Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

~ John W. Howell

 

“Whatcha doing Little One.”
“Keeping an eye out for Friday.”
“Two days wait, Little Potato.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Larry and Andrew made the decision to go to California to see if they can place Ned and Janice together at anytime prior or after Rafferty’s death. (I hope all that make sense to you.). They have to fly into Reno airport and then drive to South Lake Tahoe. Let’s join the pair as they head out of the Reno airport toward South Lake Tahoe.

 

“So, I’m looking at the mapping app on my phone, and we have an hour and fifteen minutes.”

“That on turn by turn Andrew?”

“Yup. Oh, look. We go through Carson City.”

“What the big deal about Carson City.”

“Aw, Larry. You have been left out of history. Gold rush, lawlessness, gambling, houses of ill repute.”

“Not my every day hobbies, Andrew.”

“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to pull a lever or two on the way.”

“We are going to hit 580 through Carson City which will take us around. Besides, there is plenty of opportunity in South Lake Tahoe to do any of these items you mentioned.”

“I suppose you are right.”

“I think the faster we start nosing around, the faster we can get some answers.”

“Don’t forget we also have a Sandusky case to solve.”

“Don’t remind me. I’m in one case at time mode right now.”

“Funny how the Sandusky thing leads us into the Rafferty thing.”

“I still think if we solve Rafferty, we will be onto a solution to Sandusky.”

“Hey, Larry. You notice that black SUV behind us.”

“Yeah what about it?”

“It left the airport the same time we did.”

“There are a lot of people going to South Lake Tahoe. Might be a tour.”

“I only see two guys in the front seat.”

“Okay. Let’s see if they follow us onto 580. Here is the on-ramp.”

“Yup they are behind the two cars behind us.”

“I would quit turning around, Andrew. If it is suspicious, they will know you made them. It is better knowing we are followed that to tip them off. If we are being followed, they would just have another car fill in.”

“You’re the boss.”

“I’ll keep tabs on them in the mirrors. Looks like they dropped back a couple of cars.”

“I like that idea. I’ve seen too many SUV bumps smaller car off the highway movies. Why did you get a Prius again?”

“To save money and reduce our carbon footprint.”

“Right now, I would rather have a Hummer at six miles to the gallon.”

“Andrew. You have to stop worrying. If and that’s a big if, these guys are following us, they’re not going to do anything with all these cars around. Oh, oh.”

“What do you mean by oh, oh?”

“They just moved up. In fact, it looks like they are going to come alongside us.”

“We don’t want that do we?”

“No, I don’t think so. I want you to brace yourself. I may have to make a quick stop. I hope the guy behind us is awake today.”

“Whattya mean a quick stop.”

“Well, one way to avoid those guys is to slam on the breaks when they get alongside. They go by we pull off the road.”

“Pull off? Where?”

“See that access road over to our right?”

‘Yeah.”

“I’ll pull onto the shoulder then up and over the berm there and onto that road. Should be a piece of cake.”

“That is a pretty good drop to the access road.”

“Yeah trust me. We’ll slide down. Okay, get ready. Here they come. Oh shit.”

“Shit?”

“They have weapons. They are getting ready to fire. Hold on Andrew.”

“I can see them now. Man are they ugly looking.’

“Get down.”

“Oh my God, Larry.”

“Hang on.”

“Get down or hang on? I can’t do both.”

“Uh Damn.”

“What the hell, Larry. You’ve been hit.”

“Here we go.”

“Yaaaaaaaaaaaa.”

 

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

50 thoughts on “Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day”

  4. The mystery just became an action thriller and prompts another cup of coffee. An exciting development, John. Of course, I’m worried about the Prius going off-road and also wondering if Larry (or Andrew) is carrying. Darn, I have to wait another week to find out! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. What a place to leave your reading hanging! Guns, a car chase, flying bullets–this story just went from thoughtful investigative work to explosive. Good job, John!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. This is NOT the time to have a Prius! In case that wasn’t clear.

    Yikes, these guys wanted to get to the bottom of something, I guess they got their wish. It’s a good thing I was already buckled in. I hope these guys slide down the berm as planned, get the bullet out, get patched up and get the heck out of Dodge, as it were. Something tells me that’s not your plan, John. Great episode.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. It’s all fun and games until the mysterious black vehicle starts following you. And when said vehicle feels like jousting? In traffic? Yikes!
    Not the answers they were looking for . . .

    Liked by 1 person

  15. That was actioned packed! I wouldn’t want to be in a Prius in that situation either. Can’t wait to see how they fare next week.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Six miles per gallon in a Hummer sounds perfect for most of our highways, John! Surprised somebody even sells Prius anymore, what with all the semis on the roads.

    Liked by 1 person

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