“It is only Wednesday but drink up little one. Friday will be here soon.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we realized that Evon and Janice were fearful of the fact that Cortez might extract retribution if Janice talked too much about, he and his company. We also learned that contrary to the signed engineering analysis, the machine Cortez bought from Sandusky worked perfectly. I think Larry has a few more questions so let’s get back to the Rafferty’s to see if we can learn more.
“I understand your fear, Evon. Let me assure you Andrew, and I are not in any way connected with Cortez.”
“I’m sorry detective I just can’t take the chance.”
“Okay, then. Let me ask another question.”
“If it doesn’t involve accusing Cortez of anything illegal go ahead.”
“Janice.”
“Yes, detective?”
“Would you say your husband was an honest man?”
“Of course, Detective. To a fault.”
“How is it then that you have this lovely and I might add expensive home.”
“My husband earned a lot of money. He was an exceptional engineer. He had a number of clients and was working on a lot of projects.”
“I see. So, he was not an employee of Cortez?”
“In a manner of speaking, no. He was a contractor to Cortez. The relationship between he and Cortez was spelled out in a contract.”
“Do you have a copy of the contract?”
“I do, but let me ask Evon if that is something I can share?”
“I don’t think it is a problem, Janice. Let me read the contract first, and then I will be able to ascertain if there are any provisions that would prohibit its view by a third-party.”
“Excuse me, Evon.”
“Yes, detective?”
“Since Mr. Rafferty is no longer..uh…with us doesn’t that render the contract null and void?”
“Not necessarily, detective. There are survival clauses in most contracts that detail certain provisions should the contract no longer be valid for whatever reasons. Let me give you an answer about being able to see the contract after I have reviewed it.”
“Fair enough, counselor. I have another unrelated question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Janice. Did your husband leave a will?”
“Yes. Yes, he did.”
“A public document I’m sure.”
“Excuse me, Janice. It has been to probate if that is what you mean detective.”
“Well, I just want to know who is listed as the primary beneficiary?”
“If you are implying that Janice has anything to do with her husband’s death, I’m afraid we will need to terminate this interview.”
“I’m not implying anything, Evon. It is just a point of information.”
“I am the primary beneficiary.”
“Thank you, Janice.”
“Did your husband have insurance?”
“Detective I don’t like where these questions are going.”
“Relax Evon. I could look all this stuff up but am just trying to get my file up to date.”
“My husband had a substantial insurance policy, detective.”
“How large, Janice?”
“Five million dollars.”
“My that is substantial. Did you and your husband get along?”
“Okay detective that about wraps up our interview. We thank you for your time, and I hope you have the information for which you came.”
“Yes, this has been a very interesting visit. We thank you.”
“Let me show you out, detective.”
“One more thing, detective.”
“Yes, Mrs. Rafferty?”
“Cortez had a similar policy on my husband. It was a key resource policy, and he paid for it.”
“My goodness Mrs. Rafferty. Looks like a lot of folks had money on that horse.”
This way detective.”
“Thank you, Evon. Andrew and I can see ourselves out. It has been a pleasure.”
“I would love to be able to say the same detective.”
“I’m sure, Evon. Don’t forget the contract or will I need a court order?”
“We will be in touch, detective. Mind that door now.”
“Very funny, Evon. Very funny.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hmm, first the theories and now the intricate details. The devil is hiding somewhere. Great story, John.
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Thank you, Gwen. THe devil is indeed in the details. I wish Larry had been a little more subtle. We might have leanred more. Oh well, as they say. 😁
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Who didn’t have a life insurance policy on this guy?
I laughed out loud when Larry asked Janice if she got along with her husband. He HAD to ask that question though. A five million dollar policy is like a hanging fastball, and so what if he went for the low fruit?
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He is like that. Had he kept his mouth shut we might have learned more but That’s Larry. Thanks, Marc.
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Hmmm. I wonder if there wasn’t a method to his madness . . .
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Could be. Marc. We’ll see.
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Lawyers are always ending the fun early in these stories. 🥺
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Yeah. I think the follow-up by Larry and Andrew might be more rewarding. 😊
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Can’t wait. 😁
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😁
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Five mil! Yowza!
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Some premium on that policy I’ll bet. I love the expression “Yowza.” 😁
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Never a good idea to be worth more to your wife and criminal client dead than alive. Mission accomplished, John, I am thoroughly confused. I can’t see how the wife could be involved. Cortez is a given, but I still can’t figure out what he wanted the machine for. I think I need to check how much insurance my wife has on me.
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Yeah, go look at the policy, Dan. THe machine is the reoccuring item in this story. Obviously Cortez wanted it at a cheap price (Free). Gotta wonder if there is more to this story since Cortez could afford to ay anything for it. You also raise a good question as to why he wanted it. Man! Now I need to lay down for a while. 😳
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Sorry to be raiding the wrong issue, John but my head is spinning. Now I just need to find the key to that safe deposit box.
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😊
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Damned attorneys delay everything.
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I know right? They are good for cliff hangers though. 😀
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That question and answer session was beginning to heat up. I’m interested to see what happens next. A good installment, John. That’s a lovely lake near your house. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. That is the Colorado river which has widened into a substantial lake. 😀
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Okay. In the early 1960s, my parents and I drove from near Akron, Ohio to Dallas, then down south to San Antonio where my grandmother had spent a couple of winters in a boarding house in the late 1940s. It was a great trip. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Log jurney, Suzanne.
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I liked Evon’s parting shot about the door. 🙂
Wow, the web is getting pretty dense now. Lots of threads to unravel. Good stuff, John.
And I love your new blog header. What a view! The place looks gorgeous.
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Thank you, Mae. That is our view when we walk out of our cul-de-sac
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Lovely!
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😊
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Juicy episode, John. This is getting complex. And all those insurance policies? I’m lovin’ it!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks Jennie
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Seems like a few people benefited from this guy’s death. Hmmm.
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More like a lot benefitted. 😁
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A lot of intrigue in this story, John. Hmm…
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Yes there is and more to come.
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Yep, I would say it “looks like a lot of folks had money on that horse.” The plot thickens! Another great episode, John.
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Thank you, Jan. I’m gld you liked it.
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Now that’s one big insurance policy! This just adds to the suspects:)
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I thinmk many would kill for five mill/ OH a poem. My goodness.
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Yes you do have a poem going there:)
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😄
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‘Mind that door now.’ Indeed! Looks like our guys are being summarily dismissed, hardly wiser for the encounter. Keep ’em coming, John!
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Thanks, Debbie. More curve balls in the bucket.
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First off… Poor Twiggy has to go up onto her tippy-toes to drink!
Now… back to this ever-increasingly-interesting investigation (say that five times quickly!)
Now we get to add Janice to the pot… most devious, or is she?
Can’t wait for next week!
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I thought Janice was a little on the chilly side. Maybe that’s just me though. See the green bowl to the left of the raised bowls. She has that option but chooses to do the tippy toe routine. Go figure.
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Haha! Like my cats! Drink out of Zeke’s talk bowl instead of the one beside their food.
Yes she does seem most chilly. That lawyer doesn’t help either
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We may see more of these two.
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I should think…
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I think I’m lucky that my insurance policy’s only 100 grand, John…
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Maybe so, Hook. Of course that would buy a nice trip to a warm place.
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But I couldn’t enjoy it!
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No that is true.
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