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.”