Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell
Photo
“What are you doing, Twiggy?”
“My yogi. This is down dog.”
“I thought you would be asking if this is Friday.”
“It can’t be Friday cause it’s Wednesday.”
“Be still my beating heart.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were pleased to see Tony’s boss pony up and approve Tony’s cooperation with our gang’s inquiry. Tony let us all know that the restaurant has surveillance tapes that have a 24-hour loop. He is quite sure that if Cortez’s people picked up an order last night at 5:10, he would have it on tape. We are waiting for Tony to call his boss to see if it is okay to give the officers the tape. Here comes Tony. It looks like he is off the call with his boss. We better get back to see what he has to say.

 

“Tony, I see you are off the call.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What did the boss say? Is it okay to give us the tapes?”

“He said without a warrant, I can’t give you the tapes. I can let you view them until you do get a warrant. He mentioned that the tapes were company property and might have customer information that would cause some bad press if released.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“He mentioned license plate numbers.”

“Okay, I get it. He wants to make sure that if there is a leak, he is covered.”

“Exactly.”

“I think we can live with this. Larry? Andrew?”

“Okay, by me.”

“Most certainly.”

“Alright, Tony. Why don’t you lead us to the viewing room.”

“That’s funny.”

“What’s funny.”

“Viewing room. It’s actually a closet.”

“Yeah, I see that that is funny. Take us to the viewing closet.”

“Follow me.”

“Right behind you.”

“Watch this back door. It is cumbersome.”

“I got it.”

“Thanks, Larry.”

“Mmmm smells good in here.”

“The closet is over here. I hope you can all see.”

“Set up the tape, and we’ll do our best.”

“Since I’m the least important here, I’ll hang back.”

“Okay, Andrew. Thanks.”

“Yeah, thanks, Andrew. Also, you are the biggest here.”

“Hilarious, Larry.”

“Okay, gentlemen, I have the tape cued for 5:10.”

“I don’t see anything.”

“The ticket reads when the food is ready. Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the car to move from the payment window. There.”

“I see it—another SUV. Looks like an Escalade, and it’s light-colored. Too bad this tape isn’t in color.”

“There’s the plate in the little window to the right.”

“Can you freeze it?”

“Frozen.”

“GSR7075. Nevada plate. Look, the plate surround has the auto dealer’s name on it. Reno Motors.”

“Good Tony. I think we’ve seen enough. You sure that is the car that picked up the order?”

“Yes, sir. The ticket number was confirmed at the delivery window. I checked after my initial call to the boss.”

“Okay, then I think we are done here. If necessary, we will get a warrant for the tape. Can you put it in a safe place so it won’t be recorded over?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll pull this one and put in a replacement. I will save the delivery window receipt too.”

“Thanks, Tony, you’ve been a real help.”

You guys want more coffee?”

“We really have to run. Maybe a raincheck.”

“Anytime.”

 

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

  1. Tony ended up being more helpful than I expected. Dare I think that a trend is starting? Oh wait, this is John’s story.

    Twiggy set the tone of surprise this week. She does that yoga position well.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. I’m trying to not get too excited but this definitely feels like a decent lead!
    Woot!
    And good for Twiggy, start young, create good habits 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Well, that was productive. I cracked up about the viewing “closet.” 🙂 Hope this leads somewhere. Now, remind me who is the murder victim they originally set out to try and vindicate? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well there is Sandusky who was done in (we think) by Cortez. Then there is Janice’s husband Alexis Rafferty who worked for Cortez and died on the ski slope full of alcohol. The real key is trying to pin a narcotics charge of Cortez. The others are side diversions. Thanks, Jan.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. It’s a sign of my suspicious mind, I suppose, that I fully expected Tony to shove them in the closet and lock the door! Well, seems they got what they came for … biting nails ’til next week!

    Liked by 1 person

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