Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we saw Sheriff Gibson try to Bogart Lucas into confessing a crime. Good thing Lucas had a lawyer tell him to keep his mouth shut. No telling what beans he would have spilled. I see the Private detective is in lawyer McDonnell’s office. I think we may get some information that might help clear up this mess. I know if there are facts in this case Dan Antion will be more than pleased. Let’s get over there and pick up the conversation.

“So you went up to Kenosha?”

“Yeah, I sure did. Man, that is some out-of-the-way place.”

“Find anything interesting up there?”

“I did find a great steakhouse, but I’m sure that’s not what you want to hear about.”

“Quite correct. Start from the beginning. When did you go there?”

“After you and I talked, I did the usual background scan on the Severides, Gibson, and the Wilson woman. Nothing much came up. The Severides were an ordinary couple. He retired from the Kenosha police force. His daughter Trish went to college and got busted for controlled substance possession. Did some time in a treatment center as her sentence. She came out and went to work. She held a job at the hotel on the front desk. Seems like she went straight cause there was nothing else in the file.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. The Weston woman was married to Gibson. They split on the irreconcilable differences excuse.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, as you know, most of the time it is usually a matter of infidelity or too much fighting. I really couldn’t tell by the court documents. They split everything fifty-fifty, so there was no accusation of fault.”

“Did you find anything out in Kenosha?”

“Oh, you bet. Wait one second though. There’s more on the Weston woman. She also had a stint in rehab. Officially it was to kick pain pills, but I suspect it was more serious than that.”

“How serious?”

“Big-time cocaine serious. It looks like she had an affair with a Harriet Murphy and then somehow went off the deep end. It was food for gossip for weeks.  She was found unconscious in the public park. No charges were filed, but the officer’s report was clear on the fact that charges should have been filed.”

“This sounds like the sheriff got in the middle.”

“No doubt about it. The record indicated that there was not enough evidence to charge her even though the arresting officer indicated there was over an ounce of cocaine on her person.”
“If the report said that, how did Gibson squash an arrest?”
“Yeah, I should have been clearer. The report said nothing. I talked to the arresting officer, and with a little help from my friend Jack Black, he spilled the beans. He called me the next day to beg for my discretion. I told him his secret is safe with me.”

“That is obstruction of justice.”

“Yeah, to you. To me, it is an ex-hubby trying to keep his wife out of trouble. Now the big question is why would he go to that trouble to bail out his ex-wife who maybe cheated on him?”

“You have an answer?”

“You have any coffee? This could be a long story.”

39 comments

  1. davidprosser's avatar

    Now this is worth waiting for.
    Hugs

    Like

  2. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    The plot sickens thickens. I’m trying to keep up, honest I am, but my head hurts. I’m going to go and lay down somewhere quiet.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      With a cold compress and glass of wine.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    All the dirty secrets are coming out, I see.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Just a few today. More later.

      Like

  4. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen Plano · ·

    I’m ready for the “long story” and I’m getting another cup of coffee. Have a great day, John. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Gwen. Sounds like a good thing to do.

      Like

  5. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Grabbing my coffee now! Happy Wednesday, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Wishing you a super day, Jill.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. patriciaruthsusan's avatar

    Wouldn’t you know people in a small town would tell all? Maybe I’ll drink some coffee while waiting. Good cliffhanger, John. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Thank you, Suzanne

      Like

  7. Dan Antion's avatar

    Ooooooh, the plot thickens in just the right way. I may have to get up early next Wednesday. Great episode, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Dan. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  8. John Fioravanti's avatar
    John Fioravanti · ·

    How did I know you’d leave us hanging again, John? Nice twist!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You may have seen the rope over by the tree.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. John Fioravanti's avatar
        John Fioravanti · ·

        Lol!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Teri Polen's avatar

    I know I’m ready to hear this story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      More to come. Bring coffee.

      Like

      1. Teri Polen's avatar

        Hate coffee, but I’ll bring my Diet Coke.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Okay. Caffeine be caffeine.:-D

          Like

  10. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    Oooh. This was just the lunchtime treat I needed, John. It’s been a long hard climb up this mid-week hump! o_O
    Hmmm… interesting what the PI’s report did *not* say about the Severide clan. I can’t wait to hear his “long story.” Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      He is just getting warmed up. 🙂

      Like

  11. Debbie's avatar

    Nice installment today, John! Looking forward to hearing more of this one. So many many places you can go with it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That is what I like.

      Like

  12. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Great segment today, John. I’m glad some answers are coming out, but the plot is thickening like pudding. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      As Craig Boyack says, “Plot clot.”

      Like

  13. Andrew Joyce's avatar

    Alright already … I’m hooked.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Jennie's avatar

    Yes, why would he? I will stay tuned!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L Finn, Author · ·

    More fun plot twists:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, DL. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  16. circadianreflections's avatar

    Putting the kettle on so I can settle in and get the juicy story too! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Excellent. Grab a scone too.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Mae Clair's avatar

    I’m catching up after getting back from vacation. The best part is I can hop over to this week’s entry and get the remainder of the scoop.
    Er, I hope….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah you can. Sort of.

      Liked by 1 person