“Tell me it’s Friday.”
“It’s Wednesday.”
“Tell me something else.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were stunned to witness Cortez’s office call and make an appointment for a visit by none other than Cortez. It is close to three so let’s get over to Larry’s office. This should be interesting.
“Yes hello. He’s here? Okay give me one minute and then send him in.”
“So, what are you going to do, Larry?”
“I guess I’m going to hear what Cortez has to say.”
“I can’t believe he is coming to you. Reminds me of the mountain coming to Mohammed saying.”
“Yeah, kinda gives me the creeps. Let’s just play it cool and hear him out. Wait I hear the officer in the hall.”
“Sir, Mr. Cortez to see you.”
“Thank you, officer. My, what a pleasure Mr. Cortez. Please come in.”
“Thank you, detective. May I sit here.”
“Of course. You remember my associate Andrew Cummings.”
“Good to see you again, Mr. Cummings.”
“You can call me Andrew. Nice seeing you as well.”
“Well then call me Joachim.”
“I’m Larry, Joachim. Would you like a water or coffee?”
“No thank you, Larry. I’m good.”
“So, Andrew and I have been wondering what brings you down here to see us.”
“I think the last time we met, I was a little rude. I simply want to apologize. I was having a bad day, and I think I took it out on you.”
“Please don’t give it a second thought. I know we all have had days where things just seem to go wrong.”
“Thank you for your understanding. I do want to clear up the point about the equipment working when my company received it.”
“That would be great, Joachim.”
“When we got the equipment from Louis, I had my engineer check it over. He told me he didn’t believe it would work.”
“Did he test it.”
“Not at the time. We did put it into a controlled test, and sure enough, it didn’t work. That’s why I refused to pay Louis.”
“Very understandable. May I ask if your engineer did any kind of report?”
“Yes, he did. Here is a copy.”
“Thank you. This is very helpful.”
“I have a question for you, Larry.”
“Go ahead by all means.”
“Why are you so interested in Sandusky’s death?”
“That is a good question. We have reason to believe his death was a murder.”
“And you suspect that I had something to do with it.”
“Well, we have no proof.”
“Let me assure you, detective. I had absolutely nothing to do with the death of Sandusky. As far as I was told he took his own life.”
“That is what was meant to be the message, Joachim. We suspect otherwise.”
“Let’s leave it at this. If I can be of assistance just let me know.”
“There is one thing that might help.”
“Name it.”
“Can we speak to the engineer?”
“I wish you could. Unfortunately, he was killed in a skiing accident last February.”
“Oh. I’m sorry for your loss. That is unfortunate. Is there anyone else who might understand the equipment?”
“I’ll have to think about that, detective. Now if you will excuse me. I have some other appointments in the downtown area.”
“Thank you again for your help. We’ll be in touch should we need more.”
“Anytime, detective. Nice meeting you Andrew.”
“My pleasure, Joachim.”
“The officer will escort you out. Good talking with you.”
“Thank you, detective. Good day to you both.”
“Don’t say anything Andrew he could still be close.”
Fiction Favorites 
Cortez is being too polite and formal. I don’t trust him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Complete change of personality. I don’t trust him either. Thanks, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent final warning. ‘Skiing accident’, huh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well…That’s what he said. 🙄
LikeLike
The entire conversation is suspect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL 😀
LikeLike
I feel like Twiggy this morning. I’m so not trusting Cortez.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t rust him for sure. Thanks, Jill 😁
LikeLike
Seems like everyone who knows anything is dying…;) nice! 🕺😬 I don’t trust the dude Cortez, but not sure he is the killer…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t trust him either. Thanks, Victoria Ray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trust no one especially Zuckerberg (when you are in his room drinking beer) 😉😬😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The joke is on him. It’s his beer. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
John,
I mean, skiing accidents happen. Sometimes a person plows into a tree, sure. But sometimes, the tree plows into them.
Cortez is fishing for something. He ain’t ‘it’ I don’t believe, but he knows plenty about ‘it’. And the idea that Sandusky took his own life? Yeah, the same way a skiing accident might happen. Yikes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gets worser and worser. Thank you, Marc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Worser and worserer 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
and even worser. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scary bidness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. 💣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh… da bomb!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Foretelling I’m sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ruh-Roh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Roscoe. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s hope the boys stay off “the slopes”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think avoiding new concrete might be good too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Yeah, that would be a very good thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Yeah, Marc. Just stand in this tub for a while.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
What could go wrong? . . .
LikeLike
If that engineer was in the Star Trek Enterprise, he would have been an ensign and wearing a red shirt. I know I’m not meant to trust Joachim but I wouldn’t anyway. I hope there’s something in that report that helps.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Don’t trust anyone. (I think I have given this advice in the past ) That included me as well, Thanks, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
No offense, John, but I trust you least of all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No offense taken. I know that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems like a nice enough guy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah. Funny how people who know him come up dead though. Thanks, Craig
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the photo of Twiggy. She captures my sentiments about the day. I don’t trust Cortez, he knows something he’s not sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or he is sharing something he’s not knowing. Thank you, Gwen.
LikeLike
This post was worth it for the puppy alone, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Hook
LikeLike
Methinks that went far too smoothly. And it’s interesting that the engineer just happened to die in a skiing accident.Time (and the manipulative author pulling strings) will tell what Cortez is up to. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha. Thank you, Mae. I loved the manipulative author descriptor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heeheee. Cant wait to see what hoops you have your readers jumping through next 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like those detectives would be fooled by this smooth operator… no. He just screams guilt – whether by his hand or one of his cronies, remains to be seen…
Skiing accident. Uh huh. Right. How so very convenient to Cortez and inconvenient to our boys… they best keep on their toes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll pass that advice on to them, Dale. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! You do that 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, this Cortez is as slick as oil, isn’t he? No way should our detectives trust him! You’re spinning a nice twisty tale, John — keep it going!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debbie. 🥨
LikeLike
People are sure dying around this machine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go figure, Right? Thanks, Denise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, the engineer is also dead. People like Cortez are experts as covering their tracks! Another great episode, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks that way. Our super sluth Larry will follow those tracks. 🐾 “Hey Larry. Those are dog tracks.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Engineer killed in a skiing accident. How convenient.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting. I don’t trust him one bit. Skiing accident? Case in point. Great chapter, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very wise, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John. 🙂
LikeLike
Hmmm…. an intriguing turn of events, John. You’re so good at raising questions. Any plans to become the host of Jeopardy? I’ll take “Who done it?” for $200.
Back to the hmmm… Is Cortez fishing? Has Gloria taken a seminar on possession during her vacation, and is using him as her rental car?
Or has Mickie slipped something into his tea, hoping for… erm… “tea”?
Or maybe Cortez really isn’t bad, he’s just “drawn that way” (like Jessica Rabbit).
John, I’ll take “Behind the 8 Ball” for $600…
Happy weekend hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy weekend, Teagan. You made me laugh with the Jeopardy game. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I seem to have missed this one. I also am suspicious because of his different behavior. More information is needed. —- Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure.
LikeLike