"You know, I know that Ratburn was a crook," Francine said, "but at least he could run a classroom properly. Mrs. Strauss hasn't got a clue!"
Buster nodded in agreement. Miss Strauss was the teacher that had been filled to replace Ratburn. With Elwood City's school board being investigated by federal authorities over Ratburn and the Crosswires, otherwise qualified educators were either retiring early or declining offers from the city. This lead Elwood City to declare an "educational emergency" and fill the school with substitutes who weren't fully trained.
Mr. Haney had been fired by the school board for damage control over the Ratburn expose. The firing was very controversial and several teachers and facility resigned in protest. Among those resigning had been Mrs. MacGrady, and Francine's plate was proof of the decline in school lunches ever since. Everything was now either bland and tasteless or overly greasy, but nothing in between. Francine was eating white rice and carrots. Buster was brave enough to try the school's new meatloaf, and his plate was covered in grease. He had already used three napkins.
"I don't know how you can stand eating that," Francine said in disgust. "It's pure grease!"
Buster sighed. "I know. But at least it isn't pizza day again."
Francine tried not to gag at the flashback that swarmed her mind. As messy as the new meatloaf was, it was nothing compared to how unbearably greasy the new pizza was.
As for Mrs. Strauss, she wasn't doing much better than the new lunch lady. She frequently mixed up student's papers, gave the wrong assignments, and spent more time playing video tapes than teaching. She was also bad at remembering names, and still couldn't distinguish Buster and Brain from each other.
"I bet Muffy's new school is much better than this," Francine muttered. She had heard on the news that Muffy was now in witness protection.
Mo sat in the living room bored. Ben and Loretta had left for their flight to Miami - no, Washington D.C., Mo sneered in her head - and she was wondering if they would call to tell more lies. So far they hadn't.
A loud knock on the door startled her. Wondering if Arthur had forgotten his key, she raced to the door and was horrified at the sight in front of her.
It was Mr. King.
Mo quickly slammed the door, but Mr. King stopped the door from closing with his foot. Even in her panic Mo couldn't help but admire how strong he was.
"Now, Mo, that's very rude," Mr. King responded dryly, "At least hear me out first."
"I have nothing you want," Mo responded angrily. "Get out!"
"Perhaps you have something I want, then?" Mo hadn't noticed that Beatrice was standing right behind him until she spoke.
"Why are you two at my house?" Mo demanded.
"Let us in, and we'll tell you," Mr.. King promised.
"I know where they keep weapons. I can use them!" Mo threatened.
"That's nice, but you won't be needing any," Beatrice replied with indifference.
Hesitating for a few seconds, Mo reluctantly let them in.
"FBI," Beatrice announced, as she and Mr. King pulled out badges.
"What?" Mo was stunned.
"Undercover agents," Mr. King said, "You didn't really think I was a pedophile, did you? That's just a story to explain my regular disappearances."
Beatrice smiled. "And nobody could possible manage a library so badly unless it was quite deliberate."
"So you are just playing roles?' Mo answered. She was struggling to wrap her head around what was happening.
Mr. King nodded. "Yes. And we much worth discussing."
"I haven't done anything!" Mo protested.
"We're quite aware, Mo," Mr. King responded, "your parents, on the other hand... well, let's just say they've gone a bit overboard."
"Overboard?" Mo repeated.
"They've begun playing multiple sides against each other, hoping they can profit from the destruction of all," Beatrice explained, "they grew tired of following orders. They want to replace the Crosswire ring and the mafia."
"That's why they have gone to Miami," Beatrice explained. "Did they tell you they were in D.C. instead?"
"Yes," Mo admitted. "I knew it was a lie, though. I found the plane tickets."
"The Mafia ordered them to carry out an assassination in D.C.," Beatrice informed her, "but they had other ideas."
"Your parents have stolen from the Crosswire's something they stole from us," Mr. King said, "We can't tell you what it is, but it's extremely dangerous. As it's only a matter of time before the mafia leaders realize this, we're taking you and your cousins into witness protection."
"You can't be serious."
"I am dead serious," Beatrice insisted firmly, "you're very lucky that West Falls hasn't realized this yet. We've already collected your cousin Arthur, now get Kate and pack some things for the both of you."
"Do you have any idea at all what these two have been through these past few months?" Mo demanded angrily, "his house burns down, his other sister is in a mental hospital, his parents are declared unfit guardians, and he ends up in a mob town! Your going to drive Arthur as insane as D.W. at this rate!"
"I'm sorry, Mo, but this isn't our fault," Beatrice snapped, "your parents are why this is happening. Now go get ready, because we only have five hours."
"So, Dr. Paula, how has group therapy with Miss Read been going?" Mr. Larsen asked.
"It's still far too early to say with any degree of certainty," Dr. Paula responded, "She hasn't had a meltdown in her sessions thus far; but I don't really see any obvious signs of progress. It'll probably be several months before we can even begin speculating on future plans."
"Well, as I've said before, I'm proud of you for taking on such a difficult case. Many others would refuse."
Dr. Paula silently wondered if such people were wiser than her.