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The killer was still at large.
And it seemed his current target was Co
27
The next morning, Co
A good night’s sleep had washed away the fatigue and frustration of the night before. This morning, he was determined to focus his energies on the tournament. It was the last day of the Masters-and he was in fourth place. It was possible… just barely possible…
He stepped out of the shower, still high as a kite. He took the towel handed to him and began to dry off, humming a happy tune. He could envision the entire victory scene-the ball drops into the hole on the eighteenth, a stu
Wait a minute. He took the towel handed to him-by whom?
Lieutenant O’Brien stood by the bathroom door, her arms folded, visibly unimpressed. “Are you about done, or should I call for a backup band?”
In a panicked flurry, Co
“I knocked. No one answered.”
“I was in the shower!”
“I gathered that.”
Co
“Excuse me. Didn’t you tell me I could”-she tried to simulate his seductive voice-“drop by anytime?”
“Yes, but I meant-”
“Get your clothes on, cowboy. We’ve got work to do.”
“I’ve got work to do,” Co
“Relax, your tee time isn’t until afternoon. And in the meantime, we need you.”
“You need me?” Co
O’Brien obliged.
“Haven’t I done enough already?” Co
“Ha ha.”
“Plus, someone was taking pot shots at me last night.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, oh.”
“Did you call the police?”
“I didn’t see the point. He got away. And besides, I was exhausted.”
“That was stupid. Who knows-we might’ve found something.” She frowned. “This is disturbing. Particularly in light of the latest development.”
“Well, just don’t tell me about it, okay?” Co
“You’re not interested?”
“I’m not.”
“You don’t want to know what’s happened?”
“I don’t.”
“We’ve received another fax.”
Co
O’Brien’s head bobbed up and down. “Oh, yeah. Big time.”
Five minutes later, Co
On the other hand, one component from the previous day was missing: Agent Liponsky.
“I understand she’s been removed from the case,” O’Brien explained.
“I’m all torn up,” Co
“I figured you would be. They’ve put some guy named Stimson on the case. I like him better.”
Co
“Think Ben Affleck.”
“Wonderful. So where’s the fax?”
O’Brien handed him a copy of the faxed message that arrived a few hours before, while most people, including Co
Co
“Why? Can’t read anything longer than a beer label?” She jabbed a finger toward the bottom of the page. “He wants another million.”
“You’re joking!”
“You hear anybody laughing?”
Co
“But we paid the man!”
“Apparently he wants more.”
“Then why didn’t he just ask for two million in the first place?” Co
“Positive,” O’Brien answered. “The message has been scrupulously analyzed. It matches the first one in every possible way.”
“Doesn’t matter anyway,” Spenser said firmly. “We’re not paying it.”
“But what if he-“ Co
“We can’t keep doling out a million dollars a day, just to keep an extortionist at bay.”
“But if you don’t-”
“It would be different if we felt the money would ensure everyone’s safety. But clearly, this man ca
Co
“This is Te
“Playing the tough guy, huh?”
“Confidentially, I don’t know that we have much choice. I think Mr. Te
“Did anyone confirm if you have insurance coverage?”
Spenser seemed surprised. “Of course we do.”
“Maybe the safest thing would be to cancel the tournament, then collect damages for your loss.”
“It’s not that simple. The policy doesn’t pay off in the event of disruption or cancellation by us. Only if the tournament is rendered impossible or canceled as a result of forces outside our control. Like an act of God. Or a court order.”
“Or maybe being shut down by the police.” Co
“I’m ahead of you,” she said. “I floated that idea by my boss this morning. He didn’t go for it.”
“Why not?”
“Not sure exactly. I think maybe he has friends who are members of the Augusta National.”
“Give me a break.”
“Still-we’re working on it. But for the moment-no cancellation.”
“Let me tell you something, people,” Co
“Don’t look at me,” Spenser said, holding up his hands. “It’s outside my control. We can’t pay off this blackmailer if we don’t have the money.”
“Perhaps we should make a withdrawal from your private stash, Andrew.”
All heads in the room turned. Artemus Te
“My… stash?” Spenser said, pressing his hand against his chest. “Good heavens-whatever are you talking about?”
“Game’s up, Andrew.” Te