cash.  Maisie isn't even her birth name, she legally changed it when she got married.  Presumably to dodge them and any of their associates. 

Rose-Grace:  Well, if you're investigating her, you shouldn't talk to me about it.  Conflict of interest - Maisie's been practically family since junior high.  

Carol: We'll move on to the seismologist that tipped off the saboteurs. 

The Video

 Barbieville Police Department

Lynch: Adding Candy Pike skews our victim profile.  She's only got two of these things in common, and one of them just barely. And she was nowhere near water, so we can ignore that little side note. 

Carol: She wasn't college educated or "a strong personality".  Is that code for something? 

Lynch: Absolutely.  (chuckles) Helena was a nice enough lady until you wronged her, but Charlie was a total bitch.  Candy, on the other hand, is very mellow.  She has made something of a name for herself in the photojournalism field, so she's a professional, but since she's free-lance, she doesn't really have an office or any of the trappings.  And she's a mother.  

Carol: And we have a connection between her sons and one of Helena Malfoy's daughters. They're in a band, correct? 

Midge (from across the room): Alright, ladies, the lab's sent over the go-pro footage.  Shall we see what we've got? 

Lynch: I hope we can see the tag.  Candy remembered the FCP part because that's two of her boys' initials, but she didn't get the number.  A partial is better than nothing, but still... 

Midge: A good look at the driver would be nice, too.  

Carol: Let's not get our hopes up. (Midge starts the video, then pauses before Lynch can ask.)  There's your tag.  

Lynch: FCP 409, Doll County.  Got it.  (She gestures for Midge to continue, winces as the video continues.)  Was that the windshield?  Did Candy actually look the guy in the face? 

After a few tries, Midge manages to stop the video on the split-second Carol noticed.  

Midge: Well, Agent Danvers, what were you saying about getting our hopes up? It's blurry, but who does that look like to you? 

Lynch: Paris Malfoy

Carol: James Potter

******

Later, as the crew closes Sunburst for the night

RM: Sure you don't wanna come home with us?   Daddy Jimin won't be home to poop on our party. 

Zenobia: I'm exhausted.  Everyone in the state decided to eat here!  

Tris: I have a husband. 

V: No one propositioned you, Tris.  You can have Four meet us there, if that'll...  (A sports car comes careening into the lot and the driver jumps out.) 

Zenobia:  Boo?  Boo, what's going on?

V: I don't know she had a boo.  I thought she was footloose and fancy-free. 

Tris: That's her sister.  Boudicca.  

RM: Damn.  Do all the Malfoy girls look that good? 

Boudicca: You've got to get out of town, Zen.  Take my car. 

Zenobia: Calm down.  It can't be that bad.  

Boudicca: The cops are at the house.  That van that hit Mom, they got the plate number.  It comes back to you!  

Zenobia: That's nuts.  I don't even have a car, I haven't since... (realization) ... oh, shit. 

Non-Murder Drama Continues

 Barbieville Elementary School

Qi: What's up with the pink bag, Anakin?  You gay all of a sudden?

Stacie: Don't be stupid.  We're too young to be worrying about if we're gay or not.

Tommy:  So what?  My brother's gay. 

Casey: My dad wears makeup and he ain't gay. 

Anakin: My bookbag broke and I borrowed this from Nakoma.

Marty: No boys in the family you could borrow from?  I mean, I got no problem with the pink, but you could've avoided some teasing. 

Anakin: Me and John are the only guys.  And it's worth a little teasing to have a nice stable family for once. I swear, I feel like a whole new kid.

Casey (to Qi):  I'm sorry you let your wiener limit your choices in life.  

*****  

Barbieville High School

Gabriella: So now Mom is scared Charlotte's lawyer is gonna subpoena her.   

Taylor: Might be for the best if she did.  I know she doesn't want to... 

Snape: Miss Pike, would you care to tell the class what's more important than your lesson?

Snape: Don't bother telling me you started the conversation, Miss Montez.  I'm well aware that you are merely a follower, being influenced by Miss Pike's disregard for rules.   I've made if clear, have I not, that being related to the mayor carries no weight with me? 

Taylor: Yes, sir. I'm sorry. 

Gabriella: Mr. Snape, I was finishing a conversation we started in the hall.  Class hasn't even begun.

Snape: Class begins when the bell rings.  Perhaps you should have your hearing checked. 

*****

Mayor's Office 

Rose-Grace: Thank you all for meeting with me.  The media has been barraging me with questions about what they're calling Deadly Driver, and I don't want to spread misinformation.  Or keep deflecting, for that matter.  The citizens need to know what's happening. 

Carol: Within limits, of course.

Midge: Test results came back as expected.  We did get specifications on paint chips from the victim's bodies, which I shared with the police department.  The vehicle was painted a color called "Green With Envy" which is exclusive to one Automobile manufacturer. 

Lynch: They have three models of the right shape and size.  We're compiling a list of owners, with the intent to interview and visually inspect each of the cars in question.   Agent Danvers has been in touch with the federal profilers.  But Helena and Charlie had so little in common... 

Carol: They're the same sex and age group, both educated professionals.  My guys have done wonders with less than that.  

******

Doll County Day Care, Barbieville

Whitney: Oh My God!  I am not going to go through his phone!  I trust him! 

Esperanza: I'm telling you, he is not spending all this time with his freakin' Grandpa.  He's up to something and I bet she puts out. 

Whitney: I'm picking up Wilma and she doesn't need to hear this garbage.  I trust Tanner.  The end.

Roxy: He's eating all the people that fell outta the train wreck. 

Wilma: No way! A tricycle-tops don't eat meat!  

Whitney: Geez, John, what kind of sickos are you raising? 

John (laughing): Only the best.  Wilma, your mom's here.

Whitney: I hope she behaved today.  We've been having a problem with temper tantrums lately. 

John: She wasn't happy about the choices for after-school snacks, but she took it out on those poor train passengers.  

Wilma: Put me down, Mommy!  I wanna walk! 

Esperanza: Did you see the way he was looking at me?  He wants me. 

Whitney: Sure, Esper, sure.  

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 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. 

Getting Answers

 Barbieville Police Station

Lynch: You found the body, ran into Shore Thing, and had them call 911. I need a little bit more than that to go on.  Why were you there? What did you see specifically? 

Hank: That's all you're getting until my man from Witness Protection shows up. 

Lynch: Hank, you stumbled upon a crime scene. Giving me a statement about that is not going to have any impact on your status with the feds. You don't need to bother them with this. 

Hank: I don't care if I'm bothering them. (Stands up) Unless you call them in, or arrest me, I'm going back to my office.  I'm a busy man, Chief Lynch. 

Lynch: Fine, I'll call them. We'll make an appointment to get your statement.

Hank completely misses her sarcasm and leaves. Lynch goes back to her paperwork, what little she has at this point, and is startled by the abrupt appearance of Midge Sherwood, county coroner.

Midge: I've brought over copies of all my documents. The autopsy supports the obvious cause of death, unless something really weird shows up in the lab report. 

Lynch: Is it casual day at the morgue? 

Midge (laughs): No, I shower there and put on my civvies before heading home. 

Lynch: Not a bad idea. Sometimes I feel like I never take this uniform off. 

Midge: We might have a problem with Mr. Higgins. He tried to stop the CSI team from taking photos. 

Lynch: You have no idea. I'll handle him. How's Kamala settling in? 

Midge: She hasn't left my house. But it's not like I've had time to show her around town. 

*****

Windu Acres

Tanner: More dogs? 

Mace: I wondered when you were going to ask about that.  They came with the horse, and I know a few people who might adopt them.  Your girlfriend for one. She was disappointed when your folks decided to keep Cujo and Yeti.

Tanner: Yeah, but then Santa brought Anakin a cat. 

Mace: I know some other people, too.  Nakoma just gets first dibs. 

Tanner: I bet Four and Tris will take one, now that they're in their own place. She really misses her parents' dogs. 

 

Mace: Now you're thinking. (changes the subject) We buy the young rejects and breed them. There's less money in it, short term, but that's how we get the strong work horses Windu Acres is famous for.  People will reject a foal for all kinds of reasons.  

Tanner: Yeah, this one's got socks on the left legs but not on the right legs.  Big deal.

Mace: Don't be a snob. Some jobs require a certain look for the horse.  (Mace eyes Tanner for a moment.) You know, I'm really glad you decided to work with me. I retired because neither of Rosie's girls cared to follow in my footsteps.  Then y'all came along, and those foals turned up in the Nature Preserve, and I figured someone up there was telling me something.

Tanner: Did they ever catch the jerk who dumped those three? (Mace shakes his head.) Hagrid needs more trail cams. 

*****

WDOL studios

William: Good Afternoon, ladies. Is there a problem? 

Bertie: Yes. A major one. Have you seen the garbage they expect us to say on the air?

William: I can't say I have.  I trust my people to do their jobs largely unsupervised.

Becky: Good journalism should not be biased, Mr. Darling. I learned that on the high school newspaper.

Bertie: One of the reasons I took the pay cut to take this job was so I didn't have to cater to partisan interests. You promised our coverage would be balanced. 

William: Ladies, you are my anchors. You're the boss down there. 

Becky: So you've got our back when we tell them off? 

William (chuckles): Yes, Miss Weasley, I've got your back. 

Monster High Customized

As I mentioned in the last post, I picked up the folding Monster High school play set at a yard sale.  It is in pretty good shape, but there are some things I had to change up.  Bits of repair and, frankly, just making it more Jeanie's Barbieville.  The school set basically has two large rooms and a loft.  The classroom has a printed-on chalkboard and Monster High touches like, ahem, chains with hooks hanging on the wall?!  The classroom presented the biggest challenge.

 

The only real damage was a missing hook (to help stabilize the center wall) and spots where was printed cardboard was pulling away from the wall. I replaced the hook (shown here with temporary fix) by threading an a small loop of dead ear pod wire through the hole and to slip over the notch. 

Here you can see one of the chain hooks and a lower corner of the blackboard.  There were a lot of stickers on the classroom walls and front of the building and removal left lots of these little white spots.  

The lock mechanism classroom cleverly hides inside a shelving unit at the rear of the classroom and the cardboard there came off quite easily. On the front, the cardboard came off easily enough, but the glue...  not so much. I cleaned it as best I could before realizing I'd have to buy Glue Gone, adhesive shelf liner, or both.  Elbow grease just wasn't going to do the job and my lower back was cussing me.

I removed only the worst of the bulges in the cardboard here.  They'll put new wallpaper in the classroom.  My elbow grease dispenser and back were not up to the task unless I waited and I'm a Get-Er-Done type.  Waiting is not my forte.  I decided the only issue in the second room is a big Monster High logo on the wall. Nothing choosing a sticker that can be the school team logo can't fix.

Marble shelf liner, a couple of bears, and an adhesive sink back splash.  The tiles on a Barbie scale will look like huge blocks of marble.  While I like the look and had enough left to do a wainscotting in the classroom, it tore so easily I changed my mind.  Good thing it was only a dollar.

The front of the school without pillars.  The Monster High logo above the door is part of the lock mechanism.  There are logos molded into the doors as well.  Getting rid of them is beyond my abilities and inclination.  The architect, then, was Midge Hadley.   

Pillars in place.  I'll have to do away with the gargoyle or come up with a Barbieville explanation for the other's absence.  I do like the look of the pillars by the entrance.  The only issue I have with the other outer wall is a very small logo on the backboard.  I had a plan for it, but it didn't work out as intended.  More on that later.

The finished classroom.  Obviously Barbieville's team is the Bears.  Or maybe the Bruins.

OK, so he's too big and trimming him just looks stupid.  Off he goes, taking the printed logo and surrounding pink with him.  I didn't want another totally marble wall, so only covered a straight line across from above the lowest point damaged.  

There is a small bulge in the green loft wall.  It's not an issue.  The wall with the lockers is good. Except for a border between the pink and the marble, this room is done.

I cut the small bear from the decal packaging.  He was a picture of a car window with the decal in place, just in case the buyer wasn't sure how to display them.  Trimmed him carefully to put over the logo on the backboard, but he was actually too small!  So he's hanging out over the doorway on the locker side of the central wall.  

Border for that marble/pink join, the backboard logo, and the classroom clock are the only bits left.  Right now the clock face is a bare marble circle.  Here's the backboard. For all intents and purposes, this school is ready for use.  My Barbie children point at me and giggle...  it's summer!  Little do they know how much pull I have with the Barbieville School Board.  

**Edited to add**

It occurred to me after posting that the school, with its web motif, was better suited to a team called the Spiders. The bears came off the walls!  I already had spider decals, so I found two that looked enough alike to serve as team logo.  One went in the center of the clock.

One went above the windows in the hallway/cafeteria.  Black electrical tape makes for a border on the marble/pink join.  I can't believe it took so long to think of Spiders!  So obvious!

Electrical tape here as well.  NOW the school is ready.