“Yes, Little One.”
“You have my bone?”
“Just watching it, Little Potato.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were witness to a visit by Spenser Taggett, Assistant District Attorney for Reno. I think we all thought the conversation went pretty well but were left with the feeling that Taggett had a little more up his sleeve than he was letting on. He did tell Larry not to leave the area and to check in with an address in South Lake Tahoe and once a day after that. Doesn’t sound like someone who is convinced Larry is innocent. We also found out he is going to get the doctor’s report on the gunshot wound. Still more doubt, methinks. Well, I see Larry has been discharged from the hospital, and he and Andrew are in the car heading for South Lake Tahoe. We need to find out what they are thinking. See you in the backseat of the Prius.
“So, what do you think of Mr. Taggett, Larry?”
“He is so typical.”
“Meaning?”
“I gave him a couple of good suggestions which he will not follow up on. I think he is looking to make some news for himself.”
“News?”
“Gee Andrew did something happen to your brain. These one-word conversations have me concerned.”
“Okay, smart ass. I just want to hear what you’re thinking.”
“That’s better. I’m thinking he is going to try to make a big deal out of this. After all, I’m sure the newspapers were all over that SUV scene.”
“Not to mention the TV coverage.”
“I don’t think you explain away that kind of incident. I think he needs to talk about an investigation and getting to the bottom of the situation.”
“I feel there may be a ‘person of interest,’ mention as well. Don’t you think you ought to call the chief?”
“Yeah. Good idea. I’ll do it now while we are driving. Will give me a reason to say we got disconnected if he starts yelling too much.”
“You think he will be pissed?”
“To the nines. Hold on it’s ringing. Hey, chief. Yeah, it’s me. We haven’t talked in a while, so I thought I would check in. Yes, our flight was on time. Uh, chief we’ve run into a problem. Yeah, Andrew and I were driving to South Lake Tahoe when a couple of goons decided to take us out. No, we are okay, but I had to kill them. Yeah, you heard me right. They were hell-bent on killing us, so I had to take them out. That’s right, the ADA has already interviewed me. I told him it was self-defense. The good thing is I picked up a shoulder wound. Chief hold on. There is no reason to be upset. No, I haven’t been charged. Just told not to leave—Yes sir. No sir. I’ll wait for his call. No, I won’t. Right now we are heading for South Lake Tahoe. Yes, sir, I will. Goodbye chief. And chief. Thanks. Yes, sir.”
“Sounded like that went well. What did he say?”
“Before or after calling us some unrepeatable names?”
“After.”
“He is worried. He ordered us not to talk to the press as if we would. He said to lay low, and he is getting in touch with the city attorney. He told me to wait for his call before talking to the ADA again.”
“I could tell you were relieved.”
“Yeah. The chief is a son of a bitch, but I’m glad he is our son of a bitch.”
“So, what are we going to do in South Lake Tahoe?”
“Not lay low that’s for sure. We need to make this trip worthwhile and find out if Janice and Ned were in contact with each other before Rafferty was killed.”
“And ignore that someone wants us dead.”
“In a word, Andrew. Yes.”
“Not wanting to sound like the Greek chorus in a classic tragedy, but I don’t like the sound of this at all.”
“I don’t think you are alone in that sentiment, Andrew.”
