"The budget debate became heated today, when the leader of the Axis party, Representative Friend, challenged senior Unity party Representative Bridges on funding for the Strategic Intelligence and Multinational Security Agency," anchorwoman Lynda Cho said brightly.
"Representative Friend has been vocal in calling for changes to the Agency's leadership, citing their lack of transparency and globalist focus," anchorman Walter Daniels added in his signature deep, reassuring tone. "Bridges, herself a former Agency director, insisted that the security and intelligence gathering body was instrumental in maintaining peace for the Republic.
"With both Axis and Unity trying to gain a majority in the Lower House, many political commentators believe the recent floor debate is a preview of what we can expect in the coming general election," Daniels concluded.
"Turning to regional politics, there has been a shake up in the upcoming San My Council elections," Daniels said. "Councilor Baxter of the Unity party has dropped out of the race."
"Viewers will doubtless remember Councilor Baxter's eccentric performance in the recent debate," Cho added, her amusement obvious, "during which he wore a llama costume and insisted that the Republic was being secretly controlled by vampires, aliens and other unnatural beings.
"In an official statement, party leaders did not comment directly on the Councilor's bizarre fantasies, saying only that Mr. Baxter is suffering from fatigue and has chosen to step down in order to spend more time with his family. All of us at SNN wish Mr. Baxter a speedy recovery," Cho smiled. "There is no word yet as to who Unity may tap to replace Baxter in the Council race."
"In entertainment news," Cho continued, "the stars were out yesterday at the GLAAD Media Awards, celebrating LGBTQ+ performers in the arts. The Raven Witch herself, Cassie Goth, put in a surprise appearance alongside co-parents-in-law Londyn and Danielle Huntley.
"Cassie and Londyn spoke briefly about the recent legal victories for their new media company, Iris Productions, in contract disputes with rival Symphony Entertainment. Both superstars ignored questions concerning their conspicuously absent newlywed daughters, Miranda and Mariah. The young couple haven't been seen in public since they were violently assaulted during their Tartosan honeymoon."
"Turning to the weather," Daniels said, "meteorologists remain baffled by the unseasonably dense fog that is snarling travel in the Granite Mountains..."
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"Because meteorologists can't handle the idea that it's probably witchcraft," Max V chuckled, clicking off the television.
"Fucking witches," Marco snarled. "You know, sometimes I fucking envy normal people who don't believe in all this magic and monster bullshit."
"The price of knowing the truth," Max huffed out a little laugh.
"Why don't we just grab one of those dyke actresses and squeeze 'Riah B's location out of them?" Marco grumbled. "They must know."
"Apart from the publicity concerns, and the fact that the Huntley's security is considerable," Mr. Grey pointed out smoothly, "it is unlikely they do know where Mariah is."
"And you should ask George T about the dangers of going after witches. I've seen his scars," Max smiled. "Trust me, we're better off poking around in the fog."
"You think Miranda and Mariah are hiding somewhere in that fog," Mr. Grey put in.
"It's possible," Max said with a cagey grin. "The fog covers the mountains from Henford to the Moonwood. You've got the house on Old Mill Lane at one end and Moonwood Mill at the other, both places they might go... and somewhere in the middle you have Glimmerbrook."
"Which poses a challenge," Mr. Grey said coolly.
"That's one way to put it," Max smiled. "GPS can't plot a route there, and... did you know this... no two printed maps seem to agree on the town's exact location. Everyone knows Glimmerbrook is in the mountains above Windenburg, but no one knows where. They say you can only find it if you know the way, or if you're not looking for it."
"Fucking witchcraft!" Marco snarled.
"And if they are hiding there..." Grey said seriously.
"Well, lucky for you, I happen to have someone who knows the way," Max said confidently. "So, I've got people watching Glimmerbrook. I've got people watching Mill Lane. Hell, with George T's help, I've even got eyes in every pot farm and meth lab in the mountains watching for them. If they turn up in any of those places, we'll get them."
"... but you don't think they will," Grey astutely pointed out.
"Too obvious," Max said. "A huge 'oh please don't look here' fog bank... it's all misdirection. Besides, those mountain towns are tiny. Everyone up there is kissing cousins. A couple of strangers, much less a Tartosan punk and the blue-haired daughter of a superstar, would be spotted immediately. Oh, they'll be close... those are safe havens they can run to. So, still worth watching just in case they get scared or stupid... but they won't be there.
"Windenburg, Britechester, Brindleton, maybe the Harbor," Max mused. "That's where we're looking. I'll find them. It's just a matter of time."
"Well hurry it up," Marco snarled. "This is taking too long already. It's making me look weak to the other bosses, 'Riah B staying out there."
"Marco, come to bed," Candi purred, as she swayed into the room.
"Don't worry, Marco," Max said soothingly, seeming to take little notice of Marco's latest mistress. "I'll take care of it. Go, relax a little. No one's going to stop us."
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"Max Villareal. Marco Tennari. George Tobar. Vladislaus Straud," Genie muttered to herself as she typed up her notes and started outlining the article proposal for her editor.
An exposé, Genie thought. The truth about Max Villareal and his criminal associates.
"I'm going to find everything I can about all of you," she said, staring at the list of names. "Bring it all to light. I'm going to stop you, Uncle Max, because monsters can't stand the light."
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Author's Note: Once again, many thanks to DaniRose for her characters Shantel Bridges and Londyn and Danielle Huntley.
