It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we finished up the testing of all the folks working this case, and it seems Stennis is still the odd person out as far as being the suspected mole. A big thank you to Larry for getting Pricilla vetted. Speaking of her, Pricilla went to check with her team to see if the kid in the car had a cell phone and, if so, were there any calls on it that would be useful. I see she is coming back so let’s go there and get the report.

 

So, Ms. Thomas, any news?”

“Yes, Mr. Dunfee, there is news. Unfortunately, it is not good news.”

“Well, that figures. Did the kid have a cell phone?”

“There was no cell phone on the body or anywhere near the scene.”

“So, Stennis is still in the hot seat.”

“Yes, but you have raised an interesting point. Let’s go into the other room. Lieutenant, we have no further need to have Mr. Popović. Here. He can go back to his cell.”

“Yes, Ms. Thomas. Come on, Lazar, you are with me.”

“Thank you for everything you are doing to find my daughter, Ms. Thomas.”

“Let’s hope we can do that quickly, Mr. Popović. Come on, Larry. Andrew, you can join us too.”

“Right behind you, Ms. Thomas.”

“Okay, here we are at a smaller room. Close the door, please.”

“Okay, Ms. Thomas.”

“You can call me Pricilla when we are not with lazar.”

“Sure thing Pricilla. Why the different room?”

“One thing that always is present in an interrogation room is a microphone for creating a record of confessions and such. I just don’t know if it is on or not, so I would rather be in here.”

“Room could be bugged.”

“Yeah, but at least there’s a chance it’s not. Also, I don’t have anything earth-shattering to talk about.”

“What do you have?”

“The Lieutenant raised a point about getting into Stennis’ cell to determine if he has placed any calls to the Cortez team. I’ve asked my techie to do that very thing. Also, we are monitoring Stennis’s calls now.”

“I’m a little troubled as to how you are going to determine if the numbers called from Stennis’s phone are Cortez operatives.”

“I asked my techie to figure out away. It is going to take time, though. The safest thing to do is assume Stennis is the mole and keep him out of the loop. There’s my phone. Hold on. This is Thomas. Uh-huh. Sure, I get that. I will want to speak to her to make sure she is okay. Yes, you are in control. Fine.”

“Cortez’s guy.”

“Yes, and he had a warning for us.”

“What was that.”

“No funny business, and they want a straight trade Carolyn for Lazar. They are going to call back with more details.”

“How is this going to be done. Carolyn is in France.”

“I’m not sure. Maybe through intermediaries.”

“When are they going to call?”

“They didn’t say. I don’t think it’s going to be too far off. I need to get back to my office. Do you two want to come?

“You bet. We’ll follow you anywhere.”

“I believe the phrase is ‘blow in my ear, and I’ll follow you anywhere.”‘

“I’ve never heard that before.”

“Yeah, right. let’s go.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we all went down the path of thinking Stennis (Lazar’s lawyer) was the one passing information to Cortez’s team. Then Larry asked when Pricilla called Stennis since one key factor was Cortez’s team had Pricilla’s phone number. True to this story, she never called Stennis. So here we are, thinking we’ve nailed the mole, and now we are not sure. Last week Pricilla asked the Lieutenant if he had any idea how Cortez’s team got the number. The big implication was the Lieutenant is the mole. Let’s go back and see how the Lieutenant answers the question.

 

“Well, Pricilla, there are several ways. One could be isolating your signal from all signals in this area. That would be a simple matter since those guys probably know you are here in State Police Headquarters.”

“How would they know which is my phone?”

“Let’s see. You call a number several times. That number happens to be located in the FBI building. Not hard. I think the bigger question is who gave them the location information on where Carolyn and Andre and that kid were.”

“Yes, that is a bigger question.”

“Tell you what. Put your techie on getting into Stennis’ phone and locating all the calls he placed while he was here.”

“Excuse me, Lieutenant.”

“Yes, Mr. Popović.”

“He never placed any calls.”

“How are you sure? Did he ever leave your sight?”

“Let’s see. Why yes, he want to the men’s room.”

“How many times.”

“You know, now that I think about it, I thought he was having some kind of problem cause he seemed to have to go several times.”

“To my point. He had plenty of time to text information to Cortez’s guys.”

“You all have to hole on.”

“Yes, Larry.”

“Couldn’t that kid in the car have given the location all along? It is obvious he was in Cortez’s employ.”

“Whoa. Good point. What about that Pricilla.”

“I think a call to the evidence guys could confirm if the kid had a cell phone.”

“If he did, I’m sure they took it when they killed him.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to check.”

“Sure, of course. I was just making sure we don’t take our eye off the Stennis ball. He seemed a little shaky to me.”

“Shaky, how?”

“Every lawyer I met couldn’t wait to get away from the lock-up. This guy stayed around forever. Seemed strange to me.”

“You know, Mr. Dunfee. You would be the one to know. Also, you must be a good detective since you are so logical.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. By the way, there is another elephant in the room.”

“Elephant?”

“Several readers raised the point that you were going around verifying that others were not the mole. Who is going to verify you?”

“Readers. What the hell are you talking about?”

“Never mind. That was a fourth wall slip. So how do we know you are not the mole?”

“I am a flipping federal Officer of the Court, Mr. Dunfee. Why on earth would I want to see Cortez get off the hook?”

“Um, Any number of reasons. Maybe he’s holding a family member.”

“For the record, I have no family. Not even a dog. Also, for the record, I plan to run for office and would like to use the Cortez collar as my finest moment. Where does that leave you now?”

“Leaves me with the feeling you are not the mole.”

“Damn straight, I’m not. Now that we have left that unpleasantness, let me call the techie and see what he can find.”

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we learned there is a mole in the group feeding information to Cortez’s team. Just who and how it was done are questions that need answers. I see Pricilla is starting to eliminate those who she suspects are clean. Let’s go and listen to her logic.

“With all of us here, I want to make sure none of you are involved in passing information to Cortez. Larry and Andrew, I think the fact that you have been shot at leads me to believe you are in the clear.”

“I appreciate that Pricilla cause it’s true.”

“Yes, fine. Also, Lazar here would be the one to pass information to save his daughter, but I have to wonder how he would do it.”

“Thank you, Ms. Thomas. I have not been out of anyone’s sight and have nothing to communicate with.”

“The lieutenant here is a public servant with a spotless record. I can’t see any kind of motive for wanting to give information to Cortez.”

“Thank you, Ms. Thomas. I would have no reason to co-operate with that mob.”

“So that pretty much leaves Stennis.”

“I think we all got there too. I have to wonder what he has to gain?”

“We won’t know until we question him. I have the FBI taking him into custody right now.”

“If he is feeding information to Cortez, won’t his being in custody jeopardize Carolyn’s life?”

“I don’t think so, Mr. Popović. My guess is that Cortez will eliminate Stennis anyway. The value in his information to Cortez was knowing how much we knew about Carolyn’s whereabouts. I think they didn’t know where she was until we found her.”

“So, you led them to her?”

“Sadly, it looks that way.”

“This sucks.”

“Sadly, Mr. Popović. It does.”

“You know Ms. Thomas, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes, Larry. About what?”

“When did you call Stennis?”

“When?”

“Yes, when did you make a call to him?”

“Let me check my outgoing. I don’t see a call to Stennis.”

“So, he would not have your phone number.”

“I can’t see how he would.”

“So where did he get it?”

“I see what you are driving at Mr. Dunfee.”

“How did those guys get your number?”

“Lieutenant. Any idea?”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we watched as the options for grabbing Carolyn went out the window. It appears that the only option is to wait for Cortez’s team to contact someone. Pricilla believes it will be Lazar’s lawyer. Nothing is certain at this point. IN fact, we don’t even know if and when they will call. As a precaution, Stennis, the lawyer, will hang around for a while to see if a call will come in. I see everyone is hanging around the interrogation room waiting for a call. I guess we should go there and wait with them.

“This is driving me nuts.”

“I know Mr. Popović. I don’t think there is much else we can do. Hold on, I have a call coming in. I don’t recognize this number. Well, there is nothing to lose by answering. Yes, this is Thomas. Hello. Yeah okay. Speaker, it is. You are on speakerphone.”

“I’m only going to say this once, so listen up. We have Carolyn Popović. She will come to no harm if you release Lazar to us. If you don’t see this plan’s wisdom, you can inform Mr. Popović that he will need to do another plan. That will be for the memorial service.”

“Who are you?”

“Please, Ms. Thomas. Don’t make yourself look stupid in front of all those in the room. Also, do not interrupt me again. We will be communicating through you. You can expect a call within two hours, giving you precise instructions. Oh, please triangulate the location of this phone. By the time you figure out where this call is coming from, we will be long gone. Don’t try to call this number since it won’t exist in twenty seconds. That is all.”

“Wait. How is Carolyn? Hello? Hello. Damn, he’s gone.”

“Oh my god. They have my little girl. I don’t care. What happens to me. Do as they say. Let them have me. We have to save Carolyn.”

“Please settle down, Mr. Popović. The government has a standing policy against meeting the kidnapper’s demands. We need to get a plan together. Unfortunately, you will not be too useful. Lieutenant.”

“Yes.”

“Please take Mr. Popović back to the holding cell. Mr. Stennis, you are free to go.”

“Wait, Ms. Thomas.”

“What?”

“I can help, I’m sure. There must be a place where they have taken her that I know about. After all, there are Cortez’s men, and I used to work for him. Please let me stay and help.”

“My better judgment says no, but there is something in what you just said that makes sense.”

“Okay, you can stay. Larry and Andrew. I don’t see that this is something you need to be concerned with so you can beg off.”

“if you don’t mind, Andrew and I would like to stay and help.”

“We can use the help. Okay, you are signed on as well. Lieutenant, how about you?”

“At your service.”

“Mr. Stennis, you are excused.”

“Thank you, but I too wish to help.”

“All the same, I think we have a working group, and your client will be in good hands.”

“Very well. If that is your desire.”

“It is.”

“Okay, Lazar. Remember what I said about saying anything.”

“I remember. All I want to do is get my daughter away from those animals.”

“Alright, then. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye. Lieutenant, would you please escort Mr. Stennis to the front door.”

“My pleasure. Follow me, sir.”

“Everyone, hold on until the lieutenant returns.”

“What’s the problem ?”

“Just wait.”

“Okay, Ms. Thomas, Stennis is out the front door.”

“Riddle me this all of you. How did Cortez’s group know my number?”

“Is it unlisted?”

“Yes, of course. Also, how did they know there were other folks in the room?”

“Now that you ask, it is an excellent question. We have a mole.”

“Exactly, Larry.”

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Time again, and last week, we took a little breather. Pricilla and Jerry Stennis, Lazar’s lawyer, had a little conversation, which resulted in Stennis wanting to stay with Lazar until Carolyn’s status is known. After their discussion, Pricilla left to talk to her FBI counterpart. I see she is coming back, so we better get there and find out what that conversation was all about.

 

“Mr. Dunfee, could I see you outside for a moment?”

“Uh, sure, Ms. Thomas.”

“Follow me.”

“Can Andrew come too?”

“Yes, I see no reason why not.”

“Ms. Thomas?”

“Yes, Mr. Stennis.”

“Does this concern my client?”

“No, sir, it does not.”

“Thank you.”

“Excuse us for a minute.”

“Hold on, Ms. Thomas, while I get the door.”

“Gallant, Mr. Dunfee.”

“I just want to make sure it is closed.”

“Is it closed.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I said this does not concern Lazar bu it does.”

“What is it, Ms. Thomas.”

“We just got another hit on Andre Terrian, and it is not good.”

“What do you mean.”

“It looks like he was a person of interest in Corsica as the supposed leader of a kidnap for ransom scheme.”

“Corsica? That is pretty random.”

“They only used the location as a base.”

“How did they get sideways with the locals?”

“They actually had the locals in their pocket.  They were never charged and left the island.”

“This does not sound good for Carolyn.”

“Yeah, no kidding. I think Lazar made a big mistake hiring him to watch Carolyn. It looks like a couple of the kidnap victims were roughed up pretty bad.”

“How so?”

“Andre was pretty forceful in his demands and sent some pretty vicious videos of the victims getting punched around if there was any delay in payment.”

“None killed or missing?”

“No. it Looks like his MO is to scare the crap out of the parents. None of the victims were seriously hurt just looked that way on the video.”

“Well, that’s one thing.”

“Let’s hope the guys in France get to Carolyn before Andre can get away. If he does, we can almost count on some kind of ransom situation.”

“How did you get all this information on Andre anyway.”

“He had an accomplice who got caught in another situation and started to talk.”

“But no one got to Andre.”

“Nope, he disappeared. Which he is good at doing.”

“When will the train reach France.”

“I’m guessing in the next ten minutes.”

“Someone going to let us know what happens.”

“Yeah, we have agreed to a text which is much faster.”

“Good idea.”

“I’m worried, though.”

“Not a good thing to hear.”

“Not a good thing to say”

“