Ron Base - Tree Callister 03 - Another Sanibel Sunset Detective Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    “She recommended that you hire me to find her?”
    Shah allowed a tiny smile. “No, no, we were discussing you in connection with another matter. She thought you might be appropriate should we have needed to make certain inquiries.”
    “What kind of inquiries?”
    Shah seemed not to hear the question.
    Trembath leaned further forward as if fearful he was being left out of the conversation. “It occurred to Mr. Shah and me that because you know Mrs. Traven, it might be appropriate for you to act as an intermediary.”
    “In order to do what?”
    “To find her, of course.” Trembath said this in a way that suggested you would have to be an idiot not to know that.
    “And then what?” Tree addressed Shah: “You want me to convince her to come back?”
    “Yes, give it a shot, old chap,” Trembath said, as if he was an officer in some British World War II adventure—Jack Hawkins sending the team of saboteurs off on an impossible mission.
    “You must tell me, Mr. Callister, what are you rates?” Shah accompanied the question with a thin smile, as though talking about money pained him.
    “I charge two hundred dollars a day, plus expenses.”
    “Mr. Callister, it has been a great pleasure to meet you.” Shah abruptly gripped the cane with both hands to pull himself to his feet.
    “Hold on, Mr. Shah,” Tree said.
    “Yes?” Shah looked surprised anyone would attempt to interrupt his departure.
    “Are you hiring me or is this your way of telling me the price is too high?”
    Trembath frowned. “Your fee is not an issue, Mr. Callister.”
    “Then if I am hired, I’m going to need more information.”
    A frown similar to Trembath’s now crossed Miram Shah’s face. “What sort of information?”
    “When was the last time you saw Elizabeth?”
    He paused to consider this before he said, “One week ago.”
    “Where did you last see her?”
    “She was here.”
    “And she seemed all right?”
    “She seemed fine.”
    “You said there was a misunderstanding. Did you have an argument, some sort of altercation? Something that would make her suddenly disappear?”
    “No,” he said, uneasily, as if this topic of conversation was disturbing to him.
    Trembath leaned forward again. “This is not easy for Mr. Shah. I can provide any further information you might require.”
    Shah forced another tiny smile. “I am certain you will do a fine job for us, Mr. Callister. I will leave it to you and Mr. Trembath to conclude the agreement.”
    Tree and Trembath stood together as Shah, leaning on his cane, hobbled away. Tree turned to Trembath and said, “What’s going on here?”
    “I suggest we get something a little stronger, what do you say to that, old chap?”
    As though that was his cue, the houseman in the white gloves reappeared. Trembath said, “Chandio, bring me the strongbox and a gin and tonic, like a good fellow.” It was not hard to imagine Trembath in uniform ordering the servants around during the British Raj. From the look on his face, Chandio didn’t have any trouble imagining it, either.
    “What about you, Callister? Will you take something?”
    “Nothing except the answer to my question.”
    Trembath frowned. “What question was that?”
    “The question that went like this: what’s going on here?”
    “Simple enough, old chap. Mr. Shah would like you to locate his fiancée, Elizabeth Traven, find out what the situation is, and persuade her to come back.”
    “Persuade her to come back to Shah?”
    “If it’s possible, yes.”
    “Why would you think I have any chance of persuading Elizabeth to do anything?”
    “Well, I don’t have to think, do I? It’s Mr. Shah who has to do that, and for whatever reason, he apparently believes your previous association with Mrs. Traven can be of assistance. What’s more, he’s going to pay you enough money so that you will think so, too.”
    “I know something of his background,” Tree said.
    “Do you?” Trembath sounded