It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we all took a breather as Larry and Andrew were surprised by not being pulled over by the police car, which looked like it was in hot pursuit of them. They made the cut-off exit and are now on their way to the airport via the back roads. Let’s join them since I think I overheard Andrew say something about coffee.

“What ?”

“Since we have enough time, maybe that Starbucks might be a good place to get a cup. That airport coffee sucks.”

“You know? I’m beginning to think you have a coffee drinking problem.”

“Not sure it is a problem, but I sure would like a cup.”

“Okay, we’ll go through the drive-through. Coffeeholics never know they have a problem.”

“Thanks, boss. Oh, look at the line. Let’s just go inside; it will be quicker.”

“You would know.”

“Come in with me. I’ll buy.”

“If I must.”

“Come on. You’ll like it.”

“Gee grandpa, it’s not like I’ve never been in a Starbucks before.”

“Have you?”

“Let’s go.”

“See the menu above the counter?”

“What the hell. It looks like it is written in several languages. What’s a Venti anyway?”

“A 20 oz. Let me order for you.”

“Please.”

“Two Tall coffees with room for cream for Andy.”

“Andy? Since when are you, Andy?”

That’s my Barista name. Andrew is just too long to write on the cup.”

“Okay, now what.”

“Wait for them to call Andy. Let’s move over beyond the counter.”

“You see those two guys who just came in?”

“The ones in the raincoats?”

“Do you think it looks like rain?”

“If you’re asking my opinion, I think something’s fishy. You bring your gun with you?”

“Yup. Right here in my holster.”

“I would get it out of the holster…Look out Larry, the guy has a shotgun under that coat.”

“Down, Andrew. Get down. EVERYONE. Listen to me. GET DOWN. YOU BY THE DOOR. DROP IT OR I’LL PUT ONE IN YOUR EYE.

“Andy, your beverage is ready.”

“I SAID, GET DOWN. YOU WANT TO DIE?”

“I’m down.”

“LAST CHANCE TO GET RID OF THE SHOTGUN.”

“Here, have a blast for yourself.”

“CRAP.”

“You okay, Larry?”

“Yeah, but I missed the guy, and he went out the door.”

“What about the other one?”

“Here I am, and I have a surprise for you.”

“He’s got a UZI.”

“And I know how to use it. Here have some lead.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, Larry and Andrew brought us up to speed. If you missed it don’t worry, Larry and Andrew have decided to go back to Boston after they speak with Joachim Cortez about what he knows regarding the goons that came and shot up Jerry’s place. If all this is Greek, just read on, and it will become clear. I’m a firm believer in living in the moment and would encourage “reading at the moment.” OH MY GOSH. Larry and Andrew are approaching Cortez’s table in the restaurant. We better hot foot it over there to catch every word.

“Well, well, well, my two favorite investigators. Please have a seat.”

“Thank you, Joachim. We aren’t going to stay long. We just had a couple of questions.”

“I hear you put a bullet into my son in law.”

“Wentworth? That’s funny.”

“What do you mean, funny?”

“Okay, we will have a seat. It’s funny because he shot himself in the foot.”

“That sounds exactly like him. My apologies, he told me you did it. Would you gentlemen care for a drink?”

“I would love a coffee. How about you, Andrew?”

“A coffee sounds good to me as well.”

“Here is a fresh pot the server just brought. Help yourself.”

“With all these cups on the table, you must have a lot of visitors?”

“You might say this is my office away from home. Now, what can I do for you today?”

“We were having a discussion with Wentworth before he had his..um …accident, and he wanted to be forthcoming, but we got the feeling he was afraid.”

“Forthcoming about what?”

“While we were chasing a lead, a few goons showed up at our subject’s apartment and put about a hundred holes in the place.”

“Would this be the apartment of Jerry Foster?”

“Hmmm. How did you know?”

“I read in the paper that his place was the target of a drive-by shooting.”

“Already in the papers, huh.”

“Yes, detective.”

“Would you have any information on who sent the shooters?”

“I might have a lead, yes.”

“Would you be willing to share this lead?”

“As you know, detective information has great value. Might I enquire as to why you want to know?”

“Other than almost getting killed ourselves, we think Foster was the target which would make him part of our ongoing investigation into who killed Sandusky and Rafferty.”

“Why is that?”

“As you say, information has value. Before I tell you why I think Foster was the target, I need to know who ordered the hit.”

“I don’t want to spread vicious lies, so let me just say I believe if you investigate Spencer Taggett, you may get some answers.”

“Spencer Taggett, the Assistant District attorney?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“What does he have to do with this mess?”

“All I’m saying is if you check around, you might make a connection between him, Ned Dixon, and Janice Rafferty. Now, why do you think Jerry Foster was the target?”

“I thought it was because he overheard an argument between you and Rafferty.”

“So, you would believe I ordered the hit?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“If I had ordered the hit, detective. You nor Foster would be still around. No, it wasn’t me. More coffee?”

“No, thank you, Joachim. We do appreciate your hospitality and information, though. We need to be going.”

“If you want my advice.”

“Yes, sir, we would welcome your advice.”

“I would get back to Boston, where you have some authority and shake the trees on Rafferty and Dixon.”

“Yeah, that is good advice. We already know they shared a room here, so there’s not much more we can learn.”

“Plus, you will get out of Taggett’s jurisdiction, which might be healthier for you all the way around.”

“Great talking with you, Joachim. You take care of yourself.”

“Be careful out there, detective. I’d take the sideroads to the airport if I were you.”

“Thanks again.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we witnessed Wentworth shooting himself in the foot. After some interesting interrogation techniques, Larry and Andrew found out that Cortez has the answer to their questions around who was sent to kill them. Wentworth was unwilling to give any more information, `even if it cost him his life. Although Larry threatened not to call 9-1-1 we left the group last week with the sounds of emergency vehicles in the background. I see Wentworth is all loaded up in the ambulance, and our heroes are pondering their next move. We better go and listen in.

“What do you make of that confusing discussion with Wentworth?”

“You know, Andrew, I’m so tired of the convoluted situations that we run across here I’m tempted to pull the plug and hightail it back to Boston.”

“Without finding out who killed Rafferty?”

“You know we started this case with Sandusky’s death. Because I was stumped, I went to Micki Lee’s, and she conjured up Gloria.”

“I remember. That Micki is something.”

“Yes well. Gloria told me to chase the motive, and the murderer will be found.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“So we find out Rafferty would not falsify documents for Cortez saying that heart zap machine didn’t work.”

“Yeah, Cortez didn’t want to pay for it.”

“Right. So the inventor, Sandusky, and Rafferty end up dead.”

“I see what you are saying. The motive here all points to Cortez.”

“And now Wentworth says Cortez knows who tried to kill us, but he refuses to say more.”

“Which makes me believe it was Cortez.”

“So obvious it hurts. We’ve been chasing the Janet Rafferty involvement for no reason. Who cares if she was involved? We can always get her and her boyfriend later. They live in Boston for shit’s sake.”

“Let’s go back to Boston.”

“I agree. We need to talk to Cortez first.”

“You crazy? That sounds like a short runway to oblivion.”

“I just won’t be able to rest until I get some information from him. He is downstairs in the restaurant. Can’t take but a minute.”

“Or a lifetime.”

“Oh, come on. You afraid?”

“Cautious, just cautious.”

“Besides, you could use a cup of coffee.”

“The last request of the condemned man.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Larry in his unsubtle way asked Wentworth directly if he sent thugs to kill and Andrew and him. Needless to say, Wentworth went off-hook and demanded Larry and Andrew leave his office. He even threatened to call, as he said, “The real police.” I see Larry is pretty red in the face, so let’s get back there, we don’t want to miss anything.

“What did you just say?”

“Get out of my office.”

“No after that.”

“I don’t remember.”

“Well. Let my friend here refresh your memory.”

“Larry, I wouldn’t do that.”

“Thank you, Andrew, but I know what I’m doing.”

“Have you met Mr.Glock, Wentworth.”

“I-I don’t know what’s going on. Be careful with that thing.”

“So, let me remind you of what you said since you seem to have forgotten your last insult. You said, “Or else I’ll call the real police.”

“I-I don’t remember.”

“Or choose to forget. Now there are some other things that you need to remember. First, Andrew and I are the real police, and we think you are up to your eyebrows in murder.”

“Y-you are threatening me?”

“What does it look like. You want to take a bite out of Mr. Glock? I can certainly arrange it.”

“F-for God’s sake. W-what do you want?”

“The truth, Wentworth. We want the truth and don’t give me that line about not being able to handle the truth.”

“Truth about what?”

“Let’s start with the conversation Cortez had with Rafferty before he was killed.”

“Cortez will have my ass if I say anything.”

“And guess who will if you don’t. By the way, I’m closer to you right now than Cortez.”

“You won’t dare shoot me. You’ll go to jail.”

“What are you talking about? I walked into your office. You charged at me. I had no choice. Right Andrew?”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but if so, yes, that’s what happened.”

“So you want to sit down and tell us what you know, or do I start with your left kneecap.”

“My God, you are insane.”

“No, just pissed off. I have been running around chasing shadows for long enough. We have two Boston citizens dead and a whole lot of lying sons bitches laughing up their sleeve. Now we are tired of it all and want to get back home. You going to talk or not.”

“Okay, okay. Let me sit here at my desk. You guys take a chair. Can I get a drink out of my desk drawer? “

“Slow and easy, Sanford.”

“Look out Larry he’s got a gun.”

“Aw shit, Wentworth. Why’d you go and do that? Drop it.”

“Go to hell, Detective.”

*The compression of the sound of a shot rings in their ears

It is Wednesday Story Day again and last week Jerry Foster (The room service guy) told Larry and Andrew about the fact that Cortez threatened Rafferty before he was killed. He also let fly that Wentworth is the son-in-law of Cortez. When asked why Janice Rafferty gave him a big tip he described seeing someone come out of her room shortly before he arrived with her breakfast. Oh, he also told our pair that Charles had nothing to do with Mrs. Rafferty. So, I see Larry and Andrew walking into the executive area and I’m guessing they are headed to Wentworth’s office.

“What are you going to ask Wentworth?”

“Why he lied about Jerry’s phone.”

“I think it’s pretty obvious.”

“Okay, Sherlock tell me the obvious answer.”

“He wanted us to go to Jerry’s apartment so he could have those guys with the assault rifles take us all out.”

“I guess I should restate my question to Wentworth.”

“Yes, you. Should.”

“Okay, how’s this? ‘Why did you set us up to be killed?’”

“I’m sure he’ll give you a straight answer to that one.”

“What would you ask, then?”

“I would start slowly with something like, ‘Tell us again about Jerry’s phone.’”

“Don’t you think he’ll lawyer up immediately?”

“I don’t think so. If you explain that you are interested in getting to the truth maybe he’ll finger someone else.”

“Yeah, I see that. It is worth a try. We are here at the executive office. Let’s go in.”

“Yes, gentlemen can I help you?”

“We are here to see Wentworth.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“This badge says I don’t need an appointment. Is he here?”

“L-let me check. Mr. Wentworth. There are two policemen here to see you. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. He says to go right in.”

“Well, gentlemen. So nice to see you.”

“I’ll bet seeing us is a bit of a surprise huh?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Detective.”

“Yeah sure—”

“Uh, Larry. Truth?”

“Okay, Andrew. You know Wentworth we are trying to find out who killed Alexis Rafferty.”

“What has that to do with me?”

“Nice, subtle lead-in, Larry.”

“Thanks, Andrew. Oh, I see. You are being facetious. Anyway Wentworth.”

“That’ll be Sanford.”

“Yeah, right, Sanford. You know Andrew and I are trying to get to the truth, and we think you can help us.”

“Help how?”

“For example. You pretty much said Jerry had dismantled his phone.”

“No. I said Jerry wasn’t answering his phone and then when we went to the break room it was in pieces.”

“You said it was Jerry’s phone.”

“That’s right.”

But it wasn’t.”

“News to me, Detective.”

“Okay let’s quit running around the bush. Did you send a group of hired guns to kill us?”

“Excuse me but this little game is over. Get out of my office before I call the real police.”