The Case of the Missing Game Warden by Steven T. Callan

Author:Steven T. Callan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Epicenter Press Inc.
Published: 2021-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

The next day, after Henry’s big dove case, wardens Glance and Austin stopped for breakfast at Pearl’s Roadside Diner.

“That was quick,” said Pearl, pouring Austin a cup of coffee. “I haven’t seen you two since yesterday. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“We’re taking yesterday’s evidence down to Sacramento headquarters,” said Austin.

“None for me, thanks,” said Henry.

“I forgot. You don’t drink coffee, do you?”

“I asked him how he planned to be a game warden if he doesn’t drink coffee,” said Austin.

“Before you gentlemen leave, there’s something else I’d like to tell you.”

“No time like the present,” said Austin.

“Four young men used to come in here for breakfast about once a week during the winter months. I remember ’em because they’d always leave mud tracks across the floor and under that table over there by the window.”

“Sounds like duck hunters to me,” said Austin.

“These guys would be jabbering away, but every time I came near their table, they’d clam up. I was about to take their order one morning when Norm Bettis drove past the window in his patrol car. He had a green Ford sedan like yours, Tom. Anyway, when they saw Norm walking from the parking lot to the back door, all four of ’em stood up and said they’d changed their minds.”

“Do you know who these men were?” said Henry.

“I didn’t at the time, and they never came back to the restaurant after Norm disappeared.”

“Did you tell any of this to the investigators?” said Austin.

“No, because it never crossed my mind. Not until last night, when I saw one of ’em on TV.”

“Who was that?” said Henry.

“He looks older now, and he’s lost most of his hair, but it was him all right. I recognized his voice and those pock marks on his cheeks.”

“Who?” said Austin.

“That big land developer who’s buying up property all over the county. They interviewed him last night about a gas station and a speedy mart he’s building out west of Chico. The film showed ’em bulldozing an almond orchard to clear the land.”

“What’s this guy’s name?” said Henry.

“The news reporter called him Blake Gastineau.”

Henry wrote down what he’d just heard on a notepad he removed from his shirt pocket. He remembered Anne talking about Gastineau a couple years before—the day of their picnic at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. “Anything else you can think of?” he said.

“No, but I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. If you boys start asking questions around here, it’ll get back to me, as sure as there’s a ketchup stain on your shirt.”

“Oh, no!” said Henry. “This is a brand-new uniform shirt.”

“Don’t worry, Hank. This will get it out.”

“Thanks so much, Pearl.”

“My pleasure. You make sure Tom gets you back from Sacramento in plenty of time for the barbeque tonight. You don’t wanna be late for that.”

The Region 2 Fish and Game Office was located next to the Sacramento State College campus, off Highway 50, along the south shore of the American River. Austin led Henry down the hall to meet Captain Russ Gifford.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.