Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell
“Watch that ice, Lucy.”
“Even though Mama made us a path it sure is slick”
“Wednesday is sure cold.”
“Yeah, Friday is supposed to be warmer.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, well, all packed up and went to Pricilla Thomas’s office. We heard from a tech running some analysis on Stennis’s phone (Damn, is everyone’s name ending with an s in this story?) The tech promised to come right back, but as we know, techs seem to have attention issues like a bag of gummy worms from the canteen. Oh, wait. I must apologize to all techs here he comes now. Let’s get back to Pricilla’s office.

 

“It is good to see you return so quickly, Agent Moore.”

“Yes, Agent Thomas. I came as quickly as I had any results. Would you like a gummy worm?”

“No, thank you. What did you find out?”

“As I said, I did several—. “

“We can skip the background, Agent Thomas. Cut to the chase.”

“Yes, ma—, I mean yes, Agent Thomas. Here are three numbers that are associated with names that don’t exist.”

“What do you mean don’t exist?”

“I mean, the names led me to three separate burial plots in the Reno cemetery.”

“This tells us what?”

“The phone numbers in question were taken out with phony names.”

“Okay, let me be the dumb one. Who would need to get a phone number with a phony name? Why not just buy a burner phone.”

“I think I can add some detail to that.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“I believe whoever wanted to use these numbers wanted the person calling to think they were actually dealing with someone with an identity.”

“For what reason?”

“Well, I can think of one.”

“I will take one of those worms, hoping you’ll get to the point.”

“Sure, here you go. Let’s say you and I were doing some kind of deal. Let’s also say the deal wasn’t exactly legal.”

“Okay,”

“Let’s say to gain trust, you give someone a name and tell them to check you out.”

“I get it. So you make some inquiries, and the person appears to be who they say they are. Wait a minute. You were able to track these names back to the cemetery.”

“I was. The average person would be able to do that, too, but it would take a heck of a lot of resources. Most people don’t have access to the kinds of data I have.”

“Okay, so the person checks out and finds his contact is a real person. Why three.”

“I figure the other two are references. All three of these people were highly respected but relatively unknown. They did their jobs and left very little in the way of public information. In fact, when they died, very little was said. It would almost appear that they were still alive.”

“What did they do?”

“They were undertakers.”

“Undertakers?”

“Yeah, they worked for three separate funeral homes.”

“Stennis was talking to undertakers?”

“Well, I’m not certain he thought they were undertakers. I’m just saying they led a very low-key life, and if he only made calls to the other two, he would be satisfied the first was legitimate. I mean, if he did a google search on the names, little comes up.”

“Okay, so we have to assume Stennis was talking with these people, but we don’t know why.”

“Correct. However, I will be able to get a court order to do lawful interception of all the calls on these three phones. We will then have the conversations and can figure out what they are doing.”

“Any problem with the court order?”

“No, I don’t expect any. We have several murders and kidnappings and a person of interest. I think the facts will speak for themselves.”

“Any budget problems because I know the phone company’s charge for the service.”

“Nope. We’re good.”

“Okay, then let’s do it.”

“I’ll keep you informed. Normally in real life, this would take a few weeks to put in place, but I know you are in a hurry, so I’ll get right on it. Might have some information in a week.”

“I appreciate that. A week is just perfect.”

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

  2. This is all becoming too complicated for my small brain. I did have a theory about some of it, but I can’t tell whether it still holds water, because I can’t remember what it was! Perhaps I should have written it down.
    Meanwhile, on the weather front: a TV forecaster last week, when asked if the weather would be warmer this week, said that she couldn’t promise it would get any warmer, but it would be less cold.

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        13. I couldn’t answer last night since something went wrong with the internet. The blackouts last two hours and then we have power for three. Our house is well insulated so the temp only drops a couple of degrees. (we keep the temp at 68 degrees normally.) We do not have a fireplace which I miss. This is the first house in 30 years without one. Last night the power came on and stayed till this morning. We are waiting for it to go out any moment. 😁

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        14. D’oh! Of course! The blackout, silly me.
          And that is a good thing that your house is well insulated. Makes all the difference in the world. Funny, I keep my house at 68, too. I hope your power stays on all day 🙂

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  10. There must be another twist coming with three undertakers in play. The tension builds. A question, what in the world made you think of gummy worms? Maybe the number of human gummy worms in the story? 😂 Well done, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No, I used to have meetings with an IT guy and he was always carrying a bag of gummy something. One day he offered me a worm. I was surprised by how good it was. Just thought I would pay homage to him. Thanks, Gwen.

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  11. So, a burner phone was not used and we have three undertakers identities used to verify everything is legal and on the up and up. But the undertakers are dead. My first question is how old were the undertakers and what did they die of. Then I would like to know more about this techie. He seems to know a lot not just about technical stuff but about profit and losses since he knows he has enough money to cover the bill for the phone company.
    Shalom aleichem

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    1. Good points, Pat. All the undertakers were under forty and they died in various kinds of accidents. The techie has a budget and he knows it backwards and forwards. Thanks for the questions, 😁 Shalom

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  12. I’m stuck on the gummy worms for some reason:) All undertakers seems important. Hope you are staying warm!

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  13. Dead undertakers? Hm, it wasn’t just chance that put such a notion in your head, John. You’re working up to another twist, aren’t you? Well done! And tell the Producer I used to shovel trails in our back yard for Dallas, too. It’s not as crazy as it might appear. At least it keeps the little dears’ feet from freezing!!

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  14. Well now, that was not expected.
    You know… my dad’s career choice for me was mortician. He was really disappointed when I refused. Mystified and put-out too. Who could imagine a teenaged girl not going for that?
    Looking forward to whatever is up your sleeve next, John. Stay safe and warm. Hugs!

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  16. A week? Doesn’t that sound like forever? Pay no attention to the impatient child in me. I’m sure plenty can / will happen in the meantime. This techy is good. And undertakers? Very interesting!!

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  19. I think a week sounds like a year’s time, but hopefully, answers will surface and the wait will be worth it. I’ll pass on the gummy worms, but if you have chocolate….
    Stay warm, John! 🥰❄❄❄

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  20. Well a week is perfect for YOU Boss, so that you can set up some more twists and turns. I mean three undertakers . . . all dead. The burner phone, no burner phone. And a techie who is feeling like a sultan right now. No, a week is a LONG time for me, but what can I do. I gotta wait for the next entry until then.

    I’m getting some Lifesavers gummies.

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  21. Gummy worms and undertakers. That’s an unpredictable twist. Although, I do think maybe the gummy worms are symbolic – such as in opening a can of worms. That seems to be what’s happening. Glad to catch up with the story!

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