Once again, two challenges are colliding. Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week is “Squares and or Triangles.” Meanwhile, the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge is still running, and I was inspired by the contribution from Manja. First, let’s see what Cee wants for the #CFFC:
“This week our topic is celebrating Squares and or Triangles. Just make sure your lines are clearly visible in your photo. Have fun.”
Well, I had fun, but you might have to look close to find the squares and triangles in some of the photos in the gallery. And now, the story for #TDWC:
Residence Confirmed
“Unit forty-two to base. Can you confirm the address on Paul Liston?”
“One Thirty-Five Nathanial Hall Drive, Rear.”
“Are you sure it’s in our town?”
“Confirmed, forty-two. One Thirty-Five Nathanial Hall Drive, Terryville. Is there a problem?”
“No. I mean, I found the address OK, but I can’t believe somebody lives here. This place is a dump.”
“Unit forty-two, Jerry, this is Lieutenant Briscal. You aren’t writing this place up for Better Homes and Gardens. You’re there to confirm occupancy.”
“I know, loo, but seriously. Take a look at this place. I’m sending you a text.”
The lieutenant’s phone chimed. He opened the text message and stepped back about a foot, as if to run away from the image. “Yikes! I see what you mean, but that’s the address listed on his Statement of Candidacy. I suggest you go knock on the door.”
“The brown five-panel job on the ground? I don’t think anyone’s gonna answer.”
“Up the stairs, Detective, and hurry. We need to wrap this up before the other candidate accuses us of playing favorites.”
Jerry DeVon stepped around the cinderblocks and other bits of rubble. He almost tumbled off the stairs when he grabbed the steel railing. “Clearly, this is for decoration.” He thought. Then he laughed as he remembered his father talking about “putting lipstick on a pig.”
He knocked on the door. After thirty seconds, with no response, he pounded on the door and announced himself. “Police!”
“Hold your horses. I’m coming.” Came the reply.
The detective listened as several locks, and deadbolts were being unlocked. The door opened a few inches before a chain stopped it. “Let’s see some ID.”
Jerry flashed his badge toward the crack. The guy inside moved around a little, then pushed the door closed to release the chain.
“OK Detective Deee-von. What can I do for you?”
“Do you mind if I come in?”
“You got a warrant?”
“Look, it’s hot out here. I’m just here to talk. Do I need a warrant?”
“OK. Come in. Have a seat if you like. Just push Muffin off that chair. It’s the cleanest one in the place.”
Jerry laughed. Not at the guy’s comment about the chair, but at the fact that a six-foot-four, bare-chested, unshaved man who clocked in at about two-hundred and sixty pounds would have a cat named Muffin.
“Let’s go Muffin. Hit the bricks.” Jerry gave the cat a scritch and then gently nudged her to the floor, on which he noticed three actual bricks.”
“So, what can I do for you, Detective?”
“Paul Liston, candidate for City Manager, listed this address on his Statement of Candidacy form. His opponent alleges that Mr. Liston doesn’t live in the city. I’m here to verify whether this is his address.”
“What difference does it make where the guy lives?”
“Candidates for city offices are required to live within the city limits.”
“Oh, I getcha.”
Both men turned toward what looked like the kitchen/dining area when something started beeping incessantly.
“’Scuse me. I gotta get that. It’s broken. It won’t shut up now until I yank the plug. You want a cup of coffee?”
“Coffee would be nice.”
“I hope you take it black, ‘cuz I ain’t got nothin’ to put it in.”
“Black is fine.”
The big man took a mug out of a dish drainer, filled it and handed it to Jerry. “Here ya go.”
The detective took the mug and nodded. “Thanks, um, I didn’t get your name, Mr.?”
“Richard. My friends call me Rock. Take your pick.”
“Thanks, Richard. So, tell me, does Mr. Liston live here?”
“Yeah, sure. He lets me stay here when I’m in town, but he pays the rent. That’s his mail on the table.”
“And Muffin, is she his cat?”
“No, Muffin is mine. She stays here all the time, even when I’m on the road. Paul feeds her.”
“Do you know where Paul is today?”
Rock slurped down the last of his coffee and returned to the kitchen for more. “He’s at some campaign thing over on the southside. You want any more coffee? It’s gonna go cold.”
“No thanks. I’m fine.”
“Suit yourself.”
Jerry looked around. The living room, as he guessed he was in, was cluttered, but not entirely untidy. There was a sixty-inch TV in one corner. A sofa that looked like it doubled as Rock’s bed. Muffin had curled up on the pile of blankets left at one end. There was a pizza box on the coffee table, but Jerry realized he was guilty of doing the same thing.
“Richard, you said that Mr. Liston pays the rent. Do you know who he rents this…” Jerry paused as he considered the appropriate word. “Uh, apartment, from?”
“He rents from Benny.”
“Benny?”
“Yeah, Benny. Oh, you want this for your investigation. In that case, it would be Bernard Trapis, you know, Trapis Construction.”
“Thanks Richard. I think that’s all I need.” Jerry walked his cup over to the kitchen and placed it in the sink. He tried looking beyond into what was perhaps a bedroom, but the door was almost completely closed.
“Thanks for the coffee. I can see myself out.”
“No problem, Detective. Just don’t let Muffin out. She likes to hide behind that plant.”
Jerry looked down and, sure enough, Muffin was crouched behind the pot for a large palm tree. As soon as he opened the door, she jumped out. He pushed the door closed and looked back toward Rock for help.
“Hang on, I’ll get her. Com’ere sweety.”
Rock picked the cat up, and Jerry left. After he returned to his car, he called Dispatch.
“Dispatch.”
“Hi Sharon, patch me through to Lieutenant Briscal, please.”
“Briscal! What do you have for me, Detective?”
“The place is an apartment. Living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bath. According to man I spoke to, Paul Liston rents the unit from Bernard Trapis.”
“Trapis the load shark? Trapis the bookie? Trapis the murderer?”
“According to my source, a.k.a Rock, the owner of Trapis Construction.”
“Yeah, Trapis Construction. The company that puts ten men on a paving job and only one is drawing a paycheck. The rest are working off a gambling debt or a loan.”
“What do you want me to do? You want me to find Liston and ask him for some cancelled checks? Maybe he has a copy of the lease.”
The lieutenant thought about the reputational damage if they took the word of a guy named Rock and closed the investigation. “Yeah, you better verify this. Start with Trapis. I’m guessing if he is involved, there’s a reason. You need the address of their office?”
“No, I’ll punch it up on my phone. It’s easier than the system, and it’s usually more accurate.”
Jerry snagged the directions and took a quick look at Google Maps Street View. Tapis Construction was a four-story brick building in the heart of the historic district. He drove over and parked on the street in front of the main entrance.
The directory inside the door listed Trapis Construction on the upper two floors. Reception was on the top floor.
Jerry stepped out of the elevator into a reception area. He recognized the woman behind the desk. In fact, before he made detective, he had arrested her.
“Can I help you?”
“Detective Jerry DeVon…”
The receptionist interrupted. “Hi Jerry. I thought that was you. You’re not here for me, are you?”
Jerry studied the woman for a few seconds, trying to remember her name. After it came to him, he smiled. “No, Tina. I was hoping to see Mr. Trapis.”
“Do you have an appointment?” She giggled. “Or a warrant, either will do.”
Jerry laughed. “No, neither, but it’s a simple matter. It doesn’t involve Mr. Trapis directly.”
“Have a seat. I’ll go see if Benny, I mean, Mr. Trapis, has some free time.”
Jerry sat on a small Windsor bench. He studied the pictures on the wall. Paving jobs, bridges, parking lots, and the municipal ballpark. Photos during construction and photos of Benny shaking hands with various politicians at groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
“You can follow me, Detective. Mr. Trapis will see you now.”
The inside of Bernard Trapis’s office looked like a nineteenth century library. Solid wood-paneled walls, bookshelves filled with leather-bound books. More construction photos showing even more impressive politicians shaking hands with Benny.
“Pleased to meet you, Detective. Have a seat.” Benny pointed to the Windsor chairs in front of his large Queen Ann desk.
Jerry eased himself into the chair on the left so as not to be behind Benny’s large monitor. “You have a beautiful office.”
“Thanks. I made this desk, and those chairs. Woodworking is a hobby of mine. I find it relaxing.”
“You do amazing work.”
“Thank you. Now, Tina says you have some business, but it doesn’t involve me. That piqued my curiosity. I’ve been visited by police officers before. You guys are always trying to link me with some illegal activity. Thanks to you, my lawyer is my highest paid employee.”
“Well, hopefully, we won’t need his services today. I’m here to check up on the Statement of Candidacy provided by Mr. Paul Liston. He’s running for office – City Manager, in fact – and he listed an apartment on Nathanial Hall Drive in Terryville as his residence. I visited that apartment this morning. It’s a charming little place in a building I believe you own.”
“I don’t own anything. Everything is in the company’s name. It’s simpler that way. Was Paul, I mean, Mr. Liston at the apartment?”
“No. I spoke to a man named Richard. I didn’t get his last name…”
“Rock. Nice guy. Big sweetheart. He does some odd jobs for me when he’s in town. Did he tell you if Mr. Liston lives there?”
“He did, but I’m afraid the Board of Elections will require something official.”
“I could send Rock over there. They would take his word for it. He has an air of authority around him.”
“He does. Still, can you confirm that you are renting an apartment to Mr. Liston?”
“Tina!”
Tina rushed into the office. “Yes, Mr. Trapis?”
“Tina, can you see if we have a lease, or some sort of agreement on a rental of the apartment on.” He looked at Jerry. “What street did you say that was, Detective? I got a lot of apartments.”
“Nathanial Hall Drive.”
“Can you dig that up, honey?”
“I’ll be right back.”
“While we wait, Detective. Maybe we should get to know each other better. Do you ever do any freelance work?”
“Freelance? You mean like detective work? I’m afraid I wouldn’t be allowed to do something like that.”
“That’s not what I asked. I asked if you ever do any.”
“No. I play it strictly above board.”
“That’s too bad.”
Tina walked in and up to the desk. She handed Benny a manila folder. “Here you go, boss.”
Benny studied the contents of the folder. He looked up at Tina. “Would you be a sweetheart and make the detective a copy of all of this? Everything but the last two pages.”
“Sure. I’ll have it ready at my desk when you leave, Jerry.”
“Thanks Tina.”
Benny gave a sly glance in the detective’s direction. “Jerry? Do you know Tina? You said you didn’t do any freelance work.”
“Haha – no, nothing like that. I had some, let’s say, professional dealings with her a few years ago. When I was in uniform.”
Benny nodded. “The folder will have a copy of the lease and copies of all the checks he’s paid with to-date. He’s current on the rent.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I’m curious about those last two pages.”
“You see, Detective. That’s the unconventional kind of thinking I’d like to have working for me. But, you’re right, it’s none of your business.”
No Facilities 
Great story, Dan, and great pics – loving the album cover too, although it’s one I haven’t seen for years… :-)
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Thanks Ruth. I loved the Moody Blues. I still have a bunch of their songs on my playlist.
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Hi Dan – fun story … I wonder about those two pages. Great pics with lots of squares and triangles … fun to see – and the album I had to look closely at it – cheers Hilary
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Thanks Hilary. I wonder about those two pages, too. Hmmm, there’s one more week in the challenge…maybe. Album cover art was a wonderful thing, wasn’t it? I loved the Moody Blues. Have a great week.
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Nice story to go with my coffee this morning. Applause, Dan, on a really good read. Good photos. Have a good week.
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Thanks Judy. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve been trying all month to come up with a story for that photo.
I hope yo enjoy some cooler weather.
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What a good story! Do we get to know sometime what those other two pages are about? Some great geometry in these photos; my favorites are the cats and the railroad trestle — that’s a beauty!
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Thanks Maureen. There’s one more week left in the challenge. Maybe I can figure out what’s on those two pages. I’m pretty sure the box the cats are fighting over is square, but it was too cute to pass up. The railroad trestle is one of my favorite things to photograph. I think I can use it for almost every challenge Cee gives us. I hope you have a good week.
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What a lovely surprise to see a story, properly long too, written to my door, Dan! It reads effortlessly and promises more to come. If you ever continue the story into a book, I’m willing to drop by that place (it’s in Slovenia), knock on that door and ask for permission for their home to be on the cover. :D And while I’m there, I can ask who the landlord is… Thank you!! Extremely well done! From the photos I love the most Pittsburgh and the tresle. And Maddie on the hand of Faith, ahh. :)
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I’ve been thinking about that photo since you posted it, Manja. I knew there was a story there. I think there might be a follow-up story, if I can figure it out in the week that remains.
Similarly, when Cee said “Triangles” I knew I had to dig through the archives for a picture of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle. You know I love that trestle (and how much Maddie love’s Faith).
I hope you have a wonderful week.
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Having a typical Monday here. My comment has completely disappeared! I’ll try again.
Good story. Can’t argue with “it’s none of your business”! The house on Nathanial Hall Drive should be featured on “This Old House”! Those two missing pages sound like more story to come!
Lots of squares and triangles in the gallery. My favorites, of course, are MiMi and MuMu playing with the paper in the box and Maddie with her head cradled in Faith’s hand.
That’s quite a unique album cover for The Moody Blues.
Have a good week Dan.
Ginger
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Thanks Ginger. One of my favorite songs, “Ride My See Saw” is on that album.
Sorry about your comments disappearing. I’ve been having trouble leaving comments. I write the and it says “This comment can’t be posted.” I try again, sometimes 3 and 4 times before it sticks. I now copy them before trying.
If I can think of the next piece of this story before the 31st, we might find out what’s on those two pages.
That picture of the two M-girls is one of my favorites.
I hope you have a nice week, now that they turned off the oven.
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Dan–I really enjoyed this story. It read kind of 1960’s style–‘honey’ and ‘sweetheart.’ Who would say that now?! Great photos, too. The barn and the trestle…some kind of wonderful.
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Haha – that’s true, Lois. I’m stuck in a 60s style these days, as I finish that first book. It is set in the 60s and part of my brain might be stuck there. It’s one of the reason the album cover is in there. That plus I love the song, “Dr. Livingston I Presume” – I’m glad you like the photos. I hope you have a great week.
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Nice story, Dan. Of course, I liked the addition of Muffin the cat. More importantly, my favorite photo was of MiMi and MuMu doing what cats do. Boxes are always cat traps, but add crinkly paper and that’s a bonus. You did a wonderful job with Cee’s prompt and the photos. Give Maddie a treat for proper use of the human hand and have a good Monday and week.
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Thanks Mary. I knew the cat lovers would like that photo of the girls, back when they played with each other. Now they’re barely on meowing terms. But you’re right, empty box plus crinkly paper – cat trap. Maddie has walked, had toast and cookies. She’s content for a while, until it’s time to sit on the porch. You could set your clock by this dog.
I hope you have a good week. Did you also have the cold snap? We were in the sticky 90s this weekend.
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We’re in the “below normal” category right now, but at least I’m not in Colorado. ;-) The days are supposed to warm by the end of this week (and hopefully the wind too), which means I can get back on the bike. Give the whiskered girls some skritches and tell them I said to play nice. ^^ ^^
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I hope you get that good weather. Can I tell the girls, Mary says to sleep until 6:00?
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LOL! Yeah, just like I told Gibbs at 3 a.m. this morning to stop bugging me. Try that and let me know if it works. :-P
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Good story, Dan! You created some interesting characters. I’d like to see Rock, Muffin, and Jerry again in another story.
You met the challenge really well too! I love that trestle bridge and the view of 3 rivers. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it in person.
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Thanks Deborah. If I can think it through before the challenge ends, I might bring them back with a different door.
I was back in Pittsburgh last summer, and I think I’ll get back again this year. I want to go to a preseason game and see all three QBs get their shot.
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I hope you bring them back and you get to see those QB’s play. It was a treat for He-Man to take Baby Girl to a pre season game. Their picture of them with Cower sp? is one they both treasure. 😃
They haven’t managed to turn #1 Grandson into a fan though…he’s sticking with his Dad’s team the 49er’s. 🤷♀️
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Good family rivalry brewing there. That could be a fun Super Bowl party at some point 😏
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I did love this story Dan. I wonder did detective Jerry asked Tina for for a sneaky peep at the last two pages of the file…. I feel there’s a great story there 😲💜
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Thanks Willow. I tried to leave the door open for a follow-up story. I’m not sure I have time to write it.
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Awe! Go on!
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Excellent! (K)
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Thank you!
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Number one-You should write a fiction novel! That was an awesome story! Loved all your pics, there was a lot, but I clearly saw the squares and triangles, along with many other shapes! Good job!
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Thanks Kim. If I can stop procrastinating, my first fiction novel will be released next week. It’s not this story, but I hope people like it.
I do think there’s more to this story than I’ve included today. I’m not sure if I can get a follow up version in before the challenge ends, but…
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Okay, no fair not finishing the story! You’ve got me hooked, so either serialize this or write the novel!
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Haha – thanks CJ. I’ve actually written a (different) novel. With any luck, that will be available on Amazon next week. I have to give more thought to this story.
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Terrific story, Dan. I’m amazed at the crisp style and rich detail. I wonder about those last two pages as well. Loved the photos.
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Thanks John, Those last two pages are nagging me, too.
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Ha ha ha
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Well you covered it all in spades, Dan. Great job! Mimi and Mumu remind me of my son’s two cats, Deckerd and Batty. They’r brothers. We played so much Monopoly over the years and bought so many collectible versions. The Simpsons, an LSU board, Star Wars and right now we have a Stranger Things version. I’m still a sucker for someone who’s about to lose. 🤭.
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Thanks Cheryl. We have a few versions. Our favorite is the Pittsburgh version. They re about to release an update to that. We’re worried they will drop some of our favorite places.
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What a great gallery of photos for this week’s squares and triangles. :D :D Terrific story from Manja too.
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Thanks Cee. I’m getting hooked on CFFC :-)
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What a great story, Dan. And as always, you’ve included some amazing photos — lots of squares and triangles. I wish I had a tiny fraction of your skill. Have a fantastic day! 🌞
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Thanks so much, Gwen. I hope you have a great day, too.
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Great story! That lift looks complicated😀
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thanks! The lift was pretty easy.
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The last two pages! The last two pages! You cannot leave us like this! Love the pictures, especially of the cats.
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As soon as I figure out what’s on those pages, I’ll let you know.
Cat + Box + Paper = hours of happiness.
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… How about the real identity of Mr. Liston is not what you think…
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Uh oh…
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Good hook Dan …. now … about those two missing pages. I love how you fit in Muffin. Keep going!
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Thanks Jan. I wish I knew where this was going. I know, two missing pages. I’ll see if I cant get there somehow.
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I love the story, Dan! And I’m curious about those last two pages, as is everyone else. Great photos!
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Thanks Jan. I guess I need to figure out what’s on those two pages.
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Love this. What’s in those two pages Dan? My curiosity is killing me. Hahaha :) Also, love the pictures!
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Thanks Damyanti. I hope I can figure out what’s on those two pages before this challenge ends 😏
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Nice story. I love backgammon. My uncle has a chest with a chessboard on top with the pieces inside of it. I am going to keep the chest.
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The chess set was my grandmother’s. I learned to play backgammon in college, and I have enjoyed playing ever since. Thanks.
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I like Jerry and hope he continues to stay above board. Great job on describing the scenes!
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Thanks JoAnna. I’m not sure where this is going, but I like Jerry, too.
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That was a great story, Dan! You did well with the prompt.
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Thanks Jennie. I’m glad you liked it.
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Very much so! You’re welcome, Dan.
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[…] who today posted a poem written to my door, the same that has already inspired Nope, Not Pam and Dan! Most excellent. Thank you, […]
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Hi Dan, a most entertaining story. I liked Jerry and hope this investigation works out for him. That cover art you included really is something else.
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I’m glad you liked the story Robbie. The Moody Blues had some very interesting covers. Here’s a blog post I found that describes them. https://musicaficionado.blog/2020/11/18/the-moody-blues-album-covers-by-phil-travers/
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Hah! No fair. I was just getting into the story. Do you ever expand these stories? Oh and I love the pic of the gable house. My kind of fantasy build. :)
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I hope I can follow up on this before the challenge ends. If not, I’ll circle back to it later. Thank you.
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Please do. Some stories just cry out to be expanded!
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An intriguing story, Dan. Sorry I missed being here on Monday. I knew you were working on another one, but didn’t realize you had finished. Very cool gallery, and I’m delighted to see MiMi and MuMu! Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks Teagan. I’d like to write a follow up story, but I also am trying to finish my other writing project. That’s MiMi and MuMu when they were kittens. They almost got along back them 😏 Hugs!
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I’m in the More Of This Story club. :)
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Ha! I may not get it in during the challenge, but I’m thinking.
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Great story to match a very intriguing picture. Of course, now we all need to know what’s on those two pages.
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I hope to figure that out by Tuesday 😏
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[…] is my final entry for the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge. Its a follow-up to last week’s story. I warn you, I finished this late last night and it may not be typo-free – sorry. For this story, […]
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