Chapter 1
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November 7th 2023
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Gary Fredo had adapted to the town of Sanctuary Virginia. At the age of 71 he had made a new life here, gotten remarried, worked part-time for the local police department, even joined a secret society. This secret Society, "the Druid Order" helped protect people in the Witness Protection Program, and displaced peoples. It was all legal, but required secrecy, and it was kind of fun to imagine themselves as a secret society. On this day, after a Druid meeting, mayor Bowen asked to speak privately with Gary Fredo and sheriff Duncan.
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Bowen: There's been a murder in Pennsylvania. The victim, Michael Cambias, his father is a member of the Druid Order. He's asked for outside help in solving this murder.
Duncan: I thought each cell operates in complete ignorance of the others.
Bowen: It's supposed to be that way, but Alexander Cambias has a lot of money, and a lot of influence. Even in a secret society, wealth has it's privileges. The Magistrate, aka the president of the United States, he specifically asked for help from you Gary.
Fredo: Why me?
Bowen: He remembers your work in solving Angel Flint's death.
Fredo: That wasn't murder, it was a suicide.
Bowen: Perhaps he remembers that you'll follow the evidence no matter where it leads. However long it takes.
Fredo: My children and grandchildren expect me to come up for Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I'd like to be able to do that.
Bowen: If the investigation takes too long you can take the holidays off. I should warn you, here are certain elements that might not want Michael Cambias' murder to be solved.
Fredo: Had his share of enemies?
Bowen: To put it mildly, yes. The murder happened at some point last night, hours before his murder Michael was aquitted on a rape charge. The girl he allegedly taped, Bianca Montgomery, her mother is Erica Kane.
Duncan: My wife's mentioned her, she runs that cosmetics company Enchantment?
Bowen: Correct. She is wealthy and also on the Council of her town.
Fredo: And a prosecutor could prove motive without breaking a sweat.
Bowen: Michael also had a brother, Zack. Alexander Cambias has one foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel.
Duncan: Let me guess, Michael dies first, Zack inherits everything.
Bowen: So clearly some very powerful elements might not want the murder solved. But I know you Gary, you won't let a little thing like bribery or death threats stop you from seeking justice.
Duncan: Why not, assuming Leita will let me go. Where am I going?
Bowen: A town called Pine Valley.