“What are you waiting for Little One?”
“Going to see if Friday is busy.”
“I’m sure Friday is busy for the next two days.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we witnessed a gunshot that caught Larry in the chest. In addition, the shot caused the SWAT team to move in. In the melee, both Cortez and Juan were taken down. We also saw Gloria make an appearance and comfort Larry. The medical Examiner’s team has arrived, and Larry has been placed in a bag. He is then gently lifted to a stretcher. The stretcher is taken out of the house and passes through a phalanx of SWAT team members who stand at attention and give the passing bier a final salute. The rear doors of the hearse are opened, and Larry silently eased inside. The attendant closes the doors. Two police motorcycles take up a position in front of the vehicle. The entourage pulls away slowly. I see Mike and Andrew talking in the front yard. Let’s go and listen in.
Mike squints in the bright light and reaches for his sunglasses. Andrew is turned with his back to the sun. He is looking toward Larry’s departure until the vehicle goes out of sight. Mike clears his throat. “Our boys will take real good care of Larry until the ME releases him to you. We have a twenty-four-hour honor guard and consider him to be one of our own.”
Andrew looks at Mike. “I appreciate that. I know Larry would be pleased to know you guys are taking care of him.”
“It’s really the least we can do. I wish this had turned out a little differently. Larry did a hell of a job in trying to get Cortez to surrender.”
“What’s going to happen to Cortez’s family?”
“Not sure. I hope they take that plane to Mexico. We have no reason to hold them. I sent someone to give the bad news about Cortez to his widow. I haven’t heard back yet. You and Larry close?”
“We really only got close over the last few weeks working this case. How are the hostages doing?”
“The doc’s with them now. So we should know something shortly. They all looked okay, though.”
“I’m glad those goons decided to give up rather than cause any more bloodshed.”
“You and me both. Did Larry have a family?”
“He had a wife. But, unfortunately, she died, and I have to say Larry misses . . . er missed her something fierce.”
“So no kids or anyone we have to notify?”
“No. I need to call the chief and fill him in, but the department was all the family Larry had. I think he will be missed, though.”
“He seemed like a nice guy.”
“That he was Mike. That he was.”
“You have a place to stay?”
“I’ll get a hotel room to wait for Larry. I have some arrangements to make to get him home.”
“If you need anything, let me know.”
“I guess just a ride back to the rental car if I can remember where it is.”
“Okay. You ready. The team can finish here.”
“More than ready, Mike.”
***
Well, that is the end. I want to thank you all for hanging in there. It was started May 9th of 2018, and as of right now, it is 91,200 words. For those of you concerned about Larry, here is the latest. He and Gloria are on the French Riviera, sharing a bottle of champagne and looking forward to an eternity of travel and fine dining. The nice part is they never have to sweat reservations.
I am at Story Empire today having some fun. Please come visit. HERE is the link.
I will be taking a little break from the Wednesday Story Day but will come back with a new one when appropriate.
Fiction Favorites 
What a pity, dear John, that your story came to an end. We hope for a new one soon.
Thanks for sharing and entertaining us
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Klausbernd. It was time. 😊
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What a way to wrap things up, Boss. Along the French Riviera. Larry and Gloria, finally together after all this time. So well done good sir. But of course, as analysts will do IMMEDIATELY after a team wins . . . what’s next for Wednesdays? 😉
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Going to leave Wednesday blank for a while. Age is starting to get to me I’m afraid. Need to focus on the book and finish it.. Thanks for the interest. 😊
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You take good care of you Boss. We still get you the rest of the week. 🙂
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Thank you, Pilgrim. I appreciate that thought.
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We love you Sheriff.
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😊
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Thank you for all the entertainment John. It’s been an excellent and gripping story.
Hugs
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Aw. Thank you for that, David. 😁
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It looks like I made a serious mistake going away last week (or maybe the mistake was staying in a small village in with non-existent signal)! Splendid ending, John, and I look forward to the next marathon.
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Thank you, Keith. Yes, you missed Gloria coming to get Larry but that’s about it. Oh, other than Larry getting shot. (Small item) 😁
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I shall have to dig back and update myself.
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Watch your back while digging.
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😁
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This has been great, John. You have held my interest throughout the past two years. I may have cheated my employer out of.a few productive minutes when this saga first started. I look forward to the next story, but I understand your looking forward to a break/ I hope Larry and Gloria have a grand eternity.
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It looks like they will, Dan. Thanks for your support over the years. 😊
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It’s been quite a ride. Thanks for a great read! 😉
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Thank you for hanging in there, Jill. 😊
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Nice ending. Definitely a long and wild ride you had us on. Congrats on maintaining it for so long.
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Great conclusion and wrap-up, John. I’d love to see your 91,000 words in a novel. I suspect all your readers would enjoy the refresher and also the transformation from serial to book. 😊
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I think the 100% dialog with no tags might put a lot off. It is one thing to see it once a week but everyday might be a pain. Thanks, Gwen 😁
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Wow! Over three years and 91,000 words. Amazing. You gave the story an appropriate ending. I’ve enjoyed the ride!
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Thank you so much for going along, Jan. 😁
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It’s a lovely wrap-up, John. I’m looking forward to whatever you do next. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Teagan. 😁
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Ahhhh John. What a satisfying wrap-up. While sad that we lost Larry, I am so very happy he and Gloria are on their own eternal place together.
Give yourself a pat on the back for this one and take a well-deserved break. We still have you six days per week 🙂
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Thank you, Dale. Nice words.
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I meant every one.
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🤗
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🤗
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😊
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This one brought a tear or two. I didn’t realize you had started this story back in 2018 … I think I only picked it up early in 2020, so I missed the first half or so. I guess I’ll have to clip my nails, now that I will no longer be biting them in suspense all week long. Thanks for a great story, John … looking forward to the next one!
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Happy to hear Larry and Gloria are enjoying life on the other side. Thanks for a great story, John!
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They are, Denise. Thanks.
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Wow! Has it really been that long? I think I see an Oldsmobile in France somewhere.
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That is totally possible for sure.
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Lucy & Twiggy: crossroads of Monday! An early morning summit at the Twiggy Resort. (dogtails & hot dogs are included). 😊😊😊
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Especially the dogtails. 🤣 Thanks, Maria.
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Bloody squirrel & Long island Deer horn are the trendiest of the given season. 😉😉😉🥤🥤🥤
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Hahahaha. I suppose, Maria. 😁
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Can’t believe you started this in 2018! What a fitting end for Larry – glad he and Gloria are having a lovely time. Thanks for the story, John!
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Thanks for the kind words, Teri. 😊
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John, I have enjoyed every single episode. It was a gripping serial from day one. Thank you for that! I’m glad Larry and Gloria are together at last. If any of the good guys had to die, Larry was the one. You are such a good writer. I’ll be the first one in line to get a ticket for your next serial.
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You are so nice to say that, Jennie. Thank you. I am going to keep Wednesday blank for a while while I work on my book, 😁
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My pleasure, John. Taking a break is a good thing. Happy writing.
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Thank you. 😁
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Not sure how far along you were in the story when I came along, but it was a nice ride. My compliments for keeping us all engaged, as that can be tricky with a serial that only appears weekly. I think it made a lot of sense to have a regular day to publish as you did with this.
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I did organize my blog on a week schedule when I first started.
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Well done dear boy, that was some mountain you’ve climbed and the view from the top was splendid.
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Thank you, for that lovely metaphor, Geoff. 😊
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Well done, John. That’s an accomplishment!
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Thank you.
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