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Co
Co
Co
As always, the mediagenic Ace rose to the occasion. “Although I didn’t know John long or well, I sensed that in his chest beat a heart of purest gold…”
Co
“… but now, there’s an empty place in the locker room where John McCree’s blue-and-white bag used to be.” Ace looked as if he might burst out in tears at any moment. “One thing is certain-from this day forward, pro golf will never be the same. He will be missed.”
Co
A thought occurred to Co
“I’ve got nothing to say to you.”
No doubt about it; there was something strong and alcoholic on the man’s breath. Perhaps one reason he didn’t care to be interviewed. “You had plenty enough to say last night when you were in your cups.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t bother denying it. I’m not the only one who was in the bar last night. You made your feelings known to everyone within earshot.”
Barry glared at him. “You’d be better off just leaving me alone, Cross.”
“Why have you got such a chip on your shoulder about John?”
“That’s between him and me.”
“The police might feel differently.”
Barry’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, if you had some kind of grudge against John, I want to hear about it.”
Barry finished tying his shoes, grabbed his gym bag, and stood up. “Maybe you should ask Jodie.” And on that note, he pivoted quickly and stomped out of the locker room.
12
Once he’d changed, Co
An idea sparked in Co
He approached a few of the technicians, but they either refused to talk or claimed they didn’t know anything. No one would tell him anything of value, like whether the police had a suspect, or even a good lead for that matter. Their blank faces reinforced in his mind the fear Jodie had expressed-that John’s murder would never be solved.
How had he let her talk him into this? As if he knew anything about conducting a crime investigation. They were just kidding themselves, imagining that he might discover something the cops couldn’t. He needed to find Jodie and tell her this was a mistake. She was probably in the clubhouse. Maybe he should just wander over there…
Co
He gri
Co
The woman barely turned her head. “I’m glad for you.”
Co
“You’re not going to ask me for money, are you?”
Co
“Get real.” She had a lilting accent, slow and deliberate. Definitely a local. “You think I have nothing better to do than watch a bunch of clowns in pastel Polos knock a little ball around?”
Co
She whipped out a leather wallet and revealed a shiny silver badge. “Lieutenant Nikki O’Brien, Augusta PD.”
Co
“You are a quick study, aren’t you?”
Well, as long as he was here, maybe he could get a little information. “So, uh… how’s the investigation going?”
“We’re just getting started.”
“Got any leads? Suspects?”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss it right now.”
“Oh, of course, of course.” Okay, then back to Plan A. The pick-up. “You’re really truly a cop?”
Her lips turned down at the edges. “Who did you say you were?”
“Co
“That sounds familiar. What do you do?”
“Me?” Co
“Is this a hard question?”
“No, I just…” His eyes sca
Lieutenant O’Brien blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You know. Plants, grass. That sort of thing.”
“And you’re here because…”
“Because I’m helping care for the grounds. You see, the Augusta National uses a very special, very rare kind of grass, imported from South America. Somewhere south of the Amazon.”
“South of the Amazon.”
“Right. Makes for an excellent course. But it’s very temperamental. Hard to care for. Requires a specialist.”
“A specialist.”
“Right. That’s me.”
“So you tend golf courses. That must be incredibly rewarding.”
“Well, this isn’t what I normally do.” Still not impressed. Keep the wheels turning… “This is only one week a year, during the Masters tournament. I just do it to finance my… real work.”
“Which is?”
“Tending to rare South American… plants. And things.”
“Plants? And things?”
“Did you know that hundreds of plant species become extinct every day? It’s a horror what’s going on in the rain forests these days. An absolute horror. Who knows what some of those plants might yield? They might hold the key to curing cancer, and yet we plow them under and bury them to make room for more cattle so McDonald’s can make more burgers. It’s criminal. I’m doing everything I can to stop it.”
O’Brien’s face softened a bit. “Well, that does sound like important work.” She paused and scrutinized Co
“Oh-right, right. The cop thing.”
“Yeah, that.”
“Are you-absolutely sure you’re a police officer?”
“Welcome to the New South, Mr. Cross.” With an enigmatic smile, she turned on her heel and walked away without giving him so much as a backward glance.
Co