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.”

“Okay, Sarg. lead the way.”

 

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.”

“Good luck then.”

“Thanks.”

 

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.”

 

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week our heroes were heading out of town only to miss the cut off to the backroads toward the airport. While staying on the freeway, there was some kind of police action up ahead. Larry decided to do a U-turn on the median and head back to the cut-off road. All was well until the sight of flashing red and blue lights appeared in the rear. Let’s get back and see what happens next. We’ve had a week to wonder what this is all about, and now it is the moment of truth.

 

“You think you can outrun them?”

“Well, you know how it works just as well as I do. We try to outrun, and they call for help, and eventually, we are running over a strip of nails and then possibly overturn or hit a lamp post.”

“How many movies have you seen, Larry?”

“Okay, I think we ought to just pull over.”

“You’re driving. I just hope we won’t regret it.”

“Look, the cut-off road is just ahead.”

“You can pull over by the exit.”

“I’m worried there is no one around.”

“What do you mean?”

“Witnesses. Andrew. Witnesses.”

“Cheeze another thing to worry about. That cop is getting closer.”

“How do we know he is after us?”

“Hahaha. Oh, I don’t know how we know. This whole trip has been a series of surprises. My money is on him wanting us to stop.”

“Okay, we’ll do it. I’ll even use my turn signal.”

“Ah, the paragon of law-abiding.”

“Yeah, okay, we are stopped. What’s he doing?”

“That’s strange.”

“What’s strange?”

“He went by.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Now he’s gone. Our judgment is only exceeded in quality by our paranoia.”

“Man. Do you believe this is the first time anything has gone our way? Here we are by the cut-off road and are now free to proceed to the airport. Get your phone to reroute us.”

“Already has. Go down the ramp and take a right.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were there when Andrew and Larry met Cortez. He told them that the Asst DA was a person they should check. He gave them the hint to look for a connection between the ADA and Dixon. You remember Ned Dixon? He was the guy who we first met at the company that had the electronic pulverizing machine. Well, anyway we should get with Andrew and Larry. They have checked out of the hotel and are headed for the airport.

“What time’s the flight?”

“Four o’clock.”

“Ah, good. We don’t have to rush, and maybe we should take Cortez’s suggestion of using the back roads.”

“Yeah. Good idea. I wanted to ask you about that whole conversation.”

“I have to say, Andrew. It was very confusing to me too.”

“So, what do you think Cortez is up to now?”

“I don’t know, but I can say one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I feel better about our decision on getting back to Boston.”

“I think it will give us a little more time to figure this out.”

“Not to mention not having to dodge major ordinance.”

“Ha, haha. Hey, did you just miss the cut-off road.”

“Damn. I did. Means we will have to take the freeway.”

“Wait, let me plug in the airport destination to my phone. Maybe there is another road that will get us there.”

“Go ahead and try, but if I know those mapping apps now that we are on the freeway, it will stick with it.”

“Boy, how right you are. This piece of crap has us on the highway, alright.”

“Just keep your eyes open. Now I have to wonder about Cortez’s advice.”

“How so?”

“If we take the highway, Tagget’s thugs may intercept us. What’s not to say if we took the backroads that Cortez’s goons wouldn’t be waiting.”

“Either way, we have a 50% chance of running into trouble.”

“Naw, I would say it’s more like 100%.”

“Whattya mean?”

“Look up ahead.”

“Looks like a big accident.”

“Or a set up by the ADA.”

“What should we do?”

“Hang on. I’m going to do a U-turn and cross the median. We are going back to that cut-off road.”

“This is illegal, Larry.”

“Well, it is better than having to shoot it out with the ADA’s people. There we are on our way back.”

“Except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t see those blue and red flashing lights behind us?”

“Crap.”

“Well said.”