Page 29 of Sebastian
“Well, they were never able to prove it, but Ed and Nick allegedly identified that a few of those in charge had been siphoning money from the retirement funds into their own accounts. They all figured out a way, allegedly, to siphon it back to those who needed it most. Like I said, no one could actually prove it, but they caused such raucous they couldn’t stay any longer.”
“And was it proven that the people in charge were taking money from the retirement funds?” asked Tiger.
“Definitely. Eight people lost their jobs over it, which is probably why they weren’t charged. You could hear them all screaming at the directors that they would make sure every news agency in the country knew about their inept leaders if they touched them.”
“Interesting,” frowned Jalen. “You’ve been a great deal of help.”
“Hey, if you really want to know about them, go to the Virginia-D.C. Bridge Masters Meeting. They all played bridge together and apparently were crazy good.”
“Bridge,” frowned Jalen. “Now, isn’t that something?”
Sebastian and Emelia stepped inside the small white building that was the home of the Virginia-D.C. Bridge Masters Club. They’d already received word from the others that there was a tie to this club, but it would need to be proven.
“Hello, may I help you?” asked the elderly woman seated at the desk.
“We’d like to speak to someone about some friends of ours that are in the club,” said Emelia.
“Friends of yours? Young lady, I don’t have time for liars or scammers. Those that belong to this club are retired.”
“I meant no disrespect, ma’am,” she said calmly. “I’m trying to solve two murders and a number of bank robberies that we believe members of this club participated in.”
“That’s impossible. As you can see, we’re all elderly.” She made the statement so casually Emelia turned to Sebastian and frowned.
“No offense, ma’am,” said Sebastian, “but I know a lot of highly qualified and capable seniors. You’re capable of anything you set your mind to.”
“That is true, and I appreciate the insight,” said the woman, “but no one here would do such a thing.”
“Let me just give you the names,” said Emelia. “Ed Morgan, Helen Aikens, Myrtle Cunningham, Jeffrey Banks, Estelle Steiner, Mac Steiner, and Willie Carter.”
“Sorry. Those names aren’t familiar to me at all.”
“Again, ma’am, no disrespect intended, but their photos are on the wall behind you, accepting a rather large trophy,” said Sebastian.
“I don’t believe they’re members any longer,” she said casually. “If you’ll excuse me, we have a meeting about to start.” Sebastian reached across the desk and gripped her wrist.
“Ma’am, I have attempted to be patient and kind to you, but you are not cooperating in a federal investigation of two murdered FBI agents and a number of bank robberies. You are clearly lying to us, and I want to know why.”
She pulled her arm free and leaned over the desk, a look of fury on her face.
“Young man, there are a number of things I would like to know and yet I do not have the answers. You will not find your answers here. Get out, or I will call the police.”
Sebastian stared at the older woman and knew that she was more than aware of the people he spoke of and, more than likely, what they were doing. This little bridge club was not what it seemed.
“Alright. We’ll leave you alone for now. Just know that I’ll be watching you and your little club,” said Sebastian. “If any of those individuals show up, I’d appreciate a courtesy phone call. I just want to speak with them.” He handed the woman a business card, and she stared at him, tearing it to pieces and letting it fall to the desk.
“It looks like I’ll need to have the FBI come in and check this place out for illegal gambling,” said Sebastian.
“You do that,” laughed the woman. “You do that.” Emelia gripped his arm and pulled him toward the door. As they walked outside, she stared at him, then back at the door.
“Em, they know something!” he exclaimed.
“Yep. And now, so do we. The other photo on the wall that you didn’t see had someone else we know in it. Frank.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Why didn’t you tell us, Frank?” asked Emelia.
He carefully placed his personal items in a box, rifling through his desk to see if he’d missed anything. When Emelia demanded a meeting with him and the director, he knew what it was about.