By Bob Senitram
Thinking up the nonsense, before you do…
Bob finished up his report and went back to Virginia to complete his training.
A few days later, he’s watching the news in his room when a story catches his attention…
“Jennifer Statlin, the daughter of Senator Statlin is reported as missing, and is now believed to have been kidnapped by the serial killer known as Hopalong Hank. Her kidnapping is not considered to be politically motivated, but has stirred officials at the highest levels…”
Bob stares at the t.v. scratching his head, “Hmmmmmm, Hopalong Hank…sounds familiar.”
Shortly afterwards his cell rings.
It’s Captain Benson.
“Hello, sir.”
“You know why I’m calling?”
“Not really, I’m not telepathic.
“It’s the Hopalong case…”
Bob contemplates, “You know, my grandmother said she could predict storms with her arthritis. Maybe I inherited…”
“Forget that, we think Hopalong Hank kidnapped the Tennessee Senator’s daughter…” Dr. Benson continued.
“Wait a minute, I’m beginning to see something. Yes, it’s coming to me…” Bob puts his phone to his forehead. “You’re calling about the Hopalong case.” He says like a seasoned magician.
“What?! I just…”
“I owe you a great deal of gratitude helping my realize my hidden potential. My new telepathic abilities should be quite an asset to the agency. Well, thanks for calling Dr. Benson.”
“BOB!”
“Huh?”
“The Senator’s daughter?”
“Oh yes, sorry I’m not seeing anything right now. But as soon as my new talent hands me a clue, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Forget about that, we think you can help with the case.”
“I’d like to help, but my new telepathic abilities isn’t something I can switch on and off.”
“We need you to talk to Cannibal Hector.”
“About my telepathic powers?”
“No, about the case. I figure we have about 10 days until the Senator’s daughter is murdered.”
“And you want me to help find the body with my new powers? Got it! Just let me know when she’s dead and I’ll get right on it.” Bob says confidently.
“No, we want to catch Hopalong before she’s murdered.”
“Oh, before…that’s an interesting angle. But 10 days is not very much time. I guess there’s no rest for the wicked or whoever has to fill out the paperwork afterward.”
“We need you to get Dr. Hector to help us.”
“Oh right! I didn’t think about that. I can use my super powers to control his mind and make him help. But I don’t need to visit him for that.”
“Agent Senitram, we just need you to deliver the case files and talk to him. For some reason, you’re the only one he’s willing to toy with.”
“Talk, yes…a primitive way to communicate for someone like myself. But what good will it do? The clues he gave me were worthless.”
“I read the transcripts you sent. Tennessee, the man in the yellow hat, Jack in the Box…does that ring a bell?”
“No, but it does make me hungry.”
“Jack in the box…”
“Wait a minute, I’m seeing something. Yes, Hopalong Hank works at a Jack in the Box.”
“No. Jack in the Box doesn’t have yellow hats. Hector isn’t that obvious. The Jack in the Box represents a restaurant, and the yellow hat represents the uniform. Think about it. What restaurant, in Tennessee, has a yellow hat?”
“Jack in the Box?”
“What? No! We just ruled that out. Chicken Delight has a yellow and orange uniform with a bright yellow hat. It’s the most popular fast food place in Tennessee.”
“Ohhhhhh yeah, Chicken Delight. That’s what I was thinking. So after Hopalong gets off work at Jack in the Box, he goes to work at Chicken Delight!”
“Forget about the Jack in the Box! There is no Jack in the Box!”
“Sure there is, there’s one just three blocks from here. Hey, you think Hopalong works there?”
“No!”
“Right, he probably put it there to throw us off. He works at a different Jack in the Box. Good thinking Captain.”
“For the last time, HOPALONG DOES NOT WORK AT JACK IN THE BOX! It’s Chicken Delight. Just Chicken Delight, no Jack in the Box. We got men working that angle but we need more information, we think Dr. Hector can help.”
“Wait a minute.” Bob pauses and put the phone back to his forhead. “I’m getting a message from beyond…”
“…you want me to go back to Houston and talk to Dr. Hector.”
“Just come to my office and pick up the case files. If we can get Dr. Hector to review those, maybe he’ll see something we missed.”
“Like what?”
The Captain spoke slowly, “We don’t know. If we knew what he’d find, we wouldn’t need his help.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s what I was thinking.”
“He won’t be anxious to help, so we have to sweeten up the deal.” The Captain explained.
“Like a new TV?”
“More like a cell on a remote island with a swimming pool and stuff.”
“So a new cell phone on a remote island. Got it!”
“No, his prison cell will be on the island.”
“What about the phone?”
“There is no phone! Just get down here and pick up the files.”
“Just one question?”
Dr. Benson sighs, “Yes?”
“Do I get a private jet?”
“Just get down here!” At that, Dr. Benson hangs up.
AND NOW YOU KNOW!!!
Song in my head:
COMING NEXT: Squid-go-pro!
Start From the Beginning, Part 1…
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