Final Round

She nodded. “Good thing he wasn’t close to us. Then you’d’ve had to putt.”

Five. All Over but the Shouting

Eisenhower was not the only president to take in the Masters. Lyndon Johnson came one year, even though he didn’t golf. Johnson was indifferent to the game and the Masters, but his advisors thought there might be some political advantage in being seen there.

Unaware of his utter lack of interest, a reporter stopped him between holes to ask what his handicap was.

“Congress,” Johnson replied.

38

Monday

Monday morning at the Augusta National clubhouse presented a scene worlds apart from what it had been the night before-really, what it had been since John McCree’s body turned up in a sand trap. The pervasive gloom was gone. Spirits were buoyant and boisterous; smiles were the order of the day. A surprising number of the pros were still around, even though the tournament was over.

All the hustle-bustle, all the questions and rapt attention gravitated around one central nexus-Co

“So he pulls this gun on me,” Co

“What did you do then?” someone asked.

“I distracted him with some song-and-dance about the cops swarming around outside, then I got the drop on him.”

“Wow.” Even Barry Be

“Well, I did have a tiny bit of help. From that female cop you’ve seen ru

“She must be eternally grateful to you,” Barry said. His elbow jabbed its way into Co

“Yeah,” Co

“So tell us the part about the golf balls,” someone urged. “Did you really pound one into the back of his head?”

“Like a ballistic missile.” Co

“Amazing,” Barry murmured. Several of the others concurred.

“Co

Co

“Derwood,” Co

Derwood’s face was flushed and puffy. “Not by a long shot, Cross. I’ve got a bone to pick with you. Several, in fact.”

“Derwood-the tournament is over.”

“And you’ve made a real hash of it, haven’t you? You blew through this place like Hurricane Hilda.”

Co

“How about your cabin, for starters? It looks like a disaster area. The place is wrecked. Stains all over the floor and the bed.”

“That would be blood, Derwood.” Apparently Derwood hadn’t been apprised of the latest developments.

“And the locker room is equally wrecked. One of the windows is shattered. One of the lockers has a bullet hole.”

“Cool,” Ace said. “Can I have that one next year?”

“It’s not fu

Co

“I’m tired of your excuses, Cross. You think the world revolves around you, that the rules don’t apply. Well, you’re wrong. I said if you crossed the line I’d see to it you were bumped from the tour, and I meant it. From now on-”

Derwood felt a firm hand fall on his shoulder. “Derwood, be quiet.”

Standing behind him with his usual impassive expression, Artemus Te

“But sir,” Derwood sputtered. “He’s broken the rules!”

“Yes, Derwood. I know.”

“We can’t allow these unrestrained encroachments on our standards. It’s a slippery slope, sir. If we allow one slacker to get away with it, before long, the whole tournament-”

“Derwood, for once, close your mouth and use your brain.”

The crowd gasped, watching with amazement-and amusement.

“Have you forgotten,” Te

“Well… he hardly had much choice.”

“Mr. Cross quite literally put his life on the line to keep this tournament afloat. I think perhaps that merits some special consideration.”

“But sir-”

“Furthermore, in case you haven’t heard, he helped catch the criminal who killed two of our members and one of their wives, again at considerable risk to himself.”

“But sir-his dress, his behavior-”

“Given the magnitude of Mr. Cross’s contribution, I think we can afford to give him a bit of leeway, don’t you?”

“But, sir-!” Derwood pulled himself erect. “No, sir. I can’t do that. Rules are rules. It’s my job to enforce them. And I will. I’m prosecuting Co

“Put your manhood back in the bottle, Derwood. I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go.”

“What?” More futile sputtering followed. “But-you can’t do this! I’ll go to Spenser-”

“Who I already fired, ten minutes ago. Next time, Derwood, think twice before you align yourself with an embezzler.”

“But sir-!”

“It’s over, Derwood. Go pack your bags.”

Derwood looked as if the top of his head might pop off at any moment. His whole body clenched, top to bottom. Finally, he stomped out of the bar.

Once he was gone, Te

“Aw, that’s all right,” Co

“I’m afraid I can’t agree with you there, Mr. Cross. You see, I’ve spent most of the night studying the audit report that was submitted to your late friend, Mr. McCree, and I’ve become convinced that Derwood Scott was a partner in the systematic embezzlement being perpetrated by Andrew Spenser. At the very least, he knew what Spenser was up to but didn’t report it. Either way, I’m afraid he can no longer be employed by the Augusta National.” Te

The room fell silent. Te

“I think it goes without saying that the Masters tournament is greatly indebted to Co

Co

“There is no way we can possibly thank you for all you’ve done. You, sir, are a hero, in the truest sense of the word. You embody all that the Masters tournament has come to represent-a standard of excellence in all respects: body, mind, and soul. If you would do me the honor, I would like to shake your hand.”

Co