Read Getting Somewhere Page 36

CHAPTER 24

  COMFORTS

  There were no reported sightings of Walt Carter in town and if he was still around, he was laying really low. That was probably an easy task for him because he could not really go home, he had to find accommodations somewhere else.

  The first information about what happened came from the Sacrament Bee in the Crime Spotters section. It reported that Wix and Davies were arrested in Eaton and were to be arraigned the following day for fraud and money laundering concerning the Watonaka Indian Casino. The bail amount was expected to be quite high.

  Wheeler's foreboding of a coming storm had long since past and he was getting the urge to move on. This caper was not as dramatic as some of his past romps but it was satisfying just the same. The Keefers were out of any danger and the hazards to their health and well being were in jail. He did have a small bundle of neatly stacked $20's and $100's that would allow him a bit more freedom than he previously enjoyed and he was not really considering finding a place to settle down, but at least he didn't have to rush to find employment at the next stop. Maybe he would just put new tires on the VW to celebrate.

  “Hey Wheeler” Bob grunted from across the shop. “You're not looking for any more bad guys hiding in the bushes out there are you? You got that far away look again.”

  Wheeler snapped out of it “Nope, just plain old daydreaming. You're not going to dock my pay are you?”

  “I pay you? Really? What was I thinking” Bob said in mock exasperation. They both chuckled.

  “How about some coffee and we'll discuss your pay cut” Bob said on his way to the coffee pot just as the phone rang. “Do the honors?” he said, pointing to the pot as he detoured over to the phone.

  “Keefer Fab” Bob said into the phone.

  “Hello, my name is Captain Bronson with the White Collar Crime Unit up in Sacramento. Is this Robert Keefer?”

  “Yes it is” Bob said, his curiosity hitting screech levels.

  “Do you have a sister named Alice?”

  “Yes I do.”

  “I have a matter of some importance that I need to discuss with you. Would it be possible for you to meet me in my office in Sacramento as soon as possible?”

  “Can you tell me what this is about?” Bob said. His curiosity was killing him now.

  “I really do not want to go into details without both of you present. If that is a problem we could make other arrangements for a meeting. Eaton is not that far from Sacramento.”

  “No, I don't think that will be necessary. We could get up there this afternoon, by, oh” Bob checked his watch “2:00 o'clock. Would that be acceptable?”

  “Yes, that would be fine.”

  “Captain Bronson, just one more thing. May I bring my assistant? Would that be a problem?”

  “That will be acceptable” Bronson said smoothly. He gave Bob the address and travel information and hung up.

  Bob joined Wheeler with the dazed look Wheeler usually carried.

  “What was that all about?” Wheeler asked with a bit of concern.

  Bob filled him in on the sparse details and called Alice. It seemed they had an appointment in Sacramento to make.