It is Wednesday Story Time again. Last week we saw Lucas on his knees begging for another chance since it was clear the Widow Murphy was going to fire him for calling her old. I think most of us were a little surprised by his quick personality change. As my grandmother used to say, “A leopard does not change his spots unless there is wetness.” Let’s go and check up on Lucas and see how he is doing.
“Hey, Lucas.”
“Oh Hi sheriff.”
“Don’t let me bother you. Is the Widow ta home?”
“Yes, sir. She is right inside.”
“My goodness son you are pretty high on that ladder.”
“Aw, I’m used to it, sir. Heights don’t bother me.”
“Well, you mind that sun ya hear. With no shirt, you could get quite a burn.”
“Yes, sir. I have sunscreen on. I think I’m good.”
“You know best my boy. I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. I’ll be here.”
“Ha ha ha. That’s pretty funny.”
“Mrs. Murphy you in the house?”
“Why yes, Seth come on in.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Sure is a hot one today.”
“it is sheriff.”
“That boy Lucas should have a shirt on. He’s going to get sunstroke.”
“I know, sheriff. I told him the same thing. What brings you by?”
“Nothin’ much ma’am. Just wanted to check on you. Seems you were gone for a while.”
“Oh pshaw, sheriff. Went to the store and beauty parlor is all.”
“I know ma’am, but I just got concerned since you’re usually at home what with that new boy working on your house and all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well he’s from out-of-town, and you never know.”
‘“You run his ID?”
“Yup. Came back clean.”
“So there you are. There is nothing to worry about.”
“Well, except his parents were killed under some strange circumstances.”
“Strange circumstances?”
“Yes. Murdered in their sleep.”
“Oh, my.”
Fiction Favorites 
Uh, oh. That does sound odd. The widow better keep her doors locked at night. I hope she has an alarm system. Good whale picture. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne. Locks? Moooohahahah.
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I do hope you’re not suggesting…
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What?
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He didn’t…
he didn’t…
kill his own mom and pop, did he?
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I don’t know. We’ll have to see.
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At least they died in their sleep. It’s peaceful no matter what, right?
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Unless the killer woke them up, tied them to the bed and did them in one at a time. Oops, may have been a spoiler there. (no wonder I don’t work for the CIA)
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But then they were awake. Killed in bed, yes. Killed in their sleep, no. Semantics are a murderers friend. That and sharp objects, unlocked windows, shoddy justice system, and ski-masks. 😜
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So you have to ask yourself, “Does this sheriff know what he’s talking about?”
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I would hope so, but doubt it.
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I’m not sure being murdered in your bed would be terribly peaceful, but the plot is thickening nicely, John! Great job!
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Might be just a small step above being murdered in the garage but I hope never to find out. Thanks, John. 😀
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It won’t happen when I get down there to take care of you in your dotage! I’ll bring Cinderella with me… nobody messes with Cinderella!
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I can imagine.
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…and he doesn’t mind heights – Hmmm. Of course, I have no idea what that means and it’s likely to be a diversion, planted here by that evil John Howell. Trying to suck me into the story…and working.
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Ha ha ha. Maybe it was a big hint. But maybe not. Thanks, Dan.
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We can establish one thing…Lucas is good at lying, but on the other hand, so is Widow Murphy. Heck, all of ’em seem to share that common thread. The seed of doubt is planted again. Hmmmm, Did Lucas kill his parents? We shall simply have to wait to find out. 🙂
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Yes we will. Don’t forget the missing sister. 🙂
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You are a master at building suspense and writing a twist ending. Can’t wait for the next installment.
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Thank you, Staci. 🙂
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There’s that shirt again! Maybe Lucas will get sun poisoning and have to end his shirtless days. 🙂
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That would be a funny situation. Thanks, Gwen. 😀
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I don’t trust any of them at this point. This place looks like a good candidate for one of those old school military tests.
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Yo mean the one where they drop a fat boy from 29,000 feet to see what happens?
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A perfect suggestion. Speaking of Fat Boy, I’ll send you something on the down low.
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Got it. What a hoot!
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Small towns, murders and gossip, oh my!
I have a feeling more secrets lie in wait (like serpents?) around the bend.
Good one, John!
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I love the idea of secrets being like serpents. Thanks, Mae.
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🙂
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I knew there was a good reason not to trust Lucas.
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Just cause he might kill people you mean?
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“Murdered in their sleep.” … I have a bad feeling that I *should* be worried that I’m laughing at that!
Have a wonderful Wednesday, John. Mega hugs!
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I laughed too so that makes us even.
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I suppose being murdered in your bed is better than out on the street. People on their iPhones would just step on you. Nice, John!
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Ha ha ha. Good one , Jill
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Yikes! Hard to hire good handymen these days, right?!
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It is. They always seems to have something going on.
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