It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were present when Frank Plano made a statement that there was a guy in Kenosha who would swear that Jason McDonnell was in the Severide house the night of the killing. A reader asked the appropriate question, “Who wasn’t at the Severide house the night they were killed?” Jason denied he was there. We did not believe him, and we don’t know if Frank found him truthful either. Let’s get back to Jason’s office and see if we can learn more.
“I’m telling you, Frank whoever said I was in that house is lying.”
“He seemed pretty sure, boss.”
“ Who is this guy anyway?”
“I think he is a very credible witness. Well except that he’s been supplying phony prescriptions to half the town.”
“I don’t get you. What do you mean phony prescriptions?”
“He’s the local pharmacist. He’s the guy that gave Sheriff Gibson the information that Trish was on drugs. Well, he gave an opinion that Lucas was getting drugs for his sister. He also told the Sheriff that he thought Trish was buried somewhere in Kenosha.”
“Well, that part is not true. Why is he saying I was at the Severide house?”
“That part is not clear. This guy has a hundred stories, and I think he is looking for fifteen minutes of fame.”
“He is treading on some pretty dangerous ground. Slander carries some pretty costly penalties.”
“I thought you should know what the guy is saying.”
“I appreciate that. Now, what are the next steps.”
“I think I should finish up my report and let you know who killed the Severides.”
“Good idea. Can you give me a hint?”
“It is a little more complex than that. Let me say, My case against this individual might be difficult to prove so I think I may want to set a little trap and maybe get a confession or at the very least some incriminating statement on tape.”
“This sounds dangerous. How you going to do it.”
“I’ll need your help.”
“How so.”
“You know those old Agatha Christie books and movies where everyone has gathered in a room and the inspector nails the guilty party?”
“Yeah. We going to do that?”
“Not exactly. I do intend to meet with this person and hopefully get the information I need. Otherwise, it will be my word against theirs.”
“So tell me. Who did it.”
“I need you to be patient. I don’t want any slip-ups. If you know you may inadvertently let the person know.”
“I know this person?”
“I didn’t say that. Trust me, boss. I need to set it up.”
“Okay, Frank. I must say you are acting very strange, but I’ll go with it. Let me know what I have to do.”
“Thanks, Boss. You won’t be sorry.”
Fiction Favorites 
It was a squirrel with a tail-mounted shotgun and ear-mounted knives. 😛
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Sounds feasible. Who sent the squirrel?
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It’s a freelance anarchist.
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Ha haha.
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“I need you to be patient.”
OK, John, but I’m going to need physical therapy when we get to the end of this story. I hope your next story is about a calm day at the beach, so I can recover.
The pharmacist? I had forgotten about that guy. Just what we needed, another suspect! If this was an episode of the old Hawaii Five-O, we’d be somewhere between “Seal this rock” and “Danno, get your rifle.”
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Ha ha ha. I love your comments, Dan
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If the pharmacist says Lucas was getting drugs for his sister but he wasn’t, then who was he getting them for? Or was he getting them at all? Maybe the pharmacist was the guilty party because the Severides refused to supply him with any more. I don’t know, maybe it was me after all, my memory is very fuzzy of late.
Hugs
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I think you are as sharp as a tack, David.
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So now we throw the pharmacist into the mix. Maybe he was the go-between for the Severides and the big drug cartel?? I don’t know, John. My head is swimming with all the possibilities. 🙂
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They (the possibilities) are all there for sure. Big finish called for.
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For the sake of everything you hold dear, tell him already!
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Ha haha. Thanks, Keith. 😀
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Cool. Looking forward to the twist.
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Hope I don’t disappoint.
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Never
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Sorry for that last comment, John. I’m spending a relaxing week camping near Rocamadour (look it up) and we’ve just come back from a mammoth walk down to the old town and back! The campsite is at 1200 feet elevation and the old town, just over half a mile away, is at 360 feet! Now, living where we do, we a used to hills, but come on!
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Since I live at 5 feet, 1200 would give me a nosebleed. Nice to relax a while. Good for you.
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I vote for getting everyone in the room…I need to keep them straight somehow.🤔
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Might be fun. How about a nice cocktail party.
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I’m in!
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😀
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“I need you to be patient.”
ACK! The natives are getting restless and the background music is building toward a crescendo.
I can’t wait to see what kind of trap Frank sets.
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Reminds me of the song, “Hey Mr. Custer.” Thanks, Mae.
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😀
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Things are warming up here, John. Can’t wait to find out who is the guilty party!
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Me too, John. Thanks. 😀
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The evidence is mounting and you’ve provided us with another cliffhanger. All that hanging is making my hands and arms tired, John. 😀 — Suzanne
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I know. Like it has been said a year ago, “It won’t be long now.” 😀
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I’d love to get everyone in one room and let Frank go for it – would be an interesting free-for-all.
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I think the vote is going in this direction. I threw up a trial balloon not wanting a cliche.
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I like Teri’s idea of a free-for-all. Could be a nail-biter! I have to ask, does the writer even know where this story is headed? 😀 I think the characters are having fun at our expense.
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The writer has an idea. I love the audience participation part though. Thanks, Gwen.
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Hmmm… I really am starting to think the parents did it. 😉 Once again the gravy thickens. A delightful lunch break with you as always, John. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs!
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You as well, Teagan. Thank you. Hugs
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I would love to see Miss Marple host a tea and explanation:) I am looking forward to what Frank sets up!
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Me too. I love how the readers have decided the path here.
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🙂
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🙂
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Is more ‘Howellism’ at work? Or? Are we nearing some spell-binding climax? I’m voting for the Cocktail Party you and Jill are putting together – as long as I’m invited! Good stuff, John! ♥
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You are always invited. Billy Ray.
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Thatsanice! Appreciate it, JWH (presuming you’re tired of, ‘Good John’!). Good post! Good story! ♥♥♥
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😀
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The pharmacist? That was so long ago I’d nearly forgotten. And how is Lucas doing? I think we need a real Agatha’s Christie finale, or at a least a Columbo one. Dan cracks me up! Patience, huh?
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I think we are headed in that direction. Thanks, Jennie.
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Yes!! I will be GLUED. Best to you, John.
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I will have no less than ten character’s dialog to keep straight. Who whee.
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1-800-HELP.
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Ha haha
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🙂
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Drat, I still have no clue whodunit!! Nice way to spin a yarn, my friend!
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You are not supposed to have a clue so we both are doing our job.
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Frank’s cloak and dagger act is making me suspect everyone. So . . with that being the case, do you mind if I ask where YOU were on the night of the Severides murders, John?
Nothing personal, strictly business . . .
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Er um no one has asked me that before. I want my lawyer.
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That’s fine, John. You get in touch with your lawyer a while. And uh . . I guess it goes without saying that you shouldn’t leave town?
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Ha ha ha. Thanks. I’ll be here.
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You sure? Because you talk about finding the perfect Cuban cigar an awful lot . . .
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I’m not sure you can beat a Monte Christo.
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I’m not sure you would bother trying . . . 🙂
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Maybe if you wanted to spend more. Why?
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I think once you arrive at the corner of Monte and Cristo . . you’re good.
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🙂
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