“Twiggy? You ready for Wednesday?
“Ask me on Friday.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we witnessed Larry going off on a security manager at the Heavenly Ski Resort. The manager did not take kindly to his rudeness and told him to take a walk. If he needed more information, it would require a warrant. Larry and Andrew are not local investigators so an order probably won’t happen. Let’s join them at the California bar where Andrew took Larry to cool off.
“So, what do we do now, Larry?”
“Let’s get a drink, and then think about this for a moment.”
“Yes, gentlemen, can I help you?”
“You can. I think I’ll have whatever IPA you have on draft. How about you, Andrew?”
“I have a taste for a nice Bourbon. Do you have Willet Reserve?”
“We do sir. How would you like that?”
“Just neat is fine for me.”
“Very good sir. As far as the draft is concerned, we have a couple. There’s Hoppadillo which has a wonderful hop infusion, and there is Slam Your Face which carries a 10 percent load of Alcohol.”
“I’ll take the Hoppadillo. Not sure I can handle the other.”
“Yes, gentlemen. Coming right up.”
“Thank you. So, Andrew. We need to get information, and we don’t have a portfolio to force it.”
“And we have a hot head from Boston who gets us tossed out of the places we need to be in.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I do have an idea, though.”
“Love to hear it. Oh, here are the drinks.”
“Here, you are, gentlemen. If you would like to order food, I brought the menu.”
“Thank you so much. We have a drink and then see from there.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep an eye on you. Give me a wave if you need anything.”
“Thanks. So Andrew here’s to Rafferty.”
“Hear, hear.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen. Did you just say, Rafferty?”
“We did miss er..”
“Name’s Christine. Christine Bonner.”
“Pleased to meet you, Christine. My name is Larry, and this is Andrew. Does the name Rafferty mean anything to you?”
“Yeah, he used to come in here all the time. That was before his, …uh…accident. You friends of his?”
“Well, no. We are Police officers from Boston.”
“What does Rafferty have to do with Boston?”
“It sounds like you knew him pretty well.”
“You know, before I say more, I would like to know why you two are asking. I was very fond of Alexis and don’t want to denigrate his memory.”
“Oh no, we wouldn’t do that. We are investigating a murder that happened in Boston, and his name came up as someone who might know something.”
“He worked for one of the biggest cartel bosses. You know that, right?”
“Yes, we know that.”
“So, you don’t think his death was an accident?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I don’t think you would be here if you thought it was an accident. Look I’m not comfortable talking in this place. I would like to help find those who killed Alexis and see justice done, but I have to protect myself. You boys don’t know how vicious that Cortez can be.”
“We have an idea. Is there a place we can talk?”
“Yes. I have a place in South Lake Tahoe. 21 Rancho Circle. It’s near the Bijou Community Park.”
“I think we can find it.”
“I get off at six. Why don’t you meet me there at about seven? That will give me time to get some dinner.”
“We would be happy to buy you dinner.”
“You don’t get it. I can’t be seen with you. In fact, pick up that menu and pretend to be asking me something. We have been talking way too long.”
“Okay. So is the fish sandwich good?”
“Yes, it is excellent.”
“We’ll take two with fries and see you tonight.”
“Excellent choice, sir. This will be right up. Do not tell anyone about our meeting.”
“You can count on us.”
“Larry?”
“What Andrew?”
“Would rather have had the hot pastrami.”
“It’s not about the fish, Andrew.”
Fiction Favorites 
Andrew has good taste in bourbon 😉
Now it seems like we’re getting somewhere, John. You can count on me to like the part where the female bartender comes to the rescue. I hope nothing happens to her (but I’ll cinch my seat belt tighter next week, just in case.
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Not sure what happens to her. You know the big boys are going to find out about her loose lips.
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Sigh, I know. At least her name isn’t Cheryl 😏
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Yes. I did think about it though.
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😏
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Stumbling onto a clue is sometimes all you need to advance. I’m with Twiggy.
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Hahaha
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There’s hope that the bartender can help them. I suspect more intrigue and danger awaits.
BTW, the photo of Twiggy is beyond precious. 🙂
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Thanks, Gwen. She wore herself out yesterday with the workmen being here.
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Great closing line, John! I think Twiggy might be dreaming about that hot pastrami. 🙂
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I think so too, Jill. 😀
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What a stroke of luck! Fingers crossed that they learn something. And, they certainly ordered a great bourbon! 🙂
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They need some luck right about now. Thanks, Jennie.
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They definitely do! Looking forward to their dinner, although I have an uncomfortable feeling.
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Yeah. It will be interesting, Jennie.
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🙂
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Nice, John. As long as you keep luring me in with those adorable photos of Twiggy, I’ll keep reading your stories.
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Thank you, Mary. I’ll do it.
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Boss,
Firstly . . . Twiggy. Her Wednesday Siesta is so friggin huggable!
Secondly, the banter with these two is priceless. I read this like a weekly TV episode and I can visualize them going back and forth thanks to you’re crafting it that way.
As for Christine, I hope she makes it to that seven o’clock appointment with the boys. I really hope she makes it.
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Yeah. She is taking a big risk.
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And we know what usually happens to those peeps in your stories . . .
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Hmmm. Yes, we do.🔪
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A hot new lead! I’m waiting to see how this one pans out.
And loved the last two lines to close this section out with a grin. Well done, John!
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Thank you, Mae. I always want a smile to remain.
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It’s always about the fish John
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Appears that it is.
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“It’s not about the fish.” Hm, makes me wonder what it *is* about. I’ll just have to stay tuned until next Wednesday — with segments like this one, John, you’re not making that easy!
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Yes, Stay tuned.
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John, I should have known you were up to something, letting Larry lose his temper. Nicely done.
But poor Andrew, not getting the lunch he wanted. LOL. I can’t wait for next time. Hugs!
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Thank you, Teagan.
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I love that last exchange.
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Thank you, Craig.
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Oh good they got a meeting out of that!
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Even when sleeping, Twiggy’s face is adorable.
Alrighty then. This weekly reada-novella is totally enjoyable. Let’s hope this is not another trap but a real lead…
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Yes, let’s hope. Thanks, Dale.
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Finally, a break! These two deserve a good turn. Great episode, John!
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Thank you, Jan
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Andrew has excellent taste in bourbon.
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Ha haha. he looked in my bar once. That’s my brand. Thanks, Teri.
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Now I’m craving fish ‘n chips.
Thanks, John…
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Me too. Thanks for the reminder.
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I LOVE the last two lines, John. Andrew wouldn’t be Andrew if he weren’t a bit of a literalist for Larry to play his dryness off. Christine entered at just the right time to stir up the plot a bit, didn’t she? Sterling, my friend.
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Thank you, Jay. Poor Andrew gets run over at times. Christine did arrive in time.
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