“Is it still Wednesday, Dad?”
“Yup.”
“Lucy said it was Friday.”
“She was pulling your leg.”
“No, she said it. I think she was pulling my anticipation.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we watched as the options for grabbing Carolyn went out the window. It appears that the only option is to wait for Cortez’s team to contact someone. Pricilla believes it will be Lazar’s lawyer. Nothing is certain at this point. IN fact, we don’t even know if and when they will call. As a precaution, Stennis, the lawyer, will hang around for a while to see if a call will come in. I see everyone is hanging around the interrogation room waiting for a call. I guess we should go there and wait with them.
“This is driving me nuts.”
“I know Mr. Popović. I don’t think there is much else we can do. Hold on, I have a call coming in. I don’t recognize this number. Well, there is nothing to lose by answering. Yes, this is Thomas. Hello. Yeah okay. Speaker, it is. You are on speakerphone.”
“I’m only going to say this once, so listen up. We have Carolyn Popović. She will come to no harm if you release Lazar to us. If you don’t see this plan’s wisdom, you can inform Mr. Popović that he will need to do another plan. That will be for the memorial service.”
“Who are you?”
“Please, Ms. Thomas. Don’t make yourself look stupid in front of all those in the room. Also, do not interrupt me again. We will be communicating through you. You can expect a call within two hours, giving you precise instructions. Oh, please triangulate the location of this phone. By the time you figure out where this call is coming from, we will be long gone. Don’t try to call this number since it won’t exist in twenty seconds. That is all.”
“Wait. How is Carolyn? Hello? Hello. Damn, he’s gone.”
“Oh my god. They have my little girl. I don’t care. What happens to me. Do as they say. Let them have me. We have to save Carolyn.”
“Please settle down, Mr. Popović. The government has a standing policy against meeting the kidnapper’s demands. We need to get a plan together. Unfortunately, you will not be too useful. Lieutenant.”
“Yes.”
“Please take Mr. Popović back to the holding cell. Mr. Stennis, you are free to go.”
“Wait, Ms. Thomas.”
“What?”
“I can help, I’m sure. There must be a place where they have taken her that I know about. After all, there are Cortez’s men, and I used to work for him. Please let me stay and help.”
“My better judgment says no, but there is something in what you just said that makes sense.”
“Okay, you can stay. Larry and Andrew. I don’t see that this is something you need to be concerned with so you can beg off.”
“if you don’t mind, Andrew and I would like to stay and help.”
“We can use the help. Okay, you are signed on as well. Lieutenant, how about you?”
“At your service.”
“Mr. Stennis, you are excused.”
“Thank you, but I too wish to help.”
“All the same, I think we have a working group, and your client will be in good hands.”
“Very well. If that is your desire.”
“It is.”
“Okay, Lazar. Remember what I said about saying anything.”
“I remember. All I want to do is get my daughter away from those animals.”
“Alright, then. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye. Lieutenant, would you please escort Mr. Stennis to the front door.”
“My pleasure. Follow me, sir.”
“Everyone, hold on until the lieutenant returns.”
“What’s the problem ?”
“Just wait.”
“Okay, Ms. Thomas, Stennis is out the front door.”
“Riddle me this all of you. How did Cortez’s group know my number?”
“Is it unlisted?”
“Yes, of course. Also, how did they know there were other folks in the room?”
“Now that you ask, it is an excellent question. We have a mole.”
“Exactly, Larry.”
Fiction Favorites 
But what if Carolyn is working with Lazar? What if this drama is part of a scheme to get her father released so they can both escape? There just has to be a happy ending, doesn’t there? Well done, John. 😊
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There does have to be an ending. Not sure it will be the one you outlined. I do like yours though. Thank you. 😁
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Damn. Things didn’t improve for them in 2021? Guess the magic of New Year’s Eve failed them.
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They are not holding their mouth’s right for sure. Thanks, Charles.
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I’m with Gwen…lots of “what ifs” to ponder. Nice, John.
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Of course Gwen’s scenario makes Carolyn a felon and accessory to murder. Not sure she is up for that. Thanks, Jill. 😁
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It’s hard to find less to like about a lawyer, but… I was wondering how the caller knew so much, so fast. I always love it when an author answers the question brewing in my mind. Nice job, John.
Now, I think we can go directly to Friday. Twiggy deserves a break.
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Yes the poor dear. Of course she has to give us a story for Thursday first. Thanks, Dan.
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You work those pups pretty hard, John 😉
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I know. The poor things. SPCA has me on the watch list.
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A subterranean insectivore gets the blame. I’m sure moles everywhere are gathering for a protest.
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Ha ha, good one!
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I think you tipped them off. They are in the front yard with protest signs. A little tear gas ought to clear them out. Thanks, Craig.
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Protect your feet.
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😊
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I had a mole in France – upwards of fifty new mounds every week. I tried these exploding things, but one went off as I was putting it into the hole and I couldn’t hear anything for about an hour. Ultrasonic devices attracted rather than repelling. Glad it’s somebody else’s problem now.
Meanwhile, I agree with Gwen, although I have a feeling Carolyn’s motives may not be what you’d expect – obviously not you personally, since you’re writing this, but you know what I mean, don’t you?
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I used to have gopher problems at the coast. I hired an expert wo did get rid of them. Sadly they went out feet first. I know what you mean about Carolyns motives. The only constraining factor is I don’t think she is a murderer. Leaves me with very few chips to back my hand. Thanks, Keith.
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Even the nicest people can be radicalised.
Gosh – did I say that out loud?
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I let him crisscross the yard and the final straw is when I stepped in a burrow and fell on my face. Radical yes.💣
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Oh, no, not a mole!!
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Yes a mole.
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Gwen brought up some interesting questions. I didn’t see this one coming.
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Carolyn a murderer? I don’t think so. Thanks, Teri.
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Oh! That does make us stop to ask questions… He left quite willingly, though… Hmmm.
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Yes he did so maybe he’s not the one.
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I dunno about that… But I’m sure you’ve got it all planned out 😉
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The panster’s nightmare. A plan. Eeek.
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Oh. What was I thinking? My bad. I apologize!! 😉
From one panster to another!
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😁
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New Year – old problems: Wednesday-Friday! The Twiggy Resort keeps its conservative spirit. 😁
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We don’t change much here, Maria. 😂
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Conservatism is such a rare quality in the modern hi-tech world. Please, keep it up! 😄
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Thank you, Maria. 😁
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Oh crap!! Of course, there is a mole. But who? The saga continues! But Gwen’s scenario makes total sense. It could happen. 🙂 I love what Twiggy said about pulling her anticipation. 🙂
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Gwen’s could happen if Carolyn could abide murder. I’m betting she’s not that kind. Thanks, Jan
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True. I don’t see her as a murderer either.
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Yeah, no.
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Ooh, a mole!! How exciting — now we can try to guess who it might be, or we can wait on tenterhooks while this thing plays out. Or both!
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Yeah, I think the tenderhook idea is great.
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That’s what I was afraid of. Hope they figure this out soon. And hope the daughter isn’t helping.
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Unless she is good with murder I don’t think she is helping.
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As if this case wasn’t behind the proverbial eight ball as it is, now this.
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Yup. Hard to see over that big thing.
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LOL
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Just a nagging notion…Hymie is everywhere and involved with so much…just, saying!
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I think he might be a suspect.
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Oh, Swell!
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Hahahaha
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A mole! Oh, no!!
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Could be a vole too.
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🙂
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