It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we learned that the Escalade was purchased by a widow and since Cortez’s men have it and it was not reported stolen; only two states of nature can exist. 1. The widow is in cahoots with Cortez’s men. 2. The widow is no longer with us. Mike (The FBI agent) has called the Reno PD to check on the widow. In the meantime, our boys have sophisticated software to try and locate the Escalade. They are sitting in Mike Moore’s car, so we should go there and see what’s going on. It will be cramped, but we can all fit in. (This is fiction, after all)

 

“Anything on the Escalade yet?”

“Yes, but hold on. Here’s a call from the Reno PD. This is Agent Moore. Uh Huh. Yup. Okay then, Thank you.”

“What’s going on.”

“Ms. Tounsand was found in her bedroom. Looks like foul play. They’ll know more after the autopsy.”

“That’s a kick to the heart.”

“Yeah, I know. The poor old lady didn’t deserve that kind of ending. On a brighter note, I think we have a location for the Escalade.”

“That is great. How did you do that?”

“The Escalade is equipped with On-Star, and it is a matter of locking into the GPS feature. It took a little time, and we were lucky to have the VIN number. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.”

“So, where is it?”

“Let me see. It looks like it’s sitting in Squaw Valley.”

“Could it be near Cortez’s place? “

“We could only wish it was in his garage.”

“We could never be that lucky.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Let me pull up Cortez’s address and see how different it is from the address indicated on the screen.”

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

“Bingo. I can’t believe it. The damn thing is parked at his house.”

“We gotta get there.”

“We need back up. Hold on, let me call in a team. Also, we will need a warrant. I’ve got someone who can get that. One second, Larry. Hello Morris. Yeah, I’m going to need a team to help serve a warrant. Make it ten. I also need the warrant to be a search and arrest for suspicion of kidnapping. Yes, the perp has crossed state lines from Nevada to California and has three individuals, including ADA Thomas. Yeah, I know it’s amazing. Here’s the address. 7621 Country Club estates Squaw Valley California. The Owner’s name is Cortez. No, we don’t need local support. This is a federal matter. Okay then. Call me back when the team is ready to hit the road. I’m going to the location to make sure no one leaves. Tell the team we need them as soon as possible. Okay, thanks, Moore out.”

“Wow. I guess we are in it.”

“Yes. Let’s hope we are not too late.”

“Why on Earth would Cortez allow those thugs to come to his house?”

“That is very strange, and I have no answer.”

“He’s got to know that Escalade is stolen and that we can track it.’

“Maybe he doesn’t think anyone knows about it being stolen. You know it was plain luck we got that receipt and were able to see the video at the Chick-Fil-A.”

“I suppose you are right. There’s no reason to believe we had luck on our side. Those guys did burn the receipt.”

“May not be luck.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, never mind. I was just thinking about my wife, Gloria.”

“I’m confused.”

“Forget it. Let’s get rolling.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we found out that the light-colored Escalade used by Cortez’s thugs didn’t have any reports of being stolen. The plate on it belonged to a Prius. There was one Escalade stolen in LA, but it was black. We did speculate that it would be easy to repaint the car, but that was just a red herring. There was also a dealer name on the license plate surround. Our gang is off to visit the dealer to see if there is any information that can be found about the car. I see they are all at the dealer’s place, so we better get over there to check it out.

 

“Yes, that looks like an Escalade we sold. Let me check the records.”

“We’ll wait.”

“I can check them right here on my computer.”

“Of course.”

“Yes, that is a very unusual color. Inspiration crème. It was sold two weeks ago to a local person. A good customer. I have the name and address.”

“That would be great if you could let us have it.”

“You do know that we need to protect our customer information.”

“I understand. This is a matter of life or death. I could get a warrant.”

“No, no, that won’t be necessary. Her name is Shirley Tounsand.”

“Her name?”

“Yes, Miss Tounsand has bought many vehicles from us.”

“Miss Tounsand?”

“She is a widow and likes to get a car every couple of years.”

“So that is a 2020?”

“Yes, it was left in inventory, so we gave her a great buy.”

“I will need the VIN number.”

“VIN number. What for?”

“We believe this vehicle was involved in a kidnapping. The Vin will allow us to access the GPS and perhaps locate it.”

“You don’t believe Miss Thousand is involved, do you?”

“Let’s hope not, but in any case, she might be in danger. Could we have her address, please?”

“Yes, here it is.”

“Do you happen to have her phone number as well?”

“Yes. It is on that paper. Do me a favor.”

“Sure, What?”

“Let me know she’s okay.”

“We can do that. Thank you.”

“Hey, Mike?”

“Yes, Larry.”

“Let’s go outside.”

“Thank you for the information. We’ll be in touch. After you, Larry.”

“I don’t want to alarm anyone, but I have some concern for that widow.”

“Yeah, no kidding. I’m calling her now. The phone is ringing.”

“I hope she picks up.”

“Still ringing. Ah, to voice mail.”

“Hang up.”

“Gotcha.”

“We need to send someone over there for a welfare check. Knowing these guys, the widow could be in trouble.”

“Let me call the Reno PD.”

 

 

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were pleased to see Tony’s boss pony up and approve Tony’s cooperation with our gang’s inquiry. Tony let us all know that the restaurant has surveillance tapes that have a 24-hour loop. He is quite sure that if Cortez’s people picked up an order last night at 5:10, he would have it on tape. We are waiting for Tony to call his boss to see if it is okay to give the officers the tape. Here comes Tony. It looks like he is off the call with his boss. We better get back to see what he has to say.

 

“Tony, I see you are off the call.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What did the boss say? Is it okay to give us the tapes?”

“He said without a warrant, I can’t give you the tapes. I can let you view them until you do get a warrant. He mentioned that the tapes were company property and might have customer information that would cause some bad press if released.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“He mentioned license plate numbers.”

“Okay, I get it. He wants to make sure that if there is a leak, he is covered.”

“Exactly.”

“I think we can live with this. Larry? Andrew?”

“Okay, by me.”

“Most certainly.”

“Alright, Tony. Why don’t you lead us to the viewing room.”

“That’s funny.”

“What’s funny.”

“Viewing room. It’s actually a closet.”

“Yeah, I see that that is funny. Take us to the viewing closet.”

“Follow me.”

“Right behind you.”

“Watch this back door. It is cumbersome.”

“I got it.”

“Thanks, Larry.”

“Mmmm smells good in here.”

“The closet is over here. I hope you can all see.”

“Set up the tape, and we’ll do our best.”

“Since I’m the least important here, I’ll hang back.”

“Okay, Andrew. Thanks.”

“Yeah, thanks, Andrew. Also, you are the biggest here.”

“Hilarious, Larry.”

“Okay, gentlemen, I have the tape cued for 5:10.”

“I don’t see anything.”

“The ticket reads when the food is ready. Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the car to move from the payment window. There.”

“I see it—another SUV. Looks like an Escalade, and it’s light-colored. Too bad this tape isn’t in color.”

“There’s the plate in the little window to the right.”

“Can you freeze it?”

“Frozen.”

“GSR7075. Nevada plate. Look, the plate surround has the auto dealer’s name on it. Reno Motors.”

“Good Tony. I think we’ve seen enough. You sure that is the car that picked up the order?”

“Yes, sir. The ticket number was confirmed at the delivery window. I checked after my initial call to the boss.”

“Okay, then I think we are done here. If necessary, we will get a warrant for the tape. Can you put it in a safe place so it won’t be recorded over?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll pull this one and put in a replacement. I will save the delivery window receipt too.”

“Thanks, Tony, you’ve been a real help.”

You guys want more coffee?”

“We really have to run. Maybe a raincheck.”

“Anytime.”

 

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we all broke into the warehouse only to find one guy who had been left behind. We don’t know why he was left, but he has been taken into custody and is being questioned. Since he is part of the Cortez mob, we can’t expect too much information from him. So that leaves us with solid detective work as to where the other Cortez folks are headed. I see Agent Moore is calling one of his associates. Let’s go and listen in.

 

“Yeah, Charles. Take a look at all the street cameras around this warehouse. See if you can find any car or truck leaving here. Yes, the direction would be helpful as well. Okay then. Call when you have something.”

“He doesn’t have anything?”

“A bit early. Unlike TV shows, it takes a while to access traffic cams. He’ll get back as soon as he has anything.”

“I have a suggestion.”

“Yes, Larry, what is it?”

“We should comb this place thoroughly and see if we can turn up anything useful. Has anyone checked the SUV?”

“We have the crime guys heading this way.”

“I mean, has anyone taken a look inside?”

“Good question. Let me find out. Sampson is outside. Patrol one, this is Moore.”

“Patrol One, go ahead.”

“Has anyone looked in the SUV?”

“Affirmative. Nothing there.”

“Roger that. We are going to have a look around in here.”

“The lab guys are due any minute.”

“Understood. Just a quick look. Anything out of our shooter?”

“Nope. He’s like a clam. We have him in the back of a patrol car.”

“Just make sure he is secure.”

“Not to worry. He’s not going anywhere.”

“Thanks, Patrol one. Moore out. Okay, Larry, let’s have a look.”

“I don’t know what they did in this warehouse, but it is pretty empty.”

“See if that barrel had anything in it.”

“Nope, nothing in it. Looks like they used it as a burn barrel. You got a light?”

“Yeah. Let me look inside. Hey, look at the bottom. Some ashes.”

“Wait.”

“What, Andrew?”

“Don’t disturb those.”

“Why not?”

“We might be able to figure out what they were burning in there.”

“Couldn’t be much. There are very few ashes.”

“Let me look?”

“See on top. There is some kind of receipt. You can almost read it. One thing about ashes is you don’t stir them they pretty much keep the characteristic of the original. I’ll be damned.”

“What?”

“It is a fast-food receipt.”

“They had a delivery?”

“Or picked up. Hold on. Yup, it looks like a Chick-Fil-A. Let me get closer.”

“Don’t fall in.”

“Thank you, Larry, but I’m safe.”

“Wasn’t worried about your safety. Just didn’t want you landing on the evidence.”

“Yes, I can see the address. 1663 Route 35.”

“Got a credit card number?”

“Smartass. I do have a date, though. It was yesterday. All we have to do is go there and check the records, and maybe just maybe somebody will know something.”

“At least it is a lead.”

“Slim at best.”

“Let’s be positive.”

 

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were around when we heard that Cortez’s men acting as agents took Lazar out of the lockup, and lieutenant Mayfield went along for the ride. Agent Moore convinced the highway patrol officers to issue a Be On the Look Out notice for the group, including ADA Thomas. Let’s go join Larry Andrew and Mike Moore as they discuss the next steps.

 

“I think we should get a car and at least be ut there should a call come in.”

“Good idea, Larry. Let me call the motor pool and get one over here.”

“How long will that take?”

“No more than ten minutes.”

“I’m still mystified as to how Mayfield let those guys pull the wool over his eyes.”

“I’m guessing their ID was pretty good. I’m a little worried about Thomas.”

“How so.”

“She never struck me as the kind you could shove around.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Just seems funny that she would be cooperative on a caper like this.”

“Maybe she wasn’t.”

“What do you mean, detective?”

“Maybe she was knocked out in the car or something.”

“Speaking of a car, let me make that call. Hello, this is Agent Moore. We are going to need a car at the ADA’s office. Sure. Okay, that sounds good.”

“All set?”

“It will be here in ten minutes. In the meantime, I’m going to call those guys at the Highway patrol and see if they have any security footage of the car that took Lazar away.”

“That sounds like a great idea. How’d you think of that?”

“You know a guy named Keith Channing?”

“No, should we?”

“He just sent me a text with that suggestion.”

“How did he get your number? Oh, that’s right, you read it out loud to the State troopers.”

“Hole on. Yeah, this is Agent Moore again. Just fine, thank you. I have a question. Do you guys, by chance, have a security camera covering the parking lot of your headquarters? I know it sounds like a dumb question but do you. Oh good. How about you roll the film and get me a description of the car that those agents were in. You did? Okay, give it to me. Uh-huh. Yup. Okay, Can you see ADA Thomas? No kidding. Okay, thanks again.”

“Well?”

“They put the description on the BOLO. As you might suspect, it is a late model black Chevrolet Suburban. Guess what?”

“No sign of Thomas.”

“Bingo. So if the lieutenant went with them, where do you suppose ADA Thomas was stashed.”

“This is not sounding good for Thomas.”

“And as much as I hate to say it for Lieutenant Mayfield either.”