Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell

 

“Hey, Lucy. Don’t tell me it’s Wednesday.”
“It’s Wednesday, Little One.”
“I said not to tell me that.”

It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we found out that everything we thought is confirmed by the tech. Cortez’s men want to trade Carolyn for Lazar, and Stennis is up to his eyebrows in the plot. What surprised us is the conversation between Stennis and Cortez’s men also mentioned Pricilla in the context she will be taken care of. Knowing the Cortez crowd being taken care of is not a diamond watch or a suitcase of Benjamin Franklins. No, more like 50-pound Nikes. Let’s get back to Pricilla’s office and get her reaction.

 

“Taken care of? What does that mean?”

“I have no way of saying Ms. Thomas, but from the tone, I would say it’s not good.”

“Well, it is what it is. I can’t worry too much about it right now.”

“If it were me, I would get a guard detail.”

“Easier said than done. Everybody is pretty busy.”

“Andrew and I are just standing around, Ms. Thomas. We would be more than happy to serve as your guard detail. Right Andrew?”

“Most certainly.”

“Now that’s not a bad thought. You can help me with this case as well as serve as a deterrent to Cortez.”

“Uh, Ms. Thomas?”

“Yes, Agent Moore.”

“You should consider 24-hour coverage.”

“I think Agent Moore has a point, Ms. Thomas. Maybe the bureau can supply a couple of agents for twelve hours, and Andrew and I could take the other twelve.”

“Not a bad idea, detective. I’ll call the bureau right now. Agent Moore, can you wait around to verify the need.?”

“Absolutely. In fact, if you wish, I can place the call.”

“That would be very nice. Thank you.”

“Let me go to a private place and do that.”

“You can use the phone in the outer office.”

“I have my cell but will need a little privacy since I have some verbal codes that are confidential.

“I understand. Go ahead, we’ll stay here.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Ms. Thomas.”

“Hold on, Larry. Okay, the door is shut. What is it?”

“I’ve never heard of verbal codes.”

“Me either. I guess for some reason Agent Moore wanted to speak to the bureau privately.”

“Make an alarm go off in my head.”

“What kind of alarm?”

“Ever since Andrew and I have come to Reno, we have grown to distrust those we meet. How can we be sure Mike Moore is calling the FBI and not Cortez.”

“I’ve known Mike a while, and he has always seemed to be legitimate.”

“How long is a while?”

“Several months. Long before any of this crap happened.”

“I still wondering why he couldn’t place the call in front of us?”

“I’m sure he has his reasons. He mentioned codes. Maybe that’s the truth.”

“I am very suspect at this point, Pricilla.”

“I appreciate that, Larry. Wait, he’s coming back.”

“Okay, all set. In fact, the bureau wants to take care of the full 24 hours. They are sending a couple of agents over now.”

“Thank you so much, Agent Moore.”

“Is there anything else?”

“No. You have done great work.”

“Thank you very much. If someone from the bureau calls with a survey, I would appreciate a very satisfied response.”

“You. got it. Goodbye.”

“Ms. Thomas?”

“Wait until the door closes. Okay, what is it?”

“Survey?”

“I know, right?”

 

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

    1. Surveys are the bane of our existance. I was thinking of a story where a person giving lousey service stalks a guy who turned in a bad survey. I have to wonder if that ever happens? Thanks, Jill.

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  5. Nooooooo! Is there anyone here who can be trusted? The two goons that are coming to provide protection shouldn’t be allowed in the parking lot. Codes, surveys, protection – toss Agent Moore in the klink.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Definitely a suspicious scene. I’m waiting for Carolyn to start using her superpowers and kick some… well, you know. 😃 Great work, John, in keeping the tension taut.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. There is no way in hell there are guards coming to protect her. Goons coming to off her off? That I would believe.
    Survey… puh-leeze. Ding!Ding!Ding! Alarm bells being heard by Larry is a good thing…

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  12. At our last meeting of Pricilla and the paranoia club… nobody got in. Everyone forgot their verbal code. Please stay for the survey at the end of the meeting. We have added extra corners to the room so it is safe to take the survey and watch the doorways at the same time…

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  13. Hi,
    Okay, I’m willing to give in and say I might be wrong concerning Pricilla because today she seems pretty naive in this part. She’s too trusting. The two detectives, Andrew and Larry have a very good point. Verbal codes ?? that Agent Moore couldn’t share with anyone? I don’t believe it unless Agent Moore and Pricilla are covering their tracks and are working together.
    Shalom aleichem

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        2. John. I think sale is a terrific career path. I enjoyed it immensely. I was on the road 2-3 nights a week and my office was my home, the car, a hotel room or a customer’s lobby. You must have enjoyed it, as well.

          Liked by 1 person

  21. I was already suspicious when he couldn’t make the call in front of them. Then the survey? No doubts now. I’m not feeling like I want to trust anyone right now. 🙂

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