{"id":108,"date":"2026-05-01T04:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T04:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/?page_id=108"},"modified":"2026-05-01T04:28:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T04:28:42","slug":"cantina-psalms-excerpt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/?page_id=108","title":{"rendered":"Cantina Psalms excerpt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>MISTER METER MAID<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving Joe, the Assistant Medical Examiner and six dead bodies in his rear-view mirror, Tom had driven from Med-Ex complex via His Honor&#8217;s trendy Westside digs then to North Beach. He circled the block twice before he gave up trying to find a legal parking space. He finally pulled the four-door gray ghost into the red bus zone in front of Powell\u2019s Saloon. From there he dashed around the corner to Lee\u2019s Grocery. Both the grocery and Coit Liquor next door on the corner were among the oldest businesses in North Beach. A hundred years from now, he figured they would still be there, unless the building burned down. There was a lot of comfort in knowing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tom filled the hard plastic hand basket with Carly&#8217;s order. He included a two-foot-long baguette baked at Stella\u2019s Bakery across Columbus. He bought thin sliced prosciutto, Spanish olives with the pit, lettuce, a wedge of provolone and a tin of oregano. For a chaser, he added a six pack of San Pellegrino orange soda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stepping out of the store, he glanced across the divided avenue to the corner window of his flat. He was surprised she let herself back in. It gave him a warm feeling that she was waiting for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Tom turned the corner\u2014headed west half a block on Union to Powell Street, where he had parked the museum piece on wheels a few minutes earlier. He needed to move it to a legal parking spot. Tom realized a squall had come and gone while he was shopping.&nbsp; He picked up on the aroma from the new rain: a distinctive smell of asphalt mixed with wafts of roasting coffee from Graffeo\u2019s Wholesale Coffee two blocks north on Columbus at Filbert Street. Times like this made him happy to live in North Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The erstwhile limo (paid from the fund trust Joe set up for his solo practice law while he was in elected office: DA and mayor) roared to a start on the first try. The oversized wipers splashed water off the windshield like a shaking dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gresham clunked it into gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It made a lot of noise, but it didn&#8217;t move. He was lodged against the curb. He put it in reverse. Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before he could figure what was blocking the car, he heard a knuckle wrap on his driver&#8217;s side window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One of the city\u2019s finest traffic enforcement scooters had rolled up next to him. Mr. Meter Maid, dressed in a yellow slicker, was motioning for Gresham to roll his window down. \u201cYou\u2019re parked in a red zone, pal. You got a boot slapped on your right rear wheel.\u201d The Santa Claus-sized bureaucrat had a very smug look on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou\u2019re kidding. No one boots the mayor\u2019s car.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWell, I did. Go look for yourself.\u201d Mr. Meterman smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tom didn\u2019t have to. Fellow citizens at the bus stop nearby were nodding sympathetically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cIs that funny to you?\u201d Tom screamed at the meterman. \u201cWhat the hell did you do that for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cShit happens, pal, especially when you park in a red zone and your ugly bus has outstanding warrants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou\u2019re no beauty. What\u2019s your name?\u201d he barked. Tom had never seen the traffic agent before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cEddie Peabody. And just so you won\u2019t forget, you\u2019ll see my signature on the ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWhat ticket, Pea brain? There was no ticket on my windshield,\u201d Gresham hollered. He was red-faced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cMust have blown off in the storm. Trust me, you got one. I\u2019ll see that you get a copy mailed to you, pal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cDon\u2019t call me \u2018pal.\u2019 And this happens to be a city vehicle. And it happens to be Mayor Joe Martin\u2019s limo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cIt could be King Tut\u2019s chariot for all I care. It still gets a ticket and a boot for being in a red zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou\u2019re an idiot,\u201d Gresham realized. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, that\u2019s not accurate\u2014you\u2019re a fuckin\u2019 idiot!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI\u2019m not the fuckin\u2019 idiot that parked in a red zone. You\u2019re lucky I didn\u2019t have it towed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cSo, this is better?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cHave a nice day, pal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI told you not to pal me. Screw you. Get back here and undo the god-damned boot\u2014you fat ass!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. Meter Maid shut off the scooter\u2019s engine. \u201cWhat did you call me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou heard me. This is the mayor\u2019 car. I need to pick him up and take him to the office. You\u2019re interfering with a city official and impeding his ability to conduct his duties.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cThat\u2019s not what I heard?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou probably heard me say fuck you, Eddie <em>Pea<\/em>body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYeah, that\u2019s the part you\u2019re going to have to explain to the patrolman I\u2019m going to call.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cSave your breath, dipshit, I\u2019m a cop and you\u2019re the last call I would respond to on a day like this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou sonofabitch,\u201d Eddie said and jumped off the scooter seat. \u201cGet out of the fucking car so I can level you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou got shoe leather for brains, pea head. I think you better unlock that wheel if you know what\u2019s good for your career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cGo to hell! The lock stays. You figure it out, pal. Start by paying your tickets on time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cLook, you fat-ass scooter moron. I don\u2019t have time for this\u2014unlock the wheel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI should slap you around,\u201d the badged scooter jockey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWhat kind of jerk are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. Meter Maid bent over and shouted: \u201cShow me where it says anywhere on this car that it\u2019s the mayor\u2019s limo. I don\u2019t see any special plates. You show me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gresham leaned up off his seat: \u201cThis car is part of a security detail; what kind of security do you think we\u2019d have if we plastered Joe Martin\u2019s name all over it? You tell me, scooter boy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cLooks like you\u2019re gonna have to do some explaining to His Honor, and that\u2019s what that ferret faced, bleeding heart liberal gets for hiring you\u2014ain\u2019t that right, hot shot?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gresham yanked for the door handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eddie Peabody leaned into the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gresham was stuck behind the wheel. \u201cI\u2019m not explaining shit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cTell your sad story to the tow truck driver because you\u2019re gonna have to wait for her, and when she gets here, you\u2019re gonna have to pay her or we start this silly dance all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Both peace officers were close enough to smell each other\u2014Mr. Meter Maid\u2019s stale coffee and Gresham\u2019s toothpaste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cFuck you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cFuck you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou are the stupidest man alive,\u201d Gresham shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI\u2019m not the asshole who parked this car in a red zone. The sign is printed in English just for you&#8211;you Irish sonofabitch. And the curb is red as your neck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWhat are you a limey?\u201d Gresham\u2019s forefinger was half an inch from the meter maid\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cSo, what\u2019s it to you, Mick?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gresham pounded on the steering wheel. \u201cThis is truly fucked,\u201d he mumbled to himself as he reached for his wallet to show his ID that identified him as a special city hall security agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As he opened it, four tickets fell into his hand.&nbsp; The ducats were to the first ever meeting between the new National Football League\u2019s expansion team the San Jose Silicon\u2019s vs. San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He stuck the tickets Joe Martin gave him last week into Mr. Meter Maid\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEddie, you prick, I\u2019m asking you for the last time. Unlock the goddamn boot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The meter agent yanked the tickets from Gresham\u2019s hand. \u201cThese better not be cheap seats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cTop of the line seats. Mayor\u2019s box on the fifty-yard-line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eddie Peabody feigned surprise and shouted loud enough for the bystanders to hear him, \u201cJESUS, WHY DIDN\u2019T YOU TELL ME SOONER IT WAS A FUCKING CITY EMERGENCY?\u201d He bent down and unlocked the red boot off the Gray Ghost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNext time, you Irish dickhead, you ain\u2019t gonna get off so easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gresham did notice a couple of thumbs ups flashed in his direction from the bus stop crowd as he pulled the limo out into traffic. In his rear-view mirror, Mr. Meter Maid was putting the yellow boot into the trunk of his scooter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MISTER METER MAID Leaving Joe, the Assistant Medical Examiner and six dead bodies in his rear-view mirror, Tom had driven from Med-Ex complex via His Honor&#8217;s trendy Westside digs then to North Beach. He circled the block twice before he gave up trying to find a legal parking space. He finally pulled the four-door gray [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-108","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=108"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109,"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions\/109"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/52"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasshess.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}