It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we saw Mike Moore, the FBI agent, organize a SWAT team to surround the house where Cortez lives. The tricky part is there are four hostages inside, and Mike doesn’t want to start a shooting war that could get them killed. He has decided to allow Cortez to surrender the hostages and give himself up. Let’s join up with Mike, Andrew, and Larry as they meet with the SWAT team.

 

“The names’ Moore and this is Dunfee and Cummings.”

“Agent Withers, agent Moore. What’s the situation?”

“We believe we have four hostages and probably four perps inside the house. We have a warrant for their arrest on federal kidnapping charges. The problem is we need to serve the warrant without getting the hostages killed.”

“Yeah, roger that. So you want to try some talk?”

“Yes. I need your men to surround the house, so no one gets away. I don’t want to be chasing these guys all over the state.”

“I get that. Okay, what if they don’t give up?”

“you have a standard protocol for that situation, right?”

“Yes, we do. We will keep them in place for as long as it takes. We have ways to escalate the situation but would only do that on your order.”

“I think we should wait to see what happens.”

“I agree. Okay, we will deploy around the house. Our comms are set at 360 Mh. You want to test that?”

“Okay. Can you read?”

“You are loud and clear. Keep me informed. I’m going to move out with the team.”

“Thanks, Winters.”

“Yeah. Do that when this is over.”

“Roger that. Hey Larry?”

“Yes, Mike.”

“You ever been in this kind of situation?”

“Can’t say I have.”

“Well. Let’s hope it won’t turn into something ugly. There are readers out there who want this thing to end peacefully.”

“I understand. There is also a writer out there who tends to make our lives difficult.”

“Hey, Winters?”

“Go ahead.”

“You guys in place?”

“Give us three more minutes. I’ll give you a shout when we are ready.”

“Roger. Okay, Larry, once those guys are in place, we will move closer to the house. I think we’ll take the car for cover.”

“I think that’s a good idea. You want me to drive.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll just pull up in front of the house, and we will talk from the opposite side of the car.”

“Winters to Moore.”

“Go ahead, Winters.”

“We have the place surrounded. There is a back door and a sliding door off the patio. We have a clear view of the entire back. We don’t see any movement in the house.”

“Thank you, Winters. We are pulling up in front. I’m going to block the drive.”

“My guys are directly across the street. The drive will be perfect. We can keep tabs on you in case a firefight starts.”

“Somehow, that is not as comforting as you probably wanted it to be. We have pulled up in front. We are getting out of the car. Moore out.”

“So, do you have a megaphone?”

“Just so happens I do. It’s in the trunk.”

“Be careful.”

“Be right back.”

“Crap Andrew. What was that?”

“A shot, Larry. Looks like Moore got hit.”

“Stay here. I’m going after him. Mike, you okay?”

“Damnit, Larry. Some stupid son-of-a-bitch shot me. Winters, Moore here. I’ve been shot. Hold your fire and position. I’m giving the comm to Dunfee.”

“You okay, Mike.”

“I am for the moment. What a stupid thing to do. These guys must be really stupid. Here take this megaphone and tell them they are surrounded. Tell ‘em the agent they shot is okay and to lay down their weapons and come out. If they do, no one will get hurt.”

“Andrew. Get over here and take care of Mike. I’m not sure how badly he’s hurt. His Mouth is working okay for now. Okay, Mike, you are going to be okay. Andrew is a doctor.”

“There is a first aid kit in the trunk as well.”

“Okay, we got this. You take it easy. ATTENTION YOU IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED. THIS IS THE FBI. THE AGEN YOU SHOT IS OKAY. SURRENDER NOW, AND NO ONE GET’S HURT.”

 

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were all stunned to know that the Escalade used to pick up an order from Chick-Fil-A and which was owned by the now late widow Tounsand is sitting in Cortez’s driveway. We have also assumed that it is the same Escalade used to take ADA Thomas, Lieutenant Mayfield, and Lazar Popović away from the warehouse. Agent Moore has ordered up an assault team, and he, Larry, and Andrew are all headed to Cortez’s place. Let’s join them as they ride there.

 

“Do you think ADA Thomas, Lieutenant Mayfield, and Lazar Popović are at Cortez’s”

“Not sure, Larry, but I would bet on it.”

“What about Carolyn, Popović’s daughter?”

“Seems logical that she should be there too.”

“I’m also wondering now how we can tie in Alexis Rafferty’s murder to Cortez.”

“I thought the wife and boyfriend did it.”

“Yeah, but I believe Cortez had a hand as well.”

“Uh, Larry?”

“Yes, Andrew.”

“Do you think we can finally put the Sandusky case to bed as well?”

“Oh man, Andrew. We have been on a pilgrimage, haven’t we? It all started with Sandusky, and here we are headed for Cortez’s house, which may be the end to this mess.”

“One can only hope.”

“You guys have your own axes to grind. I want Cortez for kidnapping and federal drug crimes. I don’t want you to bring up anything else. If you do, he will try to bargain his way out whit information about your stuff.”

“We get that, Mike. We think Popović will give us all the information we need assuming Carolyn is okay.”

“I hope so. I don’t mean to be a jerk, but this big tuna is one we’ve wanted to land for several years.”

“We respect that, Mike. How far out are we?”

“Looks like a couple of minutes till we rendezvous with the assault team.”

“I guess you have a plan of attack.”

“Yeah. We are going to surround the building. This is going to be tricky since there are maybe four hostages inside. We won’t be able to rush the building since we have no idea where they are inside. We don’t want anyone to get killed.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Allow Cortez to give up. He does not impress me as a guy who is ready to die right now.”

“He might try to bargain the lives of the hostages.”

“Yeah, usually that doesn’t work. But, if we take the calm approach, I think we have a chance to talk him out.”

“You’ve done this before?”

“Countless times. Okay, there’s the team. Let’s go over the plan with them.”

“Right behind you, Mike.”

 

I’m also over at Story Empire today talking more about the Hierarchy of needs. Here’s the link.

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we found ourselves at the Chick-Fil-A and talking to the manager named Tony. Tony was a little intimidated and asked for some time to call his boss. Our gang gave him a business card (These were not ID but Vista Print $5.00 a thousand cards. Whew, I hope that clears that up). Our gang then took their coffees out to one of the tables to wait for Tony to come out. We should get over there in case Tony comes back quickly.

 

“You know what, Larry?”

“What, Andrew?”

“I often wonder why people line up at Chick-Fil-A.”

“I guess cause they like the chicken sandwiches.”

“But for breakfast?”

“They have other stuff like sausage, eggs, and hash browns.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve had breakfast at a Chick-Fil-A.”

“Hey, fellas.”

“Yeah, Mike.”

“Got the judge working on a warrant now.”

“Excellent. Oh, look, here comes Tony. Well, Tony, what did you find out?”

“My boss said to cooperate with you guys. He called our lawyer, and as long as you do not think any of our employees committed a crime, we should try to help.”

“well, that’s nice of your boss and the lawyer. At this point, we do not suspect any of your employees of wrongdoing. We had a photo of a partial receipt from a pickup yesterday. Here it’s on my cell. Take it and have a look.”

“Uh-huh. Looks like it has been burned.”

“Good eye, Tony. It was burned, but these ashes still have a trace of it. Anything pop out at you?”

“There is a sequence number just below the date. Let me pull it up on my iPad. Humm. Yeah, that was a pickup order filled about 5:10 yesterday. Seven number three combos. Three sweet teas and three diet cokes and one lemonade.”

“Sounds like a big crowd. Let me ask, Tony. You guys have any surveillance cameras?”

“Sure do. Covers the drive-through from two angles. One is the window, and the second is the rear of the car. That’s was in case we had a grab and go.”

“Grab and go?”

“Before our new system, the customer would pay for the food when delivered. We used to have people take the food and then hit the gas. We now have a two-window system where we collect at the first window and fill the order from the second. We still have the camera working. There was a time when jokers would throw a drink at the server. Having the recording of the event and the license plate ensured that the police had enough to arrest the person.”

“Over a drink?”

“How about cuts and bruises. Those cups are not light.”

“Okay, I get it. So do you think you have the pick-up from yesterday on tape?”

“I’m sure we do. We have a 24-hour loop.”

“Can we get the tape?”

“I’m sure it won’t be a problem, but—”

“You’ll have to ask your boss.”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead and make the call. We’ll wait.”

“I won’t be a minute. I’ll just step over there.”

“Take all the time you need, Tony. We think the tapes will be the breakthrough we need.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Time again, and last week our team found some ashes at the warehouse. It was a Chick-Fil-A receipt. After a thorough search of the warehouse, nothing else was found. I see the group heading for the Chick-Fil-A. If we hurry, we can get there about the same time.

 

“Okay, guys. We need to have a little plan here.”

“I agree, Larry. We can’t go in and show badges and expect anyone to remember anything.”

“How about I stay out here and sample the sandwich.”

“Nice try, Andrew. Come to think of it, why don’t we get with the manager and quietly explain the situation and then interview the employees out here.”

“Good idea, Larry.”

“Thanks, Mike.”

“Could we at least get a coffee?”

“Sure, Andrew. We will need to order something anyway so as not to attract attention.”

“That’s pretty funny. Three guys who look like they just stepped out of central casting of the Untouchables are trying not to attract attention.”

“Glad you get a laugh out of this, Andrew. Let’s go.”

“Right behind you.”

“Yes, sir, welcome to Chick-Fil-A. How may I serve you?”

“Uh, three coffees and some information.”

“Yes, sir. Anything else.”

“Yes. Is the manager in?”

“I’m the manager. Name is Tony.”

“Okay, Tony. My name is Larry, and I’m with the Boston Police Department. The guy behind me is Agent Moore with the FBI. The guy behind him is Andrew Cummings with the Boston Police department.”

“I-is something wrong?”

“No, Tony. Everything is fine, but we need to talk to you privately about a case we are working on.”

“Case? I-I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve you. We have some suspects that we have reason to believe picked up food here yesterday, and we would like to talk to you and your employees. Perhaps they know something.”

“I-I’m not sure the company would like me talking to you without their knowledge.”

“Can you call someone to get permission?”

“Yes, I can. Do you have some identification?”

“We each have cards and badges.”

“Give me your cards, and I will make the call. Here are your coffees.”

“Thank you, Tony. Here are the cards.”

“The coffee is on the house. I’ll be right back.”

“We’ll be outside. We would appreciate it if you could come out there.”

“No problem. I’ll meet you there.”

“Thanks. Tony. For the coffee and your cooperation.”

“I’m not sure he heard you. He was quick to move.”

“I’ll bet you a shot beer and a buck he’ll come back and ask us to contact his boss.”

“I don’t doubt that. If so, I’ll just get a warrant.”

“I would start working that now, Mike. Tony looks to be all of twenty, and if I were his boss, I would want him talking to us either.”

“I’m on it. Let’s go outside.”

“Come on, Andrew. Let’s enjoy this day and a fine cup of Arabica bean coffee.”

“You read the coffee sign, right?”

“Right.”

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week, Larry, Andrew, and Mike Moore arrived at the warehouse where the SUV was found that spirited ADA Thomas, Lieutenant Mayfield, and Lazar Popović away from the highway patrol headquarters by two guys posing as agents of the FBI. Supposedly Lazar will be traded for Carolyn. When our boys pulled up, the warehouse had many patrol cars around it, and Moore asked everyone to stand down. Let’s get to the warehouse, so we don’t miss anything.

 

“Patrol one. Moore here.”

“Go ahead, Moore.”

“Are you men in place to breach the structure?”

“Affirmative. We have someone at every entrance..”

“Okay, good. So we don’t shoot each other I think we ought to go in the main door in front. You people in position can make sure no one sneaks out the back. You. copy?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Good. Have a couple of troopers meet us at the front. We will go in on my count.”

“Roger that, Moore. Trooper one out.”

“Moore out. Okay, Larry, you have a sidearm, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Andrew?”

“I only have my two arms.”

“Fine. You stay here. Larry, follow me.”

“Right behind you. Bye, Andrew.”

“Keep your head down, Larry.”

“Larry, when we meet up with the troopers, I’m going to ask you to stay behind us, okay?”

“You’re the boss.”

“Hi, guys. My name is Moore, Special Agent. FBI.”

“Sampson here. You know me as Patrol one.”

“Sounds like our communication gear is working fine. Okay, here’s how we are going to do this. Let’s check to see if the door is unlocked. If not, we need a ram up here.”

“We already checked. It’s unlocked.”

“Great. Then let’s hit it. Your guys can penetrate and loft a couple of stun grenades.” We’ll follow you.”

“Does that guy in the suit have a vest?”

“No, he is going to stay behind me.”

“Okay, sounds good. We are ready.”

“On three then. One, two, three. Go, go, go.”

“Hot damn. Someone’s shooting.”

“Launch the grenades.”

“There they go. Okay, shootings stopped. Let’s go.”

“Shit, a lot of smoke.”

“Yeah, that happens. Stay low. We don’t know how many were in here. Nevada Highway Patrol. Put down your weapons.”

“Oooh.”

“Here’s one. Put the cuffs on him. He looks stunned but not badly hurt. Man, that is some weapon he has. Talk about machine guns. Careful now there could be more. I don’t see Thomas or Mayfield anywhere.”

“It looks like there was just one guy left behind.”

“Check to see if anyone made it out the back.”

“Patrol one to troop. See anyone come out the back.”

“Patrol two negative.”

“Patrol three, negative.”

“Patrol four, negative.”

“Well, that covers it. We are pretty clear in here. Doesn’t look like the rest are here. I hope that guy can tell us something.”

“Don’t count on it. They work for Cortez, and loose lips are not one of their approved habits.”