Free Eye on Crime by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

doing there?” he asked.
    â€œHe was asking me to act as if I was about to hit a home run,” said Rojas.
    Joe grabbed the newspaper from the table and went over to the television. He held up the picture on the front page that showed Rojas and Wingfoot in the Jewelry Exchange. In the picture, Rojas was swinging a large hammer at a glass case full of jewelry.
    â€œLook familiar?” Joe asked.
    â€œYeah,” Rojas said. “That’s my home run swing. So?”
    Joe didn’t reply. Instead, he turned back to the videotape and hit Play.
    â€œLet’s watch a little more,” he said.
    After a few minutes Frank put up his hand. “There,” he said.
    Joe hit Pause on the remote again. On the screen, Wingfoot was kneeling down, motioning as though he were picking something up from the floor and putting it in an invisible bag.
    â€œHe had me believing I had hit a jackpot playing slot machines in Vegas,” Pepper said. “You know, a big one, where money is pouring out onto the floor.”
    â€œWhich looks vaguely like you picking up some jewels from the floor and putting them in a bag,” Frank said. “Just like in this picture.”
    â€œYou still haven’t proved anything,” Rojas said. “In fact, you’re starting to make me feel like I am guilty.”
    â€œAre you?” Joe asked. “Is there something you want to get off your chest?”
    â€œNo!” Rojas shouted. “I’m telling you, we did not rob that store.”
    â€œWe’ll go with your word for now,” Frank said. “You’ve been a lot of help. Can we borrow the video, Pepper?”
    â€œSure. Just don’t lose it. I’ve never seen Rojas so funny before. We may need it for laughs in jail.”
    When he got back in the van, Frank used the phone to dial Callie’s house. He spoke with her for a few minutes, then said goodbye and dialed another number. Ten minutes after a very heated conversation, Frank and Joe were standing in the office of Brady Stelfreeze.
    â€œI still have my reservations about you two being involved in this case,” Stelfreeze said with disdain. “But the girls want you involved, and Mr. Shaw trusts you, so I’m willing to take a chance for now.”
    â€œYou won’t regret it, Mr. Stelfreeze,” Joe said.
    â€œI hope not. Anyway, I have the tapes from the security cameras at both the Jewelry Exchange and the Golden Palace.”
    â€œGood,” Frank said. “Let’s see the tape of Callie and Iola, please.”
    Stelfreeze pushed a button on the desk in front of him. A cabinet across the room opened, revealing a large television. He pressed another button and the interior of the Golden Palace filled the screen. The brothers stood as they watched Callie and Iola slink in through the front door.
    â€œScrewdriver,” Joe said, narrating. “Look around. Spot the security camera . . .”
    â€œTape the lens, but the tape falls off,” Frank said.
    It ended there as the girls escaped when a police siren wailed in the distance.
    â€œThat should do it,” Frank said.
    â€œDo what? Land those two in jail is the only thing that video does.”
    â€œNot yet, Mr. Stelfreeze,” Joe said. “Do you have a copy of the girls’ appearance on Monty Mania?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter,” Frank said. “Callie said one was sent to her house today.” Frank walked over to the VCR and ejected the videotape.
    â€œIs this the other one?” Joe asked, pointing to a tape on Stelfreeze’s desk. The lawyer nodded his head as Joe picked up the tape.
    â€œGood,” Frank said. “It’s getting late, and we have work to do. What time can you be at our house tomorrow?”
    Stelfreeze got a confused look on his face. “Me? Tomorrow’s Saturday.”
    â€œSo bill time and a half,” Joe said. “Here’s