“Uh, Lucy?”
“Yes, Little One.”
“You have my bone?”
“Just watching it, Little Potato.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were witness to a visit by Spenser Taggett, Assistant District Attorney for Reno. I think we all thought the conversation went pretty well but were left with the feeling that Taggett had a little more up his sleeve than he was letting on. He did tell Larry not to leave the area and to check in with an address in South Lake Tahoe and once a day after that. Doesn’t sound like someone who is convinced Larry is innocent. We also found out he is going to get the doctor’s report on the gunshot wound. Still more doubt, methinks. Well, I see Larry has been discharged from the hospital, and he and Andrew are in the car heading for South Lake Tahoe. We need to find out what they are thinking. See you in the backseat of the Prius.
“So, what do you think of Mr. Taggett, Larry?”
“He is so typical.”
“Meaning?”
“I gave him a couple of good suggestions which he will not follow up on. I think he is looking to make some news for himself.”
“News?”
“Gee Andrew did something happen to your brain. These one-word conversations have me concerned.”
“Okay, smart ass. I just want to hear what you’re thinking.”
“That’s better. I’m thinking he is going to try to make a big deal out of this. After all, I’m sure the newspapers were all over that SUV scene.”
“Not to mention the TV coverage.”
“I don’t think you explain away that kind of incident. I think he needs to talk about an investigation and getting to the bottom of the situation.”
“I feel there may be a ‘person of interest,’ mention as well. Don’t you think you ought to call the chief?”
“Yeah. Good idea. I’ll do it now while we are driving. Will give me a reason to say we got disconnected if he starts yelling too much.”
“You think he will be pissed?”
“To the nines. Hold on it’s ringing. Hey, chief. Yeah, it’s me. We haven’t talked in a while, so I thought I would check in. Yes, our flight was on time. Uh, chief we’ve run into a problem. Yeah, Andrew and I were driving to South Lake Tahoe when a couple of goons decided to take us out. No, we are okay, but I had to kill them. Yeah, you heard me right. They were hell-bent on killing us, so I had to take them out. That’s right, the ADA has already interviewed me. I told him it was self-defense. The good thing is I picked up a shoulder wound. Chief hold on. There is no reason to be upset. No, I haven’t been charged. Just told not to leave—Yes sir. No sir. I’ll wait for his call. No, I won’t. Right now we are heading for South Lake Tahoe. Yes, sir, I will. Goodbye chief. And chief. Thanks. Yes, sir.”
“Sounded like that went well. What did he say?”
“Before or after calling us some unrepeatable names?”
“After.”
“He is worried. He ordered us not to talk to the press as if we would. He said to lay low, and he is getting in touch with the city attorney. He told me to wait for his call before talking to the ADA again.”
“I could tell you were relieved.”
“Yeah. The chief is a son of a bitch, but I’m glad he is our son of a bitch.”
“So, what are we going to do in South Lake Tahoe?”
“Not lay low that’s for sure. We need to make this trip worthwhile and find out if Janice and Ned were in contact with each other before Rafferty was killed.”
“And ignore that someone wants us dead.”
“In a word, Andrew. Yes.”
“Not wanting to sound like the Greek chorus in a classic tragedy, but I don’t like the sound of this at all.”
“I don’t think you are alone in that sentiment, Andrew.”
Fiction Favorites 
We are okay here but I have to kill them… love it. Almost have to steal it ha ha
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You may steal it. 😁
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😂😂🕺 well, it will be in the book #2 “Absurd”, & I’ll mention you as an inspiration lol the story begins with this phrase:
“We are okay. There’s just one problem – I have to kill them now,” said Mrs. HeartMeltingBreasts to her boss Mr. ToxicFingers
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Ha ha ha. I love it. I am working on an Absurd 1 review.
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😉👋💙 haha yes it will be fun read…
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Guess sightseeing doesn’t count as progress.
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Maybe after all the shooting is done. 😀
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Oh gosh, I love the Lake Tahoe area and treasure fond memories of family gatherings. I’m hoping the bad guys are in Reno or anywhere other than this beautiful pristine area. BTW, Twiggy’s expression is priceless. 🙂
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I love that area as well. Unfortunately, it looks like they are somewhere around there. Thanks, Gwen.
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Not wise to ignore that someone wants you dead. Aw…Twiggy!
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I agree on not ignoring. Thanks, Jill.
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“ Uh, chief we’ve run into a problem” I should say so!
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Larry doesn’t seem to understand the enormity of the issue. Thanks, Steve.
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Isn’t this the area where the Ponderosa was supposed to be? Well, that doesn’t mean anything to the story when someone wants you dead!!
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Yeah, too bad we can’t fit the Cartwrights into the story. Or maybe we can. 😊
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I’m with Andrew. Laying low might not be the worst thing, at least until you have a chance to get another gun.
“Yeah. The chief is a son of a bitch, but I’m glad he is our son of a bitch.”
I love that! I also love the way Twiggy is hunkered down behind that pillow.
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Thanks, Dan. Twiggy loves to do the pillow hunker. 😊
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Didn’t the Corleones have a vacation home up there?
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Hahaha. I think you are right. 😁
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I’m glad the chief’s behind them. I have a feeling there is plenty of trouble to come!
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You mat be clairvoyant. 😁 Thank you, Mae.
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Andrew may not like his strategy, but Larry’s right. They’ve got to strike while the sidearms are still hot.
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Thanks, Marc. I agree. (also, can you imagine my readers sitting around while Larry and Andrew lay low? Can you say Tar and Feather the writer?)
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Ain’t happening, Captain oh Captain. You know how to navigate a story into the dangerous waters as if you’re cooing a baby to sleep.
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I’m with Andrew – not liking the sound of this.
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Yeah, Me either. Thanks, Teri.
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Andrew is far from alone in his thoughts, John. Interesting segment. Eager to read what happens next!
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Thank you, Debbie.
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Thank goodness the Chief is in their corner! He sounds like a man that can get things tended to. Can’t wait to see what these two find in South Lake Tahoe!
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I think he is, Jan. Thanks.
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Ooooh… John you’re a master at keeping the tension high. Although this backseat is getting crowded. LOL.
Hugs on the wing!
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Thanks for the glimpse into a WIP. I love the smart-ass comments back and forth with your characters.
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Thank you, Maryann. 😀
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The line in which Andrew references the Greek chorus stood out for me. It added depth to his character; as if he feels he’s at the mercy of the Fates.
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Thank you, Rob. I had hoped that line would convey the feeling.
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It did. And it did it well.
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😊
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This is classic John Howell killer episode writing! Killer as in nailing it.
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Thank you, Jennie. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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With Andrew’s misgivings about not being able to “lay low” in South Lake Tahoe, methinks someone representing the goons may show up. Hmmmm? Good job, John.
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It could happen , Jay. Fingers crossed for a good outcome.
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I think the Corleones did have a home up there and some goons shot the heck out of part of it. That beautiful place could get a bad reputation. Twiggy seems to have made her own little cubby. 🙂 — Suzanne
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She has, Suzanne. Thank for the info. 😀
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Lay low but in fact be busy…
Coz you’re right, any time they are not doing anything, stuff is being done that may not be in their best interest!
Excellent!
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So right, Dale. There is stuff afoot.
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Glad their chief has their back and they are going to keep investigating:)
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Yes, a very good idea.
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Andrew’s definitely not alone.
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For sure. 😁
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