As I have said before, a cover-up/conspiracy of hundreds cannot and never will remain a secret. Your position is that in addition to all the active participants, many others would need to know Fuddy was alive in order for this incredibly elaborate scheme to be effective. That many people simply cannot keep a secret. Someone would leak. It’s human nature.
Also, while Fuddy may have enjoyed the choir, it was her family that she loved. Are you positing regular visits with them? The complexities, before long, become simply incongruous.
Hundreds of Hawaiian didn’t need to know, so wouldn’t. Same on the military side. Locals generally know how to keep it zipped. I don’t see very many people who would’ve needed to know anything that might look like an overall picture. Some were just told what to do, or what not to bother doing, without imagining any grand conspiracy. The TV news probably awakened a grander potential problem than even most of those involved could have imagined.
A little extra in the pay envelope, assurance from Mr. Bossman that they’ll be considered favorably in the promotion list with a wink and a smile, and they were probably good-to-go. If they mess up, they’ll be in deep do-do, ostracized without friends or ohana anywhere—or worse.
Those that “needed” to know Fuddy was alive are incredibly few and far between, but they’re in very loft places, too. Their fealty has been strengthened, I trust.
I think you’re putting words into my keyboard I didn’t type and representing thoughts I don’t share to any large degree.
Frankly, I don’t think those are real family. They just had their payday and are happy to be on their own without further contact. When they turn 68, they’ll be frittering away the small remainder by pulling the lever in Vegas as they superstitiously look for another big payday.