“Look me in the eye, Lucy.” “What Little One?” “Don’t Tell me it’s not Friday.” “It’s not Friday.” “I said not to tell me that.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were here when Larry and the lieutenant struck up a deal to investigate the root cause of why someone wants to see Larry and Andrew dead. Right now, Larry, Andrew, Lieutenant Mayfield, and a State trooper are in the SWAT conference room. I think they are putting together a plan. Let’s go there and maybe get some insight as to where this whole mess is heading.
“So major that is the long and short of it. Anything to add, detective?”
“You can call me Larry. No, Major, that’s about all. Short of getting back to Boston, I think trying to find the guys trying to kill Andrew and me is the next best thing.”
“Thank you, Larry. You and the Lieutenant did the right thing coming to the State Patrol. From what you told me, I think we are dealing with some professionals. Here’s what I think we should do.”
“One second major.”
“Yes, Lieutenant?”
“Larry just gave me an idea. What if we fake another trip to the airport?”
“I see where you are going. So maybe we can draw these guys out again?”
“And maybe get a prisoner who might be willing to trade some information for a break.”
“Okay, I think that is one plan. I was thinking of trying to ID the dead and perhaps getting a hit on their identity. We might be able to figure out who they are working for.”
“Good idea major, but so far, we have no hits.”
“Are you using the RAID system?”
“Yes, and INTERPOL as well.”
“It does take time for sure. Well, I guess we have to wait then.”
“What about my idea?”
“No offense, Lieutenant, but there are so many liability factors connected with your idea that I would be very hesitant to try.”
“Like what major?”
“What if one of these guys got killed. Their families and the lawyers would have a field day.”
“Not to mention it might hurt.”
“Yes, thank you, Larry.”
“Okay, then Major, what else can we do?”
“I have a couple of informants on the payroll. Let me talk to them and see if there is anything on the street about someone wanting to hire a hit.”
“How long will that take?”
“A couple of hours is all. I’ll make the calls. Do you have someplace private here?”
“Yes, you can use my office. Come with me, I’ll show you. You guys sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant.”
“Larry?”
“What, Andrew?”
“You sure he’s gone?”
“Looks that way.”
“I got this uneasy feeling.”
“You hungry?”
“No, not hunger. Uneasy feeling about this whole thing.”
“Talk to me.”
“It seems odd that someone could commit suicide with poison. In jail.”
“Yeah, I thought so too, but sometimes that’s how it goes.”
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
As I have written on past Memorial Days all ten things not to do on this day are the same. Do not fail to remember those who gave their lives to keep us free.
Lakeway residents, and the city are ready for Memorial Day tomorrow. I took a little tour to see what kind of participation folks are preparing. I hope you enjoy the walk.
A home with a flag.
Another.
I liked this one because the wind was blowing the flag.
These chairs looked interesting along with the flag.
The dappled sunlight made a nice shot of the flag.
No display of honor too small.
Big flag.
The city of Lakeway lined all the medians in town with flags. You can see they go on and on.
Another shot of the flags.
Another median.
The city sign is surrounded by flags, but I couldn’t get out of the car to take a picture.
I have featured the sculptures along the medials before. This is a boy playing tennis and the flags.
The Freedom center, where all the citizens of Lakeway who have served in the armed forces are honored. The flags are here as well.
A multiple flag display with the right spirit.
And here is mine.
I hope you enjoyed the walk today. On Memorial Day remember those who gave their lives.
Chances are this is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill to explain this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ch.” Find a word that starts with “ch” and use it as your prompt word. Bonus points if you start your post with that word. Enjoy!”
So now you know why I started this post with the word “chances.” I can hear those bonus points hitting the register now Cha-ching. If you would like to join in the madness, visit Linda’s blog, and find out how. Here is the link.
“So nice that Friday is here.” “Yes, Little One. After all, you and I have to work so hard all week. Where’s that cabana person anyway?’
Ah, Friday……*crickets* Hello. Anybody here? here? here? Well, notwithstanding the echo, I’m going to assume somebody’s out there.
Not much going on here. Been sending out queries and actually got a response. “Thanks, but no thanks.” I wrote back and thanked them for at least letting me know. I think if every agency could somehow let you know it would be a help. Of course, who said agencies were in the business of having to let those who query them know the outcome. After all, they were sitting there minding their own business when some interloper like me bothered them with a query. I think I will revise my thinking on this item. If I haven’t heard anything, I’m going to assume they are having trouble deciding if the literary or mass-market agent should represent me.
Oh, wait. Let’s take this one step further. With my query letter in hand, the agent took the initiative to contact Harper Collins. Harper Collins is having a difficult time determining whether or not a $50,000 advance will be enough to keep the book from Hachette. Of course, the agent thinks a six-figure advance will be required. So until they work out the details, no one is going to contact me. Yes, this is better.
I hope everyone is doing okay now that the states are starting to open up. This particular old guy is going to take his time to embrace my fellow humans. I’m going to wait until I see the net result of people congregating again. Today’s JohnKu talks about caution. I hope you all have a super weekend.
“Lucy.” “What Little One?” “Can you turn off the light?” “Wednesday sunshine. Can’t turn it off.”
It is Wednesday Story Time again, and last week our heroes with a police escort began their trip to the airport. As luck would have it, there was some kind of ambush set up, which was interrupted by the State patrol. By the sounds of it, there was a big shoot-out. The escort thinks it is better to head back to SWAT headquarters until everything is sorted out. I see the group is at the headquarters, so let’s go there and see what the next move is going to be.
“Right in here, gentlemen.”
“Thanks, Sarg. Is the lieutenant here?”
“Let me go check. He’s not answering his comm. I’ll just be a second. Please have a seat.”
“This looks like their war room, Larry.”
“Yeah, I think that is what it is. What do you suppose is going on?”
“I think a bunch of folks want us dead. That’s what is going on.”
“Never in my life have I dodged so many close calls.”
“Well, the keyword is ‘dodged.’ As long as you are doing that, you are okay.”
“Gentlemen.”
“Lieutenant. Nice to see you again.”
“It is especially nice to see you both, detective.”
“What is going on?”
“Good question. We are running the prints and facial rec on the dead guys. The survivor is heading for the lock-up, but so far, he’s not talking. He gave a name, but we think it’s a phony. In any case, we think these guys are pros from out of town.”
“Looks like the same situation as when we arrived.”
“You don’t have many friends in Reno that’s for sure.”
“Any way to trace these guys to Cortez?”
“Not sure right now. I’ll tell you what, though?”
“What?”
“I’m pretty doubtful Cortez would hire outside help. His guys are about the best there is. I can’t believe he would want to risk having the job mishandled if he was behind it. I’m sure if it was Cortez, we would be zipping up the body bags and shipping them to Boston instead of chatting here.”
“So, who do you think is behind all this.”
“I’m going to reserve my judgment until we find out what the prisoner has to say.”
“You think he will talk?”
“If we give him some kind of deal, he will. Hold on, I got to get this. Yeah, Mayfield here. No shit. Uh-huh. Damn. Okay, thanks for letting me know. Mayfield clear.”
“A problem, Lieutenant?”
“The prisoner just took something, and it looks like he’s dead.”
“How can that be?”
“Looks like he had some poison, and he used it.”
“How often does that happen?”
“In spy novels all the time. Here not so much.”
“You would think we could catch a break.”
“Well, detective. The fact that you are still alive is a break. I think these guys are operatives at a different level, and we need to get to the bottom of this. You two are going to need round the clock protection.”
“How about we help with the case? Could kill two birds with one stone.”
“Interesting choice of words, detective, but I think it will work. Let’s coordinate with the State patrol and get a plan together. In the meantime, how about some coffee?”
“Sounds good. Everyone would expect that offer to come up sooner or later.”
“Using this photo (below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
“Look out the window over there. Just beyond the trees.”
“What am I looking for?”
“Don’t you see above the trees what looks like some kind of antenna?”
“Oh, now I do. Would you look at that? Them government people are checking on us.”
“Checking on us? Whatever for?”
“I think they are checking to see if we are maintaining the shelter in place rules.”
“Couldn’t it be they are looking at someone else?”
“Bertie. Think about it. What other houses are there around us? We are the only one here.”
“What do we do then?”
‘Well, we are sheltering in place according to the rules.”
“I just don’t like being watched. I mean a couple of over the hill pensioners like us. Don’t they have anything better to do?”
“I see your point. It is a matter of personal freedom. It’s bad enough being cooped up here without some snooper team checking up. I’m going to get something.”
“Don’t you lower yourself to go down there and talk to them, Herold.”
“I have no intention of talking.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I have something here in the closet.”
“What is that thing?”
“This, my dear, is an MK153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon.”
“Goodness, where did you get that thing.”
“Amazon prime.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Take out that snooper thingy.”
“Won’t you get into trouble?”
“A gray-haired old fart like me. What are they going to do? Shoot me?”
“Maybe. Might shoot me too.”
“You know I never thought of that. Okay, maybe we try to ignore that thing.”
