The Man From C.A.M.P. by Victor J. Banis

Author:Victor J. Banis [Banis, Victor J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MLR Press, LLC
Published: 2011-09-09T04:41:29+00:00

Chapter 6

"Where do we go from here?” Rich asked when he had finished reading the fake story in the morning paper. “We still haven't found Birdie Wing's headquarters or where the diamonds are hidden."

"No,” Jackie admitted, helping himself to another cup of coffee. “But we know for certain that the Santa at Ballocks is part of the gang. Apparently he knows enough of the operation to know that my appearance yesterday wasn't in order. I think we'll continue to work on him."

"We could have Upton pick him up and question him,” Rich suggested.

"No, he might not talk. I think first we'd better learn a little more about him. Let's check with Perce and find out what information they have on the man."

The store's personnel file had little on the Santa. His name was Barry Shaw and he had been hired at the beginning of the season when the regular man had failed to report for work. His application included a home address and some previous work experience. The work experience soon proved to be fictitious.

"There's one thing I don't think he would lie about, though,” Jackie said. “They couldn't be certain he would just walk in and be put to work even if the store needed someone desperately. He would have to have given a legitimate address or at least a phone number. Let's check those out."

The address proved to be in a neighborhood that had once been an area of plush residences but had since become mostly commercial. It wasn't difficult to find the place, as it occupied most of one block.

"Happy Hours Rest Home,” Rich read the sign over the gate. “Do you think this is really legit?"

"I wonder,” Jackie mused. “Many store Santas really are older men, retired, who pick up some extra money at the seasonal job. I've got a hunch. Let's head back to the office."

Back at the office of C.A.M.P. Jackie began to call the other department stores involved in the robberies. As he placed the calls his suspicions grew. “Just as I thought,” he said after the fourth call, “all of those Santas have the same address on their applications. They are all residents of the Happy Hours Rest Home."

"That certainly indicates something,” Rich agreed.

"Yes. I could be mistaken, but it begins to look as though that rest home may be the center of operations for this gang. At least it's an important link to the chain."

"Then let's check it out. I'd be very interested in seeing what a search of that place turned up."

"Exactly. But we've got to be careful. I don't want to scare them away until we have it all worked out. I want to get inside the place and have a look see without tipping them off to the fact that we're on to them."

"We could try breaking in at night, but most likely they have some sort of guard system, maybe even alarms."

Jackie thought for a minute. “There is one way we could get in without arousing any suspicions and have a free hand at exploring the place.

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