Post by papaof2 on Feb 16, 2019 19:35:13 GMT -6
The Elevator
Chapter 1
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 AM
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning, Jack. Do I smell ham and eggs?"
"With fresh biscuits."
"You're too good to me!"
"I only plan to have one wife, so I need to take good care of her, Mrs. Tucker."
"I like that care, Mr. Tucker."
"Your breakfast awaits. I'd like to join you but I have an early appointment."
"Before 8AM?"
"7:30. See you, Lisa."
"See you, Jack."
---
That man has it so bad, is so easy to manipulate and seems to be so easy-going that people sometimes walk over him. My dumb brother Robert has done one smart thing in his life - smart for me anyway - he introduced me to Jack Tucker. If Jack has an early appointment, I'll have the day to myself. Need to see if Jason is free today… he's not a wimp with anyone.
---
Ring!
'This is Jason.'
'Hi, Jay. This is Lisa. You free today?'
'Other than a meeting with Jack at 4:30.'
'I'm free as long as you are.'
'Lunch from the deli?'
'The usual.'
'Be there soon.'
---
Chapter 2
Tuesday, April 13, 10:30 AM
That's three meetings out of the way. I should see if Lisa is still home and drop by with lunch - and maybe something before or after lunch?
Deedeleet! Deedeleet!
"I'll get…"
"No! That's Jack's ring. Let it go to voicemail. He'll think I'm either sleeping in or out shopping. Either way, he won't come home for lunch and we can stay here until you need to shower and leave."
"Suits me. Where were we? About like this?"
"Yes!"
Guess she's sleeping or shopping. I'll call again when I leave the building. Meanwhile, a Reuben from the deli next door sounds like an excellent lunch. When I get back here, I'll review the Jason Walker file again. Something about that has my hackles up but it's not anything I can point to yet. More like being in the Sandbox and 'feeling' that someone had me in their sights. But his record seems clean. Maybe I'll spot what's bothering me later.
---
Chapter 3
Tuesday, April 13, 8:10PM
Where am I?
Better question - why do I hurt so much?
Why is it so quiet - other than my grunts and groans when I try to move?
Why is it so dark?
I remember getting into the elevator. 15th floor, was it? Pressing "P" for the parking area in the basement. The elevator started down…
Then things got kinda jumbled. The elevator slowed, sped up, slowed with a lot of metal-on-metal screeching, then a Bang! and it moved a lot faster so I grabbed the framework of the suspended ceiling to have some give in my support if it stopped abruptly…
Then I woke up hurting. Guess it stopped harder than I could hang on for. Being jarred loose from the overhead explains the skinned feeling on my fingers and hitting the floor explains the knot on my head.
OK. That's part of it. Now, where is this elevator located? If my phone survived, I'll have today's appointments listed.
Damn, but that's bright! Maybe find the brightness setting and take it to minimum? Phone? Will it work to call 911 from down here?
Guess I better check the appointments so I can tell them where I am if it works. The phone tells me that today is Tuesday, April 13. It's clock has 8:20PM. Was I out for a long time? Back to checking appointments.
13 April, 4:30PM, Jason Walker, my office, 1530 Skyler Tower.
I remembered the 15th floor. Am I still in Skyler Tower? Don't they have that snake-like "S" in the elevator floor? Fumble through the menus for the "flashlight" app for a brighter and more directional light than the phone's screen. Found it. Light's on. There's an "S" on the bent floor.
Bent? How hard did this thing hit bottom? Don't elevators have automatic brakes to stop them and some kind of spring or cushion to soften the landing?
Who is Jason Walker? Is he the one who wanted me to investigate the "accidents" that have been befalling him lately? Yes. And I thought he was a bit paranoid because even with a cane and an inflatable cast, he planned to walk down the stairs because he was afraid to use the elevator. It seems he may have been correct about the elevator.
Who can get an elevator sabotaged that quickly? Mafia? CIA? KGB? One of the "shadow" governments? The elevator company?
Did my hanging from the overhead structure reduce the level of my injuries so I'm not dead? Do I want to call 911 and let people know I'm alive? Perhaps not. Do I know how to disappear? Yes, but it would be nice to have a hard-to-identify body in the elevator after I'm out of it. First I get out and then down the block to the morgue at County General to look for a "John Doe". Then get me in some scrubs and him in my clothes. Use a wheelchair to get him the block from there to here. How do I get him in the elevator? The reverse of however I get out. There's a Leatherman in my pocket so first see if I can open the escape hatch.
---
I'm out. Use the Leatherman to spread the doors that I can just reach. I should check how bad I look in a mirror. Is there a… Yes, restroom across the hall.
For the survivor of an attempted murder, I don't look too bad. Use some wet paper towels to clean my face and hands. Looks like I've had a long, hard day but it's almost 10PM - don't think anyone will pay me much attention. Now down the block to County General.
---
Took a while to find him, but "John Doe" #24 has the right hair and eye colors, is about my size and died about six hours ago so the time is good. Takes a lot longer to dress a dead weight but that's done. Good that this wheelchair has the safety belt to keep him in the seat, especially when going down the curb cuts.
Back inside Skyler Tower through the parking entrance. I let "John Doe" dump out of the wheelchair a couple of times - he needs to have some injuries. Need to get some rope from my truck so I can lower him into the elevator.
---
He's in place. Something's been smoldering in the elevator's wreckage so use the Leatherman to make a hole in the five gallon can of paint thinner I found in the Maintenance closet and lower it down in the elevator. Locks are only there to keep out honest or not-desperate people. Need to get myself away before that thinner…
Whump!
It's ignited. That should eventually trigger a fire or smoke alarm and the fire crew can find "me" - well, one of my identities.
Check my truck for a tracking device. Yep. Two of them. One US made. One Chinese. Let's make things fun for the trackers. The truck across the aisle belongs to the evening shift guard and is the same model and color as mine. Done. Now to exit and either pick up a tail or not, depending on whether they're tracking the cell phone I left in the elevator.
No one obviously watching the garage exit but let's make a couple of otherwise unneeded turns to see who's going my way. A street-parked vehicle turned on his lights as I went by, so let him get moving then signal and turn right - twice - but then a quick left into an alley and douse the lights. He followed me on the first turn but not the second one. However, there's an identical vehicle behind him that made the second right. Nice that the Suburbans are big enough to block much of the view of the vehicle behind them. Tail number two didn't see me turn in here and won't see me exit from here either. Into the back entrance of County General's old parking deck and out on the street I started on and still going in the original direction. No vehicles behind me for several blocks.
Back home from here? Not yet. Grab a burner phone from the false bottom of the center console and make a call.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!
'It's after midnight. This better be good!'
'Roberto, you're talking to a dead man whose body hasn't yet been discovered. Is that good enough?'
'Only one person ever got away with calling me "Roberto" so I can guess who's calling and I have some idea what you might need. Meet you at Thrill in ten minutes.'
'See you there.'
Blue's Bar & Grill is open 24/7 so no one notices another guy or two dropping in. Blue also has some very private meeting rooms - checked twice a day for any type of bugs. Not cheap at $100 an hour and up (mostly up, but he owes me). However, it's the cheapest safe place to talk. How did Simon Berryhill get the nickname 'Blue'? And why is his place called 'Thrill'? Think about it.
"Hi, Blue."
"Hi, Jack. Long time, no see."
"You haven't seen me again."
"Room 4. Here's the key."
"Tell Rob when he gets here."
"You tell him. He's on his way in the door. Pot of Earl Grey and some Walker's shortbread?"
"Correct. Maybe more than one pot."
"Breakfast also?"
"Let you know in a couple of hours."
"Jack?"
"Follow me, Rob."
---
"So how did you become a dead man?"
"Let me go back a few weeks, Rob. Had a guy come in. Former Marine sergeant. Two tours in the Sandbox. Thought he was in danger because of some 'accidents' on the construction sites he's been working on. Mostly minor until the most recent one which left him in an inflatable cast and using a cane."
"Details?"
"Your phone in NFC mode?"
"Yes."
Click!
"You have the details."
"Don't recognize the name so he's not a big player in anything illegal locally. I'll start an inquiry on his military records."
"What I got officially was squeaky clean, plus a Purple Heart."
"That's what I see officially. Time to dig deeper. How much is this worth to you?"
"Your sister has been 'Mrs. Jack Tucker' for almost a year now. How much is it worth to you to keep her safe?"
"Consider it paid in full. Some things I can't get until the various sources are at work - most likely after 8AM."
"Want breakfast? Blue does decent ham and eggs and the biscuits are always good."
"Might as well."
Beep!
'Yes?'
'The usual breakfast, for two.'
'Be there soon.'
"Usual breakfast? You make a practice of being here at 5AM?"
"Been here early more times than I want to remember."
"What do you need while you're 'dead' or until an autopsy reveals that the body isn't you?"
"Delay the autopsy as long as possible. Post guards for Lisa. I need an escape vehicle. I could use something with 'full auto' plus ammo for my usual group of at-hand arms."
"12 gauge, .45 hollow point, .22LR hollow point, .380ACP JHP and whatever the 'full auto' uses. 200 12 gauge, 500 of each of the others, 2000 of the 'full auto'?"
"Good start."
knock. knock.
"Enter."
"Two usuals."
"Thanks, Blue."
---
"I'll put equivalent packs at the usual drops. You need night vision or camo or a backpack?"
"Night vision - and spare batteries. My camo will mostly be used Carhartt to blend in at some construction sites. I'll hit the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores for that when they open."
"You need cash?"
"Not yet. Maybe add $5,000 to the first drop and another $3,000 to each of the others?"
"Done. Drops will be in place by 11AM. The 'full auto' and the first loadout of ammo will be in your escape vehicle. Keys at the first drop. Blue does do a good job on the ham and eggs."
"Enjoy. I have a truck to hide and a Jason Walker to follow."
---
Chapter 4
Wednesday, April 14, 9:10AM
I'm in my Carhartt 'camo' and I'm driving the non-descript white pickup from Rob. Select fire AR and all the ammo are under the false bottom of the across-the-bed toolbox, along with the cash.
Rob also sent Jason Walker's medical records and his work schedule for the week. He was released by the orthopedic surgeon nine days ago after being treated for a sprained ankle? So what's with the cane and cast yesterday?
Anything in the work schedule? A day of vacation yesterday. Today he's re-wiring the control computer for the upper elevator bank at the 30 story office building on Monroe Avenue that's getting a major renovation.
Elevator? Where was Jason yesterday before he met with me? Not sure how Rob got the cellphone records but I'm very glad to have them. Lisa called Jason just after I left the house. The cell tower ping has him two blocks from my house 20 minutes later. He texted her with "It's in place" just after he left my office. She responded with "Reservations for a celebration dinner at Antonio's at 8".
Do I want to do this or let the courts handle it? Maybe talk to Lieutenant Perkins in Homicide? He'll know about the body in the elevator by now and also know that it's not me but my undercover work for them will keep that quiet. He'll understand that the wheelchair from County General was a message for him that I'm alive and looking for the perp. First a text to Perkins from a burner phone to identify the people involved. Done. Then an email from a dummy account with the details. Done. I should get a response soon.
---
Chapter 5
Thursday, April 15, 10:30AM
"Thank you for coming, Mrs. Tucker. I'm Lieutenant Perkins. We have some further information about what happened to your husband."
"Was it an accident? Jack was always concerned that one of his clients might be unhappy with him and trying to harm us."
"We've located a witness to the events that night. Sergeant, send in the witness."
"Yes, Lieutenant."
---
"Jack?? You're alive?? But Jason said…"
"Lisa Tucker, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit first degree murder."
"But I didn't…"
"I have a search warrant for your phone. Sergeant, see whether she recorded that outburst the waiter at Antonio's described."
"Right away, Lieutenant."
"Jack! I'm sorry! I never meant to harm you. You were just such a wimp!"
"Sorry, Lisa. You don't understand the difference between a gentle man who controls his strength and a wimp who has none. I hope you enjoy your three hots and a cot from the state. Remember the pre-nuptial agreement you signed?"
"What about it? Rob said I'd be taken care of regardless of what I did."
"You should have read all ten pages yourself. You will be taken care of but not in a manner you will like. The divorce is in progress. Under the circumstances, you get nothing. Unless Rob chooses to fund something better, you'll be represented by a public defender. Unless they ask me to testify, you'll never see me again. Goodbye, Lisa."
"Jack, Walker is in Room 3. When we showed him the phone records, he started singing like a canary."
"Thanks, Lieutenant."
"You're welcome, former partner that I owe my life to at least twice more."
---
Chapter 1
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 AM
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning, Jack. Do I smell ham and eggs?"
"With fresh biscuits."
"You're too good to me!"
"I only plan to have one wife, so I need to take good care of her, Mrs. Tucker."
"I like that care, Mr. Tucker."
"Your breakfast awaits. I'd like to join you but I have an early appointment."
"Before 8AM?"
"7:30. See you, Lisa."
"See you, Jack."
---
That man has it so bad, is so easy to manipulate and seems to be so easy-going that people sometimes walk over him. My dumb brother Robert has done one smart thing in his life - smart for me anyway - he introduced me to Jack Tucker. If Jack has an early appointment, I'll have the day to myself. Need to see if Jason is free today… he's not a wimp with anyone.
---
Ring!
'This is Jason.'
'Hi, Jay. This is Lisa. You free today?'
'Other than a meeting with Jack at 4:30.'
'I'm free as long as you are.'
'Lunch from the deli?'
'The usual.'
'Be there soon.'
---
Chapter 2
Tuesday, April 13, 10:30 AM
That's three meetings out of the way. I should see if Lisa is still home and drop by with lunch - and maybe something before or after lunch?
Deedeleet! Deedeleet!
"I'll get…"
"No! That's Jack's ring. Let it go to voicemail. He'll think I'm either sleeping in or out shopping. Either way, he won't come home for lunch and we can stay here until you need to shower and leave."
"Suits me. Where were we? About like this?"
"Yes!"
Guess she's sleeping or shopping. I'll call again when I leave the building. Meanwhile, a Reuben from the deli next door sounds like an excellent lunch. When I get back here, I'll review the Jason Walker file again. Something about that has my hackles up but it's not anything I can point to yet. More like being in the Sandbox and 'feeling' that someone had me in their sights. But his record seems clean. Maybe I'll spot what's bothering me later.
---
Chapter 3
Tuesday, April 13, 8:10PM
Where am I?
Better question - why do I hurt so much?
Why is it so quiet - other than my grunts and groans when I try to move?
Why is it so dark?
I remember getting into the elevator. 15th floor, was it? Pressing "P" for the parking area in the basement. The elevator started down…
Then things got kinda jumbled. The elevator slowed, sped up, slowed with a lot of metal-on-metal screeching, then a Bang! and it moved a lot faster so I grabbed the framework of the suspended ceiling to have some give in my support if it stopped abruptly…
Then I woke up hurting. Guess it stopped harder than I could hang on for. Being jarred loose from the overhead explains the skinned feeling on my fingers and hitting the floor explains the knot on my head.
OK. That's part of it. Now, where is this elevator located? If my phone survived, I'll have today's appointments listed.
Damn, but that's bright! Maybe find the brightness setting and take it to minimum? Phone? Will it work to call 911 from down here?
Guess I better check the appointments so I can tell them where I am if it works. The phone tells me that today is Tuesday, April 13. It's clock has 8:20PM. Was I out for a long time? Back to checking appointments.
13 April, 4:30PM, Jason Walker, my office, 1530 Skyler Tower.
I remembered the 15th floor. Am I still in Skyler Tower? Don't they have that snake-like "S" in the elevator floor? Fumble through the menus for the "flashlight" app for a brighter and more directional light than the phone's screen. Found it. Light's on. There's an "S" on the bent floor.
Bent? How hard did this thing hit bottom? Don't elevators have automatic brakes to stop them and some kind of spring or cushion to soften the landing?
Who is Jason Walker? Is he the one who wanted me to investigate the "accidents" that have been befalling him lately? Yes. And I thought he was a bit paranoid because even with a cane and an inflatable cast, he planned to walk down the stairs because he was afraid to use the elevator. It seems he may have been correct about the elevator.
Who can get an elevator sabotaged that quickly? Mafia? CIA? KGB? One of the "shadow" governments? The elevator company?
Did my hanging from the overhead structure reduce the level of my injuries so I'm not dead? Do I want to call 911 and let people know I'm alive? Perhaps not. Do I know how to disappear? Yes, but it would be nice to have a hard-to-identify body in the elevator after I'm out of it. First I get out and then down the block to the morgue at County General to look for a "John Doe". Then get me in some scrubs and him in my clothes. Use a wheelchair to get him the block from there to here. How do I get him in the elevator? The reverse of however I get out. There's a Leatherman in my pocket so first see if I can open the escape hatch.
---
I'm out. Use the Leatherman to spread the doors that I can just reach. I should check how bad I look in a mirror. Is there a… Yes, restroom across the hall.
For the survivor of an attempted murder, I don't look too bad. Use some wet paper towels to clean my face and hands. Looks like I've had a long, hard day but it's almost 10PM - don't think anyone will pay me much attention. Now down the block to County General.
---
Took a while to find him, but "John Doe" #24 has the right hair and eye colors, is about my size and died about six hours ago so the time is good. Takes a lot longer to dress a dead weight but that's done. Good that this wheelchair has the safety belt to keep him in the seat, especially when going down the curb cuts.
Back inside Skyler Tower through the parking entrance. I let "John Doe" dump out of the wheelchair a couple of times - he needs to have some injuries. Need to get some rope from my truck so I can lower him into the elevator.
---
He's in place. Something's been smoldering in the elevator's wreckage so use the Leatherman to make a hole in the five gallon can of paint thinner I found in the Maintenance closet and lower it down in the elevator. Locks are only there to keep out honest or not-desperate people. Need to get myself away before that thinner…
Whump!
It's ignited. That should eventually trigger a fire or smoke alarm and the fire crew can find "me" - well, one of my identities.
Check my truck for a tracking device. Yep. Two of them. One US made. One Chinese. Let's make things fun for the trackers. The truck across the aisle belongs to the evening shift guard and is the same model and color as mine. Done. Now to exit and either pick up a tail or not, depending on whether they're tracking the cell phone I left in the elevator.
No one obviously watching the garage exit but let's make a couple of otherwise unneeded turns to see who's going my way. A street-parked vehicle turned on his lights as I went by, so let him get moving then signal and turn right - twice - but then a quick left into an alley and douse the lights. He followed me on the first turn but not the second one. However, there's an identical vehicle behind him that made the second right. Nice that the Suburbans are big enough to block much of the view of the vehicle behind them. Tail number two didn't see me turn in here and won't see me exit from here either. Into the back entrance of County General's old parking deck and out on the street I started on and still going in the original direction. No vehicles behind me for several blocks.
Back home from here? Not yet. Grab a burner phone from the false bottom of the center console and make a call.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!
'It's after midnight. This better be good!'
'Roberto, you're talking to a dead man whose body hasn't yet been discovered. Is that good enough?'
'Only one person ever got away with calling me "Roberto" so I can guess who's calling and I have some idea what you might need. Meet you at Thrill in ten minutes.'
'See you there.'
Blue's Bar & Grill is open 24/7 so no one notices another guy or two dropping in. Blue also has some very private meeting rooms - checked twice a day for any type of bugs. Not cheap at $100 an hour and up (mostly up, but he owes me). However, it's the cheapest safe place to talk. How did Simon Berryhill get the nickname 'Blue'? And why is his place called 'Thrill'? Think about it.
"Hi, Blue."
"Hi, Jack. Long time, no see."
"You haven't seen me again."
"Room 4. Here's the key."
"Tell Rob when he gets here."
"You tell him. He's on his way in the door. Pot of Earl Grey and some Walker's shortbread?"
"Correct. Maybe more than one pot."
"Breakfast also?"
"Let you know in a couple of hours."
"Jack?"
"Follow me, Rob."
---
"So how did you become a dead man?"
"Let me go back a few weeks, Rob. Had a guy come in. Former Marine sergeant. Two tours in the Sandbox. Thought he was in danger because of some 'accidents' on the construction sites he's been working on. Mostly minor until the most recent one which left him in an inflatable cast and using a cane."
"Details?"
"Your phone in NFC mode?"
"Yes."
Click!
"You have the details."
"Don't recognize the name so he's not a big player in anything illegal locally. I'll start an inquiry on his military records."
"What I got officially was squeaky clean, plus a Purple Heart."
"That's what I see officially. Time to dig deeper. How much is this worth to you?"
"Your sister has been 'Mrs. Jack Tucker' for almost a year now. How much is it worth to you to keep her safe?"
"Consider it paid in full. Some things I can't get until the various sources are at work - most likely after 8AM."
"Want breakfast? Blue does decent ham and eggs and the biscuits are always good."
"Might as well."
Beep!
'Yes?'
'The usual breakfast, for two.'
'Be there soon.'
"Usual breakfast? You make a practice of being here at 5AM?"
"Been here early more times than I want to remember."
"What do you need while you're 'dead' or until an autopsy reveals that the body isn't you?"
"Delay the autopsy as long as possible. Post guards for Lisa. I need an escape vehicle. I could use something with 'full auto' plus ammo for my usual group of at-hand arms."
"12 gauge, .45 hollow point, .22LR hollow point, .380ACP JHP and whatever the 'full auto' uses. 200 12 gauge, 500 of each of the others, 2000 of the 'full auto'?"
"Good start."
knock. knock.
"Enter."
"Two usuals."
"Thanks, Blue."
---
"I'll put equivalent packs at the usual drops. You need night vision or camo or a backpack?"
"Night vision - and spare batteries. My camo will mostly be used Carhartt to blend in at some construction sites. I'll hit the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores for that when they open."
"You need cash?"
"Not yet. Maybe add $5,000 to the first drop and another $3,000 to each of the others?"
"Done. Drops will be in place by 11AM. The 'full auto' and the first loadout of ammo will be in your escape vehicle. Keys at the first drop. Blue does do a good job on the ham and eggs."
"Enjoy. I have a truck to hide and a Jason Walker to follow."
---
Chapter 4
Wednesday, April 14, 9:10AM
I'm in my Carhartt 'camo' and I'm driving the non-descript white pickup from Rob. Select fire AR and all the ammo are under the false bottom of the across-the-bed toolbox, along with the cash.
Rob also sent Jason Walker's medical records and his work schedule for the week. He was released by the orthopedic surgeon nine days ago after being treated for a sprained ankle? So what's with the cane and cast yesterday?
Anything in the work schedule? A day of vacation yesterday. Today he's re-wiring the control computer for the upper elevator bank at the 30 story office building on Monroe Avenue that's getting a major renovation.
Elevator? Where was Jason yesterday before he met with me? Not sure how Rob got the cellphone records but I'm very glad to have them. Lisa called Jason just after I left the house. The cell tower ping has him two blocks from my house 20 minutes later. He texted her with "It's in place" just after he left my office. She responded with "Reservations for a celebration dinner at Antonio's at 8".
Do I want to do this or let the courts handle it? Maybe talk to Lieutenant Perkins in Homicide? He'll know about the body in the elevator by now and also know that it's not me but my undercover work for them will keep that quiet. He'll understand that the wheelchair from County General was a message for him that I'm alive and looking for the perp. First a text to Perkins from a burner phone to identify the people involved. Done. Then an email from a dummy account with the details. Done. I should get a response soon.
---
Chapter 5
Thursday, April 15, 10:30AM
"Thank you for coming, Mrs. Tucker. I'm Lieutenant Perkins. We have some further information about what happened to your husband."
"Was it an accident? Jack was always concerned that one of his clients might be unhappy with him and trying to harm us."
"We've located a witness to the events that night. Sergeant, send in the witness."
"Yes, Lieutenant."
---
"Jack?? You're alive?? But Jason said…"
"Lisa Tucker, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit first degree murder."
"But I didn't…"
"I have a search warrant for your phone. Sergeant, see whether she recorded that outburst the waiter at Antonio's described."
"Right away, Lieutenant."
"Jack! I'm sorry! I never meant to harm you. You were just such a wimp!"
"Sorry, Lisa. You don't understand the difference between a gentle man who controls his strength and a wimp who has none. I hope you enjoy your three hots and a cot from the state. Remember the pre-nuptial agreement you signed?"
"What about it? Rob said I'd be taken care of regardless of what I did."
"You should have read all ten pages yourself. You will be taken care of but not in a manner you will like. The divorce is in progress. Under the circumstances, you get nothing. Unless Rob chooses to fund something better, you'll be represented by a public defender. Unless they ask me to testify, you'll never see me again. Goodbye, Lisa."
"Jack, Walker is in Room 3. When we showed him the phone records, he started singing like a canary."
"Thanks, Lieutenant."
"You're welcome, former partner that I owe my life to at least twice more."
---