It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we witnessed a small breakthrough between Larry and Cortez. It looked like Cortez is worried about keeping his family safe, and Larry made some sense in suggesting that the government could protect his family better than Cortez could. Cortez is taking a moment to think through the consequences of continuing to fight or turning himself in. I see Cortez has lowered his gun into his lap. That could be good news. Let’s get over there and find out his choice of action.

 

Larry leans forward in his chair. “Have you come to a decision, Joachim?”

“Not so fast. I need to know that if I surrender, your offer of protection for my family will be honored.”

Larry leans back. “That’s easy. I’ll have the FBI agent draw up a contract, and you can sign it.”

Joachim’s shoulders slump. “He can do that?”

“He will be speaking for the Justice Department. So, yes, he can do that.”

Joachim waves his gun again. “Call him.”

“I’ll put him on speaker so you can hear for yourself.”

“Yeah, do that.”

Larry dials Mike’s number, and Mike picks up on the first ring. “Yeah, Larry.”

“Hey, Mike. We are on speaker, and I’m here with Joachim.”

“Okay, what’s going on?”

“I think Joachim is ready to call it quits if we can guarantee the safety of his family.”

“Um, okay. How many on the family?”

Larry nods to Joachim, who leans closer to the phone. “There is my wife and two daughters and a French Bulldog.”

“That is doable. Where are they now?”

“They are on an airplane in the executive hanger at the airport.”

“That is excellent. For a minute, I thought they were in Mexico, which would have made things a little more difficult. But, I think the government can make a deal for their safety. So, if you can hold on one minute, I will call the Attorney General to confirm.”

Larry speaks up. “Hey Mike, we have an ADA right here. Can’t she authorize the deal?”

Joachim and Larry stare at the silent phone. Then, finally, after what seemed like forever, Larry says, “Mike?”

“Sorry, Larry, I was on the phone with the AG. The deal is confirmed. I will draw up a preliminary rough contract. What was your question?”

“I was wondering if the AGA could approve and sign.”

“A good idea, but somehow having a captive AGA commit to a deal might not hold up later.”

Larry smiles. “Good call, Mike.”

“So, how do you want to do this?”

Larry points at Joachim. “Let’s have you sign the contract, and then one of your guys bring the contract in here. Joachim will guarantee no shooting. I will witness, and once signed, we will have everyone file out with their hands on their heads. Okay?”

“That sounds fine, Larry. I’ll call you back went the contract is ready.”

“Good deal, Mike, and thanks.” Larry disconnects the call. “Well, that’s it, Joachim. You need to tell your team it’s over.”

“I’ll call in Juan and explain it to him. He can handle the others.”

Joachim yells for Juan to come into the little room. Juan must have been right outside since he appears almost immediately. “Yes, boss. We leaving now?”

Joachim looks down. “Not exactly, Juan.” Joachim swivels the easy chair around so that he can face Juan

“What do you mean?”

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“I couldn’t help overhear that you are giving up.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“But boss, what about the rest of us.”

“You’ve been very loyal, and I will try to get you some kind of deal.”

“That’s not good enough. We have families too. You know what’s going to happen the minute we get nabbed by the feds. The Balthazars are going to move in, and for no reason other than pure spite, they will torture and kill all of our families.”

“Well, maybe we can make a deal where the Feds just take me and leave you here.”

“Still not good enough. With you gone, there is going to be a war to end all wars. The result will be the same.”

“So, what do you recommend?”

“We stick with the original plan and get to the airport. Then, at least back home, we have half a chance of defending what’s ours.”

“Sorry. That’s not going to happen.” Joachim raises his gun. “Give me your weapon.”

Juan’s face grows dark. “You are forsaking the brotherhood, but you can have my gun. I’m going to pull it out. Be careful with yours.”

Juan slowly reaches to withdraw his gun from his holster. He shifts his weight to the balls of his feet and, with astonishing speed, vaults into the chair, burying his shoulder into Joachim’s chest. At the same time, he grabs Joachim’s hand with the gun and shoves it back behind Joachim’s head. Larry is taken totally by surprise and is just beginning to rise from the chair as the gun goes off. The force of the bullet to the chest slams Larry back into the chair.

Joachim and Juan struggle, but Joachim is no match for the powerfully built Juan. He tears the gun out of Joachim’s hand and places the cold steel on Joachim’s forehead while holding Joachim by the neck. “Tell me we are going to the airport, or you’re a dead man.”

“You honestly think those feds out there are going to let you walk out of here? You just shot one of their own.”

“I have the hostages, old man. I’m not afraid to kill one at a time to get my way.”

Larry is trying to make sense of what happened. He can hear Joachim and Juan arguing but can’t understand the context. His chest hurts, and he can feel his lungs getting congested. He tries to get up but is too weak to move. He coughs and can feel the metallic liquid in his mouth. Then, almost like a fist to the gut, several stun grenades go off simultaneously all around the house. Larry can hear and smell the automatic rounds that come from all directions. The blurred forms of Joachim and Juan are lifted and thrown across the room. Larry struggles to hold his eyes open but finally gives in to the wish for sleep.

Larry can feel a soft hand on his face, “It will be over soon.”

Larry opens his eyes. “Gloria. My love. Where did you come from?”

“I’ve been with you all along, my love. You need to relax now. Everything is fine. I have you” Gloria wraps her arms around Larry and hugs him tight. Larry relaxes, and for the first time since losing Gloria, he feels at peace.

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week Cortez indicated to Larry that he was ready to move to the cars. He instructed Larry to contact those on the outside to let them know they are coming out. As you can imagine, the vector of this story has taken a turn for the worse. Cortez indicated that if anything went wrong, Larry would be the first to get shot.

Before we join the group, we need to talk about the story for a second. As you have seen, this serial has been laid out using nothing but dialogue with no tags at all. So as a reader, you have had what all the scenes and people look like in your mind. You have been able to construct the backgrounds and sensory cues to your own liking.

This was the purpose of telling the story the way it was told. You have invested of yourself in these 88,600+ words over the last two years. I must honor that investment with the construction of an ending that is satisfactory. Yes, we are coming to an end. All the characters we have met previously are lining up backstage for the curtain call. Our MCs are getting ready for the final scene. As the author of this continuing saga, I think it would be wise to expand to a narrative plus dialogue form to catch all the action leading to the end. With your permission, here we go.

Cortez waves his gun at Larry and tells him to get on the phone. Larry gets out of the chair and holds his palms out in one last gesture of supplication. “Come on, Joachim. Just say the word, and you all can spare yourself a lot of trouble.”

Cortez wipes his face with his hand. “You know it might be easier to just shoot you now. If you don’t start listening to me, I might just do that. I’m in charge here, damn you. Now call.”

Larry holds up one hand and reaches for his phone. “Okay, you win. I’m calling.”

Larry reaches Mike. “How are you doing? Good. Listen. I have a situation here. Cortez does not want to take a deal. In fact, he wants to move right away. Hold on. Yes, Joachim.”

Cortez takes Larry’s arm. “Put it on speaker.”

Larry pulls his arm away. “Sure, Joachim. Anything you say. Hey Mike. You are on speaker. His majesty is listening.”

Cortez does not smile at Larry’s humor. Instead, he waves his gun again. “Just get on with it.”

“So, you heard that, Mike.”

“Yes, I sure did.”

Larry looks at Joachim. “Here’s the deal. Joachim is going to take this whole crowd and move them to the airport. He is warning me that if our team does anything funny, he’s going to shoot me—”

“Say again”

Larry can’t help but smile. “Yeah, that’s right, he’s going to shoot me, so I have an interest in making sure he gets in the car and gets to the airport in one piece.”

Mike is quiet

Larry shrugs his shoulders and turns more toward Cortez. Cortez frowns and waves his gun again. “Looks like the head guy is getting a little upset.”

The escape of Mike’s breath is auditable over the connection. “Yeah, okay. We’ll stand down.”

“Thanks, Mike. His Nibbs has a better look on his face. I’m not sure if we will talk again, but I appreciate anything you can do to keep this situation from getting out of control.” Larry disconnects the call. “Looks like you have a free passage to the airport, Joachim.”

Joachim calls for his right-hand man Juan and gives instruction to gather everyone in the living room. Once the guy leaves to get the hostages, Joachim tells Larry to sit. Larry immediately sits. “You know Joachim, this is not going to end here in Nevada. These guys are going to hunt you down.”

Joachim sighs. “You know as well as I that once I reach my compound, there is no one who can get me back to face charges.”

Larry smiles and crosses his arms. “Have you ever heard of a patriot missile?”

“They wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Holding an ADA hostage is not something the government soon forgets. Besides, who will ever know the source of the missile? It could be one of your rivals.”

Cortez sits across from Larry and hunches forward. “They would harm my wife and daughter?”

“How many Wives and daughters have you harmed?”

Cortez pulls on his chin. He sits in silence until Juan breaks the spell. “Yeah, Juan, what is it?”

Juan explains that everyone is in the living room and that their hands have been zip-tied. Cortez nods and dismisses Juan telling him to keep an eye on everyone. He looks Larry in the eyes. “So if I give up, you are telling me my family will be safe?”

Larry holds Cortez’s gaze. “I think we can arrange for your family to go into a program where they will be protected.”

Cortez’s eyes fill. “Their safety is the only thing that has driven me to this point. My enemies would like nothing better than to get their hands on them. So now you tell me of the possibility of assassination by the US government. You have given me enough to think about.”

Larry sits forward. “I would think it over, Joachim. There has got to be a better way than to keep fighting.”

Joachim’s shoulders slump. His complexion takes on a gray tone of weariness. “You have no idea how long I have been fighting.” He places the gun on a side table and puts his hands on his face. “I have to figure this out.”

 

It’s Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week we overheard as Cortez told Larry that he plans to take all the hostages with him and needs a second car. Cortez’s decision does work into the plan to get a delay. Unfortunately, having all the hostages around him will make the job of the sniper more difficult. Larry and Andrew are putting their heads together. I think we ought to get back, so we won’t miss any of the planning. Our boys have an hour to figure something out.

 

“Okay, Larry, you have a plan?”

“I think we should pull the car we came in into the drive. I could inadvertently forget to leave the keys too.”

“What would that do to help?”

“Cause a little confusion and give our sniper a chance for a shot.”

“Okay, that might work. We have to make sure that when the snipe hits Cortez, all the other hostages are protected.”

“I think the only way to do that is to get more a couple more snipers. Hey Mike.”

“Yes, Larry.”

“You guys have any more snipers?”

“One more that’s equipped.”

“Why don’t you get him in position. We are going to need some pretty rapid-firing once Cortez goes down. The idea is for those guys to take out any of Cortez’s thugs that are still covering a hostage.”

“I’ll call and arrange it. Good thinking.”

“So, Andrew.”

“Yes, Larry.”

“I still want to try and talk Cortez out of this madness.”

“I think if he gave himself up, we could save a lot of bloodshed.”

“I know, right?”

“I think I’m going to ask Cortez for a meeting.”

“You crazy? He’s not going to do that.”

“Remember how nice he was when we first met. I’ll bet this whole thing got sideways when his thugs showed up at his house. I’ll bet he would like an honorable way out of this mess.”

“Maybe it would work. Who the hell knows.”

“I’m calling him now. Hey Joachim. Yeah, I know time’s a-wastin’ We have the car. I’m going to put it in the driveway. Yes me. Also, I want to ask you a question. Yeah, thanks. How about if I come in there and you and I can have a chat. I really think there might be a better way out of this mess than you having to make a run to the airport and all. I’m serious. I’ll come in with no weapons, and you and I can talk. If nothing changes, then no harm, no foul. I just think I can help out, is all. Okay? Aw, I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be pulling a black sedan into the drive. I’ll get out with my hands in the air and approach the house. No tricks. Okay then. See you in a minute.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“I told you. I think he wants to make some kind of a deal.”

“Well, good luck. I hope you won’t regret it.”

“What’s to regret? A couple of guys having a conversation. I sure hope he has some water in there. I’m parched.”

“Hey, Larry.”

“Yeah, Mike.”

“The shooter is heading for a spot. They both have their orders. So you are really going in there.”

“I am.”

“See if you can get eyes on how many are in there and if the hostages are okay.”

“Will do, Mike. Your keys in the car?”

“No, I have them right here. Andrew, pass them to Larry, please.”

“Okay, guys, wish me luck.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day, and last week, we heard Cortez say he would throw out a body an hour until his safe passage to the airport demand is met. He gave our team an hour before the first body. That at least gave Larry and company some time to figure out a move. I think they are planning something so let’s get over there and see what is going on.

“Okay, Andrew, I think I’ve got it.”

“Let’s hope so cause this situation is getting direr by the moment.”

“Hear me out. How about we say to Cortez that it will take some time to get a vehicle that can accommodate all the hostages. Maybe we make a suggestion that if he let most go, we could get a car here faster.”

“I think that is worth a try. I would also ask for more time.”

“Good idea, Mike. How about you, Andrew. Any suggestions?”

“That sounds okay. Do we know how many he has in there?”

“Not really.”

“I think he is just going to say he’ll take the Escalade.”

“We know there were only five in the Escalade when they left the Highway Patrol headquarters.  So, if Cortez is extra, then there is Carolyn as well. So that makes seven. Pretty tight for that model.”

“Why don’t you ask Cortez if he needs another car.”

“Brilliant, Andrew. Then if he says, yes, we can stall a little.”

“He could also agree to release some of the hostages and then take the Escalade. What is the next step assuming he releases some of the hostages.?”

“I guess we follow him to the airport and have a sniper in position to take him out.”

“I don’t know. I don’t see Cortez showing himself at the airport. He probably has a jet there and will go directly into the hanger. I don’t think the airport is the place.”

“Where is the place?”

“If we encourage him to take the Escalade, he will have to show himself when he goes to get in since It is sitting in the drive.”

“I don’t see a spot for a sniper around here, though.”

“Why don’t you call the SWAT team and find out if there is a sniper here and if he can spot a good place.”

“Let me do that.”

“Ok, Mike, you make the call. So, Andrew, it sounds like the excuse about the car won’t work.”

“I would just tell him you will arrange safe passage if he lets most of the hostages go. You can ask him if he needs a car. That might sound like you are actually making a plan.”

“You always keep things simple, Andrew.”

“Hey, Larry.”

“Yes, mike.”

“We do, in fact, have a sniper. He thinks he can access the roof on the house across the street for a clear shot of the Escalade. He’s heading there now. It’s going to take a few minutes since he will have to check to make sure he doesn’t spook the homeowner.”

“A man in black with a big gun? Why would a homeowner get spooked? We still have 15 minutes, so while he’s getting in a position, I’m going to call Cortez.”

“Yeah, Great.”

“It’s ringing. Hey, Joachim how’s it going? Okay, okay. I’m trying to arrange a passage for you. I have a question. Are you going to need a second car? Oh, I see. Okay, well, how about you release most of the hostages. That way you won’t need a second car. It’s just an idea, Joachim. No need to get upset. It is going to take a while to get a car here. Okay, I’ll check back.”

“That didn’t sound good.”

“He’s a little jumpy. He gave us another hour to get a car here. It looks like he intends to take the whole crew with him.”

“That is going to make the rescue even more difficult given he has those other two thugs as well.”

“Yeah, I know. We need to figure this out. This is why we make the big bucks.

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we all showed up at the house where we think the Cortez crowd and the hostages are holed up. As Mike was trying to get a megaphone from his car trunk, he was shot. Good thing Andrew is a doctor. Larry picked up the megaphone and announced to the house to the effect that they should give themselves up. I think we better get over there, so we don’t miss anything.

 

“I don’t see or hear anything, Mike.”

“Give them the announcement again.”

“Okay. ATTENTION YOU IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED. THIS IS THE FBI. THE AGENT YOU SHOT IS OKAY. SURRENDER NOW, AND NO ONE GET’S HURT.”

“Who’s phone is ringing?”

“It’s yours, Larry.”

“So it is, Andrew. This is one hell of a time for a robocall. Hello, this is Larry. Cortez? How did you get my number? Oh yeah. I remember now. I gave you my card in your office. What can I do for you? Uh-huh. Sure. I get it. Maybe we can work something out. No, I don’t think that’s going to work. I know there are a lot of innocent lives at stake. You need to put down your weapons and come out. Look, you are only facing a harboring kidnapper charge. We could probably mark that down to criminal mischief. You have nothing to gain by making this more than it is. There is a whole SWAT team out here dying to try out their new automatic weapons. Come on. Think it over. Sure, I’ll be here. No, we won’t rush the house for sure. Nice talk.”

“What the hell was all that about?”

“It was Cortez. He wants a safe passage to the airport. I told him that is not going to happen.”

“What was that markdown bit?”

“I just want him to think there are alternatives. How you feeling?”

“Like I got hit with a bolder.”

“How’s he doing, Andrew?”

“Lost a little blood, but he’ll be okay.”

“Good.”

“I don’t think the ADA is going to be interested in reducing the kidnap charge. The way it looks, he is not an accessory but a kidnapper.”

“I know, Mike. I just wanted to give him something to think about.”

“I had to laugh at you bellowing on that bull horn, and he calmly calls your cell phone.”

“When this is over, we will have a ton of laughs over a beer, but right now, I’m worried about those hostages. Oops, there goes my phone. Yeah, Larry here. Oh, hi Joachim. I’m listening. Um…Uh Huh. I really would advise against that, Joachim. You are escalating this matter for no reason. Hello. Hello Joachim. Shit.”

“What happened?”

“He says he’s going to toss a body out every hour until we guarantee safe passage to the airport. Then, he says he’s going to start with ADA Thomas.”

“We better move on the house.”

“Hold on, we have an hour to figure something out.”

 

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we saw Mike Moore, the FBI agent, organize a SWAT team to surround the house where Cortez lives. The tricky part is there are four hostages inside, and Mike doesn’t want to start a shooting war that could get them killed. He has decided to allow Cortez to surrender the hostages and give himself up. Let’s join up with Mike, Andrew, and Larry as they meet with the SWAT team.

 

“The names’ Moore and this is Dunfee and Cummings.”

“Agent Withers, agent Moore. What’s the situation?”

“We believe we have four hostages and probably four perps inside the house. We have a warrant for their arrest on federal kidnapping charges. The problem is we need to serve the warrant without getting the hostages killed.”

“Yeah, roger that. So you want to try some talk?”

“Yes. I need your men to surround the house, so no one gets away. I don’t want to be chasing these guys all over the state.”

“I get that. Okay, what if they don’t give up?”

“you have a standard protocol for that situation, right?”

“Yes, we do. We will keep them in place for as long as it takes. We have ways to escalate the situation but would only do that on your order.”

“I think we should wait to see what happens.”

“I agree. Okay, we will deploy around the house. Our comms are set at 360 Mh. You want to test that?”

“Okay. Can you read?”

“You are loud and clear. Keep me informed. I’m going to move out with the team.”

“Thanks, Winters.”

“Yeah. Do that when this is over.”

“Roger that. Hey Larry?”

“Yes, Mike.”

“You ever been in this kind of situation?”

“Can’t say I have.”

“Well. Let’s hope it won’t turn into something ugly. There are readers out there who want this thing to end peacefully.”

“I understand. There is also a writer out there who tends to make our lives difficult.”

“Hey, Winters?”

“Go ahead.”

“You guys in place?”

“Give us three more minutes. I’ll give you a shout when we are ready.”

“Roger. Okay, Larry, once those guys are in place, we will move closer to the house. I think we’ll take the car for cover.”

“I think that’s a good idea. You want me to drive.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll just pull up in front of the house, and we will talk from the opposite side of the car.”

“Winters to Moore.”

“Go ahead, Winters.”

“We have the place surrounded. There is a back door and a sliding door off the patio. We have a clear view of the entire back. We don’t see any movement in the house.”

“Thank you, Winters. We are pulling up in front. I’m going to block the drive.”

“My guys are directly across the street. The drive will be perfect. We can keep tabs on you in case a firefight starts.”

“Somehow, that is not as comforting as you probably wanted it to be. We have pulled up in front. We are getting out of the car. Moore out.”

“So, do you have a megaphone?”

“Just so happens I do. It’s in the trunk.”

“Be careful.”

“Be right back.”

“Crap Andrew. What was that?”

“A shot, Larry. Looks like Moore got hit.”

“Stay here. I’m going after him. Mike, you okay?”

“Damnit, Larry. Some stupid son-of-a-bitch shot me. Winters, Moore here. I’ve been shot. Hold your fire and position. I’m giving the comm to Dunfee.”

“You okay, Mike.”

“I am for the moment. What a stupid thing to do. These guys must be really stupid. Here take this megaphone and tell them they are surrounded. Tell ‘em the agent they shot is okay and to lay down their weapons and come out. If they do, no one will get hurt.”

“Andrew. Get over here and take care of Mike. I’m not sure how badly he’s hurt. His Mouth is working okay for now. Okay, Mike, you are going to be okay. Andrew is a doctor.”

“There is a first aid kit in the trunk as well.”

“Okay, we got this. You take it easy. ATTENTION YOU IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED. THIS IS THE FBI. THE AGEN YOU SHOT IS OKAY. SURRENDER NOW, AND NO ONE GET’S HURT.”

 

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were all stunned to know that the Escalade used to pick up an order from Chick-Fil-A and which was owned by the now late widow Tounsand is sitting in Cortez’s driveway. We have also assumed that it is the same Escalade used to take ADA Thomas, Lieutenant Mayfield, and Lazar Popović away from the warehouse. Agent Moore has ordered up an assault team, and he, Larry, and Andrew are all headed to Cortez’s place. Let’s join them as they ride there.

 

“Do you think ADA Thomas, Lieutenant Mayfield, and Lazar Popović are at Cortez’s”

“Not sure, Larry, but I would bet on it.”

“What about Carolyn, Popović’s daughter?”

“Seems logical that she should be there too.”

“I’m also wondering now how we can tie in Alexis Rafferty’s murder to Cortez.”

“I thought the wife and boyfriend did it.”

“Yeah, but I believe Cortez had a hand as well.”

“Uh, Larry?”

“Yes, Andrew.”

“Do you think we can finally put the Sandusky case to bed as well?”

“Oh man, Andrew. We have been on a pilgrimage, haven’t we? It all started with Sandusky, and here we are headed for Cortez’s house, which may be the end to this mess.”

“One can only hope.”

“You guys have your own axes to grind. I want Cortez for kidnapping and federal drug crimes. I don’t want you to bring up anything else. If you do, he will try to bargain his way out whit information about your stuff.”

“We get that, Mike. We think Popović will give us all the information we need assuming Carolyn is okay.”

“I hope so. I don’t mean to be a jerk, but this big tuna is one we’ve wanted to land for several years.”

“We respect that, Mike. How far out are we?”

“Looks like a couple of minutes till we rendezvous with the assault team.”

“I guess you have a plan of attack.”

“Yeah. We are going to surround the building. This is going to be tricky since there are maybe four hostages inside. We won’t be able to rush the building since we have no idea where they are inside. We don’t want anyone to get killed.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Allow Cortez to give up. He does not impress me as a guy who is ready to die right now.”

“He might try to bargain the lives of the hostages.”

“Yeah, usually that doesn’t work. But, if we take the calm approach, I think we have a chance to talk him out.”

“You’ve done this before?”

“Countless times. Okay, there’s the team. Let’s go over the plan with them.”

“Right behind you, Mike.”

 

I’m also over at Story Empire today talking more about the Hierarchy of needs. Here’s the link.

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we found ourselves at the Chick-Fil-A and talking to the manager named Tony. Tony was a little intimidated and asked for some time to call his boss. Our gang gave him a business card (These were not ID but Vista Print $5.00 a thousand cards. Whew, I hope that clears that up). Our gang then took their coffees out to one of the tables to wait for Tony to come out. We should get over there in case Tony comes back quickly.

 

“You know what, Larry?”

“What, Andrew?”

“I often wonder why people line up at Chick-Fil-A.”

“I guess cause they like the chicken sandwiches.”

“But for breakfast?”

“They have other stuff like sausage, eggs, and hash browns.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve had breakfast at a Chick-Fil-A.”

“Hey, fellas.”

“Yeah, Mike.”

“Got the judge working on a warrant now.”

“Excellent. Oh, look, here comes Tony. Well, Tony, what did you find out?”

“My boss said to cooperate with you guys. He called our lawyer, and as long as you do not think any of our employees committed a crime, we should try to help.”

“well, that’s nice of your boss and the lawyer. At this point, we do not suspect any of your employees of wrongdoing. We had a photo of a partial receipt from a pickup yesterday. Here it’s on my cell. Take it and have a look.”

“Uh-huh. Looks like it has been burned.”

“Good eye, Tony. It was burned, but these ashes still have a trace of it. Anything pop out at you?”

“There is a sequence number just below the date. Let me pull it up on my iPad. Humm. Yeah, that was a pickup order filled about 5:10 yesterday. Seven number three combos. Three sweet teas and three diet cokes and one lemonade.”

“Sounds like a big crowd. Let me ask, Tony. You guys have any surveillance cameras?”

“Sure do. Covers the drive-through from two angles. One is the window, and the second is the rear of the car. That’s was in case we had a grab and go.”

“Grab and go?”

“Before our new system, the customer would pay for the food when delivered. We used to have people take the food and then hit the gas. We now have a two-window system where we collect at the first window and fill the order from the second. We still have the camera working. There was a time when jokers would throw a drink at the server. Having the recording of the event and the license plate ensured that the police had enough to arrest the person.”

“Over a drink?”

“How about cuts and bruises. Those cups are not light.”

“Okay, I get it. So do you think you have the pick-up from yesterday on tape?”

“I’m sure we do. We have a 24-hour loop.”

“Can we get the tape?”

“I’m sure it won’t be a problem, but—”

“You’ll have to ask your boss.”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead and make the call. We’ll wait.”

“I won’t be a minute. I’ll just step over there.”

“Take all the time you need, Tony. We think the tapes will be the breakthrough we need.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Time again, and last week our team found some ashes at the warehouse. It was a Chick-Fil-A receipt. After a thorough search of the warehouse, nothing else was found. I see the group heading for the Chick-Fil-A. If we hurry, we can get there about the same time.

 

“Okay, guys. We need to have a little plan here.”

“I agree, Larry. We can’t go in and show badges and expect anyone to remember anything.”

“How about I stay out here and sample the sandwich.”

“Nice try, Andrew. Come to think of it, why don’t we get with the manager and quietly explain the situation and then interview the employees out here.”

“Good idea, Larry.”

“Thanks, Mike.”

“Could we at least get a coffee?”

“Sure, Andrew. We will need to order something anyway so as not to attract attention.”

“That’s pretty funny. Three guys who look like they just stepped out of central casting of the Untouchables are trying not to attract attention.”

“Glad you get a laugh out of this, Andrew. Let’s go.”

“Right behind you.”

“Yes, sir, welcome to Chick-Fil-A. How may I serve you?”

“Uh, three coffees and some information.”

“Yes, sir. Anything else.”

“Yes. Is the manager in?”

“I’m the manager. Name is Tony.”

“Okay, Tony. My name is Larry, and I’m with the Boston Police Department. The guy behind me is Agent Moore with the FBI. The guy behind him is Andrew Cummings with the Boston Police department.”

“I-is something wrong?”

“No, Tony. Everything is fine, but we need to talk to you privately about a case we are working on.”

“Case? I-I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve you. We have some suspects that we have reason to believe picked up food here yesterday, and we would like to talk to you and your employees. Perhaps they know something.”

“I-I’m not sure the company would like me talking to you without their knowledge.”

“Can you call someone to get permission?”

“Yes, I can. Do you have some identification?”

“We each have cards and badges.”

“Give me your cards, and I will make the call. Here are your coffees.”

“Thank you, Tony. Here are the cards.”

“The coffee is on the house. I’ll be right back.”

“We’ll be outside. We would appreciate it if you could come out there.”

“No problem. I’ll meet you there.”

“Thanks. Tony. For the coffee and your cooperation.”

“I’m not sure he heard you. He was quick to move.”

“I’ll bet you a shot beer and a buck he’ll come back and ask us to contact his boss.”

“I don’t doubt that. If so, I’ll just get a warrant.”

“I would start working that now, Mike. Tony looks to be all of twenty, and if I were his boss, I would want him talking to us either.”

“I’m on it. Let’s go outside.”

“Come on, Andrew. Let’s enjoy this day and a fine cup of Arabica bean coffee.”

“You read the coffee sign, right?”

“Right.”