“What you would do if I told someone?”
He looks up for a second as though considering the question, then grins. “It’s more like what would I stop doing…”
“Which would be?”
Oh, he’s going toshowme his answer instead of telling me. Mmm. “I’ll never say a word.”
* * *
ABN Nooner Newscast – Tuesday Edition
“Good afternoon, I'm Veronica Platt with the ABN Nooner News. Our top story this lunch hour remains the mystery of the missing princess. It's been seven harrowing days for the people of Avonia without any sign of Princess Arabella. Although palace officials put out a brief statement yesterday morning, hoping to put a stop to the myriad of rumors throughout the kingdom, it seems for many, it's a case of too little, too late.” Veronica stares into the camera with a stern expression. “Giles Bigly, our man on the scene, joins us live from the Langdon library, where a meeting of the Avonian Introverts Society was just held without their patron.”
The screen splits into two and Giles is seen standing next to a middle-aged man wearing a button-up shirt, a brown bowtie, and a tweed jacket.
“Giles, can you tell us what the impact is on the Avonian Introverts with regard to this shocking story?”
“Yes, Veronica, I'm here with Mr. Fred Bundy, president of the—”
“I’m sorry. Did you sayFredBundy?” Veronica asks, cutting Giles off mid-sentence.
Mr. Bundy rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh while Giles says, “That’s right, Fred, as in Frederick.”
“Bundy,” Veronica says.
“Let’s move on from that, Veronica. I gather it’s a bit of a sore spot. Anyway, Mr. Bundy is the president of the Avonian Introverts Society, a small group who have enjoyed Princess Arabella's patronage for the past three years. He's one of many Avonians growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the palace’s vague statement regarding her whereabouts.”
“Yes, Giles, I'm going to read that statement out for those of our viewers who haven't heard it yet. It was sent to the various news outlets yesterday, and it reads, quote, ‘Princess Arabella is fine and accounted for. There is no reason for alarm, and we assure you she will be returning to public life shortly.’ Mr. Bundy, can you hear me?” Veronica asks.
The man nods once and mumbles, “Yes.”
“Excellent,” Veronica says. “Were you given any prior notice of Princess Arabella's disappearance or did you find out at the same time as the rest of us?”
Giles holds the microphone to him while he speaks quietly. “We got a call on Monday to say she couldn't make it.”
Veronica nods gravely. “And if I may, who exactly placed that call?”
“Her assistant, Mrs. Chapman.”
“And how are the good people of the Avonian Introverts Society handling this alarming news?”
“Veronica,” Giles cuts in. “Perhaps I could interview my guest since I am the man on the scene.”
“Of course, Giles,” Veronica says. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” Giles turns to Fred Bundy. “So, how are the folks at the Avonian Introverts Society handling this news?”
Fred shrugs. “The meeting was pretty quiet because she usually does most of the talking. She’s not an introvert, really.”
Turning to the camera, Giles says, “There you have it, Veronica. One very quiet meeting.”
“Giles, have you heard anything at all about her whereabouts, or if she's, in fact, alive at this point?” Veronica asks.
“Well, based on yesterday's statement from the palace, I'd say we can safely rule out her death.”
“Can we?” Veronica asks.
“Yes.”
