“I’m telling you Little One. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah but he knows if we’ve been naughty or nice.”
“Still worried about chewing that light on the Christmas tree?”
“Mom put a gate around the whole thing.”
“Still it’s not an offense that Santa will hold against you. I’ve been tempted to snap one of those puppies myself. Besides, the gate will protect you.”
“Thanks, Lucy.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we found out Andre was trying to start a new life. So much for that since he was found dead in the Mercedes when the train got to France. We don’t know much more than that. I see Pricilla is just getting off her cell phone. Maybe she has more information.
“My contact tells me the French Police searched every car on the train. Whoever took Carolyn has disappeared.”
“What about the sleeping teen in the backseat?”
“Good question, Larry. Looks like he is gone too.”
“You think there is a connection?”
“It’s almost a certainty. So far, there are no signs of a struggle.”
“Yet Andre is dead. Any word on what killed him.”
“Um yeah. His throat was cut. Bled out in seconds.”
“So, the back seat comes into play.”
“I haven’t had a chance for a full briefing, but If I were a gambling person, I would say the kid in the back did the foul deed.”
“Where does this leave us—”
“Excuse me, detective, but I can tell you where it leaves me. My daughter has been taken, and she needs to be found.”
“Mr. Popović. We are doing everything we can.”
“Well, Ms. Thomas, this whole thing was botched from the beginning. You people have no idea what you’re dealing with. Cortez is behind this, and you are powerless.”
“I wouldn’t say that so soon, Mr. Popović?”
“Tell you what. If I could talk to Cortez, maybe this whole thing would go away.”
“Sad thing is, sir. We may think that might happen. The truth is Cortez is a cold-blooded killer and has your daughter. Mr. Stannis, could you ask your client to stand down, please. We are doing all we can.”
“I think that is good advice, Lazar. In fact, It’s time for me to go. I’m going to leave you in the care of these people. Do not say or do anything. Am I clear?”
“Yes, you are clear. Sorry for the outburst, but I’m really concerned.”
“Let me just say to both you, Mr. Stennis, and your client. If Mr. Popović would agree to testify right now, we could go and get Cortez.”
“I would, Ms. Thomas, but I know Cortez. If he has Carolyn, he’ll want to make a deal with me. If he is in jail, any deal would be off the table, and one of his cronies would harm my daughter. The only thing I have that will keep her safe is my word to Cortez that I’ll not say anything. Until Carolyn is safe, I have to be quiet.”
“Yeah, I can see that. Let’s hope the French authorities can track her down. Now that gives me an idea. I wonder if she still has her cell phone.”
“Why?”
“All she has to do is turn it on, and there is a possibility that she can be located. I need to make another call.”
“I hope she does, Ms. Thomas.”
“Yeah, Me too.”
Fiction Favorites 
Can’t be the kid in the back – too obvious.
Unless, of course, he and Carolyn are in cahoots and, in terms of the judicious (or not) use of violence, we have another case of windfall apples remaining close to the tree…
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I like your take. Merry Christmas, Keith
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It’s all diversionary, John, whilst I decide whether to kill off Tarquin. Happy Christmas 🎄 to you both, too.
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Please don’t kill off Tarquin.
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👹👹👹
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👿
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I’ll be surprised if the phone works. So many shows and movies mention teaching them that everyone knows.
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Unless Carolyn is in cahoots with whoever did in Andre it might be her only option.
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That wouldn’t surprise me.
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Just one little ping…that’s all we need. Let’s hope for a Christmas miracle. Poor little Twiggy. Tell her I’ll put in a good word to Santa.
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Thak you, Jill. I knew you would help. 😁
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I love the photo of the girls, John, but the dialogue is precious! As for the story, I think Carolyn knows karate and is leading the charge. 😄 Well, I can hope, after all, it’s Christmas! Hope you have a merry one. ✨🎄✨
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Thank you, Gwen. Hope springs eternal. Merry Christmas to you.
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As with any good thriller, I have no idea where the story is going. I’m just along for the ride! If it’s any consolation to Twiggy, my daughter has barricaded the Christmas tree from her two naughty pups.
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I’ll tell her that Liz. I’m sure it will cheer her up. Sometimes I have no idea where the story is going but this time I do. (No, I’m not going to tell.)
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As I wait to find out what happens, I’ll keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue (or so they say).
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She loved it. Liz.
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I’m glad to hear it, John!
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I’m going to have to noodle in this for a while. I don’t think it’s a good idea to arrest Cortez yet, but I’m not the expert behind the wheel. You’re taking us on a merry ride, John, as you always do.
Good that you can fence off the tree. I hope it stands proud for a few more days. Tell Twiggy that she’s on the nice list (along with Lucy).
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Thank you, Dan. I knew you would understand. I told Twiggy and she is happy about your opinion.
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Tell Twiggy not to worry – I’m sure she’s on the good list despite one small indiscretion.
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Thank you, Teri.
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At least you don’t have male dogs. Been down that Christmas tree path before.
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Oh no. 😱
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What a horrible thought that the teen in the backseat killed Andre. Wow! Well, here’s hoping there is a resolution in the offing. Love the conversation between Lucy and Twiggy. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, Jan. Merry Christmas to you.
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Poor Twiggy… I’ve always been lucky. Zeke never got into the tree and neither did Chakotay (who was a female version almost identical to Zeke).
As for the story… Well now… a ping off a phone would be too easy and you don’t do easy. Who slit Andre’s throat? Might be too obvious to be the kid in the back but then, why not? Sometimes it is that easy!
Merry Christmas to you and all of yours! xoxo
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Thank you, Dale. Xoxoxoxo
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xoxoxo
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XOXOXO
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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and the ladies!
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Thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well.
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Lucy & Twiggy look like two young Christmas criminals, dear John! 😁😁😁 The Fence is a good thing protecting everybody from unexpected situations.That’s amazing, but Christmas is on Friday! It must be a good sign, mustn’t it?🎄🎄🎄🧨🎉🎁
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It is a good sign for sure. Thank you, Maria.
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🎄😁😊
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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Thank you, Billy Ray. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours as well.
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Aw, a ray of hope with the cell phone. I’m beginning to wonder about the daughter.
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Yeah, seems a little out of whack.
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A ray of hope… but I know you too well, Twist Master. 😉 Thanks for another suspenseful episode, John. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Teagan. 😁
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Of course, she is going to have to be clever with that phone, seeing as how Cortez or his goons will know to search her for one.
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Yeah, I’m not sure we can count on the phone.
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I guess so. WTF
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I had to delete the last comment. Thanks, Pilgrim. It should have said I don’t believe we can count on the phone
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With faces as cute as those two, Santa would never hold any chewing against you. Merry Christmas to you all.
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Thank you, Monika.
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Good to have a Christmassy cliff hanger in the story. Very jolly. I wondered how they avoided getting covered in blood if Andre bleed out so fast. It would have been like a vampires shower room in that car. Even the French might notice that on someone’s clothes. Hmm… good one. The phone must be caught by our recently agreed red herring quotas so I doubt that’s the solution. Ponderful, John. Merry Christmas etc John and co.
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I love the red herring reference. The blood is a problem for those guys for sure. Thanks, Geoff.
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Did the teen slit Andre’s throat? Will Carolyn turn on her phone? So many questions! Well done, John. I do hope Twiggy’s Santa worries were put to rest on Christmas morning.
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Thanks, Jennie. Yes Santa was good to her. Several new stuffed toys that will provide at least a couple of minutes of fun. 😁
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😀
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