Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

 

Lucy and Twiggy

“No Twiggy it is Wednesday.”
“Lucy where are we?”
“Beats me Kiddo. Beats me.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we arrived at Mrs. Rafferty’s house to find a lawyer by the name of Sanders waiting to greet them. I think we better get over there to find out why she lawyered up and what she has to say.

 

“Mrs. Rafferty this is Detective Dunfee and Mr. Cummings from the Boston police. Gentlemen, Mrs. Rafferty.”

“Oh, Sanders you are so formal today. My name is Janice, and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. ¾er Janice. My name is Larry, and this is Andrew. It is nice to meet you as well.”

“Please have a seat and let me ask if you would like anything to drink?”

“We are fine. Thank you so much.”

“If you change your mind just let me know.”

“We will. The reason we wanted to talk to you is—”

“Excuse me, detective. Before you begin, I think a couple of ground rules are necessary.”

“Of course, Sanders. By the way, is that your first or last name?”

“Evon is my first name.”

“Ah Evon, why am I not surprised.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing counselor. I just didn’t think with the last name of Sanders your first would be common.”

“Thank my parents, Detective. Now as I was saying a few rules.”

“Happy to comply, Even.”

“That’s Evon. Ah, I see you’re making a joke.”

“Sorry. A habit of mine. Please continue.”

“Okay, the first is Mrs. Rafferty has agreed to talk to you, but anything you discuss is off the record.”

“We are not here to accuse Mrs.—um Janice of anything. We just want to inquire about his behavior before he died.”

“Even so. Off the record. Yes or no.”

“Fine. Yes.”

“Thank you. The second. Anytime I feel you are violating rule one the conversation will be over. Clear?”

“I don’t think we will have a problem with these rules. Anything else?”

“Mrs. Rafferty only has an hour. At the end of that time, I will call the meeting.”

“Very good counselor.  May I begin?”

“Certainly.”

“Um, Janice. I would like to know how much alcohol your husband normally consumed when he was, let’s say, being social?”

“My husband was not a big drinker. In fact, he frowned up those who got out of hand with alcohol.”

“Can you explain the fact that he registered over 2.0 percent blood alcohol level that night?”

“No, I can’t. I wasn’t there but can tell you, there is no way Alexis would consume alcohol and ski.”

“How do you know this?”

“He often mentioned how much he couldn’t stand those on the slopes who were drunk. He said they were a danger to themselves and others.”

“So, you believe he didn’t get carried away with a party or something.”

“He was there for a meeting. I doubt seriously that he would be out getting drunk.”

“Who was he meeting with?”

“Hold on Detective. Mrs. Rafferty may not even know.”

“I do know Evon. He was meeting with his boss Cortez.”

 

 

 

 

53 comments

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

    Ah, another puzzle piece. The tension builds and the theories mount. Love it! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes. We need to keep the tension on. Thanks, Gwen.

      Like

  2. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    Cortez was his boss? Is this new information or had I just forgotten it?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yup. Cortez brought in a paper signed by Rafferty that said the machine developed by Sandusky didn’t work.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

        Thanks, John. I shall try harder.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Sorryless's avatar

    His boss?!

    Something tells me employees of Mr. Cortez lose more than just their Christmas bonuses when reviews are not up to par . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I like the way you put that, Marc. LOL

      Liked by 1 person

  4. GP's avatar

    Coming along, piece by piece, but I’m not very good at guessing the answers. lol

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah, I would just relax and go along for the ride. Oh, and buckle up.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. GP's avatar

        Will do!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Lucy looks like she’s not believing anyone!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Dan Antion's avatar

    Off the record with Evon and Janice – how nice. Why am I not surprised that the engineer was meeting, I mean drinking, I mean skiing, I mean…with Cortez before he died. I feel like knots are getting tighter all around this pair, and I don’t see a good way out.

    I hope Lucy and Twiggy are adjusting to the new digs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Lucy and Twiggy are their old selves. They were a little freaked out at first.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    *suspenseful cliffhanger music*. Great entry.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Charles.

      Like

  8. Billy Ray and Julie Anne Chitwood's avatar

    The ‘white beauties’ look confused! Take it you’re all in place in Austin-Lakeway? ♥

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Dale's avatar

    Whoa! His boss!! Waitaminute now…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah remember when Cortez brought in the report with Rafferty’s signature? Rafferty worked for Cortez.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        Yep! Now that you mention it…

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Dale's avatar

          🙄☺

          Liked by 1 person

  10. Mae Clair's avatar

    The background music just swelled on queue with that last line.
    WOW!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Dum dym dum. Thanks, Mae.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Debbie's avatar

    Ah, Cortez again. The plot thickens, much like fog over Port A. (you remember that, don’t you, John?!) Hope everybody is acclimating to the new environment — the girls still look puzzled!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Looks like all is going well.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Teri Polen's avatar

    Of course it was Cortez! Lucy doesn’t look very pleased.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She was not at the time. Thanks, Teri.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. The Hook's avatar

    And the plot thickens more than my homemade clam chowder…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Love to have some of that for sure.

      Like

  14. coldhandboyack's avatar

    That went somewhere fast. The pups look confused.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I the they are okay now. That was yesterday.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. coldhandboyack's avatar

        They adapt pretty fast.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          They do (Thank heavens)

          Liked by 1 person

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

    Not healthy to work for Cortez:)

    Hope you are all settling in your new place.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We are Denise, Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  16. TanGental's avatar

    Oh why stop you tease…

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Ah, the finger points to Cortez yet again! Good segment, John!

    Like

  18. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    You really firmed up these two characters, John. I could imagine those two in a Columbo episode. I hope I don’t get too far behind with this story.
    If can manage to get my sorry self on the road, I won’t have Internet until March 18.
    Congrats again on the new home. Great big hug to you and Molly and the pups.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think not having the internet until March 18th might be a blessing. 😀 Hugs

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

        Ha! I guess it would be if I could start unpacking. The movers won’t be bringing my stuff until April. I miss my piano.
        (An old friend [and her husband] lives in the next town. She said I have a lot of cleaning work ahead of me. Although the house is otherwise in great shape. So I guess I’ll have plenty to do until the boxes arrive.)

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          We are sleeping on an air mattress and have no furnature. (All was sold with the house) so I can identify with your situation.

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

        Ha! Exactly. I’ve been sitting in the floor for nearly 3 weeks. Somehow that’s not as comfortable as it was 20 years ago.
        The air mattress is actually pretty good, but I goofed up and got a twin… It’s a lot smaller than a real twin…
        Take care of yourself, John. Hugs.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Our mattress and boxspring arrived today. This is going to be good.

          Liked by 1 person

  19. Jennie's avatar

    Oooh…the plot thickens! How did Cortez force him to ski drunk? And what did he know? And… I’m lovin’ this, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      All good questions, Jennie. Time will tell for answers.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        I’ll be there!

        Liked by 1 person