It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we learned that Cortez’s men were driving a late model Chevrolet Suburban. Also, we know that neither Lieutenant Mayfield nor ADA Thomas was in sight of the security camera that recorded their departure from the Highway Patrol headquarters. Agent Moore ordered a car to be brought around to be ready if the Suburban was spotted. I see Agent Moore’s phone is ringing, so that may mean the car has arrived. Let’s go to ADA Thomas’s office and see what is going on.

 

“Yes, this is Moore. When? Okay, get a couple of Troopers over there. Test me the address we are on our way. Moore out.”

“Sounds like they found something.”

“Yes, they located the Suburban outside a warehouse in the commercial district. We need to move now. I just got the address.”

“You driving?”

“Yes, the car is federal property, so I have to drive. It’s policy.”

“Right behind you.”

“Larry, please sit upfront with me. Andrew, do you mind riding in the back?”

“No, I’m good. Probably more legroom anyway.”

“Hahaha. Good one, Andrew. Oh, shoot.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot to ask them to kit the car out.”

“What does that mean.”

“Here, get in. The door is unlocked.”

“Okay, what did you mean by kit out?”

“I wanted some other weapon other than my Glock. I should have ordered an MP5/10 submachine gun.”

“I see a shotgun in the rack. Isn’t that enough?”

“I guess it will have to be. You okay back there, Andrew.”

“Yup, ready to go.”

“Let me punch the address into the GPS, and we’ll be off.”

“The screen says we will be there in ten minutes.”

“Well, I hope we aren’t too late.”

“You think these guys ate in the warehouse?”

“It makes sense, doesn’t it? Out of the way place to make a trade.”

“I guess so. Don’t know why they didn’t pull into the warehouse to at least hide the car.”

“Yeah, good point. I see where you are going. Maybe they dropped the Suburban and took off in another car.”

“Well, that’s what I would do.”

“That would not be a good thing.”

“Tell me about it.”

There’s the warehouse. I see the Suburban.”

“And three patrol cars.”

“Let me get on the radio and get this thing organized. Patrol one, this is Moore.”

“Go ahead, Moore.”

“Do not penetrate the building until I order it, okay?”

“Copy that. We are standing by.”

“Thank you Patrol One. Moore out. Okay, let’s see what we have.”

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. It is Wednesday Story Day time again. Last week we were surprised by the fact that the agents called up by Agent Moore turned out to be working for Cortez. They took Pricilla and intend to force her to trade Lazar for his daughter, Carolyn. The agents left Larry and Andrew in restraints on the floor. We really should follow Pricilla to see what goes down at the Highway patrol headquarters when Pricilla asks Lieutenant Mayfield to turn over Lazar. Let’s not forget the fact that this little story involves Larry and Andrew. Let’s go there first and see how the boys are doing. (man, this is becoming a nightmare to stage a scene.)

“How you. doing?”

“I’m an old man. I really don’t do well laying on my stomach with my hands behind my back. This floor dust is killing my asthma.”

“Roll over then.”

“Easier said than done. I have no leverage since these guys pulled my arms up high.”

“Let me scoot over to you. Hold on. Okay, use me to lean against and roll yourself over.”

“Whoa. That worked. Man, clean, fresh air.”

“I feel bad taking an old codger like you on this trip.”

“Never mind the codger stuff. Start thinking of a way to get free. How about since you are close? Try to feel the restraints on my wrists. Here I’ll turn on my side.”

“Okay, I’ll turn on my side and come closer to you. Okay, here I am. I can feel the restraints, and it is not good.”

“Why not.”

“These are standard issue heavy duty and will need to be cut off.”

“Could we manage it with a knife?”

“I think even if we had our hands free, it would be tricky to cut through these. We really need a pair of wire cutters.”

“But these are plastic.”

“trust me, they might as well be made of steel.”

“I have a penknife in my pocket. You want to at least try?”

“Why is it you old guys always have a penknife? Quills have been obsolete for centuries.”

“The fact that I have one may help us get out of this mess so you can mock it all you want. Besides, it is a Swiss Army penknife and has a right handy nail file.”

“The visual of you filing your nails has me ready to barf. Hold on. Someone’s coming.”

“What the hell are you two doing?”

“Ah, our old buddy Agent Moore the turncoat.”

“Turncoat? What are you talking about?”

“You called agents to come to guard Pricilla, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well, they arrived and took her to the Highway Patrol Headquarters to get Lazar released to trade for Carolyn. By the way, could you possibly find something and cut us free?”

“The agents I called haven’t arrived yet. They called and said they were twenty minutes out. That’s why I came in here to tell you. I have a release right here. There you are free, Larry. Here you go, Andrew.”

“Damn, so how did these guys know to pretend to be the protection detail?”

“I’m sure I don’t know.”

“We need to call Lieutenant Mayfield.”

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were all amazed that Agent Moore had to take a call in private. He then arranged some 24-hour security people heading over to Ms. Thomas’s office even as we speak. At the end of the discussion, Moore mentioned a survey like he was providing cable customer service. Larry had a problem with that and the private call. Let’s head back to Thomas’s office and see where this mess is heading.

 

“What do you think of that survey remark, Pricilla?”

“I think he was joking. You know how everyone is nuts for surveys these days.”

“Yeah, I couldn’t imagine the FBI sending surveys.”

“Which makes it all the funnier.”

“Ms. Thomas.”

“Yes, Andrew.”

“You have to understand. Larry has no sense of humor. In fact, he has less than no sense of humor.”

“Come on, Andrew. I have a sense of humor.”

“Right.”

“In any case, you two. I think Agent Moore was making a joke. I also think he needed to call his office in private for whatever reason, and we ought to accept that fact.”

“You are the boss.”

“Hold on. The front desk is calling. Yes? Send them in. It is the two security guys.”

“Is that them knocking?”

“Come in.”

“Ms. Thomas?”

“Yes.”

“I’m agent Fuller, and this is agent Scott.”

“Welcome, gentlemen. This is Larry Dunfee and Andrew Cummings. They are from the Boston police department.”

“Pleased to meet you officers. First things first. We will be with you for twelve hours and then relieved by another team. We don’t want to hamper your lifestyle but need to stay with you. That pretty much means one of us has to be with you at all times.”

“What about the ladies’ room?”

“Of course, you can have your privacy, but we need to check it out before you enter.”

“This is going to be a challenge.”

“Don’t worry. We have provided protection to many people and pride ourselves in discretion and the ability to not be overbearing.”

“What about home.”

“We will drive you there and stay with you as well.”

“It’s going to be unusual, but as you say, you’ve done this before.”

“Agent Scott will be outside the door, and I will stay here. Any questions?”

“I have one.”

“Yes, Mr. Dunfee.”

“May we see your credentials.”

“Of course. I apologize. It is the first thing I normally do. I have them right here.”

“That looks more like a gun than a badge.”

“Shut up and turn around.”

“Gonna shoot me in the back?”

“No, I’m going to relieve you of your gun then, with all due respect, ask you to get down on the floor. You as well . . . ah . . .er.”

“Cummings. Andrew Cummings.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cummings. Get on the floor as well. Agent Scott is going to put some restraints on you. Be nice, and he won’t cut the blood flow to your hands.”

“Okay, we are down. What is this about?”

“Well, we are going to take Ms. Thomas here for a little ride.”

“I’m not going with you.”

“This Glock says something a little different. Put the restraints on her too, Scott. Now here is how this little play is going to go. Thomas will be a nice person and fetch Popović, and then we will go get Carolyn. If everyone behaves themselves, Carolyn and Thomas will find their way back to safety. We will have Popović, and you will have Carolyn. Nobody gets hurt, and we won’t have any double-dealings in the trade. We know our offer of trade probably caused some angst within your team, Thomas. Now there is no moral dilemma. Nice and clean.”

“Except you are kidnapping me and interfering in an ongoing investigation and heaven knows how many other charges.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t mean a thing to us. You boys comfy?”

“Laying on the floor with our hands behind our back. What do you think.?”

“Once we leave, you can roll around all you want. Okay, Ms. Thomas. Let’s go.”

“What if I refuse?”

“Let’s not go there. So far, everything has been civil. I would hate to be forced to get nasty.”

“How nasty?”

“Bullet in the knee nasty.”

“Okay, I get it.”

“Thank you. You can follow Scott. Ta-ta for now, gentleman.”

 

 

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?”

 

 

It is Wednesday Storytime again, and last week, we were there when the tech felt he could get a court order and intercept calls that were being made from Stennis, the lawyer, to phones which had numbers that had been previously assigned to three dead undertakers. (you still with me?) The reason the numbers needed to be live is Stennis was involved in some kind of deal that the other side wanted him to believe they were real people with identities. (You still with me?). So Stennis has made calls to the numbers, and we will be able to find out what was discussed. The tech said it would take about a week, and the week is up. Oh, look, he is coming back into Pricilla’s office. Let’s not miss a thing he says.”

 

“Ah, Agent Moore. You are back with the information, I hope.”

“Yes, Agent Thomas, I am. Afternoon detectives.”

“Good afternoon.”

“Okay, so what have you found out?”
“No big surprise on the fact that the three phones had different conversations.”

“Okay, so what were they?”

“Well, I’ll call them to phone one, two, and three.”

“So far, I’m following you.”

“Phone one carries the most conversation. Phones two and three were just verification calls as I had previously believed.”

“So tell me about phone one.”

“really interesting. It appears Mr. Stennis is actually working for Cortez’speople.”

“How do you know that?”

“One of the conversations was about his fee.”

“His fee? Like he was hired by them.”

“Exactly. I must say his fee is pretty high too.”

“Can I butt in here?”

“Certainly, Mr. Dunfee. What is it?”

“I know we think this is a Cortez-run operation. Is there any proof he’s involved in any of these conversations?”

“I think so.”

“Hold on, agent Moore. What do you mean I think so?”

“Well, Agent Thomas on the call, Cortez’s name was not mentioned, but they kept referring to Mr. C. That has to be him.”

“No direct evidence, though.”

“No direct evidence.”

“So that means we still need Lazar.”

“I’m just a tech, ma’am. I wouldn’t know.”

“I was speaking out loud, Agent Moore. I don’t expect you to know.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Anything said about anyone else?”

“Stennis did mention the local DA.”

“In what context?”

“He asked if there would be any legal problems with Spenser Taggett. I looked him up, and he’s the city attorney.”

“He mentioned him by name.”

“Oh, yes, he did.”

“So what are these people up to?”

“It looks like they are going to exchange Lazar’s daughter for Lazar.”

“Any reasons were given?”

“Other than keeping him quiet. None.”

“Okay, so everything we guessed would happen is going to happen. We need to formulate a plan.”

“One more thing.”

“Yes, Agent Moore.”

“Your name came up.”

“And what was said?”

“Not so much what was said but the context in which it was said.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Well, Stennis asked about what is going to be done about the investigation that you are conducting.”

“And?”

“He was told you would be taken care of.”

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, well, all packed up and went to Pricilla Thomas’s office. We heard from a tech running some analysis on Stennis’s phone (Damn, is everyone’s name ending with an s in this story?) The tech promised to come right back, but as we know, techs seem to have attention issues like a bag of gummy worms from the canteen. Oh, wait. I must apologize to all techs here he comes now. Let’s get back to Pricilla’s office.

 

“It is good to see you return so quickly, Agent Moore.”

“Yes, Agent Thomas. I came as quickly as I had any results. Would you like a gummy worm?”

“No, thank you. What did you find out?”

“As I said, I did several—. “

“We can skip the background, Agent Thomas. Cut to the chase.”

“Yes, ma—, I mean yes, Agent Thomas. Here are three numbers that are associated with names that don’t exist.”

“What do you mean don’t exist?”

“I mean, the names led me to three separate burial plots in the Reno cemetery.”

“This tells us what?”

“The phone numbers in question were taken out with phony names.”

“Okay, let me be the dumb one. Who would need to get a phone number with a phony name? Why not just buy a burner phone.”

“I think I can add some detail to that.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“I believe whoever wanted to use these numbers wanted the person calling to think they were actually dealing with someone with an identity.”

“For what reason?”

“Well, I can think of one.”

“I will take one of those worms, hoping you’ll get to the point.”

“Sure, here you go. Let’s say you and I were doing some kind of deal. Let’s also say the deal wasn’t exactly legal.”

“Okay,”

“Let’s say to gain trust, you give someone a name and tell them to check you out.”

“I get it. So you make some inquiries, and the person appears to be who they say they are. Wait a minute. You were able to track these names back to the cemetery.”

“I was. The average person would be able to do that, too, but it would take a heck of a lot of resources. Most people don’t have access to the kinds of data I have.”

“Okay, so the person checks out and finds his contact is a real person. Why three.”

“I figure the other two are references. All three of these people were highly respected but relatively unknown. They did their jobs and left very little in the way of public information. In fact, when they died, very little was said. It would almost appear that they were still alive.”

“What did they do?”

“They were undertakers.”

“Undertakers?”

“Yeah, they worked for three separate funeral homes.”

“Stennis was talking to undertakers?”

“Well, I’m not certain he thought they were undertakers. I’m just saying they led a very low-key life, and if he only made calls to the other two, he would be satisfied the first was legitimate. I mean, if he did a google search on the names, little comes up.”

“Okay, so we have to assume Stennis was talking with these people, but we don’t know why.”

“Correct. However, I will be able to get a court order to do lawful interception of all the calls on these three phones. We will then have the conversations and can figure out what they are doing.”

“Any problem with the court order?”

“No, I don’t expect any. We have several murders and kidnappings and a person of interest. I think the facts will speak for themselves.”

“Any budget problems because I know the phone company’s charge for the service.”

“Nope. We’re good.”

“Okay, then let’s do it.”

“I’ll keep you informed. Normally in real life, this would take a few weeks to put in place, but I know you are in a hurry, so I’ll get right on it. Might have some information in a week.”

“I appreciate that. A week is just perfect.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, Pricilla got a call from Cortez’s men advising her that they will want to trade Carolyn for Lazar. We also know she has her techie working on Stennis’s phone to see if any of the numbers he called could lead them to Cortez’s men. Andrew, Larry, and Pricilla are in a small room at the Highway Patrol headquarters. I think we ought to go there now and see if there has been another phone call from Cortez’s team.

 

“I think we ought to get out of here and go to my office.”

“You not comfortable that the place is full of bugs?”

“Let’s just say If I want to be overheard, I’ll talk in a crowd.”

“Andrew and I are at your service, Pricilla.”

“Yeah, I appreciate that too. You guys want to ride with me?”

“That would be swell since we got here in Lieutenant Mayfield’s car.”

“I’ve wanted to ask you. You have any gut feelings about Mayfield.”

“Gut feelings?”

“Yeah. You’re a detective. You know what I mean by gut feelings.”

“Should we be talking about that here?”

“Maybe you’re right. I keep forgetting this is Mayfield’s domain. Let’s say our goodbyes to the Lieutenant and go downtown.”

“Do you think Cortez’s men will have a problem with you being separated from Lazar?”

“They shouldn’t. Besides, how are they going to know.”

“Let’s hope they don’t know. If they find out then, that will tell you something.”

“I get that for sure. Let’s go.”

“After you, Pricilla.”

“You two wait here. I’ll go say goodbye to Mayfield.”

“We’ll be here.”

“Larry.”

“Hold on, Andrew. Wait till Pricilla is out of earshot. Okay, what is it?”

“Talk about gut feelings. I’ve got alarm bells going off all over the place.”

“Yeah, me too. What the hell is wrong with everyone anyway. I’m not sure, but I don’t think there is a straight shooter on this side of the keyboard.”

“Keyboard?”

“Never mind. I’m as nervous about Pricilla as I am about Stennis and the Lieutenant. I get this feeling we are in a big game of Clue. I’m waiting for Colonel Mustard to step out.”

“That’s pretty funny, but I know what you mean. I just don’t have a handle on who’s who.”

“We need to get to the bottom of the reason we came here. We got the Sandusky cold case and the supposed murder of Alexis Rafferty. Now we could just cut out losses and go back to Boston and forget we ever got caught in this mess.”

“I don’t recommend that, Larry. For heaven’s sake, Janis Rafferty and Ned Dixon would get away with murder. We don’t want that. Here comes Pricilla.”

“Okay, guys, we are ready to go.”

“We are with you.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on that. The lieutenant says good-by and hope you have success with your case.”

“We do too, Pricilla.”