“Nope, Little One. Just Wednesday. You can go back to sleep.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we got a little hint of Larry’s fears regarding the possible red tape that might be involved with the local police. It didn’t take long for the sergeant to ask questions regarding who shot first. So Larry is off to the hospital to have his wound attended to, and Andrew is driving to meet him there. Let’s go into the ER where Larry is waiting for an attendant. Andrew was pretty quick in getting there as well.
“you pick up my ID and gun?”
“The sergeant kept the gun. I asked him, ‘why.’ And all I got was some mumbled thing about evidence. Here’s your ID.”
“Damn, Andrew. I knew these locals were going to be pissed about shooting some of their constituents.”
“Maybe those thugs were from out of town.”
“Yeah, let’s hope so.”
“Anyone see you yet?”
“One of the nurses says the Doc will be here shortly.”
“You have stopped bleeding, which is good.”
“You better not be caught looking at my wound. They might charge you with practicing medicine without a license in this state.”
“That’s funny. Who’s this guy coming up the hall?”
“A suit? Not the doctor, I’m sure. Looks like someone from the DA’s office.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen. Would one of you be Larry Dunfee?”
“Yeah, that’s me. The one with the bullet hole in the shoulder.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Well, I have been better, Mr. uh. I don’t believe I got your name.”
“My apologies. Spenser Taggett, Assistant District Attorney for Reno. Here’s my card.”
“Nice to meet you. What can I do for you?”
“I was contacted by the Reno police and decided I would look into this case myself. You know professional courtesy.”
“I can appreciate that, thank you. By ‘case,’ I wonder what you mean?”
“Well, Mr. Dunfee. Two of Reno’s citizens have been murdered, and the police believe you are the shooter. We need to do an investigation to determine if your lethal force was justified.”
“Reno huh. These guys weren’t from out of town?”
“We have yet to determine their specific living arrangements. They both hold Nevada driver’s licenses with a Reno address.”
“Same address?”
“Yes, why?”
“I’ll bet the licenses are counterfeit.”
“Yeah worth looking in to.”
“Have you contacted the chief in Boston?”
“No, not yet. I wanted to get some information from you first.”
“Okay. What do you need?”
“Tell me why you shot those guys?”
“They were trying to kill Andrew and me.”
“How do you know?”
“This wound gave me a heads up.”
“You sure it was the same guys trying to kill you?”
“What do you mean?”
“The report says you were shot on the highway and then got down to the access road. How were you sure the guys were the same?”
“The SUV was the same and coming at us like a freight train.”
“We do know that these guys work for a construction contracting company with no priors or arrest record.”
“You check on the owner of the company?”
“Yes. The SUV is registered to Worldwide Enterprises.”
“Check into who owns the company. I’ll bet it doesn’t exist.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I believe these were guns for hire, and the construction company thing is a front.”
“Interesting. Okay, I’ll take that under advisement.”
“You gonna charge me?”
“Not at this time, Mr. Dunfee. If I get additional information that may change. For now, I’m going to ask you to stay in the neighborhood. I’m listing this as possible self-defense, but if I have reason to change it, I don’t want to try and find you.”
“How long do you think?”
“A week ought to do it. “
“Can we go to South Lake Tahoe?”
“Yes. I would appreciate a call with your temporary location and check-in once a day.”
“No problem. How about my weapon.”
“We would like to keep it for you until you are completely cleared.”
“Fair enough.”
“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Dunfee. Your attitude goes a long way in making me want to believe your story.”
“Thank you, Mr. Taggett. I think you’ll find my story to be the truth.”
“I must admit the bullet wound does go a long way. What does the doctor say?”
“Haven’t seen him yet.”
“I’m going to need a copy of his report just so you know. He’s going to ask you to sign a waiver for that.”
“No problem.”
“Okay, then. I hope you heal fast. We’ll be in touch.”
“Want my phone number.”
“I have it from the police report.”
“Okay, then. I look forward to your final decision.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Dunfee.”
