Chapter 31-Wednesday, 7:39PM

Parsley had been sent to pick up the chief. He drove Unit 12 toward the station as his chief punched in Truman’s number. The phone rang twice before the asparagus picked up.

“Hello.”

“Tru, it’s me.”

“Herb? I thought you were still in the hospital.”

“Well, I’m not. I’m on my way to the station. What did you want? I saw you tried calling twice. Did you find anything?”

“Yes,” he replied slowly. The tech spoke hesitantly. Herb was puzzled.

“Well, what’d you find?” Herb demanded.

“I’d rather show you,” Truman said cryptically. “Come to the lab when you get here.”

“You can’t tell me now?”

“No, sir. I’d rather not.”

Less than five minutes later, Herb stormed through the door at headquarters. He headed straight for the lab. At the door he paused to punch in the code and pressed enter. The door swung wide.

“Truman!” the chief shouted. “What’s with holding out on me? I need info now!”

The tech began to reply, but was interrupted. It was Marge. “Celery salt and battery,” she said. “Fourth and Maple.”

Herb looked at the clock. 7:42pm. Too early, he thought.

Herb looked at Truman and jabbed his intercom. “All cars, Marge!” the chief shouted. “All cars.”

Herb ran by his office and snatched up Frond’s fax. He flipped to the last page as he sprinted out the door. He was halfway to his backup car before his order had been relayed.

“All cars. Fourth and Maple.” The dispatch went out. “All cars.”