It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were present when Frank Plano and Jason McDonnell had a meeting. We discovered that Frank Plano has a hunch that he wants to follow. He even offered to do it on his own time. Jason McDonnell gave him the warning to be careful. So now I see Frank Plano walking into the sheriff’s office. I can’t imagine what he is thinking right now. Let’s pop in and see.

“Well, well, well. You got a lot of nerve walking in here.”
“I know sheriff. Just give me a moment.”
“Why should I? You work for that weasel McDonnell.”
“Yes, I do. You are a man of the law right?”
“I swore to uphold the law. Why?”
“Well, I am getting a feeling that the Saveride murder has some elements that have not been uncovered yet.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“You have a belief that Lucas killed his parents, right?”
“You damn well know I do.”
“Based on what evidence?”
“Let’s just say, I find his story about that night to be full of holes.”
“Care to elaborate.”
“I’m assuming you, and I are on the same side, Frank.”
“Good assumption, sheriff. I’m trying to get to the bottom of this.”
“Yet you are trying to clear my primary suspect.”
“True, but let’s say for argument sake that Lucas is innocent. Don’t you want to bring the real killer to justice?”
“Hmmm. I see what you mean. Okay, I’m telling you this in confidence. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“You asked about the story that doesn’t add up. Well, the idea of a kid coming home to a house that was a bloody as the Saveride come scene and not noticing anything is pure hogwash.”
“Say more.”
“The smell of the blood when you walk through the door would have been enough to tell someone there was something wrong. I’ve been to scenes like that, and it is unmistakable.”
“Yeah, I get your point. Anything else?”
“According to the police report, there was broken furniture and torn up upholstery. I cannot imagine anyone walking into that house and missing the debris. In fact, when I looked at the report and the sketch of the layout where Lucas’ room was located he would have to kick several items out of his way to get there from where he came in.”
“Hmm. That does sound incriminating. What about the little dog? Let’s see. Ah yes. Buffy.”
“He says the dog came into his room and the reason he was so calm on the 911 call was he was holding the dog and didn’t want the dog to get agitated.”
“Yeah so?”
“Come on, Frank. Since when do you think clearly enough in a dramatic situation to want to keep a dog calm?”
“I see your point. Could I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Were you at the Saveride house the night they were murdered?”
“Where did you get that information?”
“Alice Weston said so. Well, were you?”
“Yeah, I was.”
“For what reason?”
“I don’t have to answer this you know.”
“I know, but you have to admit that doesn’t look good.”
“I know. I was there to drag Alice out of there.”
“So you knew the Severides sold drugs?”
“Everyone knew.”
“Why didn’t you shut them down?”
“Not my jurisdiction. I talked to the Chief in Kenosha, and he said he was working it. That was about all I could do.”
“Sad. So you found Alice was gone, then what?”
“I left.”
“You sure?”
“Come on Frank. I didn’t kill the Saverides.”

Wednesday Story day again and last week we were with Frank Plano, Alice, and Mrs. Murphy while Frank was talking through some fine points of what Alice saw the night the Severides were murdered. Mr. Plano implied that Alice did not see what she said she saw. Of course, Harriet Murphy caught on to the implication immediately and politely showed Mr. Plano to the door. It looks like Frank is heading to the lawyer’s office. Let’s join him as he is ushered into Jason McDonnell’s office. You will recall Jason is the attorney hired by Mrs. Murphy to protect Lucas from Sheriff Gibson’s obvious attempts to railroad him to confess the murder of his parents. (Whew, I hope everyone is caught up)

“Well, Frank. Have a seat.”
“Thanks, Jason.”
“I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“Yeah, and I’m grateful you could spare the time.”
“What’s up?”
“It is a strange thing. My investigation has been going smoothly with an all roads conclusion that the Sheriff has for some reason been involved in the murder of the Severides.”
“Well, we both came up with that hypothesis given his obsession with hanging the blame on Lucas.”
“I know right? Except some of the facts don’t seem to add up.”
“Like what?”
“Well for one, other than Alice Weston giving an eyewitness account of the sheriff going into the Severides house the night of their murder, there is no other witness to that event.”
“Yeah so? She said she saw him right?”
“Yes that is in my report, but I’m beginning to doubt she did.”
“Really? Why’s that?”
“You ever see anyone on Heroine?”
“No.”
“Well, if she started to nod off while she was in the Severide house like Weston says, she would have been dead gone at the time she supposedly saw the sheriff.”
“What about Mrs. Murphy?”
“She says she didn’t see anything.”
“How about when he left the house?”
“Mrs. Weston and Mrs. Murphy told me they didn’t hang around to see him come out.”
“Well, that’s convenient.”
“I think we need to focus on a different direction. Unless I find someone else who saw the sheriff there, I think I’m going to try to get to the bottom of Mrs. Weston’s reasons for saying she saw the sheriff.”
“Any need to talk to Lucas again?”
“Nope. I still don’t think he had anything to do with the crime.”
“Any theories?”
“One not worth mentioning right now. I need more facts.”
“You are the investigator. So go do your thing.”
“I still wonder why Mrs. Murphy hired us though.”
“To clear Lucas.”
“Yeah, that is obvious. I don’t know, I have a gut feeling there is more to it.”
“Want to explain?”
“Let me get more information first.”
“Mrs. Murphy doesn’t have endless funds you know.”
“I will do this on my own dime. Something isn’t adding up, and I need to get to the bottom of it.”
“Be careful.”
“Huh?”
“There is a murderer out there remember.”
“Oh yeah, right. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“See ya.”

It is Wednesday Story Day, again and last week we witnessed Seth Gibson the sheriff once again outmaneuvered by Jason McDonnell, the lawyer. It looks like this occurrence will happen time and time again. It is clear Seth has an ax to grind with Lucas. As many folks have said, it is a good thing Lucas has a lawyer. It is time to go back to Harriet’s house since I see Frank Plano the private eye is getting ready to leave.
“So you would be willing to testify that you saw Set Gibson go into the Severides house after you left.”
“ I already said I would, Mr. Plano.”
“I know I’m just verifying is all.”
“I understand.”
“Mrs. Murphy.”
“Yes, Mr.Plano.”
“Are you willing to yes tiny as well?”
“Of course I am.”
“The part about the blood from Mrs. Weston’s heroine injection.”
“What about it?”
“You will testify that the blood trace found at the Severides which belongs to Mrs. Weston was a sloppy injection?”
“Well, sloppy is made a bit harsh, but yes. When the needle came out of her vein, the blood spurted to the floor.”
“And she was beginning to nod off after cleaning it up?”
“Yes.”
“You then left and went to your car.”
“Yes.”
“Did you also see Seth Gibson enter the Severide house?”
“Well, I was worried about Alice. I didn’t exactly see the sheriff enter the house.”
“Did Mrs. Weston tell you he entered?”
“She said something like, ‘There goes the sheriff into the Severide’s house.’ When I looked up, he was gone inside.”
“Hmm. So Mrs. Weston was the only one who actually saw the sheriff go in.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Plano, but I’m right here.”
“I know Mrs. Weston, but I’m interested in Mrs. Murphy’s observations.”
“Okay, then I’ll shut up.”
“Thank you. Now, Mrs. Murphy.”
“Yes, Mr. Plano.”
“How long after Mrs. Weston saw the sheriff go into the house did she nod off?”
“Excuse me?”
“You both said that Mrs. Weston was starting to nod off at the house and so you decided to leave. All I’m asking is how long after she saw the sheriff did she go to sleep?”
“I didn’t have a stopwatch, Mr. Plano. Besides what difference does it make?”
“If Mrs. Weston saw the sheriff enter the house and she says she was awake, I think it is important to determine if, in fact, that is the case.”
“I think we are through here, Mr. Plano. Let me show you to the door.”
“Yes, Mrs. Murphy I think I have what I came for. Thanks for the coffee.”
“Good day Mr. Plano.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we left Harriet and Alice who were contemplating what to tell Frank Plano the PI who was at the front door. It seems there was a little of Alice’s blood left at the Severides on the night they were murdered. Harriet and Alice are contemplating what to tell the detective. In the meantime, Lucas and his sister are having a conversation that we should witness. The problem with this storytelling is we cannot be in two places at the same time. Last time we were with them, Lucas told his sister Trish about the insurance. Let’s get to the hospital and pick up the conversation.

“So you are telling me we are both worth five million dollars.”
“That’s right, Trish. Our parents left insurance money to us.”
“And also there is another policy on their lives as well.”
“So I have been led to believe.”
“I have a question for you.”
“Okay sis, shoot.”
“If you have five million dollars, what are you doing painting the Murphy house.?”
“How did you know about that?“
“That private detective told me you were working in Anton as a painter and working for someone named Harriet Murphy. I thought it made sense until you told me about the money.”
“I have to be able to trust you. Can I?”
“Can you what? Trust me? You and I are all we have left as family. I hope you can trust me.”
“Okay. Makes sense. You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. Promise.”
“I promise although I think that is a ridiculous request. I’m your sister for God’s sake.”
“Thank you. So the reason I took up painting Harriet’s house is I thought she and her friend Alice had something to do with our parent’s murder. I also suspected they took the policy and any money that was in the house.”
“Where ever did you come up with that assumption and how much money did out parents have.”
“You of all people should know out parents were pretty heavy into drug distribution.”
“Yeah, I knew they were involved. I just accepted it since it was easy to tap into the inventory so to speak.”
“I figured. Well, when you think of the drug trade you have to think cash. After all, you don’t use banks to tip-off the feds about your activity.”
“Yeah so?“
“So I think there could have been as much as a million in cash.”
“A million? Are you crazy? How could they hide that much money?”
“A million in one-hundred-dollar bills weighs a little over twenty-two pounds and when stacked is only twenty-five inches wide by six inches long and under five inches high. It could fit under the bed. I’m only guessing at a million. It could be more.”
“Whoa, this is way over our heads.”
“You know the funny part is Harriet hired a private detective to look into the whole thing.”
“She did? What the hell for?”
“Well she really hired a lawyer to help me, and he hired the PI.”
“This is getting more confused the more you tell me.”
“The point is you, and I have to be careful. the person or persons who killed our parents won’t stop if they think we know who they are.”
“Do you know?’
“Absolutely not. I don’t think it is Harriet and Alice though.”
“Why don’t you think it’s them.?”
“They are too incompetent. Whoever did it knew not to leave any clues.”
“A professional?”
“I’m even thinking of a law enforcement officer.”
“The sheriff?”
“Wouldn’t put it past him.”
“You say you have a lawyer? We need to talk to him.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we witnessed Harriet and Alice in a bit of panic over the information Frank Plano had to offer about them being seen in Kenosha. What was especially troubling to them was the possibility that Frank knew they were frequent visitors to the Severides. Harriet made the suggestion that Alice call Frank and see if he has filed his report. If not, she reasoned that they could do something to silence him. I see Alice is on the phone, so let’s get over there.

“So, Mr. Plano you are still open to getting our side of the story? Oh I know I was rude, and I apologize. Well, Harriet and I are at her house. You can come over, and we will speak openly. Yes, we will tell you what we know. You can be the judge as to the relevance of the information. Okay then. We will see you shortly. Goodbye Mr. Plano.”
“What did he say?”
“He has not completed his report.”
“Is he coming over?”
“Yes. I thought you would know that from my side of the conversation.”
“Just checking. What are we going to tell him?”
“I think we ought to let him know we visited the Severides.”
“You crazy? What excuse could we possibly have to be visiting the Severides.”
“I’m sure he knows they were major drug dealers.”
“Yeah, so you gonna confess your habit to him?”
“What’s the big deal? So I used to pop heron. So what.”
“How about the coke? You were arrested for possession.”
“And where did that lead? Seth killed those charges. You think just because I tell a private eye I used to do drugs, I’m going to get arrested?”
“You still using?”
“You know I’m not.”
“I see your point then.”
“So, what do we have to lose? Let’s just come clean. We bought drugs from the Severides. Yes, we were there the night they were killed. We didn’t do anything and have nothing to hide.”
“What about that blood spurt when you shot up.”
“What do you mean?”
“You pulled the needle out too quickly, and your blood fell on the floor.”
“I wiped that up.”
“You ever see CSI? You can’t just wipe up blood. If the lab guys go in there for more testing, they will find your blood. How do you explain that?”
“Let me think.”
“Oh oh. Frank’s at the front door.”
“Let me think Harriet. I’ll just say I cut myself.”
“With a large knife as you were killing the Severides?”
“Very funny, Harriet. Let Frank in. I’ll think of something.”

It is Wednesday Day again. Last week we witnessed Frank Plano asking some questions of Alice Weston. When he got to the point of asking Alice about being in Kenosha the same day Lucas’ parents were murdered, Alice pretty much showed him the door. I see Alice is approaching Harriet Murphy’s house, so I guess she is in some kind of hurry to relate the conversation with Frank. Let’s go and maybe learn something about that night in Kenosha.

“Open the damn door, Harriet. Since when do you lock it?”
“Since we have that private eye snooping around. There come on in.”
“For heaven’s sake. That’s all I need. To have that Frank character see me hustling over to see you right after I threw him out of my house.”
“Then why are you here? You could have called.”
“I don’t trust the phones anymore. He may have mine bugged.”
“Oh come on, Alice. Aren’t you overreacting?”
“How about if I told you he knows we were in Kenosha the night the Severides were murdered?”
“Okay. That is a little concerning.”
“You bet it is. Also, he knows that we used to visit the Severides.”
“No way. How could he find that out?”
“Beats me. This guy may have a crystal ball for all I know. I’m telling you we are in deep yogurt.”
“Come on. Alice. Get a grip. So we visited the Severides? So what?”
“And we saw them right before they were killed. You think that is just a piece of idle gossip that is going to go away if Frank finds that out.”
“Did he say he knew?”
“No, he just said he knows we were in town.”
“Okay then. We were in town. We had shopping to do or something. No harm no foul.”
“You gotta keep these basketball sayings to yourself. If he knows we were in Kenosha, how long do you think it will take to track us to the Severides?”
“Unlike you, I don’t think that’s possible. Hell, we were discreet as always.”
“How did he know we had visited them before?”
“Hmm. I see what you’re saying. You want some tea?”
“Tea is not the answer, Harriet. We need to do something.”
“Let me think. Do you think Frank has made this report yet?”
“How would I know?”
“Why don’t you call him and tell him you’ve been thinking and maybe you need to talk again.”
“Yeah, then what?”
“You’ll ask him if he’s filed his report.”
“If he has?”
“We’ll have to ride it out.”
“If he has not?”
“We might need to think of a way to silence him. Here give him a call.”