Click to play audio title from Indy.

A Shocking Report

Pippi walked with Indy to the front room to join Kelsey and Serena there.

When Serena had the tape set up, she turned on the TV. First, there were some commercials, but soon the newscast began.

"Good afternoon, I'm Marilee Who, and it is my sad duty to take over for Indy-Mae Who, and I am very sorry for her sad fate."

"What sad fate?" Indy smirked. How does she know about my condition?"

Pippi shrugged.

The camera panned back. Marilee was standing in a corridor of the hospital, people going about their duties in the background.

"When the hospital reopened after the lockdown due to a supposed security maintenance run - or a lockdown - depending on who you talk to, we were there for it's reopening, to keep you, the viewers informed. With the hospital's board of directors unavailable for comment," she continued, "we took it upon ourselves to get the real story of what went on here when Dr. Wilfred Whoticore, the board's Head of Directors, ordered the lockdown as of 8:00 am." She moved as she spoke, heading towards an unattended nurses's station. "As you are now aware, Dr. Whoticore was arrested later that evening by the Whoville Police Department and is now in a maximum security cell at the local jail."

Indy uttered a muffled "Yeaaaaah!"

Kelsey leaned over to Indy and Pippi. "This is the most professional I've seen her ever report," she quipped.

"Me too, actually," indy said, "go figure."

"She must really be upset over your - fate," Kelsey said. "Whatever they think that is." She shrugged.

"She does look shaken," Pippi agreed.

"Hey, you're right," Indy agreed. "Maybe she heard I was sick and was thinking it could've been her?"

Wickersham2 came in from the kitchen. Wickersham1 came in from the hallway, looking like he had just woken up. The Brothers threw themselves into the other couch, watching the broadcast, too.

Marilee moved around the nurse's desk, tilting the terminal so the camera could see it. "In our investigation we discovered that several - deaths had been recorded that morning," Marilee went on, pointing to the screen to draw the viewer's attention to the names listed on the fifth floor admin roster.

Luna, Serena and the Wickersham Brother's names were all noted as "deceased".

"Hey, mebbe the DMV will see this and cancel my parking tickets," Wickersham1 said, waking up a little more. Wickersham2 and Kelsey broke up laughing.

"Oh, good heavens!" Pippi's eyes went wide, but she grinned at Wickersham1.

"Was this the reason for the quarantine?" Marilee went on, slipping slightly back into her usual tabloid mode.

"She's going to mess up the real investigation if she keeps this up." Pippi stood up and crossed her arms.

"Is the hospital admin staff holding something back about the grabies outbreak that started in City Hall with the Mayor's office?" Marilee continued.

Indy looked completely baffled, at first, not understanding what was going on.

"No one is talking," the reporter on t..v said, and the scene cut to cameras outside the admin floor elevators where Marilee tried in vain to get a comment from the board staff as they headed towards the security conference room.

"Look! There's William," Serena pointed out as he, like the others, passed the reporter with no comments to offer.

"He looks tired," Pippi observed.

"And Liza!" Kelsey said, seeing her follow after William.

"She looks pissed," Wickersham1 also observed.

"Yeah, Being in that place was enough to tick off anybody." Indy replied,making the point without the use of Wickersham1's coarser language.

"Yeah, well, Whocares had a - bad night," Luna said. Brother Number One muttered to no one in particular.

"I have no damn comment for you vultures!" came Tora Bearilou's grating, evil voice as the scene cut to a shot of the camera crew following her down the corridors. She couldn't move very quickly, being on a cast, but she did manage to give the air of being really dangerous despite being hampered.

Wickersham2 shivered at the sight of her.

"I'm with you, Brother," Wickersham1 said. "That crone's bad news!"

"She's jail news as soon as she recovers from the plague," Kelsey observed.

Pippi grinned. "At least she didn't die from it, though I'm not sure what she's doing up and about so quickly."

Tora stopped at a phone at a desk and made a call. She turned to Marilee, who was off camera. "If you aren't out of here in thirty seconds, *bleep* I'll have hospital security haul your asses out of here!" she yelled.

"Oh, it must be the grabies talking," Marilee commented in return. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well. But I need to make a living, as do you."

"Can't imagine why she got sick, that one," Wickersham1 said, throwing a wadded up napkin at the screen. "If I was a virus, I sure as hex would find another place to live!"

Wickersham2 chuckled. Luna broke out laughing.

"Yeah, even the Mayor is a better choice," Kelsey commented.

Indy laughed. "Not by much, I'll bet."

"Well, that probably explains why Whoticore didn't get sick...Nothing could survive living in him." said Kelsey.

"Not even his own soul," Serena said distantly, looking at Kelsey.

"Yes, he sure lost it somewhere along the way," Kelsey agreed.

"Well," Pippi pondered, "I think it takes a soul to be smart enough to pull all the things he has - but his soul is bad."

"And I can think of some really disgustingly evil places things can live." said Indy. "Things that make you sick just to think about, so, that makes it possible for the right kind of bug to live anywhere."

"So, hey, Brother," Wickersham2 said, slapping Wickersham1 on the back. "then you must not be as bad as you thought!"

Wickersham1 smirked. "Yeah."

"Yes, but I've got to go set that reporter straight on a few facts, starting with - none of us are dead," Pippi stated.

Tora's belligerant face was gratefully replaced by Marilee's again, back at the nurses's station. "We were unable to determine the number of - deaths," she continued, quietly and with a bit of a stressed edge to her voice. "but a quick check of other patient's floors, including intensive care, revealed a shocking, new fatality. Someone well known and well loved at our own station, Miss Indy Mae Who, was also listed among the fatalities." A picture of Indy replaced Marilee for a moment.

"What the...!?" Indy exclaimed.

"Oh, good gads!" Pippi exclaimed.

"We are saddened and shocked by this terrible loss," Marilee went on. "and by Whoville's loss of an award-winning journalist who was always known for her love of the job and her concern for those she reported on."

"Ruddy hex!" Wickersham1 spat, looking at Pippi. "Whoticore must have altered her records, too!"

"Oh, my God," Kelsey whispered, shivering.

"Oh, God!" Indy wailed, her eyes went wide as the realization of what happened and why, hit her like a rampaging tank. Serena laid a gentle hand on Indy's shoulder closest to her. "I was right, wasn't I?" she said, trembling. "He changed the records because he was going to..." She started to cry.

Pippi changed her mind about leaving for the station for the time-being. Indy was never meant to find out that her worst fear had almost come true, especially not now, and not in this way. She approached Indy to put her arms around her. "Oh Indy." she said, patting her back reassuringly.

Wickersham2 went to her other side.

"Kelsey, get me my bag," Serena told her quietly. She slipped her arm from around Indy's shoulder to hug her waist.

Pippi took Kelsey's place on the couch next to Indy for a moment.

"I never thought I'd hear my own obit let alone such a nice one...and...Whoticore...I dreamed he tried to kill me last night!" cried Indy.

"That's why we had to get you out fast," Wickersham2 told her, gathering Indy into his warm arms.

"I just knew he was gonna...if I didn't get outa there!" Indy heaved.

Wickersham2 shifted himself and Indy so that he was now sitting down, holding her in his lap. "But you're okay now, Indy. Ssshhhh...." Wickersham2 tried to reassure her. "Your fears were with good reason, but now you're safe, Indianna, we didn't mean for you to find out until you were more recovered and stronger...and maybe not even then. It's all right now, shhhhh, there, there." Pippi added her own reassurances.

The nurse handed Serena her bag over the back of the sofa. Indy sobbed loudly for a while, and let Wickersham2 and Pippi comfort her.

Serena fished out a light blue flower from the bag and set it on her lap. She stroked Indy's hair. "Ssshhh, darling....it's over. It's over, Indy Mae, darling."

Wickersham2 continued trying to reassure her as well, he hugged Indy to him a little tighter, protectively, and saying, "It's okay now, he won't come near you again."

"I know," Indy managed to say.

Pippi gazed compassionately at Indy, and kept a hand on her elbow. While Wickersham2 and Serena were doing most of the comforting right now, that didn't leave much room for Pippi, who had to content herself with maintaining the hand to elbow contact, letting Indy know she was and would always be there for her. She knew the others needed to comfort Indy as much as she was needing it right now.

Kelsey got a couple of tissues and gave them to Indy. She herself was shaken. "That's so depraved," she said to Serena. "What a monster."

"Agreed," the herbalist said. "I was so shocked when William drove me home that night and explained why he was spiriting me out of the hospital without going through the checkout process." Serena rubbed Indy's bare arm lightly with the flower. "Darling, this will help you calm down a little. Just relax."

After a short time that seemed long to everyone present, Indy started to subside. As quickly and violently as the bout of crying had come on, it went, letting her regain control of herself.

"We were all so lucky Luna and the boys discovered Tora had changed the records when they did," Serena said.

Wickersham2 nodded quietly in agreement.

"I'll say," said Kelsey.

Wickersham2 dried Indy's tears, and helped her straighten up so she could blow her nose and breathe better. Kelsey got her a glass of water and one for herself as well. "Indy, would you like some tea as well, or something hot?" Kelsey asked. She knew that also had a soothing effect on people.

"Yes," Indy replied, and coughed. Crying so hard always munged up everything, nose, eyes, throat, you name it.

Wickersham2 thumped her on the back.

"I'm okay now." Indy assured him in a few moments.

Wickersham2 helped Indy with the glass of water, holding it so it wouldn't spill.

"Catnip would go well with the drowz flower I just gave her. It won't dope her up, but it'll be relaxing and clear her sinuses," Serena told Kelsey.

"Eww, catnip?" Indy asked, making a face. "I'd rather stick my head out a window. Catnip is for cats."

"It's the first time I've heard of catnip tea too, Indy." said Pippi.

"Haven't you got something - normal - like lemon or mango or something that tastes good?" Indy continued to protest.

Wickersham2 laughed. "That's more like it." He winked at Serena.

"Go ahead, dear. Try it. It's mild and minty. I think you'll like it." Serena encouraged Indy. "If you don't like it, I'll get you the mango, I promise," the herbalist laughed softly.

"Hmmm," said Indy, "Well, I'd like something that's familiar. I'm not in the mood to try anything different." she insisted. "Maybe I'll have a taste of the catnip later, but not now."

Kelsey returned with the catnip tea for Serena, and told Indy she was just steeping some mango.

A few more minutes, and Kelsey went and got Indy's tea. She handed it to Wickersham2.

He took the tea from Kelsey, handing her the empty water glass, and gave the tea to Indy. Remembering she was still shakey, he kept his hand cupped around the cup, guiding it to Indy's lips. "Careful, it's hot," he cautioned.

She responded by blinking.

Wickersham2 gave her a little at a time, and he took in the pleasant sensations of feeling her breath on his hand, her warm frame getting more relaxed. He had been wanting to take care of her, and now he finally had a chance to. It was deeply satisfying helping her this way.

Sometimes Indy sighed softly, and the warm, almost hot liquid felt great going down.

As the tea cooled off, it disappeared quicker. Then Wickersham2 just sat holding Indy, keeping up the reassuring contact, until she finally drifted off. Wickersham2 closed his eyes in contentment as well, feeling her body rise and fall against him with each breath.

Pippi, observing quietly, smiled, and withdrew her hand from where it had rested on Indy's arm. "I'll be back as soon as I can," she explained quietly, "That so-called reporter Marilee needs to know she's seriously mistaken." And with that, Pippi strode out of the room.

"Hey, wait up, Pippi," Wickersham1 said, following after her. "I've got a faster car. I'll drive you if you want!"

"Thank you, Wickersham1, you may help me to prove my point to Marilee Who."

"Right," he acknowledged, grabbing his jacket and following her out.

Wickersham1's car was parked just behind Jim's vehicle. At first sight, it was a fright! It barely looked like it was drivable, but Wickersham1 gave Pippi no time to back out as he got into the car through the window and started it up. "Door works on that side," he called out to her. He started the engine and it roared to life. It sounded like it was packing a hundred horses under the hood. Pippi got in and put on her seatbelt. Wickersham1 pulled the seat belt out and on. Both front seats had racing belts that not only went around the waist, but also around both shoulders.

The car shook under them with barely contained power. He slung his arm back across the seat, looking over his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway. He pulled out and off the property without excessive displays, but then floored it once on the open road.

"Somehow I have a feeling I'm going to regret this," Pippi said. "We need to get to the Who's News and TV station in one piece."

His blue eyes locked with hers. "One piece, yeah, sure. That is the objective."

She nodded in response.

"Whether Marilee stays in one piece once we get there," Wickersham1 pursed his lips. "Well, that's up to you, right?"

Pippi laughed out loud at this. "Well, let's just say Marilee will be lucky it's me and not Indy who sets her straight."

"Sharp-tongued broad Indy can be...yeah, I've seen some of her newscasts." He looked at Pippi briefly. "But you sure could do a job on her, from what I saw at the hospital, but you just want to scare the bird into backin' off the story, yes?"

Pippi laughed. "I guess that's just another incident I won't be able to live down." More seriously, she continued, "I want to be sure Marilee changes her story, after all, if you're going to report anything, it needs to be a little more accurate than this."

"HA! That's for sure," Number One agreed. "but that one isn't usually interested in accuracy, if you've noticed."

"She seems more than a bit pushy," Pippi agreed. "I suppose her believing that Indianna is dead accounts for her uncharacteristic reporting today."

"Yeah....normal!" Wickersham1 laughed, slapping the steering wheel.

Pippi shook her head, realizing something. "And once she's told the facts, she'll probably have many questions."

"So...we gotta think of something to tell her that'll satisfy her." He thought a moment and blew out a frustrated breath. "That's gonna be a trick!"

"Yes, that's what I haven't got worked out yet," Pippi said with a slight sigh.

Her cell phone rang. "Hello?

"Pippi - this is Misery." her friend's distressed voice just about came through the phone. "I didn't know about Indy passing on, I'm so sorry!" Pippi heard her burst into tears on the other end.

"You must've heard Marilee's broadcast?" she speculated. "I'm sorry it upset you, and needlessly at that."

"You mean - it's not true?" the woman asked, a mixture of profound hope and disbelief in her voice.

"Indy is alive, Misery, she's recovering at a friend's with access to in-home medical care."

"But - how did a report of her 'death' get on the news?"

"Long story involving Wilfred Whoticore, you remember me and Indy telling you about him when you came to visit Indy in the hospital...?"

"Yes?"

"He tampered with patient files. Somehow, Marilee must've gotten into the hospital to snoop around, and reported the 'doctored' information as what she believed was fact."

"Oh, how ghastly! But thank goodness Indy's alive! I hope to God she didn't see that broadcast!"

Pippi sighed. "I'm afraid she - did.

"Oh, no!"

"Yes - well, I'm just on my way to the station to set Marilee straight and get that story pulled."

"Great, and good luck, Pippi. Is Indy up to having visitors?"

"Probably not today, she's sleeping after all the excitement - before the upset, she had us all in stitches over lunch."

Misery Chastain laughed on the other end.

"But when she is, I'll see if we can arrange something."

"Great!" Misery said. "And I'm glad I called you about this."

"So am I.

"I'll let you go now, and talk to you later."

"All right. Bye."

"Bye."

"Who was that?" Wickersham1 asked.

"Misery Chastain - a friend of Indy's and mine."

"Misery?" Wickersham1 asked in disbelief.

"That's what I said. I know - it suits her about as well as 'Fortunato' suited a character in a story I once read."

Wickersham1 shrugged.

Fortunately they only hit a couple of lights on red, though the second one was a considerable wait.

"Come on, come on," Wickersham1 growled.

Pippi nodded. "That always happens when you're in a hurry," she observed.

"Yeah...well not tonight," the Wickersham growled. He looked each way, and seeing no police, he made a quick right turn, then did a u-turn to come back to the intersection. It was accomplished with a minimal amount of squealing until he'd straightened the car out. They left a skid mark coming back to the intersection. He squealed around the turn in a fast right.

"Be careful!" Pippi cautioned.

"I'm not very patient, Luna could tell you," he said in excuse. "No point in gettin' there when the broadcast's over."

"If it is, they can always interrupt the next program to make the corrections," Pippi replied.

"Whatever, it's your party," he agreed. "You're callin' the shots 'ere."

"Lucky for us both," she grinned.

"Yeah, we're good," he assured her, stepping on the gas slightly. "That maneuver was only slightly less illegal than actually running the light," he admitted. "Wickersham2 would say either I was in love or losin' me touch." He grinned crookedly.

"Well, I don't think you're losing your touch," Pippi grinned back.

"Yeah....love's bad for my criminal career, I suppose. Makes me lose me focus."

"Which is actually very good, then," Pippi replied.

"So I've found," he agreed, swerving around several scattered cars on the road. "Wouldn'tve thought so a few months ago...before Luna."

"Yes, you can never tell what's just around the bend," she said thoughtfully.

"We're here," he announced, pulling up to the security gate.

"Yes, and in one piece," she said with a grin.

"Promised you. Now, it's up t' you t' get us in there."

Pippi rolled down her window. "Sir?" she called.

The security guard came up to the car. "Can I help you folks?" he asked.

"Yes, I need to see a reporter about some details in a broadcast that are not accurate," Pippi explained.

"A lot of people do, ma'am," he replied. "Especially if it's Marilee."

Pippi grinned, "And it is Marilee in this case," she said.

"Unfortunately, that isn't enough to get you in."

"I'm helping Officer Wholihan with the Wilfred Whoticore case, my name is Pippi Longstocking. Here is my cell phone, and, " she hunted in her purse for Wholihan's number. "You may call him and ask him yourself," she replied patiently.

"You have some i.d., ma'am," he asked, taking the offered cellphone. "So I can verify your identity?"

"Yes, I do," she took a card out of her card holder and handed it to him, along with her driver's licence.

He dialed the number. "Any badge'd help keep me out of trouble with my boss, too," he offered helpfully. "Or an investigator's i.d. number." "Yes, Officer Wholihan please," he said, connecting with the police station.

"Hello Officer Wholihan? Yes, sir, this is the guard's station at KWHO. You got someone on a case right now by the name of Longstocking? You do? Right. Thank you sir. No, no trouble. She's just here at our front gate...just wanted to verify her identity. Thanks again." He hung up and handed Pippi back her i.d. and cellphone.

"He told me to give you a full pass," he said to the car's occupants, handing them two badges. "Wear these at all times while on the premesis. Park over there," he gestured to a close by parking lot. You need to know where the Station Manager's office is?"

"Yes," Pippi answered him.

"Building on the right. Take the last elevator, it's an express to the fourth floor. They'll guide you from there. I'll let them know you are on your way." He flipped a switch in the booth and the gates opened for them.

"Thank you, sir, now we can hopefully get down to the business of convincing Marilee and company that Mr. Wickersham here, and Indianna Who are *not* dead. Good afternoon."

They drove into a parking space, leaving the guard standing there with the most incredulous look imaginable!