Okay, ordinarily, this would be poll time, but I think I'm going to do something a little different this week. Like I said, we're kind of between things. There haven't been too many suggestions this time, and the ones that are here are fairly sensible and straightforward. Not much to really debate. I'm also here in Florida with limited time to write or get online. Given all that, I've decided to skip this week's poll. I'm just going to get to writing. That'll at least give me a chance to post part 4 on time.
So, I'll take this opportunity to briefly respond to comments (please do feel free to keep posting, of course, and I'll try to take any additional suggestions under consideration as I write).
Rivka, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Good to hear.
Thanks for your suggestions. Interesting thought about non-Bobby street sources. I'll see what I can come up with.
(Grumble, grumble... more names to make up... <sigh>
)
Vicki, I'm sorry about the confusion, but I'm glad it got straightened out. I'm happier with those few sentences now anyway, so I'll leave the change in. Thanks for getting me to look back at it.
I probably shouldn't have skipped the rest of Henderson's call. At the least, you should have known what happened. Basically, he didn't have any more information for her than was in the news report (which is why I'd skipped it), but he did promise to keep her updated. He'll be in touch tomorrow with the autopsy report, which I should have let you know. Sorry about that. Thanks for your comments, and I will be keeping your suggestions in mind as I write. (BTW, yes, they were helpful, so don't put yourself down!)
Ines, thanks for writing in. I hadn't really given much thought to having the crystal tested. Maybe I'll work that in. We'll see. As for Perry... Does he know? Maybe, but if he does, he's not telling.
Jose and Maria, thanks for posting. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the story.
Marnie, lol, yes, sudden trip to Florida. Can't tell you why. I can, however, assure you that it's all perfectly legal and in no way suspicious. We're just here to visit my grandparents. There are no smugglers involved. Sure, we happen to be visiting both coasts and staying by the ocean in both places, but we will not be transporting any illicit goods or meeting with anyone from any boats. Especially not boats from other countries.
Wendy, thank you! It's good to hear that you like the concept, and I'm gratified to know that you appreciate the execution, too.
As for Flannagan, I don't know that it's the US spelling. I didn't know there was an official spelling. There aren't really many "offcial" spellings here. Too many people from too many different backgrounds, many of whom were given their names by immigration officias who didn't know what to do with names in other languages... Anyway, what happened with this one is that I decided to use a name from the comics to make things easier on myself. I knew it had to be someone not so nice who worked in the sewers, so I searched for the identity of the Batman villain "the ratcatcher." That's how they spelled it, so that's what I used. <shrug>
Anyway, the MPD is already on that case. Not that there's much to go on, but they're looking...
Thanks for your other suggestions. I'll definitely be using some of them.
Liz, thanks for your continued encouragement. It's certainly appreciated.
Now, I should be going. I've been on for quite a while now, and Mom's gone to sleep. I really shouldn't be disturbing her anymore.
Thanks again to everyone who posted.
Paul
