Beaming live from a tv studio in Wollyhood was the latest episode of “The Sallie Winfrey Montel Show”, a daily talk show that reached a global audience.
Following his vow to Texas that he would find her long missing son Badam, Cyril Dolby had secured a slot on the show in an effort to appeal to the viewers that if they had any knowledge as to what happened to Badam all those years ago that they could come forward. Texas eagerly agreed to her tv appearance, all the while unaware that her lover Cyril was secretly planning his next dastardly scheme.
As Texas bared her soul on national daytime tv, hundreds of miles away back in Windenburg the Simmington clan had gathered in the tv lounge of Siloli mansion to watch her performance.
Through her earpiece Sallie was told by the producers that more emotion and misery was required to satisfy the millions of daytime tv viewers.
An image appeared on screen as Texas talked about her son. It was one of the few photos that she’d been able to keep of Badam.
Seeing his son’s photo on screen and how his memory was being exploited for Texas’s gain enraged Burke .
Sallie was loving this dirt being dished on billionaire businessman Burke Simmington. Her ratings would be through the roof!
Another old photograph of Badam, this time a polasimroid photo, was shown. It was taken the day he vanished from their lives forever. Seeing it again shook Burke and his anger towards Texas began to rise to new levels.
Seth Dolby hung his head in disbelief upon hearing his uncle bad mouth Burke. Burke showed no emotion.
Sallie knew she was onto the story of a lifetime and she was determined to milk it for all it was worth.
Silence fell momentarily in the studio as they all took in Sylvia’s psychic claims. Sallie knew the woman was a charlatan but she was hugely popular with viewers so what the hell, let her spout her nonsense to susceptible grieving parents. As long as it got the viewers in Sallie didn’t care. However this was one of Sylvia’s more out there claims leaving Sallie, a seasoned tv talk show host of 20 odd years, lost for words. It was only with the producer screaming down her earpiece to say something that Sallie came around.
Cyril sat staring in disbelief questioning himself why he allowed for this woman to be present during the interview. Texas however was lapping it up.
Absolute hokum Cyril thought. His credibility as a shrewd businessman was going down the toilet.
Back at the mansion Seth felt he need to apologise to Burke for what his uncle was doing. Fathom however decided on a more direct approach as she watched her one time secret lover betray her and destroy her father’s reputation live on tv.
Heathen reached for the remote control but paused as back in the studio Sallie had moved the conversation on to a more light hearted topic.
Sallie stood and spoke directly into the camera as she began to wrap things up. Meanwhile Cyril and Texas began to get rather frisky on the sofa as the cameras continued to roll.
The camera zoomed in under producer’s orders as things were getting very steamy between Texas and Cyril.
Silence befell the Simmington lounge after Burke snatched the control from his son’s hands and switched the tv off. He was outraged that his ex-wife and her dastardly lover could go on tv and tarnish his son’s memory like that. It was Tammy Flo who eventually broke the silence. 
As usual Burke was not dealing with his emotions and this concerned Brystle greatly.
The question was, what would Burke really do about it?
One week later and Devonique was busy at her piano writing new material for her comeback album. Ever since she’d settled in Windenburg Devonique had found a new sense of inspiration for her creativity. Perhaps it was borne out of her frustration that Burke had yet to accept that she was his half sister. In the number of weeks since she’d stunned him with this news Devonique had heard nothing from Burke. She knew this was partly due to the background checks he would be conducting on her and she had no problem with this for Devonique had nothing to hide. What she had revealed to Burke was the truth. However, Devonique’s patience was running out. If Burke refused to acknowledge she was his sister then damn it she would take matters into her own hands by whatever means necessary.
And it was with this pent up frustration that she found herself composing a song of independence and strength at her piano in her mansion Knits Londing.
As Devonique continued her warbling Esther, her live in butler, approached her at the piano with some news.
Devonique was both shocked and excited at this unexpected news as she had not seen her daughter Brackie in years. She quickly got up and rushed into the hallway to find her daughter waiting nervously by the door. 
Devonique could not believe what she was hearing. This was the news she’d waited on for years since Brackie had married her husband and joined his cult, The Simotologists.
Devonique moved closer to her daughter, overcome with emotion that not only had her daughter come back to her but she had left behind that evil cult.
Later ,as they sat out by the pool, Brackie told her mother how sorry she was not to have come home for her brother Fred’s funeral. 
Brackie paused for a moment as if she wasn’t going to reveal anymore before she continued on spilling the beans on her marriage to the biggest movie star in the world.
Brackie didn’t mean that Shaun had committed the deed with his bare hands but he was high up in the ranks of Simotology and had much influence over his followers. All he had to do was give the instruction..
Devonique looked to her daughter to see if she was expecting Oliver but her smile evidently told her she was.
Seconds later Esther had shown Oliver through. Brackie rushed to greet her lover and Devonique stood to take a good look at the young man.
Her daughter certainly seemed genuinely happy Devonique thought. And why not, Oliver was certainly very attractive…
Oliver smiled at Devonique as their eyes lingered on one another for a fraction of a second too long.
Brackie was relieved to hear that she and Oliver were able to stay but she wanted to make sure that Devonique was absolutely fine with that.
Devonique gave a side eye smile as she responded.
The next day, Brystle was doing her thrice weekly workout in the most exclusive upmarket gym in all of Windenburg, Le Poseurs. Membership fees were astronomical and as such gym numbers were strictly limited. Brystle preferred it this way as she could work out in privacy. There was of course a gym in Siloli mansion where she lived but usually Fathom would be hanging out there most days and as she had made her feelings quite clear to Brystle (she hated her guts) it was best that she did her work out routines elsewhere.
As usual her personal trainer Knox was on hand to give his advice and encouragement.
Brystle adjusted the treadmill to a faster setting and began pushing herself even harder.
Hearing her former (or maybe still current?) husbands voice from behind her filled Brystle with dread. She thought she’d seen the last of him several weeks ago when he visited her at the house. Now he was working in her gym!
Knox left them to it. Brystle kept furiously running on the treadmill as a grinning Clarke made his way over to her.
Brystle refused to acknowledge Clarke’s comment and so he moved to stand right in front of her. He stood smirking waiting for her to talk. When she did eventually speak her anger exploded out of her.
Upon hearing him making that lurid claim again Brystle switched the treadmill off and stood glaring at Clarke as sweat rolled down her face.
Brystle’s worst fears were confirmed as she realised Clarke was telling the truth. She really was still married to him!
Brystle turned and walked off the treadmill in horror and Clarke followed her.
Brystle turned and hurried off to the changing room as the nightmare unfolding before her became too much. She had to get away. Clarke sighed as he watched her leave him. He was determined to talk to her. And as his shift was ending he went off to quickly change out of his gym clothes too.
When Brystle had showered and changed she emerged from the locker room and quickly made her way out of the gym keeping her head down. She felt bad for leaving without saying goodbye to Knox and thanking him for all of his work over the past year but Brystle did not want to see Clarke again. But as soon as she stepped outside to get into her car she found him already waiting there for her.
The mere mention of Burke and what Clarke was insinuating enraged Brystle once again. 
The news of Brystle’s sister’s death was a genuine blow to Clarke as this was the first he’d ever heard about it. He slowly stepped away from the car.
Taking Clarke with her to tell Burke this news was the last thing Brystle would ever do. Clarke was either incredibly dumb or moronically stupid. He had no idea about her relationship with Burke and to think that Burke would hurt her was absurd. 
Brystle couldn’t believe what she was hearing! This was getting worse by the minute. Texas had purposely sought Clarke out. She’d known about Clarke for sometime but had yet not said a thing which made Brystle realise that her nemesis was secretly plotting something against her. 
The horror of what was really going on shook Brystle into action and she pushed Clarke out of the way as she marched towards her car. Clarke was quick to grab her.
Texas had been secretly digging into Brystle’s past. She’d known for some time that her marriage to Clarke had not been finalised but instead of blurting this out she had sought out Clarke, brought him to Windenburg and engineered it so the two of them would meet. All of this made Brystle realise that Texas would stop at nothing to destroy her marriage to Burke.
And with that Brystle got into her car, slammed the door shut and sped out of the carpark. There was only one place she was going to….
Texas was at home indulging in her creative passion – portrait painting. 
With the search for Badam intensifying and new leads coming in all the time Texas felt she needed to channel her energies into something whilst Cyril took charge of the investigation. Painting was always something she had indulged in and this studio had been her place to indulge her passions back in the old days when she was married to Burke. The good old days…
Whilst she was lost in thought there came a forceful knock on the door. Texas called out but continued to intensely stare at her latest masterpiece.
Brystle forcefully marched in and slammed the door behind her prompting Texas to turn around to face her. 
A delighted Texas smirked as she continued to torment Brystle knowing that in this case she had the upper hand. 
Brystle stepped closer forward to Texas as her anger strengthened her. She would not let Texas get away with this.
Texas could see from the wounded expression on Brystle’s face that she knew she was right. Brystle WAS scared. Texas had inflicted a very serious wound by bringing Clarke back to Windenburg. This would surely be the end for Burke and Brystle.
But Texas wasn’t done yet and she delivered yet another blow to Brystle when she turned around the painting she had been working on. 
Brystle looked on in shock at the portrait that Texas proudly displayed. 
The nerve of the woman! She had no shame whatsoever. Brystle, although wounded , tried her best not to show any weakness in front of Texas. 
With tears starting to form in her eyes and her heart racing Brystle quickly turned in her stilettoed heels and marched out of the studio, slamming the door behind her. Outside she paused as she took a deep breath to control her rising anxiety. 
Texas WAS right. Burke would not take this news well at all and Brystle had no idea how best to approach the subject with him.
Back inside a delighted Texas picked up her paintbrush and continued with the portrait of the man she hated to love…. 
A fierce thunderstorm raged over Siloli that night. Rain lashed against the windows, the wind rattled the tiles on the roof. Thunder boomed and lightning split the sky.
Most of the Simmington household were asleep except for Tammy Flo. As the lightning lit up her room and the thunder roared the young Tammy Flo leapt from her bed and rushed to the window. 
Ever since she was a child Tammy Flo had been terrified of thunderstorms. And despite all of her boisterous and mischievous behaviour, whenever a storm raged such as this she was reduced back to being that scared little girl again. So as the rain and wind battered against the window pane and the thunder roared once more Tammy Flo made a decision. There was only one place she could feel safe. And that wasn’t being alone in her bed…
Tammy Flo tiptoed out of her room across the hall and into….Heathen’s room!
Heathen was sound asleep and did not stir as Tammy Flo gently lifted the covers and slipped in beside him. 
Just then another flash of lightning lit up the room and Tammy Flo froze. 
Heathen stirred in his sleep and mumbled something. Laying down next to him Tammy Flo began to stroke his cheek as she gazed in the dark at his face. 
Still half asleep Heathen mumbled as Tammy Flo’s exploring hands pushed back the covers and gently stroked his body as she pressed herself closer to him. 
Heathen seemed to suddenly spring awake and responded positively to Tammy Flo’s amorous advances. He pulled her up with him and in the dark they kissed passionately as their bodies pressed close together all the while Tammy Flo whispering seductively in his ear.
Heathen paused as doubt began to take over him. 
Heathen gave into his desires as Tammy Flo ripped open his pyjama onesie. He wriggled himself free of it and they began to make passionate woohoo as the storm continued outside. 
When it was over a delighted Tammy Flo was on cloud nine. Heathen was less so. 
Instantly regretting his actions Heathen made his way into his adjoining bathroom and locked the door. Alone he steadied himself over the sink unit. 
The thought that he had cheated on his dead con artist of a husband was too much for Heathen and he slowly sunk to the floor in tears curling himself up into a tight ball. 
Tammy Flo however was unaware of the tears Heathen privately sobbed. As she lay back on his bed that they had made their tender woohoo she reflected on what had happened between them. She’d come to Siloli with the sole intention of trying to get a piece of the Simmington fortune just like her auntie Brystle. She had seen Heathen as an easy target, someone to manipulate through his grief. But like the deceased Fred Rimmard before her, Tammy Flo was feeling something that she had never intended to feel…
The next day Burke was surprised when Devonique showed up unexpectedly in his office. And she seemed determined to have her say. 
Devonique had expected this. 
They both sat down either side of his desk. 
Burke’s silent stare gave Devonique all the confirmation she needed.
If it did Burke showed no sign of recognition.
Devonique smiled and pointed at Burke as she spoke. 
Burke considered this for a moment. Devonique certainly had a right to know her parentage and to be accepted as a Simmington – if she was telling the truth. She did seem sincere about the whole thing and Burke was starting to believe her. Before he could say anything his phone buzzed- it was his secretary calling from her desk outside his office doors.
Marsha informed her boss that Cyril Dolby had instructed her to put him straight through to Burke on a matter of utmost urgency. Burke reluctantly agreed to speak with his business rival.
Burke slowly hung up, his hand trembling. Devonique watched with shocked concern as the man in front of her visibly turned pale with shock and was unsteady on his feet as he got up from his chair.
The shock of the enormity of what he’d been told was sinking in. Burke Simmington, ruthless but level headed businessman, was for once lost in stunned silence. Could it be true? Could Cyril Dolby have actually found his long lost presumed dead son? Devonique was quick to see the doubt and bewilderment on Burke’s face. The same doubt she had experienced from him.
Devonique’s comment stung and it seemed to snap Burke out of his silence. He spun around and snapped at her.
Burke had to admit that Devonique was right and he nodded in silence.
Across from the WindenburgSimmington building was the headquarters of Dolby Doh, Cyril Dolby’s company. And into his office Texas had just come bursting through the doors.
Texas stared in disbelief at the young man in front of her. 
Texas rushed forward and embraced the young man. In her heart she was convinced that this was her son. She had no idea it was not true, that Cyril was conning her for some reason not known. 
Once seated around Cyril’s desk Badam (who in fact was a hired actor Mikey Florence) began to recount his tale to an unsuspecting Texas. 
From a bag on the floor beside his chair ‘Badam’ produced a stuffed toy animal and set it on Cyril’s desk. Texas gazed in astonishment at recognising the toy that belonged to her missing son. He had been holding it the day he vanished. 
Cyril turned around in his chair and looked out of the window. 
Burke closed the door loudly behind him and Cyril spun around in his chair to see who had entered. When he saw it was Burke he leapt out of his chair with excitement. This was where the real test happened as convincing Texas had been all too easy. 
Fake Badam moved forward towards Burke with conviction and took the lead by firmly shaking his hand. 
Burke looked at all 3 of them in stunned silence before bellowing out in shock.
Remembering the character study he’d learned about Burke, fake Badam tried to ease the situation.
Burke knew that this would be the only way to prove without a shadow of a doubt if this was indeed his son. 
Burke left the office and made his way to the elevator. Texas ran out after her ex-husband. 
Back inside Cyril’s office fake Badam could hear the ensuing argument that was happening out in the corridor. 
With a glint in his eye Cyril gave an evil smirk. 
Fake Badam laughed but was unsure if he knew Cyril well enough to know if he was joking …or being deadly serious…
Very late into the night Brystle woke to find Burke was not in bed beside her. He was sat in the dark by the fire in their bedroom. Even in the dim firelight she could see how upset he was. It had to do with the double whammy he had been hit with earlier with both Devonique insisting they visit his estranged father to confirm her parentage and also to the sudden reappearance of someone who was claiming to be Badam.
Wasting no time Brystle slipped on her silk robe and made her way over to Burke. 
Burke merely shrugged.
Brystle’s heart was racing for it seemed like Burke somehow knew what she was hiding…He couldn’t could he? No, it wasn’t that at all she reasoned with herself. Her husband was hurting over the guilt he felt for the loss of his son. This melancholy of his had nothing to do with Brystle still being married to Clarke. He needed her and she was going to be there for him. 
Brystle sat by Burke and the two moved closer in a lingering passionate kiss. 
Brystle gently led her husband up from the chaise long and towards the bed. Before they got in they locked together in a tight embrace. 
And as Burke gently caressed and nuzzled at her neck Brystle couldn’t switch her mind off from what she wanted to say…
A few days later over at Windenburg Police Department, Detective Marco Morelli was in his office listening to a clearly distressed Mimsy Drysdale as she confessed her fears that her grandmother was conspiring with Dr. Broscanni to keep her mother locked up in the simitarium.
Joining Mimsy was her boyfriend Luca. Morelli at first would’ve dismissed the pair as teenage pranksters but as he himself already had doubts about Dr. Broscanni he listened with sincerity as the troubled teen told him everything. 
Morelli had a gut feeling that Broscanni was hiding something all along. He’d deliberately been obstructive denying him access to interview Malaudia following her admittance into the hospital and accused of being the serial telephone prankster who had been making threatening and abusive phonecalls to various people all over the city. However if he were to bring Broscanni in he would need rock solid evidence and he pressed Mimsy on the subject. 
There it was, the word Pasimzu. This was the name of the supposed demon that Malaudia believed was terrorizing her. She’d claimed to have seen it. And now it made sense – it had been Mother Drysdale all along dressing up in a costume and making all the phonecalls. All in an effort to drive her daughter-in-law insane and have her committed to the simitarium.
After thanking them Morelli showed Mimsy and Luca out of his office. In the corridor outside Mimsy was tearful about the whole situation. Luca could see how upset she was and he gave her a hug. 
Back in his office Morelli reflected on everything he had just heard and how this was affecting him. 
Morelli decided he would confront Broscanni and so he made his way to the hospital and marched right into the doctor’s office. Broscanni was sat at his desk and was at first shaken when the detective barged in, clearly in a state of anger.
Broscanni sighed. He had known that this day was coming and that Morelli had been on to him. It was time to come clean about everything and own up to what he had done. 
Morelli had all that he needed. With a signed confession from Broscanni implicating Mother Drysdale he would have enough evidence to have her charged and for Malaudia to finally be released. 
Broscanni slowly got up and with his back turned he gazed out of the window. 
Broscanni turned around and faced Morelli.
Broscanni slowly nodded as he accepted his fate. Morelli opened the office door and instructed the 2 waiting police officers to escort Broscanni out of the building. And so the good doctor was handcuffed and shamed as he was led out.
Immediately after Broscanni’s arrest Morelli made his way straight to see Mother Drysdale at her home. He also decided to listen to Broscanni’s advice on how best to bring Mother Drysdale in without alerting her to what was going on. 
Mother Drysdale knew in her aged bones that something was not right here. Morelli had been constantly snooping around this case for weeks now and it was obvious to Mother Drysdale that he had rumbled her. It was time for her to launch her back up plan…
Mother Drysdale took what she wanted from the drawer and as she spun around to face Morelli he instantly saw that it wasn’t her purse!
Broscanni had been right- Mother Drysdale was completely unhinged and dangerous. Realising he had been outwitted, Morelli had little option but to do as the vengeful old crone said.
Mother Drysdale forced Morelli up into the dusty dark attic. Once there she pushed the gun into his back and urged him into a corner. Morelli’s eyes adjusted to the dim light and realised what the ghastly costume in front of him was. Malaudia, in her fragile state of mind, must’ve been terrified coming face to face with this.
The gun blasted out and Morelli fell to the floor in a bloody heap. 
As he lay there in shock Mother Drysdale stepped forward and cruelly stepped on his torso to add to his agony. 
Morelli was badly injured and bleeding profusely. His body went into shock and he lost consciousness.
Oblivious to what she had done Mother Drysdale went downstairs and a sudden thought came to her. 
She went to the garage for she knew her son Mayhew had been working on his car prior to leaving to go work overseas for WindenburgSimmington. There she found what she needed – a large red rusty oil can that was more than half filled. Just enough to start a fire…
And that is what she did. Making her way back to the foot of the stairs that led to the attic Mother Drysdale liberally splashed the oil around the floor and over some furniture and curtains. Then she stood back, lit a match and threw it onto the soaked floor. With a sudden whoosh the flames roared to life. 
She stepped back as the flames quickly spread up the wooden stairs. Morelli wouldn’t stand a chance she thought. And to hell with this house, she’d always hated the décor that Malaudia had chosen. Let it burn to the ground Mother Drysdale reasoned.
Picking up a few essentials on her exit (money, keys and passport) Mother Drysdale calmly got into her car and reversed out of the driveway. Her destination was unknown but she was excited as she began her first day on the run…
Back in the house the fire was now breaking through into the attic. 
Part of the ceiling gave way with a crash and the roar of the flames startled Morelli from his unconsciousness. It took a moment for him to realise what was happening but he quickly realised the severity of his situation. Summoning every ounce of strength he had remaining Morelli crawled on his hands and knees across the hot unstable attic floor. 
Overcome with smoke inhalation and his gunshot wound Morelli fell over and with one last cough he closed his eyes. The last thing he thought of before losing consciousness again was of Malaudia. Poor sweet innocent Malaudia. How he’d never get the chance to see her released or tell her…..that he loved her…
Across town a tearful Heathen was visiting the grave of his husband Fred. The guilt of woohooing with Tammy Flo the other night had left him upset and confused and he felt he needed to tell his deceased partner his feelings. 
Heathen froze upon hearing the voice behind him. He instantly recognised that voice…but it couldn’t possibly be who he thought it was. He spun around to face who was standing behind him and instantly froze in shock.
It was too much for Heathen to comprehend as he stared at his former dead husband in front of him and he collapsed as he fainted. Luckily he was swooped up in the arms of the man before him. 
As ever I am grateful to all the CC creators whose poses, CAS assets and mods have helped make season 2 of Simasty more richly dramatic in its storytelling. In particular the poses made by Katverse – The Sims 4 Gaming and Home (weebly.com) are the ones I use the most. In terms of CAS assets, in no particular order, I credit S E N T A T E (tumblr.com) TSR – KaTPurpura (thesimsresource.com) TSR – belal1997 (thesimsresource.com) TSR – Darte77 (thesimsresource.com) My Stuff – Sims 4 Custom Content and more… (mystufforigin.com) as a few artists I have used throughout this episode.
simasty.com 