“Hey, Twiggy. What are you doing?”
“Waiting for Friday.”
“Okay then.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we all broke into the warehouse only to find one guy who had been left behind. We don’t know why he was left, but he has been taken into custody and is being questioned. Since he is part of the Cortez mob, we can’t expect too much information from him. So that leaves us with solid detective work as to where the other Cortez folks are headed. I see Agent Moore is calling one of his associates. Let’s go and listen in.
“Yeah, Charles. Take a look at all the street cameras around this warehouse. See if you can find any car or truck leaving here. Yes, the direction would be helpful as well. Okay then. Call when you have something.”
“He doesn’t have anything?”
“A bit early. Unlike TV shows, it takes a while to access traffic cams. He’ll get back as soon as he has anything.”
“I have a suggestion.”
“Yes, Larry, what is it?”
“We should comb this place thoroughly and see if we can turn up anything useful. Has anyone checked the SUV?”
“We have the crime guys heading this way.”
“I mean, has anyone taken a look inside?”
“Good question. Let me find out. Sampson is outside. Patrol one, this is Moore.”
“Patrol One, go ahead.”
“Has anyone looked in the SUV?”
“Affirmative. Nothing there.”
“Roger that. We are going to have a look around in here.”
“The lab guys are due any minute.”
“Understood. Just a quick look. Anything out of our shooter?”
“Nope. He’s like a clam. We have him in the back of a patrol car.”
“Just make sure he is secure.”
“Not to worry. He’s not going anywhere.”
“Thanks, Patrol one. Moore out. Okay, Larry, let’s have a look.”
“I don’t know what they did in this warehouse, but it is pretty empty.”
“See if that barrel had anything in it.”
“Nope, nothing in it. Looks like they used it as a burn barrel. You got a light?”
“Yeah. Let me look inside. Hey, look at the bottom. Some ashes.”
“Wait.”
“What, Andrew?”
“Don’t disturb those.”
“Why not?”
“We might be able to figure out what they were burning in there.”
“Couldn’t be much. There are very few ashes.”
“Let me look?”
“See on top. There is some kind of receipt. You can almost read it. One thing about ashes is you don’t stir them they pretty much keep the characteristic of the original. I’ll be damned.”
“What?”
“It is a fast-food receipt.”
“They had a delivery?”
“Or picked up. Hold on. Yup, it looks like a Chick-Fil-A. Let me get closer.”
“Don’t fall in.”
“Thank you, Larry, but I’m safe.”
“Wasn’t worried about your safety. Just didn’t want you landing on the evidence.”
“Yes, I can see the address. 1663 Route 35.”
“Got a credit card number?”
“Smartass. I do have a date, though. It was yesterday. All we have to do is go there and check the records, and maybe just maybe somebody will know something.”
“At least it is a lead.”
“Slim at best.”
“Let’s be positive.”
Fiction Favorites 
That’s some seriously impressive detective work. It’s often the case that the smallest of clues can lead to a breakthrough.
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Out of the hundreds of customers you never know. Thanks, Keith.
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Fingers crossed that the new lead will yield useful information!
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Let’s hope so.
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Nice work!
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Thanks, Jill.
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Hmm, I’m wondering if Chick-Fil-A has cameras. Who knew ashes could be so useful! Great detective work, John. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. We shall see.
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Could it be that these jokers are going to be brought down because they were hungry? That would be in interesting twist. Why am I worried about that guy in the back of the police car? Oh, right, because John’s at the wheel.
Good episode, John. I hope you get over the hump and cruise on to Friday. Don’t forget to take Twiggy.
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Hahahaha. Twiggy sticks like glue so she will be thee on Friday. Thanks for the comment. 😁
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Chick-Fil-A. Now we’re really delving into the seedy underbelly of humanity.
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Yes indeed.
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And if nothing else, they can get a nice chicken sandwich while they’re there.
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That is true. A few waffle fries wouldn’t be bad either
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They should sponsor you.
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Hahaha
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THAT is how you work a case, great detective work. With an assist from Chick-fil-A . . . I mean, who figured on that?
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I mean , yeah. Who figured?
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I know right?
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Ha. Be positive, indeed. But doggone it, John. One thing I’m positive of is that there is not a Chick-Fil-A anywhere near me — and now I’m jonesing for one. 😉 Hugs on the wing!
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That is a tough one. I would mail you one but that probibly wouldn’t be the best course health wise. 😁
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‘Slim Leads’ worked for me in the past! 🙂
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Hopefully he’ll help me.
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They got lucky with that receipt. Hopefully they will learn something.
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I hope so too, Denise
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I hope to reach your level of literary skill someday, John.
Well done.
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You may have already passed me by.
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I refuse to believe that, buddy.
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😁
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Twiggy-Zen. What a wonderful shot, dear John!
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She is a funny one, Maria. She was out there all by herself lying in the sun on the concrete. 😁
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Oh! She is getting older, dear John! 😁😁😁 The youth is passing. Wisdom is coming.
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Oh dear. Say it isn’t so.
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😎😎😎
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PS. It might be that soon Twiggy will make friends with local squirrels & deer & will become a great Zen-philosopher. 🙂
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I guess it could be. 😁 Thank you, Maria.
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😂😂😂😋
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😁
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If it doesn’t work out, at least they can get some Chik-Fil-A.
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So true, Teri
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Now that’s some sleuthing going on right there! Let’s hope it leads to something!
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I hope it does. Thanks Dale
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Gotta have faith!
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Hahaha
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Of course, they got Chik-Fila. 🙂 Maybe that means they are at least feeding their captives. 🙂 Or not. Good one, John!
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Thanks, Jan 😊
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Well if they’re eating crap chicken they have to be baddies…
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Don’t cha know.
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It’s a lead! I have hope.
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Good. I always like to have some to dash.
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😀
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😁
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Hmmmm … some days Andrew is smarter than he looks!
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So true. Thanks, Jill.
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