Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell
“Okay Ladies. I understand your request but I don’t have the power to turn Wednesday into Friday.”
“I told you, Twiggy.”
“I still don’t believe it.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again and last week we were there when Lazar made contact with his daughter, Carolyn. He is talking to her by phone and meanwhile the British Mi5 agents are about an hour away from her dorm. Carolyn has an idea that her dad may be in a lot of trouble. Let’s get back to her and Lazar as they continue their phone conversation.

 

“I don’t have much time, sweetheart. There are two men coming from London. They work for the government and will be taking you to a safe place.”

“What do you mean a safe place?”

“We need to make sure you are safe from anyone who wants to hurt you.”

“You mean like Cortez?”

“Well. Yes.”

“Daddy. I think you ought to think about what you are doing. I don’t want to leave the university and certainly don’t want to go into hiding because of what you have done.”

“I’m sorry, darling, but we have no choice now.”

“Okay, explain that statement.”

“The fact I am in custody places you. At risk.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Cortez knows I’ve been arrested. He will want to make sure I don’t say anything. He can’t get to me as long as I’m being held, so naturally, he will want to get to you to make sure I don’t talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“Sweetheart, please believe me when I say I know everything about Cortez’s business. I know enough to put him away for years.”

“That means you have been working with him?”

“Yes, Carolyn, I have.”

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Hold on, Carolyn. We need to give you instructions.”

“You don’t need to give me anything. Cortez traffics in drug and human slavery. You know that, I suppose.”

“Just the drugs, Carolyn. I swear.”

“Just the drugs, Daddy? Do you know how many young people have died as a result of Cortez’s drug business? When Jerry overdosed. Oh, wait. You remember Jerry, don’t you, dad? He was the one you thought wasn’t good enough for me. Well, he shoved a needle in his arm and never woke up. I suppose you were right. I didn’t expect him to do that and I was very hurt and disappointed in him. So I guess he wasn’t good enough for me. After he killed himself, I decided I would study the whole underworld of the drug trade. I ran across Cortez many times since his name kept rising from the filth. While studying this monster, it became clear to me that he was the scum of the Earth. And now, I find my own father was one of his associates. Well, dad, you can do your thing, but I need to do mine. This call is over. I really hope you are successful getting him behind bars, and maybe you two will be cell mates. I’m sorry to say this to you, father, but as of this minute, I’m an orphan. Good bye. I will always love you, but I hate what you’ve done.”

“Wait, Carolyn, don’t hang up. Carolyn?”

“I think she hung up.”

“What the hell do we do now?”

“We have no choice but to take her by force if she refuses to go with the agents on her own. I can’t have this operation jeopardized by your daughter being unreasonable.”

“I think you know if you are not successful in saving Carolyn. You can kiss the testimony goodbye.”

“Yeah, and we will also let this criminal continue to exist. Your daughter is not safe, no matter what you do. If we can’t get her, you both are at risk. Let me get to work on changing the scope of the mission. We will try to take your daughter, but no there are no guarantees.”

“I understand, Ms. Thomas. I pray you are successful.”

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

  3. That didn’t go the way Lazar wanted it to, did it? Hardly surprising, but if Carolyn is in danger, and I think it pretty clear that she is, at least potentially, then it may be necessary to take her against her will. Never forget the old saying, though: hell hath no fury like a woman’s corns!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes I’ve lived the corn saying in my past. I think it was a waltz or it could have been a foxtrot. Anyway this is now a mess. It would have been so easy had Carolyn not had principles. Thank you, Keith.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I don’t think anything would be harder for a daughter to accept than losing faith in her father. Wow, John. This story just took a very hard turn. I hope they can get her to safety.

    On the other hand, what about that Friday thing? Are you sure you can’t turn this into Friday?

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Well…it’s your fault. I’m eating a large Dove bar of dark chocolate, my remedy for all-things-scary or unsettling. I usually don’t resort to my addiction until late in the day, when I can rationalize that I’ve earned it. Yep. It’s your fault, so I’m absolved. Now, for your penance, you have to solve this mess so that Caroline is safe. BTW, I love the photo of the girls — and your script. ☺

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Gwen. I will take full responsibility for the Dove Bar consumption. Gad I would like one too. They are my favorites. To help Carolyn is going to take some doing. Maybe you should have another. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I totally understand Carolyn’s reaction, and it is justified. But I don’t think she took time to really digest the idea that she is in great danger. Hope they get to her in time! Great segment!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. You’ve got some good stuff here, John: “his name kept rising from the filth” and “as of this minute, I’m an orphan” are two of my favorites. And I just love how Twiggy believes her dad can do anything (even turn Wednesday into Friday!!)

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I like Carolyn. She may not be making the smartest decisions right now, but she’s feisty. The girls look like they’re expecting something from you, John.

    Like

  13. I’m not surprised by her reaction to the news, but I hope she reconsiders, if only to save herself. But what happens if she flees and they cant find her? Or if she leaves custody once they take her in? Or if Lazar backs out? Because he’s basically a walking dead man now as it is.

    So many questions Boss!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. So, Carolyn knows of Cortez since her BF died of an overdose. She certainly has reason to dump her dad. Let’s hope the kidnapping is successful so she doesn’t die, too. What a cliffhanger, John!

    Liked by 1 person

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