It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we all went down the path of thinking Stennis (Lazar’s lawyer) was the one passing information to Cortez’s team. Then Larry asked when Pricilla called Stennis since one key factor was Cortez’s team had Pricilla’s phone number. True to this story, she never called Stennis. So here we are, thinking we’ve nailed the mole, and now we are not sure. Last week Pricilla asked the Lieutenant if he had any idea how Cortez’s team got the number. The big implication was the Lieutenant is the mole. Let’s go back and see how the Lieutenant answers the question.

“Well, Pricilla, there are several ways. One could be isolating your signal from all signals in this area. That would be a simple matter since those guys probably know you are here in State Police Headquarters.”

“How would they know which is my phone?”

“Let’s see. You call a number several times. That number happens to be located in the FBI building. Not hard. I think the bigger question is who gave them the location information on where Carolyn and Andre and that kid were.”

“Yes, that is a bigger question.”

“Tell you what. Put your techie on getting into Stennis’ phone and locating all the calls he placed while he was here.”

“Excuse me, Lieutenant.”

“Yes, Mr. Popović.”

“He never placed any calls.”

“How are you sure? Did he ever leave your sight?”

“Let’s see. Why yes, he want to the men’s room.”

“How many times.”

“You know, now that I think about it, I thought he was having some kind of problem cause he seemed to have to go several times.”

“To my point. He had plenty of time to text information to Cortez’s guys.”

“You all have to hole on.”

“Yes, Larry.”

“Couldn’t that kid in the car have given the location all along? It is obvious he was in Cortez’s employ.”

“Whoa. Good point. What about that Pricilla.”

“I think a call to the evidence guys could confirm if the kid had a cell phone.”

“If he did, I’m sure they took it when they killed him.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to check.”

“Sure, of course. I was just making sure we don’t take our eye off the Stennis ball. He seemed a little shaky to me.”

“Shaky, how?”

“Every lawyer I met couldn’t wait to get away from the lock-up. This guy stayed around forever. Seemed strange to me.”

“You know, Mr. Dunfee. You would be the one to know. Also, you must be a good detective since you are so logical.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. By the way, there is another elephant in the room.”

“Elephant?”

“Several readers raised the point that you were going around verifying that others were not the mole. Who is going to verify you?”

“Readers. What the hell are you talking about?”

“Never mind. That was a fourth wall slip. So how do we know you are not the mole?”

“I am a flipping federal Officer of the Court, Mr. Dunfee. Why on earth would I want to see Cortez get off the hook?”

“Um, Any number of reasons. Maybe he’s holding a family member.”

“For the record, I have no family. Not even a dog. Also, for the record, I plan to run for office and would like to use the Cortez collar as my finest moment. Where does that leave you now?”

“Leaves me with the feeling you are not the mole.”

“Damn straight, I’m not. Now that we have left that unpleasantness, let me call the techie and see what he can find.”

It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we learned there is a mole in the group feeding information to Cortez’s team. Just who and how it was done are questions that need answers. I see Pricilla is starting to eliminate those who she suspects are clean. Let’s go and listen to her logic.

“With all of us here, I want to make sure none of you are involved in passing information to Cortez. Larry and Andrew, I think the fact that you have been shot at leads me to believe you are in the clear.”

“I appreciate that Pricilla cause it’s true.”

“Yes, fine. Also, Lazar here would be the one to pass information to save his daughter, but I have to wonder how he would do it.”

“Thank you, Ms. Thomas. I have not been out of anyone’s sight and have nothing to communicate with.”

“The lieutenant here is a public servant with a spotless record. I can’t see any kind of motive for wanting to give information to Cortez.”

“Thank you, Ms. Thomas. I would have no reason to co-operate with that mob.”

“So that pretty much leaves Stennis.”

“I think we all got there too. I have to wonder what he has to gain?”

“We won’t know until we question him. I have the FBI taking him into custody right now.”

“If he is feeding information to Cortez, won’t his being in custody jeopardize Carolyn’s life?”

“I don’t think so, Mr. Popović. My guess is that Cortez will eliminate Stennis anyway. The value in his information to Cortez was knowing how much we knew about Carolyn’s whereabouts. I think they didn’t know where she was until we found her.”

“So, you led them to her?”

“Sadly, it looks that way.”

“This sucks.”

“Sadly, Mr. Popović. It does.”

“You know Ms. Thomas, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes, Larry. About what?”

“When did you call Stennis?”

“When?”

“Yes, when did you make a call to him?”

“Let me check my outgoing. I don’t see a call to Stennis.”

“So, he would not have your phone number.”

“I can’t see how he would.”

“So where did he get it?”

“I see what you are driving at Mr. Dunfee.”

“How did those guys get your number?”

“Lieutenant. Any idea?”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we watched as the options for grabbing Carolyn went out the window. It appears that the only option is to wait for Cortez’s team to contact someone. Pricilla believes it will be Lazar’s lawyer. Nothing is certain at this point. IN fact, we don’t even know if and when they will call. As a precaution, Stennis, the lawyer, will hang around for a while to see if a call will come in. I see everyone is hanging around the interrogation room waiting for a call. I guess we should go there and wait with them.

“This is driving me nuts.”

“I know Mr. Popović. I don’t think there is much else we can do. Hold on, I have a call coming in. I don’t recognize this number. Well, there is nothing to lose by answering. Yes, this is Thomas. Hello. Yeah okay. Speaker, it is. You are on speakerphone.”

“I’m only going to say this once, so listen up. We have Carolyn Popović. She will come to no harm if you release Lazar to us. If you don’t see this plan’s wisdom, you can inform Mr. Popović that he will need to do another plan. That will be for the memorial service.”

“Who are you?”

“Please, Ms. Thomas. Don’t make yourself look stupid in front of all those in the room. Also, do not interrupt me again. We will be communicating through you. You can expect a call within two hours, giving you precise instructions. Oh, please triangulate the location of this phone. By the time you figure out where this call is coming from, we will be long gone. Don’t try to call this number since it won’t exist in twenty seconds. That is all.”

“Wait. How is Carolyn? Hello? Hello. Damn, he’s gone.”

“Oh my god. They have my little girl. I don’t care. What happens to me. Do as they say. Let them have me. We have to save Carolyn.”

“Please settle down, Mr. Popović. The government has a standing policy against meeting the kidnapper’s demands. We need to get a plan together. Unfortunately, you will not be too useful. Lieutenant.”

“Yes.”

“Please take Mr. Popović back to the holding cell. Mr. Stennis, you are free to go.”

“Wait, Ms. Thomas.”

“What?”

“I can help, I’m sure. There must be a place where they have taken her that I know about. After all, there are Cortez’s men, and I used to work for him. Please let me stay and help.”

“My better judgment says no, but there is something in what you just said that makes sense.”

“Okay, you can stay. Larry and Andrew. I don’t see that this is something you need to be concerned with so you can beg off.”

“if you don’t mind, Andrew and I would like to stay and help.”

“We can use the help. Okay, you are signed on as well. Lieutenant, how about you?”

“At your service.”

“Mr. Stennis, you are excused.”

“Thank you, but I too wish to help.”

“All the same, I think we have a working group, and your client will be in good hands.”

“Very well. If that is your desire.”

“It is.”

“Okay, Lazar. Remember what I said about saying anything.”

“I remember. All I want to do is get my daughter away from those animals.”

“Alright, then. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye. Lieutenant, would you please escort Mr. Stennis to the front door.”

“My pleasure. Follow me, sir.”

“Everyone, hold on until the lieutenant returns.”

“What’s the problem ?”

“Just wait.”

“Okay, Ms. Thomas, Stennis is out the front door.”

“Riddle me this all of you. How did Cortez’s group know my number?”

“Is it unlisted?”

“Yes, of course. Also, how did they know there were other folks in the room?”

“Now that you ask, it is an excellent question. We have a mole.”

“Exactly, Larry.”

It is Wednesday Story Time again, and last week, we took a little breather. Pricilla and Jerry Stennis, Lazar’s lawyer, had a little conversation, which resulted in Stennis wanting to stay with Lazar until Carolyn’s status is known. After their discussion, Pricilla left to talk to her FBI counterpart. I see she is coming back, so we better get there and find out what that conversation was all about.

“Mr. Dunfee, could I see you outside for a moment?”

“Uh, sure, Ms. Thomas.”

“Follow me.”

“Can Andrew come too?”

“Yes, I see no reason why not.”

“Ms. Thomas?”

“Yes, Mr. Stennis.”

“Does this concern my client?”

“No, sir, it does not.”

“Thank you.”

“Excuse us for a minute.”

“Hold on, Ms. Thomas, while I get the door.”

“Gallant, Mr. Dunfee.”

“I just want to make sure it is closed.”

“Is it closed.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I said this does not concern Lazar bu it does.”

“What is it, Ms. Thomas.”

“We just got another hit on Andre Terrian, and it is not good.”

“What do you mean.”

“It looks like he was a person of interest in Corsica as the supposed leader of a kidnap for ransom scheme.”

“Corsica? That is pretty random.”

“They only used the location as a base.”

“How did they get sideways with the locals?”

“They actually had the locals in their pocket.  They were never charged and left the island.”

“This does not sound good for Carolyn.”

“Yeah, no kidding. I think Lazar made a big mistake hiring him to watch Carolyn. It looks like a couple of the kidnap victims were roughed up pretty bad.”

“How so?”

“Andre was pretty forceful in his demands and sent some pretty vicious videos of the victims getting punched around if there was any delay in payment.”

“None killed or missing?”

“No. it Looks like his MO is to scare the crap out of the parents. None of the victims were seriously hurt just looked that way on the video.”

“Well, that’s one thing.”

“Let’s hope the guys in France get to Carolyn before Andre can get away. If he does, we can almost count on some kind of ransom situation.”

“How did you get all this information on Andre anyway.”

“He had an accomplice who got caught in another situation and started to talk.”

“But no one got to Andre.”

“Nope, he disappeared. Which he is good at doing.”

“When will the train reach France.”

“I’m guessing in the next ten minutes.”

“Someone going to let us know what happens.”

“Yeah, we have agreed to a text which is much faster.”

“Good idea.”

“I’m worried, though.”

“Not a good thing to hear.”

“Not a good thing to say”

“

It is Wednesday Story Day, and last week, we learned the plan to have American agents pick up Carolyn from the French and take her back to. The US in a private airplane. The question came up about the identity of the driver who was taking Carolyn to Paris. Pricilla asked her contact in the FBI if it was possible to ID the driver. The contact indicated that a satellite pass was coming up and would get back to her. I see her zoom call with her contact has begun. We better get back.

“Thomas here, Winters. What have we got?”

“We did get a shot of the driver, and we are running his image through the facial rec software.”

“How long?”

“A matter of minutes if this guy has a record. If no record, then almost impossible.”

“Yeah, I get that. I’m secretly hoping he is clean.”

“For Ms. Popović’s sake, I hope so too. Uh oh. I just got the info. Let me look at it a second.”

“That does not sound good.”

“Hmmm.”

“What does hmmm mean?”

“We have a problem.”

“Tell me.”

“It looks like the guy driving the car is one Andre Terrian with several AKA monikers. Long story short, he is a thug with ties to organized crime.”

“Any outstanding warrants?”

“No, unfortunately. Otherwise, the authorities could pick him up.”

“Couldn’t we call it suspicion of kidnapping of Carolyn?”

“There’s no evidence, and if Carolyn hired him, we would all end up with international egg on our face.”

“But we would have Carolyn.”

“Don’t forget the French Police Nationale are going to grab her anyway.”

“Yea, I got a little carried away. Do you think this thug intends on following Carolyn’s orders or is maybe working for Cortez?”

“There is no record here of Terrian being associated with Cortez. He’s pretty much a French thug.”

“it still makes me uncomfortable.”

“I know what you mean. Once they get off that train at Coquilles, we will all breathe better.”

“So, the train trip is about how long?”

“About 35 minutes.”

“And she is how far from Coquilles.”

“About thirty minutes.”

“your guys are how far from landing?”

“Two hours.”

“So, the French will have to hold her for at least an hour and a half or more if there are delays in the arrival of your guys.”

“That seems right.”

“That is not too long a time. Maybe nothing will go wrong.”

“Knock wood.”

“Yeah. You said it. If you hear anything more, let me know.”

“Well, there is just one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“There is a guy in the backseat as well.”

“What?”

“We can’t get a good look at him.  He is all slouched down. Looks like he is taking a nap.”

“Just swell.”

“We’ll keep trying, but I don’t think this means too much.”

“How so?”

“The guy in the back is dressed like a college kid. At least that’s the overall impression. I’ll bet it is a boyfriend.”

“I think I need to ask Popović’ about what he knows about Terrian and a boyfriend.”

“Good luck. Winter out.”

“Yeah, good luck indeed.”

It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we learned where Carolyn is probably heading when she gets to France. We also learned that probably Cortez’s men won’t know where she is heading but could grab her during the three- and one-half hour drive between the Chunnel exit at Coquilles and Paris where she is headed. An idea came to Pricilla that if Somner could give up her French passport name, Carolyn could be grabbed while on the train to Paris. I see she is coming back into the room. Let’s get over there. Maybe she has a name.

“I have some bad news.”

“Somner, wouldn’t give you the name?”

“It’s worse than that. He died.”

“On no. There goes the last chance to locate my Carolyn.”

“There is a glimmer of hope.”

“What is that?”

“I just got off the phone with the FBI. After I explained the situation, one of their techies took it upon himself to locate the car Carolyn was riding in. He thinks he found it. With some high-resolution photos and facial rec software, he thinks they are in a blue Mercedes.”

“Is he sure?”

“Pretty sure. The important thing is we can have some folks at Coquilles detain the car and make sure. If it is her, then we will take her.”

“What if it isn’t?”

“They can check each car as it leaves. But the techie thinks he is most certain.”

“So, If it took a satellite and high res photos to locate her, what makes you think Cortez will be successful too?”

“He can do the same low-tech check at Coquilles as we will if the person in the blue Mercedes is not Carolyn.”

“So, it is a race to the finish.”

“In a matter of speaking, Mr. Popović.”

“I have a question.”

“Certainly, Mr. Dunfee.”

“Mr. Popović. Does the name Sandusky mean anything to you?”

“Um, yeah, my sister married a guy named Sandusky.”

“Is she still married to him?”

“Naw, he died of a heart attack ten years ago.”

“Never heard Cortez mention Sandusky?”

“I can’t remember.”

“How about the names Janis Rafferty or Ned Dixon?”

“Now, those names I’ve heard before.”

“Where?”

“Not sure. Might have been in one of the phone calls. I have heard of Alexis Rafferty, though. He worked for Cortez.”

“This is making me and countless others happy, Mr. Popović.”

“Of course, until my Carolyn is safe, I can’t give you any more information.”

“I understand. I don’t have any more questions. Thank you, Ms. Thomas.”

“I hope we will be able to shed some light on your case. In the meantime, we need to concentrate on Carolyn.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we learned a guy named Somner who made the ID’s for Carolyn was beaten pretty badly. Chances are he gave the identity names to Cortez’s men. If so, Cortez will hunt Carolyn down and take her for insurance against Lazar talking. Now it is a race to see who can find Carolyn first, Cortez, or our side. There is some more discussion going on with Lazar. I think Larry has asked him a question. Let’s go and find out what they are talking about.

“I’m sorry my mind was a million miles away. Could you repeat the question, detective?”

“Sure, Lazar. What I asked was do you know of any place in France where Carolyn might be heading?”

“That’s a good question. Let me think a second. I remember in high school, there was an exchange student from France. He and Carolyn were pretty good friends.”

“Do you know where he lived?”

“Oh, yeah, he was at our house several times. He was really a nice kid. He and his family lived in Paris.”

“Do you have a name?”

“Sure. His name was Pablo.”

“And he was French?”

“Yeah. He always got asked the same question. His parents named him after Picasso.”

“How about their names or address?”

“I have all that in my phone. His parent came for a visit and stayed with us.”

“Pricilla. I think we may have a lead here.”

“Yes, Larry. Thanks for the help. So here’s your phone Mr. Popović. Get the address, and we will have some people go there to protect that family.”

“What do you mean to protect?”

“I’m sure Cortez will be paying them a visit as well.”

“How will he know she is going there?”

“My guess is he will have someone bribe someone in the passport control office to give him the address.”

“How will the passport control office get the address?”

“Don’t arrivals fill out a form with the address where they are going to be staying?”

“She has a French passport and is, therefore, looks to be a citizen. She won’t have to do anything.”

“Well, there goes that theory. I still think getting some folks over there will at least allow us to get Carolyn. Who knows? Maybe Cortez’s men will be following her so we can prevent a grab there.”

“There is another concern Ms. Thomas.”

“What is that, Mr. Popović?”

“It is a three and one half-hour drive from Coquelles where the Chunnel terminates in France to Paris. Cortez’s men could grab her anywhere along that route.”

“Goodness. We have to get her on the train as it arrives in France.”

“Can you do that?”

“If the stars align and if we can get Somner to tell us the name on the French Passport.”

“If he can’t tell us?”

“Then, we need a miracle.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we discovered Carolyn had left her dorm, and the two agents who were there to collect her had no idea where she went. We also learned that she has turned off her phone. The question was raised about the possibility of her throwing her phone away. It is doubtful that a college kid would dump her phone. So, let’s get back to the State Trooper center and see if there is any new information.

“So, lazar.”

“Yes, Priscilla?”

“I just got off the phone with my FBI contact.”

“Good news, I hope.”

“Well, it’s not bad news anyway.”

“So, what’s going on?”

“Carolyn turned on her phone for enough time to get a fix on where she is. It looks like she is going to be taking a trip through the chunnel. Her location is on highway M20 near Maidstone.”

“What makes you think she is going to take the Chunnel?”

“There isn’t really a reason to be on M20 unless the Chunnel entrance at Folkestone is the destination. There is the Surry Hills area where she could hide out for sure, but she is already past there when we got a ping from her phone.”

“Did she hire a driver?”

“We don’t know. We are contacting several cab companies, but that is a shot in the dark.”

“Can’t someone intercept her?”

“Right now, the best thing to do is wait until she gets to the Chunnel site. We can do some screening of anyone who is thinking of taking public transportation to France.”

“She can’t walk it, can she?”

“It‘s not allowed. There have been people trying to enter France illegally who have walked the distance but were always arrested at the other end.”

“So, how will she go through?”

“If she hired a car, there are trains that will take cars across. If she does that, there is a passport checkpoint before getting loaded on the train.”

“You sound a little unsure.”

“There are also Ferries across the channel.”

“So, she has two ways to go.”

“Yes. There is also a passport checkpoint for the ferry, so either way, we will probably intercept her. We have notified the authorities, and if she shows up at a checkpoint, she will be detained.”

“Unless.”

Unless what?”

“Unless she has a way to get false papers.”

“What makes you think she has a way to get false papers?”

“Um.”

“Come on, Lazar. Level with me.”

“Since I was working for Cortez, I wanted to make sure Carolyn would be safe no matter what happened. I knew Cortez could somehow use her to get to me. Several years ago, I had some passports and visas made.”

“Forged, you mean?”

“Yes, to use the legal term. I gave her a set with instructions to use them if I got into any trouble.”

“She didn’t question you?”

“Oh sure, but I told her it was government business, and it was for her protection. She has six sets.”

“Six sets? What names are on these sets.”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“They were delivered to her without me knowing. I wanted to make sure that no matter what Cortez did to me, I would never release Carolyn’s identity.”

“Do you know the countries?”

“Not sure, but you can guess.”

“Guess?”

“Sure, US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain.”

“you know or guessing?”

“Just guessing.”

“Well, this is just great. Why didn’t you tell us this before?”

“I didn’t know she was going to run.”

“Yeah, but it would have been helpful to know she could disappear at will.”

“I like that idea, Pricilla. I like it a lot.”

“I’m a little upset with you right now.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we found out Lazar has a daughter named Carolyn who will be in jeopardy if ADA Thomas can’t figure out an iron-clad protection program for her and Lazar. It looks like Thomas has been thinking while we were away. Let’s get back and see what she has planned.

“Mr. Popović, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes?”

“If your story is true and you have those phone conversations, are you willing to testify as to the veracity of the evidence.”

“Excuse me, but I’m not sure what you are asking.”

“Let me interpret.”

“Sure, Mr. Stennis. Go ahead.”

“Lazar, what the ADA is asking is are you willing to get up on the witness stand and swear to the activity in the phone conversations?”

“Can’t someone just play the conversations?”

“There is a problem with that. To be admitted into evidence, they have to be recorded with the knowledge of the other person.”

“Oh. So they are worthless.”

“No. They do form the basis for getting warrants and such under probable cause statutes.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“You don’t have to worry about it. The point is are you willing to recount the events and conversations as an eye witness.”

“What about protection.”

“Let me handle this, Mr. Stennis.”

“Be my guest, Ms. Thomas.”

“I’m prepared to do whatever is possible to protect your daughter and you. If you testify.”

“Is there a way to get that in writing?”

“Of course. I’ll give Mr. Stennis here an agreement for you to review. In the meantime, I think we had better make some provision for your daughter immediately. You are quite safe here, but I would feel better if she were in protective custody.”

“Sounds like jail time to me.”

“No, not at all. We will get her to a safe house and keep her under protection until the trial is over, and you both have new identities.”

“I don’t think she is going to go for it. She has her friends and school.”

“Her life may depend on it.”

“Or I could just keep my mouth shut.”

“I think it is a little late for that. Cortez’s people know you have been taken. It is only a matter of time till they come after Carolyn if nothing more than for insurance.”

“I guess you are right. When can you get her?”

“I need to place a call. We can have British agents take her to a safe place. Our agents will get there within twelve hours to bring her back.”

“Won’t she be frightened?’

“You will need to talk to her and explain the situation.”

“She has no idea I’m involved in criminal activity.”

“I’m sorry to say, Lazar. That needs to change for her safety. She needs to follow our directions to the letter.”

“When should I call?”

“I need to make a few calls. I’ll come back when it’s time. Give me her address and cell phone number. I will need to give it to the authorities. Where is she?”

“She’s in Oxfordshire.”

“She goes to Oxford?”

“Yes.”

“That location is going to make it a little harder. I’ll have to check and see if there is a landing field that can accommodate one of our jets. If not, then we have to go by car from a bigger city.”

“I’ve flown into Oxford airport in Kidlington. It has a huge runway. They train pilots there.”

“I have it on Google. You are right it has a 5,092-foot runway. That plenty for a G5. Good news. Okay, let me go make a couple of calls. Sit tight, and I’ll be right back.”