It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week there was some help from the SWAT commander. He arranged an escort to the airport for Larry and Andrew. He, too, is perplexed by the fact that Spencer Tagget the ADA, could be involved in any misdeeds. So I think we are 🎶on the road again.🎶 (Thanks, Willy.) We ought to join our boys who are following the patrol car.
“That was nice of the lieutenant to arrange the escort and not hassle us about killing that thug.”
“I still won’t feel right until we land at Logan.”
“What’s bothering you?”
“Having a bunch of people continually throw lead our way is bothering me.”
“Yeah, it is annoying.”
“Annoying? It is downright hazardous to our health.”
“You still have your gun?”
“What do you think? I always have my gun. Why the question?”
“Not sure. This whole trip has been one series of unusual circumstances. The sad part is we don’t know any more than when we left Boston.”
“We know Dixon and Janet Rafferty spent time together here. We also know Cortez thinks Taggert is involved.”
“I guess we also know Taggert wants us dead.”
“We sure it’s Taggert?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Think all the way back to what started this case. Sandusky’s blown up heart.”
“Yeah so?”
“Who is at the center of everything?”
“Cortez.”
“Right. It would make sense for him to tell us Taggert was involved to throw us off the trail. The way I see it, we got to get Mrs. Rafferty and Dixon to come clean, and then if they finger Cortez, we go get him.”
“Or let Taggert go get him.”
“Whatever. Why is the patrol car slowing down? He has his turn signal on, but there’s no exit.”
“Looks like he is pulling off onto the shoulder.”
“Maybe we should just pass him up.”
“I’m going to pull in behind him. Get ready for anything.”
“Maybe I can beat them off with my briefcase.”
“Very funny. Here comes the sergeant. This should be interesting.”
“Hey, detective. We got a call from the lieutenant that we should go back to headquarters. Something has come up.”
“Did he say what it was?”
“He had a chance to talk to his boss, and they think you are in danger and might better put off your plans to leave.”
“Danger? Hell, that’s nothing new.”
“Looks like the State Patrol came upon some guys up ahead. They were on a bridge over the freeway, and they had some weapons. That’s all I know.”
“They capture the guys?”
“In a manner of speaking. Big shoot out. One is still alive. You want to follow me. We are going over the median. I’m not taking any chances.”
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.
“Where are you. The meeting starts in five minutes.”
“Yeah, I know. It looks like I’m stuck in traffic.”
“Traffic? What does that mean?”
“You know how the morning commute is, Boss. I guess I just timed it wrong.”
“I’m real confused, Spencer. I thought you lived in the high rise behind the office.”
“I do. There has been a complication is all.”
“What kind of complication?”
“Well, you know how I like to compete in bicycle races on the weekends.”
“Yes, but this is Monday. What does a weekend bike race have to do with the fact the meeting with your client is to begin in eight minutes. You know the client that will only do business with his precious Spencer.”
“Yeah, thanks, Boss. It is a little difficult to explain.”
“Why don’t you try?”
“Okay, but I don’t think you are going to be too happy.”
“I’m already not too happy, Spencer. Just spit it out.”
“Okay. I entered a race called the Grand Prix de Manhatten.”
“So far, not too complicated.”
“I actually came in first place.”
“Congratulations. I presume that was yesterday.”
“Yes, sir, it was.”
“So get to the meat.”
“I’m in another race.”
“What? Listen to me. You get out of that race and into this office. I’ll try to stall Mitchem till you get here.”
“You think you can stall him a week?”
“A week? What are you talking about? Get here now.”
“See the thing is this race is in France. I’m cycling toward Reims right now.”
“France. How did you get to France?”
“By plane.”
“I don’t mean how in that way you idiot. I mean, what are you doing in France and don’t tell me cycling.”
“The first prize for the Manhatten race was an entry in the third leg of the Tour de France.”
This week marks the 216th anniversary of the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition, but guess what? I just did not have the wherewithal to create the Top Ten Things not to do on that trip. Maybe some other day. Today, we need a laugh, so I thought I would put a few of my favorite coronavirus memes to lighten the week a little. This is not to make lite of our situation, but just to have a smile or two.
Since the governor of Texas relaxed the stay at home orders, I decided to go out into the world and see if folks were leaving their homes to do authorized activities. I hope you enjoy the stroll with me.
The first stop Tennis courts. Yup folks on them
Foursome playing there.
Sign at the sand volleyball court. There is no one there. (Who wants to play a volleyball game with just two on a side. In the Olympics maybe.)
No one at the pool.
Five at the skatepark.
Practice green getting play.
Golf players
Snack bar players
This is the drive up food service at the country club.
Practice tee’s getting a workout.
The Greenbelt parking lot is jammed.
The city park has quite a few visitors.
The parking lot at the city park is full.
So I would say it looks like people are out and about. Thanks for coming along.
It is Stream of Consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “cave.” Linda hill says we can use it any way we want. That includes use as a verb or a noun. If you would like to have fun with words, visit Linda’s blog, and read how. Here is the link.
“Come on, Lucy let’s celebrate Friday.” “Right behind you, Little One.
It is Friday again, and most of the states have had some kind of easing of the restrictions connected with COVID-19. I guess we all with wait with bated breath to see if folks who bunch up together will cause an increase in the number of cases. As for Texas, the governor eased the restrictions and opened pools and hair salons. In watching the news, it looks like opening the lakes and parks with the idea of social distancing is not working. Party coves on the lakes are jammed and the walkways at parks crowded. So we will see how all this turns out.
There’s not much more going on. I’m planning to start another WIP, but I am trying to decide between two different arcs. No hurry here. Given the pandemic, time seems to be a less important asset. Today’s JohnKu talks about the new timelines. I hope you have a great weekend.
“Lucy. Look at those guys on our driveway. Should I bark them to St Louis.” “Nah. It’s a baby and a mama. No need to bark at them. Keep an eye out for Friday.”
It is Wednesday Story Day time again and last week, Larry, Andrew, and Bob were confronted by the Reno SWAT team lead by Lieutenant Mayfield. After some discussion, the lieutenant gave his word that no one would be shot and that he was coming into Starbucks. He also said he thought something funny was going on, and he wanted to get to the bottom of whatever it is. He was led to believe there was a hostage situation, and now he has come to see that not to be true. I think we ought to get back as Larry has hung up the phone. The Lieutenant and four serious-looking men are coming through the door.
“Larry Dunfee, I presume.”
“Lieutenant Mayfield, so nice to meet you face to face. You look nothing like your voice.”
“Hahaha. I’ll take that as a compliment. So, what the hell do we have here?”
“As I tried to explain on the phone, Andrew and I were getting coffee, and two guys came through the door. One with a shotgun and that guy over there with a UZI.”
“Lieutenant?”
“Yes, Sarg.”
“This one is gone. Shot through the eye.”
“Thanks. That is some shooting, Larry.”
“I am a trained police officer, after all.”
“Figures, I suppose. So, Bob. You have anything to add.”
“N-no, sir. Larry here saved my life, and I won’t forget that.”
“Thanks, Bob.”
“Larry. Where did the guy with the shotgun go?”
“He ran through the kitchen and out the back door. I saw him booking across the parking lot.”
“I wonder why the dispatcher called this a hostage situation?”
“You want my take?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“We have been investigating the murder of a Boston citizen. Our investigation led us to Cortez.”
“He did it?”
“Not that we can prove, but he did say that Taggert could be involved.”
“As in ADA, Taggert?”
“The very same. Anyway, since we have come to Reno, we have been attacked twice. We have killed the attackers all except for the guy with the shotgun.”
“Taggert didn’t press charges?”
“No, he threatened to, but we got the head of our police department and prosecutor to vouch for us. Cortez thought we ought to get back to Boston and see if we can connect our people of interest with Taggert.”
“I find this hard to believe.”
“I don’t think Cortez will talk to you.”
“No. I can’t imagine that he will. As a law office, I find it very disquieting that the person responsible for upholding the law may, in fact, be breaking it.”
“So, what do we do?”
“When is your flight?”
“Four o’clock.”
“I’ll give you an escort, and I think you can make it.”
“What about this mess?”
“Let me take a picture of your ID’s I think it will be a matter of filing some paperwork and finding out who that guy is on the floor.”
“I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“I have full authority here, detective. I have your statement, so, as long as we can get in touch, you’re free to go. There is no reason to suspect you of a crime.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.”
“Sergeant?”
“Yes sir.”
“Give these gentlemen an escort to the airport. Take one of those patrol cars and let the officer drive.”
“Yes sir.”
“Have a good trip. Nice meeting you both.”
“What are you going to do about Taggert?”
“Until I have something, I don’t know what to do.”
“If there is anything we can do, please call.”
“I think I will have a discussion with my boss and try to figure out a path forward.”
In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
Can’t fight it forever.
