It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were stunned to have Trish Severide show up at the hospital. She learned that there was a pretty big insurance policy payment waiting for her. She and we all learned that the insurance policy and will of the parents has gone missing. So I am seeing Alice answering her front door. Who is there but none other than Frank Plano the private detective?
“Yes, can I help you?“
“Hello, Mrs. Weston.”
“Yes I’m Mrs. Weston, and you are?”
“Frank Plano private detective.”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Plano?”
“Well, for one thing, you could invite me in.”
“To what end?”
“I just want to ask you a few things about Lucas Severide and his parents.”
“Things? What kind of things?”
“Please Mrs. Weston. It’s hard to talk through a screen door. May I please come in?”
“I’m not sure what information I have regarding the Severides. I do know Lucas though.”
“Great let’s talk about Lucas then.”
“What do you want to know?”
“I am a little unclear on why he is painting houses.”
“Why so. He’s a young man needing money for school or so he told me.”
“Yeah, see that’s just it.”
“What’s it?”
“The kid got five million from an insurance policy his parents had on their lives.”
“What? Oh, do come in Mr. Plano.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Weston. Thank you. I was beginning to get a sunburn out there.”
“Would you like some coffee?”
“That would be nice, thank you.”
“I’ll be right back. Have a seat.”
“Hello, Harriet. I’m whispering because I have that private eye in my living room and he’s telling me Lucas got five million from his parent’s insurance policy. Calm down, Harriet. I will see what this is about and call you back.  No, you can’t come over. I’ll handle this. Bye.”

Welcome to Wednesday Story day. Last week we saw Harriet Murphy get pretty annoyed at Frank Plano, the private eye. He was making some allegations about a cover-up in the murder of Lucas’ parents. Harriet asked him to leave which raises all kinds of questions about why she is so touchy. I see a young woman heading into Lucas’ room at the hospital. I think we better get over there since I have no idea who it is. It may be an old girlfriend of Lucas.

“Hello, Lucas.”
“My gosh, Trish. Where have you been?”
“It’s a long story, Lucas. How are you doing?”
“I’m on the mend sis, but I have been so worried about you.”
“I could tell when you left me for dead.”
“I’m so sorry. I really thought you had hit your head so hard you were gone.”
“I can understand that Lucas but why run away?”
“Please forgive me. I panicked and didn’t want to be accused of killing you.”
“Well lucky for me, I had some pretty good care. I didn’t tell anyone who I was and when it came time, I made my escape.”
“Where did you go?”
“I took off to Florida. I needed time to recover. I found a nice guy there, and he took care of me.”
“What made you come back?”
“I ran into a person who said he was a private detective and told me you were in the hospital.”
“Private detective?”
“Yeah. He said he was working for your lawyer.”
“Oh, I get it now. How did the detective find you?”
“I have no idea. I was having a coffee with the guy I mentioned, and he sat at our table and started talking.”
“Wow. That detective is good. Did he tell you the police have been looking for you?”
“No. he gave me the name of the hospital and suggested I come see you. Me? Why are the police looking for me?”
“When you went missing they are assuming you were done in.”
“How did they come to that conclusion?”
“I think your pharmacist buddy in Kenosha may have dropped some kind of hint to the local sheriff. The sheriff thinks I killed mom and dad and you.”
“Man, that is messed up. I’ll just go tell him I’m okay.”
“He thinks I did it for the insurance.”
“That’s stupid. Wait, what insurance?”
“Mom and dad left us each some money. Yours is still with the insurance company.”
“Ah. Makes sense. I can’t imagine anyone would think you killed me for such a pittance.”
“Five million.”
“What do you mean five million.”
“That’s your share.”
“What? You have to be kidding me. Where did our parents get five million?”
“Ten million. I already got my five.”
“Okay then. Where the hell did our parents get the money to take out a policy worth ten million.”
“Good question, sis. It was all paid up and named you and I. There has to be one naming the survivor of the two of them and a will. So far no paperwork has been found.”
“You think someone killed them for their money.”
“I do. We need to find out where the money went and at the end of that trail I’ll bet we have a murderer.”
“All I can say is, wow.”
“Indeed.”