“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.”
Fiction Favorites 
Interesting concept. All three dead people with phone numbers are undertakers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some coincidence, huh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hahaha. Sounds like she should run for Congress. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤠
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m in Keith’s boat…I should have been taking notes! I hope you’re staying safe and warm with all of your pipes still intact.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far everything is fine. Got more freezing rain overnight. Four inches of snow forecasted for today. UGH. Thanks, Jill. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear more bad weather is forecasted. Stay warm!
LikeLike
Thank you. At least the temp is in the 30s and not in the teens.
LikeLike
Gummy worms and undertakers! I didn’t see them coming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hold on for how it happened that all the dead people were undertakers. 😁
LikeLike
Yes, a week would be perfect! Things are getting interesting, John. Gotta love the geeks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe I should have named him Dan. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t end in an ‘s’ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha. So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Methinks in that week, much can be revealed… or not 😉
I’ll take a green gummy worm, please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here you go. Three shades of green. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! All jokes aside, they are rather gross…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they are. 🤢 Oh, look green.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahah!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣😂🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know what’s next, don’t you? 🤮 Oops
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nooooooo!
LikeLike
Watch your shoes. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are such a brat today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. That’s what no electricity does. Makes one a brat. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
No way! I hope you guys are not freezing your tushies off!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have no electricity right now. We are having rolling blackouts. Lucky the temp is 28 F. Other wise we would get cold fast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How long do the rolling blackouts last? 28F is below freezing… how are you not getting cold? Lots of electrical blankets? Do you have a fireplace?
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Of course, getting used to being warm again may be risky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is that…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excuse me, young man… where is today’s post?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Damn. I don’t know what happened to it. Thank you for the heads up. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what friends are for!! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
That photo of your yard is amazing. I love how you took gummy worms from the intro and wove them into the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought there would be a chuckle in there somewhere. Thanks for noticing. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Undertakers – I’m thinking it’s not a coincidence? Hope you’re staying warm, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Power recycling every hour. So far everything is good. Thank you, Teri. Yes, that is not a coincidence. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dead people with phones. I’m going with zombie crime lords.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good choice. 😁
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m stuck on the gummy worms for some reason:) All undertakers seems important. Hope you are staying warm!
LikeLike
We are Denise. The power comes and goes every hour. I just hope there won’t be a time when it doesn’t come. Thank you. The undertakers are important. 😁
LikeLike
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!!
LikeLike
She appreciates your support of trails, Debbie.. I have plans for those undertakers. Thanks, Debbie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine being a mortician and I’m not a teen age girl. Good grief what was he thinking? Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was absolutely not joking when he said, “You’d never have to worry about running out of work.” (Getting laid off.) LOL… the man was funniest when he was serious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snow at the Twiggy Resort! Who is to be blamed & what is to be done are main points of a frosty Wednesday summit held by Twiggy & Lucy. Stay warm, dear John! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dear Maria. No heat makes staying warm a challenge. 😁 Thanks for your good wishes. That makes me warmer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🔥🔥🔥🌞🌞🌞 I wish you more sunny day. The sun will melt snow! My pleasure, dear John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the sun would be good. We still have an overcast which needs to move out. Thanks, dear Maria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
☕☕☕May spring come faster for you, my dear John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s hope it does come early, Maria. 🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. He needs at least a week but we have pushed him
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you’re doing okay with the change of weather, Butch. ♡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like the rest of Texas, we are making due with on again off again power.
LikeLike
🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
Neat. One week. I can wait that long. So the snow is true. How are you guys coping? Found some thermals?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The power cycle is Three on two off so we are okay since our house is new with plenty of insulation. Others aren’t so lucky I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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! 🥰❄❄❄
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh. Life saver gummies. I wish I could go out and get some of those. 😋
LikeLiked by 2 people
With cerveza . . even better.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Never had then with cerveza.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like everything with cerveza.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too. Or cerveza with everything. (if only)
LikeLiked by 2 people
If only . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Symbolic is the case, Jan. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I HATE gummy worms! That said … undertakers? Are we sure they’re dead? Did they sign their own death warrants? Perhaps we should dig up the graves? And where is … ???
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, many questions for sure. Thanks, Jill.
LikeLiked by 2 people