Jason gave a big cheerful wave. In a polo shirt and cap emblazoned with the name of the golf course, he headed straight for our table. Nodding quickly at the others, he zeroed in on me.

“I was passing by and saw your Jeep parked outside.’’ He dropped a casual hand on my shoulder. “I hear you were asking for me at the pro shop this morning.’’

Charlene picked that moment to come pour my coffee. “Who’s the hottie,’’ she whispered, loud enough to be heard in the kitchen over the roar of the dishwasher.

“Jason,’’ he answered, with a flash of white teeth. “I’m the pro at Himmarshee Links. You should come out sometime. I’ll help you work on your swing. I keep trying to get Mace to let me finesse hers.’’

At the next table, a couple of women from the courthouse swooned. Flustered, Charlene knocked over the creamer on our table with her coffeepot. The cream splashed out to where Carlos still stood, landing all over the front of his slacks. He jumped back, and then grabbed a handful of napkins. I wasn’t sure whether his frown was due to Jason’s shameless flirting, or his fastidiousness about his clothes.

“Sorry,’’ said Charlene, flushed with embarrassment.

“Not to worry,’’ Carlos smiled at the waitress. “I keep a second set of clothes in my locker at work, which is where I need to be right now.’’ He glanced at his watch, gave me a peck on the cheek, and headed out the door.

“Was it something I said?’’ Jason aimed his tanned dimples at me. “I’ve got to get back to work, too. I just stopped to ask if I’m going to see you again.’’

The glances exchanged by my family members caromed around the table like pool balls. I lifted Jason’s hand off my shoulder.

Mama frowned. “Since when do you play golf, Mace?’’

Marty said, “The last I remember, you were saying you wished you’d left that gator you trapped in the pond at the golf course. You said maybe he’d do us a favor and eat a few newcomers.’’

“Ouch!’’ the pro laughed. “I don’t think that’s what the course’s architect had in mind when he designed our water hazards.’’

“Talk about your penalty stroke,’’ Henry said.

I mumbled something about stopping by the course soon. Jason left shortly after, to sighs from two tables of women.

Once he was out of earshot, Mama got serious. “Why are you going to the golf course?’’

I tried to think of a convincing lie. I came up blank.

“None of your business.’’

Even as the words escaped my mouth, I knew Mama would not rest until she made it her business. I had to discover what Kenny was up to before my family imploded under the weight of what I was hiding

I threw a ten on the table and rushed out the door after Jason.

twenty-four

“Wait up!’’ I yelled from the sidewalk outside Gladys’ Diner.

A big ol’ boy in bib overalls and a cap touting Nutrena cattle feed turned with a hopeful smile. I shook my head and pointed at the golf pro in the parking lot.

Jason stood beside a red BMW convertible, which is a pretty fancy car for a pro who works at a small golf course built on a former cow pasture in middle Florida.

“Well, well.’’ He leaned against the driver’s door, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Looks like you did want to see me again, sooner rather than later.’’

“Don’t flatter yourself,’’ I said. “I needed to ask you some questions, but I didn’t want to talk in front of my family.’’ Not to mention my fiancé, I thought.

He glanced at his watch; lit a cigarette. “I’ve got a few minutes.’’ He exhaled. “Knock yourself out.’’

I decided to stick to my cover story, about trying to find out who might owe my brother-in-law money. Kenny hadn’t been back to the club since we’d spoken earlier, Jason said.

“Did you notice if he seemed particularly close to anyone out there?’’

Jason stroked the handsome cleft in his chin; appeared to give my question some thought.

He finally said, “He spends a lot of time at the bar, talking to Angel.’’

I hoped the surprise didn’t show on my face. She had told me she barely knew Kenny. It also seemed she was more into girls than guys. I decided to take the plunge; ask the question right out.

“Isn’t Angel gay?’’ I said.

He took a drag. “That’s complicated. I think her sexual leanings depend on what’s in it for Angel.’’

“Do you think there’s something in it for her to have some kind of sexual relationship with my brother-in-law?’’

“Nah. He’s not her type. Not enough money or power. I think it’s more a bartender-as-confessor thing for him. Lots of people pour out their problems to bartenders.’’

An image formed in my mind of Prudence’s jacket on the locker room bench; the tender look on the barmaid’s face. “Well, who is Angel’s type?’’ I said. “Is she serious about anyone?’’

He cocked his head. “Why? Are you interested in girls? Didn’t you say you were engaged? I assumed to a guy.’’

He grabbed my left wrist, holding up my hand to examine my ring. His grip was a little rough.

“That hurts.’’

He squeezed—hard—before releasing me. “Sorry. I can be a little dominant at times. Guess I don’t know my own strength.’’

I rubbed my wrist; decided to let it pass. In my mind, golf was kind of a girly sport. Maybe he was trying to show what a man he was with a crushing grip. I said, “What about the mayor?’’

“And Angel?’’ he asked.

“Well, I meant the mayor and Kenny, but yeah. What’s the deal with Angel and Mr. and Mrs. Mayor? It seems like they walk on eggshells around her.’’

He laughed. “Probably afraid if they offend her she’ll pour a stingy shot.’’ He put thumb to mouth in the sign for drinking. “Both of them like their booze. A lot.’’

“Kenny, too?’’

He crushed his cigarette underfoot, and then glanced at his watch.

“Nah, Kenny seems like he’s strictly a beer man. Doesn’t over-indulge, like a lot of folks do out there.’’ A strange smiled played across his lips. “Oh, yeah. There are all kinds of over-indulgences at Himmarshee Links.’’

“What’s that supposed to mean?’’

He put up his hands, signaling he’d say no more. “I really have to get going. Like I told you before, it’s complicated.’’

“You can’t say that and just leave me wondering. That’s not fair. Is there something shady going on out there? Is my brother-in-law involved?’’

That would be all Maddie would need: a husband walking the criminal path.

Jason gazed around the parking lot. The after-lunch crowd was starting to stream out. He lowered his voice. “I don’t think so. But you wouldn’t believe the stories I could tell about what goes on at the club.’’

“Like what?’’

He hit the key fob to unlock the BMW; eased himself into the front seat.

“I really do have to go. I’ve got a lesson scheduled. Honest, I’ll fill you in on everything, just not right now.’’ He turned on the engine. It purred. “Meet me at the club for a drink.’’

I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he playing me?

He returned my look with a guileless grin. His cheeks dimpled, and the skin around his eyes crinkled with sincerity. “I swear I’m not coming on to you, Mace. It’s just a friendly meeting. Maybe I can give you some information that might help you find out who borrowed Kenny’s money.’’

If I was going to help Maddie, I did need information. It was just a drink. What could it hurt?

twenty-five

A loud laugh echoed through the cypress trees, shattering the quiet sanctuary of Himmarshee Park. Startled, a great blue heron took flight from the creek bank near the nature path. Another laugh sounded, even louder than the first. A group of men in business dress rounded a curve in the path near the park office. I was outside the office, in a vending machine alcove, battling a recalcitrant package of Corn Nuts.

The noisy crowd of suits and ties came to a halt on the boardwalk over Himmarshee Creek. The mayor, at the center of the group, nodded toward the water: “You know what they say about waterfront property in Florida, don’t you?’’ His voice boomed, and he slapped one of the suits on the back. “Get it while you can. They’re not making any more!’’