It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week. It was clear that the Reno SWAT team had information that Larry and Andrew were holding hostages. In discussion with the SWAT team leader, Larry convinced him to give a call to his boss to confirm the fact that Andrew had placed the 911 call and that it is not a hostage situation. Larry also offered to give himself up if the press was a witness. The SWAT leader told Larry the media was not in the area. We better get back since I see the SWAT team leader walking back to his position outside the Starbucks. He gives Larry’s phone a call.

 

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

“I made the call and talked to the operator who took the 911 call.”

“Yes?”

“She confirmed that an individual made the call and pretty much described what you told me.”

“She didn’t get a name, did she?”

“No. But she gave me the phone number of the caller.”

“Well, that’s something.”

“Is there another phone in there?”

“Yes, it’s the one belonging to Andrew Cummings, my associate. He’s the one who placed the call.”

“What’s the number?”

“Hold on, let me ask. Andrew, what’s your phone number? The SWAT guy wants to verify you made the call.”

“It’s a 617-555-4000.”

“Lieutenant it’s—”

“Never mind, I already heard it. Okay, it checks out. Who else is in there?”

“The barista who calls himself Bob.”

“Let me speak to him.”

“Hey, Bob. The lieutenant wants to talk to you.”

“M-me? What for?”

“Why don’t you ask him. Here’s the phone.”

“Er… hello?”

“Yes, hello. This is lieutenant Mayfield of the Reno Swat Rescue team. Do not say anything. Just respond to my questions with yes or no. Understood?”

“Y-yes.”

“Are you in any danger?”

“No.”

“Is anyone listening to this call?”

“No.”

“Do you believe you are there against your will?”

“No. These guys saved my life.”

“Give me back to Detective Dunfee.”

“Yes, sir. Here he is.”

“Detective?”

“Yes, lieutenant?”

“We are coming in.”

“That’s fine, but how do I know you won’t shoot us.”

“You have my word. There is something funny going on and intend to find out what it is.”

“So, you believe what I said.”

“Yeah, no reason not to at this point. Put your gun away and stand back away from the door. We are coming in.”

“I hope I don’t regret this.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we saw Andrew and Larry stop for coffee (uh….never mind), and sure enough, a couple of hoods decided to take them out. One went out the back door, and Larry nailed the other with a clean shot to the eye. I see the police have pulled up in front of the Starbucks and are treating the scene as a hostage stand off situation. I guess we better go there and see if we can do anything to help. Wait! Who am I kidding? We are in the audience and can only watch. Let’s go anyway. It might be interesting to see how our heroes get out of this one.

“THIS IS THE RENO POLICE DEPARTMENT. THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR FURTHER VIOLENCE. WE JUST WANT TO TALK. DO YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE? IF SO SHOUT OUT THE NUMBER AND WE’LL GIVE YOU A CALL.”

“Man, that is some bull horn.”

“Those guys think we are holding hostages, Larry.”

“What makes them think that?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll bet Spencer the ass Taggett has something to do with it.”

“When you called 9-1-1, what did you say?”

“I told the dispatcher that there were two gunmen shooting up the place.”

“Uh-huh. Did she ask you to stay on the line?”

“No. She just said officers are on the way.”

“Did she take your name?”

“Can you believe it, no.”

“Okay, so all she knows is we may be the two gunmen.”

“I guess that covers it.”

“I think we ought to respond to those guys out there before they storm the place.”

“Yeah, the hostage protocol is such that they won’t storm the place until they are sure none of the hostages will get hurt.”

“Sop like if we give up?”

“or shoot ourselves.”

“You can forget the last one. Okay, let me shout to our friends out there.”

“Hey, officers.”

“WE ARE HERE.”

“That is some bull horn.”

“ALL THE BETTER TO BE HEARD.”

“I guess you can hear me then.”

“WALL TO WALL. WHY NOT LET THE PATRONS GO, AND WE CAN HAVE A CHAT?”

“There are no patrons. Just Barista Bob.”

“I’m fine by the way, officer.”

“Thanks, Bob. My name is Larry Dunfee, and I am a detective with the Boston police department.”

“DO YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE?”

“Yes, the number is 617-555-1212.”

“OKAY, GOT IT. CALLING YOU NOW.”

“Yes, hello, officer.”

“It is Lieutenant Mayfield with the Reno SWAT rescue unit.”

“Nice to meet you, Lieutenant. As I said Larry Dunfee, a detective with the Boston Police department.”

“So why would a member of the Boston Police Department take hostages?”

“There must be a mistake, Lieutenant. We were shot at by two gunmen. One is in here now.”

“You holding him hostage as well?”

“No lieutenant, he’s dead. He and his UZI are lying on the floor here.”

“So that I understand. You have killed one of the hostages?”

“Sheese lieutenant. How can I get through to you that we aren’t holding anyone hostage? We’ll come out with our hands up, and then you can see what’s going on here.”

“Uh, Larry?”

“What Andrew? Hold on, Lieutenant. I’m putting you on mute.”

“How do we know they won’t shoot us. I don’t trust that Taggett isn’t behind this whole thing.”

“Good point. How about if we wait for some news reporters. Be hard to shoot us with witnesses.”

“Worth a try.”

“Hello, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Any reporters out there.”

“You want a grand finish? Is that it?”

“No offense, but we don’t exactly trust the situation right now. We were the ones under attack, and you seem hell bet to believe we are holding hostages here.”

“I only know what dispatch told me.”

“How about you get on the phone and explain who we are and that there has been a mix-up. Then when reporters get here, we will give ourselves up, and you’ll be a hero.”

“Not sure I believe your scenario, but I will make the call. By the way, the reporters are about a half-mile from this place. We don’t want any of them to get hurt.”

“Oh, that just swell Lieutenant. Just swell.”