It is Wednesday Story Day again and last week we were relieved that Andrew, Larry, and Jerry were able to convince the police that they were legit. It looks like they had to clear out of Jerry’s apartment, so they all went to Larry’s room at the hotel for a little conversation.

“I hope Wentworth didn’t see us come in.”

“I don’t think he did. We will get to him next after Jerry here tells us what he knows.”

“You are talking like I’m not here.”

“Oh, yes, you are here, all right. Andrew and I want to know everything so let’s get to it.”

“Where do you want to start?”

“Let’s start with Wentworth. Why did he want you to keep your mouth closed and why make up a story about Mrs. Rafferty and Charles Jenkins?

“Well, the answer to the first is Wentworth knows something about what Mrs. Rafferty was up to.”

“How do you know that?”

“I mentioned a big tip and he immediately told me not to discuss Mrs. Rafferty again.”

“That’s all?”

“No. When Mr. Rafferty was found dead, Wentworth became unglued and warned me not to mention that Mrs. Rafferty was in the hotel at the time.”

“Why do you suppose he did that?”

“You know Wentworth is Cortez’s son in law, don’t you?”

“No, I did not know that. So what?”

“You didn’t hear it from me.”

“Yeah sure. Go ahead.”

“Cortez and Rafferty got into it one night and Wentworth was there. Cortez told Rafferty that, he’d better, and I quote, ‘Cut the Shit, or something bad’s going to happen.”’

“How do you know this?”

“I was serving drinks in the suite where they were meeting.”

“They let you out of the room alive?”

“Oh yeah. Tip me enough and your secrets are safe.”

“So, Wentworth was concerned that you overheard.”

“He made a special point to tell me to forget everything I heard.”

“Okay, why the lie implicating Charles?”

“I lost my head. Let’s just say I’m not proud of that story.”

“So, as far as you know, Charles has nothing to do with all this.”

“As far as I know.”

“Why did Mrs. Rafferty give you a big tip.”

“I’m not sure. I did see someone come out of her room that morning I brought her breakfast.”

“She must have known you did.”

“Yeah. Couldn’t have been more than twenty seconds after the guy left, and I knocked on the door.”

“Could you identify the guy?”

“I could try. He moved pretty fast, though.”

“Okay, Jerry, you’ve been helpful. Anything else?”

“Not that I can think of.”

“Where can we take you.”

“I’m here. I need to go to work.”

“Let’s keep this morning between us, okay?”

“Believe me, I don’t need Wentworth knowing any information came from me.”

“Okay, then. If you think of anything here’s my card. Just give me a call.”

“Will do. See you later.”

“And Jerry?”

“Stay close okay?”

“Yessir.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we witnessed the arrival of Lake Tahoe’s finest. Yes, once again, Larry and Andrew are under suspicion of breaking the law. Jerry Foster is standing around, waiting to see what will happen. I know the officer has returned from contacting his dispatch to check on Larry and Andrew’s background. Let’s get there to be witness to the good news or bad.

“Okay, detective. Looks like you are well known to the department here. I’ve been instructed to give you whatever assistance you need.”
“I appreciate that, officer … uh does your nametag say, Fife?”
“I’ve heard them all, detective, so don’t even go there.”
“Well, Andrew and I appreciate the offer, but we think we have this. We just need to get back to the Hyatt and ask Wentworth a few questions. Also, we need to take Jerry here with us.”
“Okay, detective. Have it your way, but from the looks of things, you are facing some pretty mean hombres. I would think you would welcome a little protection.”
“I think the best protection would be to find out who is behind this kind of mayhem.”
“Well, I think I have an idea although t is not my place to accuse those who I can’t prove are involved.”
“Can you give me a hint, and then I can follow up unofficially.”
“Yeah, I guess that would work. Chercher Cortez.”
“There’s that name again.”
“You’ve heard it before.”
“You bet. We have been cherching Cortez since the beginning of this stupid story.”
“He’s not hard to find. Just go into the Hyatt bar, and he’s got a regular table off to the right. He does all his business from there.”
“Much obliged officer Fife. We will keep that in mind. So, Andrew, you ready?”
“Well, Larry, we have a couple of loose ends to tie up before we walk into the lion’s den.”
“Remind me.”
“We need to get some information out of Jerry, here so that we can tie Mrs. Rafferty and her boyfriend to the killing of her husband.”
“Yeah, okay. Jerry, you willing to talk?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll tell you all I know.”
“Good. What else, Andrew?”
“We need to find out why Wentworth lied to us.”
“Yes. That is a good one.”
“I can tell you that.”
“Go ahead, Jerry.”
“He’s under Cortez’s thumb.”
“Excuse me, detective.”
“Yes, Officer, Fife.”
“If you three have no more need for us, we need to ask you to leave. The crime lab guys are headed this way, and we need to secure the scene.”
“Thank you, officer. We are on our way.”
“Hey, hold on you three.”
“Ah, Mr. Landlord. What can we do for you?”
“Who’s gonna pay for the frickin door?”
“I would guess Jerry’s rental insurance.”
“Excuse me, sir, but I asked you to leave the last time you got in the way. Unless you want a citation for interfering with a criminal investigation, I would suggest you go back to your apartment.”
“Thanks, Officer Fife. On behalf of the three of us.”

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again and last week Jerry’s landlord walked in asking a lot of questions and then fingered the three to the police as possible trespassers. This was all after a bunch of guys made toothpicks out of Jerry’s door. So, our boys are about to get a visit by a group of very nervous police officers. We better get there. Not that we can help but what would a story be without us.

“YOU PEOPLE IN THE APARTMENT. GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD.”

“Well, Larry. It looks like we are in another fine kettle of fish. I hate this. My knees are not healthy enough for a lot of kneeling.”

“Let’s just do as they say, Andrew. We don’t want any accidents. You too, Jerry. Do as they say. IT’S OKAY OFFICERS WE ARE ALL ON OUR KNEES.”

“Well, what do we have here?”

“Detective Larry Dunfee of the Boston police department, officer.”

“You have ID?”

“Yes, I do. May I get it”

“Hold on. I’ll tell you when to move. Who are you guys?”

“Andrew Cummings, Office. I have arthritic knees, which are killing me.”

“Well, Mr. Cummings, if you be patient, we will have you on your feet in no time. You with the Boston police as well.”

“No, sir. I’m the former ME.”

“How about you?”

“Jerry Foster and this is my place.”

“And the bum’s two weeks behind in his rent.”

“Excuse me, sir. Who are you?”

“I’m the landlord.”

“Please stand over there, sir. We’ll get your statement shortly.”

“Who’s going to pay for that door.”

“Please, sir. Give us a moment here.”

“Officer, look at the guy. Wife beater t-shirt, two days growth, leather vest, suspenders, pork pie hat, cigar, and evidence of three days of meals on his shirt. He’s right out of central casting. You think he’s going to listen to you?”

“Mr. Dunfee, is it?”

“Detective Dunfee and I have my service weapon on me.”

“That’s fine, detective Dunfee. We’ll get to all that. Right now, we would appreciate it if you and your associates would get your IDs out, please.”

“What about my weapon.”

“Just leave that where it is for now. There are three assault weapons in this room, so your weapon doesn’t concern me. I want your ID first.”

“Here you are.”

“So how did you come to attract all this attention, Detective Dunfee?”

“Can we get off this floor?”

“Sure, but don’t make any sudden moves. These officers don’t take kindly to sudden moves.”

“You have me convinced. I’m moving as slowly as I can. Jerry and Andrew, please do the same.”

“To my question. Do you know why those people might want to see you dead?”

“Not a clue, Officer. When we first got to town, we were assaulted, and we eventually shot the perps dead.”

“How did whoever want you dead know you were here?”

“No idea. I guess they followed us here.”

“How about you, sonny. Any Idea?”

“L-like the detective said, maybe they followed us.”

“How about you, Mr. Cummings?”

“I have no idea. I guess being followed is as good a reason as I can think up.”

“Okay, Mr. Landlord. What do you know?”

“Nutten. I was relaxin’ and, then all hell broke loose.”

“By all hell, you mean gunshots.”

“You’re not kidden’. Shells falling all over the place. Look at this place. There’s holes everwhere.”

“You see anyone?”

“No way. I wasn’t about to stick my head out of my door with World War three goin’ on.”

“Thank you. You may go.”

“See if you can get that punk to cough up my rent. That would be a service. You do protect and serve, right?”

“Please leave, sir. Thank you. Now let me call this in and see there is any reason to hold you three.”

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we all got into a stir over the fact that Jerry the server was not answering his phone. Wentworth made it clear that Jerry was supposed to answer, and the mobile phone was going to voicemail after one ring. Wentworth, Larry, and Andrew are headed to the server break room to see if they can find Jerry. We might as well join them. Although the room is small, all one hundred of us can fit in. Let’s go.

 

“This is the breakroom, gentlemen.”

“Thanks, Went er, Sanford. I don’t see anyone here. Hey, look. Here’s the phone. Could this be Jerry’s phone?”

“Let me look. Ah yes. It sure looks like the model we issue the servers. I’ll have to check the number, though.”

“Looks like the battery has been taken out.”

“Yeah. No wonder it went to voicemail. Jerry has disabled the phone.”

“If, in fact, this is his phone.”

“I don’t see the battery anywhere.”

“So, detective, what should we do?”

“I’m thinking of going to his house. Do you have the address?”

“I do. It is in my office.”

“We’d appreciate your help.”

“No problem, detective. Follow me.”

 

***

 

“Slow down, Andrew. I think the apartment building is next.”

“How about I park here?”

“Yeah, this looks good. The number is 304. I’m assuming it is on the third floor.”

“Of course, it is. With our luck, the elevator will be out of order.”

“Have some faith Andrew. Let’s go in this door.”

“It does look like the entrance.”

“And lookie here. An elevator. Hit the up button, will you?”

“I’ve seen slower elevators, but I can’t remember when.”

“Here it is. Watch your step, old man.”

“You said the third floor. Right?”

“Yup. Boy, you are right. This is a slow one.”

“Here we are. You want to go first?”

“Sure, Andrew. After all, I have a gun.”

“I am guessing 304 is to the right.”

“Very good. Here it is. Oh, look. It has a doorbell.”

“Much better than pounding. Nice tone too.”

“I don’t hear anyone inside. Ring it again.”

“I still don’t hear anyone. Maybe pounding is the way to go. Open up, Jerry. This is the police.”

“Nice subtle touch, Larry.”

“I would say he’s not home.”

“Any way we can go in?”

“Not without a warrant unless we have probable cause.”

“Like a guy takes his battery out of his phone and is alluding the cops by laying low.”

“Let me try the door. An unlocked door could be a sign of forced entry.”

“Locked, huh?”

“Yup. Wait, I hear something. Jerry. Open the door.”

“Hey, man. I was sound asleep. What do you want?”

“We need to come in and talk to you.”

“Sure, man. Come in. You got any coffee?”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we witnessed Charles the server denies he went home with Mrs. Rafferty, which was information received from Jerry the server. Also, Charles lawyered up and decided he wouldn’t do any more talking without a lawyer. We should get back to the Hyatt since I see Larry headed for Sanford Wentworth’s office. He doesn’t look too pleased either.

 

“Yes, detective. Come right in.”

“I need to talk to Jerry Foster again.”

“Is there a problem Detective

“Yes, there is, but I need to take it up with Jerry.”

“Sure enough. Hold on, I’ll call him.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s strange.”

“What?”

“His cell phonies going to voicemail after one ring.”

“Yeah, well, I have had that happen to mine when the signal’s not good.”

“But throughout our property, we have repeaters. We need to be in constant touch with our employees. This should not happen.”

“You sure he isn’t hitting the ‘not accept’ button.”

“It could be, but he knows this number, and that would certainly be grounds for discipline.”

“So, where does he hang out?”

“There is a little server’s break room off the kitchen. He could be there.”

“Let’s go down there then.”

“Okay, follow me.”

“Wait. I need to get Andrew.”

“I’ll wait for you here.”

“I’ll be right back.”

*

“Hey, Andrew.”

“Yes, Larry. What’s the deal?”

“We need to talk to Jerry Foster, and now he is out of touch with his boss.”

“Yeah, so what? Maybe he is in the men’s room.”

“Wentworth seems concerned, so I’m concerned.”

“Well, if you are concerned, then I’m concerned.”

“Okay, never mind. Just come with me to Wentworth’s office and then to see if we can find Jerry.”

“This is almost like a posse.”

“You do concern me sometimes, Andrew.”

“If you are concerned—”

“Knock it off, Andrew. Let’s just go.”

“Right, you are chief. Lead the way.”

“That’s better.”

“What are we going to do with Jerry Foster when we catch up with him.”

“For one, I want to know why he lied to us.”

“Good point. What else?”

“I think he needs to explain what else he knows about Mrs. Rafferty and the accident with her husband.”

“You think he’ll talk?”

“I have to believe that he will. Hey, Wentworth.”

“Can we go down to the severs room now?”

“Lead the way, Sir.”