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“Mind if I ask why you’re here? Especially since the pros don’t like you and you don’t seem to like them.”
“I’m investigating.” He leaned across the table, making a point of brushing her arm. “There’s been a murder.”
O’Brien played along gamely. “Really? You know, I think I heard something about that.”
Peregino jabbed his thumb at his chest. “I’ve got the inside track.”
“You do? What is it?”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Ace Silverstone was not in his cabin at the time of the murder.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I went to see him, to remind him of the rules and regulations regarding private camera crews during tournament play.” He popped another sunflower seed in his mouth. “Only he wasn’t there.”
“So you think he’s the murderer?”
Peregino pursed his lips. “I think it’s pretty damn suspicious, don’t you? If he wasn’t in his cabin, where was he?”
Who knows, O’Brien thought. Getting a sandwich, maybe? But she played along. “Have you told the police?”
“Not yet. I will in time. I want to see if I can crack this case myself.”
“Yourself?”
“Why not? I am a cop, after all. Sort of. And if I pulled that off, the boys would almost have to respect me.” He brushed aside the centerpiece and leaned even closer to her. “But enough about these gruesome matters. I’m sure a pretty thing like you doesn’t want to talk about some nasty old homicide.”
O’Brien resisted rolling her eyes. Here we go, she thought.
“What say you and I go for a stroll outside by the fountain? I know a private spot in the magnolia glade where we could get to know each other much better.”
“Thanks, but I’m meeting a friend.”
“Yeah, right. We both know you didn’t come over to my table by accident, pretty lady. You saw something you wanted. So why don’t you just let me give it to you and stop playing hard to get?”
O’Brien suppressed her strong desire to barf. “I don’t think so.”
He grabbed her arm and gave her a strong jerk. “I’ll put something between your legs that’ll keep you warm till New Year’s.”
“I said, no.” She jerked her hand free.
He didn’t back off. “C’mon, you stupid tramp. Let me give you what you need.”
“No, let me give you what you need.” She picked up her champagne flute and upended it over his head.
The yellow-tinted liquid cascaded down his face and across his chest. “Stupid bitch,” he muttered.
“Did I forget the hors d’oeuvre? Damn, I think I forgot the hors d’oeuvre.” She picked up a deviled egg and smashed it into his face.
She brushed her hands off, then stood. Peregino’s lips parted, but she stopped him with a finger. “One more word, jerkoff, and I’m going for the punch bowl.”
Peregino remained mute.
It would be nice to find O’Brien, Co
From a distance, he spotted Freddy on the opposite side of the ballroom.
Co
Co
One thing was clear: Freddy was headed toward the central staircase. He hit the first step and started up, fast as was possible without creating a scene. Co
Co
Freddy hit the landing, turned right, and started down a long corridor. Co
They appeared to be passing a series of rooms-probably the administrative offices for the country club. At the end of the corridor was a large mahogany door with an oversized brass doorknob. Freddy quickly opened the door, then slid into the dark room beyond, shutting the door behind him.
Co
Perhaps Freddy just needed to get something. Or get rid of something.
Whatever it was, Co
Gently, he laid his hand on the doorknob and turned. There was a tiny creaking noise. Co
The room inside was dark; the only light streamed in from the open window, and that wasn’t much. As far as Co
Co
Co
Co
Damn! How’d he let himself get into this mess? How would he ever explain to Freddy why he’d been sneaking around behind him? Worse, if Freddy really was the culprit, this would be a sure tip-off that Co
Co
It was dark in the closet, no big surprise. Though Co
Co
An instant later, Co
It seemed there was going to be a meeting, after all.
Co
“Why’d you come here?” He was almost certain that voice was Freddy. Even muted, it had Freddy’s distinctive squeal. “Do you want people to know?”
There was a muffled reply from the other person.
“What? Here? Surely you don’t think I’m going to do that.”
Do what? Co
A few moments later, he heard Freddy say: “I tell ya, that’s not enough. I need more. Much more!”