Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

Hump Day

“So Lucy what day is it?”
“Can’t you tell by my demeanor?”
“Wednesday, right?”
“Right.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Andrew and Larry discovered two phone calls made from Ned’s cell to Janice. The calls were brief but did prove they contacted each other at the time of Rafferty’s death. Of course, evidence of a conspiracy to commit murder will take more than two brief phone calls. Larry believes the two met and probably out of town. So he and Andrew are going to start with the airlines to see if any bookings have been made. Let’s get back to Larry’s office to check on the status.

 

“Here is your latte. Find anything?”

“Oh, man. There have to be thousands of reservations.”

“You centered on the few days before Rafferty’s murder?”

“I am. The problem is Boston has about 16,000 flights leaving every month. Some domestic and some foreign. So far no hits on Ned or Janice.”

“Could they be using false names?”

“Yeah, of course. That only makes the job tougher.”

“How about phone numbers? Don’t you have to give your phone number when you make a reservation?”

“Most airlines require it.”

“Search by phone number then.”

“This could take a while. The ticket database is huge and slow as hell.”

“Give it a try.”

“Done.”

“What’s it doing?”

“That annoying pinwheel.”

“Well, it is processing. Did you put in a date range as another filter?”

“Yup. We need to be patient.”

“Not your finest virtue.”

“Yeah, I know. Where’d you get this Latte?”

“Around the corner. “

“Sammy’s place?”

“Yes.”

“I should have known. Sammy’s is a sandwich shop, not a coffee house.”

“What? It’s no good.”

“No, it is good.”

“What’s the beef?”

“Just thought you would work harder for the latte is all. Hold on the search is finished.”

“What’s it say?”

“No matches to your search.”

“Crap.”

“We have to think a little bit about this.”

“How about a private plane?”

“Yeah, we can check to see if Ned has one or at least can lease one. I’m thinking about a little lower tech.”

“Lower tech? what do you mean.”

“Like around South Lake Tahoe. Maybe canvass some of the hotels.”

“So you think they went to South Lake Tahoe? You think the chief can help?”

“I’m not sure but trying to find a match in all this data is almost impossible. I think we leave the chief out of this. He has a Barney Fife vibe.”

“So do a search on the private plane front first. Then  if nothing it looks like a road trip.”

“What do you mean? All we have to do is call the hotels.”

“And broadcast to everyone in South Lake Tahoe that we are trying to get information of Ned and Janice.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“I think they had help in this and we ought to keep it on the down low.”

“Man, Andrew you are sounding paranoid.”

“Oh yeah. I have lived this long for a reason. Let me mention one name to you.”

“Okay shoot.”

“Cortez.

”Okay, I get it. Let me do the search then if nothing we’ll get some flights to South Lake Tahoe.”

“Reno.”

“Huh?”

“Gotta fly into Reno.”

“Okay then. Reno.”

 

60 comments

  1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    They really can’t catch a break here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So true. Charles.

      Like

  2. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    “Your mind is working at its best when you’re being paranoid. You explore every avenue and possibility of your situation at high speed with total clarity.” – Banksy

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Excellent quote, Keith.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Victoria Ray NB's avatar

    I know what makes these guys (dialogues) so crazy 😜- blame #latte 🕺🕺😬

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is the lattes for sure Victoria Ray. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Victoria Ray NB's avatar

        👋😂 we r on the same page.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. The Hook's avatar

    This would make a great old-time radio serial, John.
    Just sayin’…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That would be fun for sure, Hook.

      Like

  5. Dan Antion's avatar

    Sounds like it might pay to be paranoid on this one. I was hoping they would find an easy path to the answer, but looks like next stop Reno…why Reno? I know, please wait.

    I think Lucy has the best idea. I should crawl back into bed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Reno is near South Lake Tahoe. (I think Andrew would like to get in a few hands of blackjack as well.)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dan Antion's avatar

        OK. I don’t know that geography very well. Let’s hope he’s luckier at blackjack than he’s been on this case so far.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          That is a good hope, Dan.Let’s keep that thought.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Will this case ever get cracked? Oh my gosh! That is my favorite picture ever, John. So cute!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you , Jill. As far as the case is concerned? Who knows for sure? 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

        The question is….do you know? 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Um……What was the question?

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

          Who knows for sure? LOL! 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          The shadow knows.

          Liked by 1 person

  7. GP's avatar

    I like the Hook’s idea to put this as a serial on radio!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That would be fun for sure. Thanks, GP

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Sorryless's avatar

    Boss,

    This is the fully dimensional needle in a haystack. So it’s probably a good thing to be a little paranoid about things, seeing as how it will add some much needed adrenaline. And something tells me these two are going to need it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes. Just getting to the rent a car stand will be tough. Thanks, Marc.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        Of course it will. As if it is gonna get any easier from here. I’m onto you, Boss. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Yesterday was the only easy day

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Sorryless's avatar

          Uh huh. 😉

          Liked by 1 person

  9. Mae Clair's avatar

    They’re digging even deeper. Sooner or later they have to hit pay dirt.

    BTW, I LOVED “the annoying pinwheel thing!” 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha haha. I hate that little torture device.

      Like

  10. Website: http://brchitwood.com - B R Chitwood - My Mission: Writing to Discover Me's avatar

    Clue! Does Larry and Andrew know that Hymie Pfartzengiggle was on one of those flights out of Boston? Just saying! Just trying to be helpful! Just trying to help get this case wrapped up and put to bed! I know some good FBI rogues who can help! Just let me know! ♥

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They saw his name. Yes. The whole thing about a serial is it never wraps up. Wait was that my outloud voice? Ignore me.,

      Like

  11. TanGental's avatar

    Dead ends are just soooo annoying

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know right?

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    A road trip with these two would be quite an adventure! Reno here they come! Another great segment. We are inching forward to finding out something!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Maybe we are inching to find out something or maybe the boys just want to blow off steam.

      Liked by 1 person

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

    If you have to go investigate Tahoe is a nice place to do so! I laughed at the Barney Fife comment, that was a great show.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was. Thank you, Denise.

      Like

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

    I’m in love with your pups! The photo is so precious and certainly captures how I’m feeling right now. I’m anxiously awaiting some breakthrough in the case. Each segment gets us closer and yet so far away. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know it is like an itch you can’t scratch. Thanks, Gwen.

      Like

  15. Debbie's avatar

    Twiggy looks like she’s guarding Lucy — so precious! As for these “detectives,” if I were them, I’d be watching my back. Again, one word: Cortez!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah, Cortez.

      Like

  16. jaysquires's avatar

    Next, it’ll be Uber. Or Yellow Cab. With Cortez as the driver.

    Jay
    http://bondingfyre.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That is a possibility for sure.

      Like

  17. Robert Matthew Goldstein's avatar

    This is some snappy dialogue, John. The pace is great.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Rob.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Geez, maybe they’ll wind up stuck on Donner Summit. “Table for two, right this way.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Some fava beans and a nice Chianti to go with that.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. coldhandboyack's avatar

        Sounds delightful.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Dale's avatar

    Well now. If it was too easy-peasy, you’d lose us all.
    That said… this goes to show that on TV it’s just way too easy 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Dale. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Jennie's avatar

    I feel like something’s gonna happen!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Me too. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  21. patriciaruthsusan's avatar

    This will take a while. It sounds like reality. Good episode, John. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Like

  22. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    LOL, I think maybe Andrew has a hankering to visit a casino. Maybe they should take the fortune teller with them to keep him out of trouble. Or worse trouble. John, I have a suspicion you’re getting ready to roll the dice. Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thnk the fortune teller could pick numbers for craps? That would be great. Thanks, Teagan

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

        Haha! I didn’t think of that. They might need her to afford the trip back home.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Ha ha ha. True

          Liked by 1 person

  23. Teri Polen's avatar

    One step forward and two back – so frustrating for them!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      And for us as well. Thanks, Teri.

      Liked by 1 person