Страница 14 из 56
A Sergeant Turnbull from the Augusta police department had responded to Co
Co
“Of course not,” Co
John was dead. This had to be a dream-a nightmare.
“Who did this?” Co
To his surprise, Turnbull offered one. “That’s what we’re trying to find out. Unfortunately, the perp doesn’t seem to have left many clues.”
“Clues?”
“Right. They’re always helpful when you’re trying to track a killer.”
“A-“ Co
“Murder? Course it is. You thought maybe he beat himself to death on the side of his head? And then buried himself in a sand trap? I don’t think so.”
“But-who-?”
“We were hoping you might have some thoughts on that subject. Know anyone who had a grudge against McCree?”
Co
“We’re not finding any hair or fibers, although it would be a miracle if we could recover trace evidence from a sand trap. This fairway is cut so short it can’t hold onto anything, much less a footprint or a stray hair. No fingerprints on the body. Basically, we’re at square one. A very unpromising investigation. Glad it isn’t my problem.”
“It isn’t?”
“Nah. I’m just a lowly sergeant. I was just the highest rank in the office when your call came in. They’ll assign this to a lieutenant-Lieutenant O’Brien, probably. I expect you’ll get to tell your story all over again. Probably several times.”
Great, Co
“Y’know, if there’s… anything else you might know about this mess, I’d sure be obliged if you told me.”
Co
“Maybe right now it seems best to clam up, but let me tell you from experience-the truth always comes out eventually, and it’ll go easier for you if you come clean.”
“I didn’t kill him,” Co
“Oh, I’m sure, I’m sure. But you know how these things happen. One thing leads to another. Situation gets out of control. First thing you know, someone does something they regret later. It’s no one’s fault, really. It just happens.”
“I did not kill my friend.”
“Now, if you were to give me the straight skivvy, I would be extremely grateful. I’d make sure you got every break in the book. It would mean a lot to me.”
“Like maybe a promotion to lieutenant?”
Turnbull seemed unperturbed. “God knows I put in enough time to deserve it. So whaddaya say, Cross?”
Co
Co
Co
Co
And why the hell did Co
He downed the first martini in a single swallow, then bit down on the olive. He was trying to shock his system back to life, trying to shift his body back into first gear. But it didn’t work. No matter what he tried, his mind’s eye kept revolving back to the same grisly image.
His best friend, buried in white sand. His face streaked with blood.
John, he thought, and the word throbbed like someone was pounding a hammer against the inside of his skull. John!
Co
Jodie! he thought. Here he’d been swilling and feeling sorry for himself, and Jodie hadn’t even crossed his mind. He considered ru
As it turned out, the decision was made for him. As soon as Jodie entered the clubhouse, she made a quick visual sweep of the bar area, spotted Co
“How-“ she said, in a voice that sounded like rusty hinges. “How-”
Co
“I don’t know,” he whispered. He felt her tears spilling onto his shoulder. “I don’t know.”
Nearly an hour later, Co
“I-I just don’t understand it,” Jodie said. Her voice was still raw from crying. “Everyone loved John.”
Co
“Have you heard anyone complain about John? Anyone nursing a grudge?”
“Never,” Co
Jodie’s hands clenched. “Then who could have done it? And why?”
“I don’t know,” Co
Jodie frowned. “I talked to Sergeant Turnbull. I gather you did, too?”
Co
“So, Mr. Oddsmaker, what would you say is the likelihood that he’ll be able to find John’s killer?”
Co
“That’s what I thought,” Jodie said firmly. For the first time, Co
Co
All at once, Jodie reached over and grabbed Co
“Me? Are you kidding?”
“I wouldn’t kid about this, Co
“I agree. Which is why I shouldn’t have anything to do with it.”
“We have to know-”
“Look, Jodie, if you don’t trust the cops, fine. Hire a private investigator.”
“A private investigator wouldn’t be allowed through the front gates at the Augusta National.”
“Still-”
“You, on the other hand, are already on the grounds. You have access to all the players and staff. You’re an invited guest. Everyone will expect you to hobnob with the players and participate in all the activities.”