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“Sure, I’m sssorry he’s dead,” Barry said, slurring the words so badly they were nearly incomprehensible. “But I haven’t got amnesia. I hated that ssson-of-a-bitch.”
Co
“Course I kept quiet about it,” Barry droned on. “I was a good boy. But I didn’t forget. Hell no. I didn’t forget. And I never will.” He hiccuped. “Ssson-of-a-bitch.”
Co
“Kind of a jerk, isn’t he?”
Co
“Be
Co
The kid brushed his long straggly black hair out of his face. “You’re Co
Co
The kid slapped himself on the forehead. “Didn’t I say? Oh, wow. Duh.” He held out his hand. “I’m Ed Frohike. President of the John McCree Fan Club.”
The light began to dawn in Co
“I came here to meet John. I’ve corresponded with him by e-mail-even talked to him on the phone. But I never met him. So I blew my life savings-everything I made working at Taco Bell for six months-to come out here and meet him. But before I could-”
“I’m sorry, kid. That’s rough.”
“Yeah. Tougher on you, though. I mean, you actually knew him. Knew him well.”
“Yeah. That I did. That I did.” He glanced back at Ed. “So how’d you get in here, kid? The Augusta National prides itself on its security.”
Ed gri
“In theory.”
Ed leaned across the table and whispered. “I snuck in underground. Through the sewer system tu
“I didn’t know there were tu
“Only part of it. Apparently the Augusta National makes some heavy demands on the water system. Keeping all those greens green, you know.”
“And how did you find out about that?”
Ed waved him away. “Oh, man, I know everything.”
“You do?”
“Oh, yeah.” He shifted to his reciting voice. “Co
Co
“Everything about golf, anyway. I eat and breathe golf.”
“Really. What’s your handicap?”
“Oh, I don’t play the game. I… merely worship it.”
“Excuse me?”
“You know what I mean. I’m into it, big time. It’s my favorite thing. I follow all the players, all the tournaments. Heck, I’ve even got your trading card.”
“Really? I’m sure that’s in great demand!” Co
“It’s… um… well… you know. It’s… hotter than a Freddy Granger.” Ed looked away. “But I always thought John was the greatest, you know? That’s why I started the fan club. He was just so cool, so suave and sophisticated. Like, just the opposite of you.”
“I can see where that would be in his favor.”
“No-I didn’t mean-I mean-”
“Calm down, Ed. Take a breath.”
“I just meant that he was so classy. Had a style all his own. You’ve got a style, too.”
“That would be one way of putting it.”
Ed’s eyes darted around the room. “I can’t believe I’m actually at the Masters! This is so awesome! I started going crazy the second I stepped onto the course.” His chest deflated. “But then I heard what happened to John. Man, what a bummer. I went to so much trouble to meet him. All that pla
Co
“I was so close!” Out of nowhere, Ed’s fists rose up and pounded down on the table. “I saw him, you know. Tuesday night. But he was heading somewhere in a hurry and I didn’t want to bother him. I thought-no, Ed, wait. You’ve got all week.” He slumped down in his chair. “Except I didn’t have all week. That was my last chance. And I blew it.”
“Are you saying you saw John alive Tuesday night?”
“Right. Around nine-thirty.”
Nine-thirty! That would be after he left the cabin, after Jodie last saw him alive. “Do you have any idea where he was going?”
“Sure. It was obvious. I saw him pass through the door.”
Co
Ed’s eyes widened. “Didn’t you know? He was going to see Andrew Spenser.”
10
Once again, Co
Co
Derwood was there, as he expected, hovering in the background like a vulture waiting for his daily dose of carrion. Te
Spenser stepped forward from the recesses of the office. It appeared that, once again, he was going to take the leading role in Co
“First of all,” Spenser said, “let me express our deepest sympathies to you. We know what a loss you’ve suffered. Believe me when I say you have our most sincere condolences.” Spenser held out his arms, as if he actually thought for a moment he was going to embrace Co
Co
Spenser’s stoic resolve wavered, if only for an instant. “We know these are troubling times, and if we can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to tell us.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Co
Spenser cleared his throat. “We realize that this tragedy may affect your… powers of judgment, and that a certain lack of rationality may be inevitable…”
“Lack of rationality?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard that we intend to continue with this tournament. That decision being made, it is crucial that we maintain our standards…”
“Spenser, just cut to the chase.”
Spenser drew himself up. “We have wondered if it wouldn’t be best if you dropped out of the tournament. No one could fault you for that. No one would suspect that there was any… controversy. People will simply assume that you are overcome with grief due to the loss of your friend.”