Page 108 of Secret Weapon

Were they?Well, I wasn’t about to get beaten by a computer.I located my ball in a clump of grass and knocked it back onto the fairway while I pondered the best way to approach the problem.

“You’re not meant to kick it,” Alex told me.

“Nobody was looking.”

If I’d had better aim, I could have thwacked the ball into the Texan—when the EMTs arrived, Blok would have to give them the man’s name.But since this was America, Gerald would probably get sued for my “mishap,” and I didn’t need a lecture from Emmy.So I decided to go with plan B.

As we approached the next tee, I swapped the plain silver ring I wore from my right hand to my left.It had been a gift from Rad, a trinket he’d picked up on a trip to Italy, but bought with practicality in mind rather than romance.Sometimes, it was advantageous to pretend I was married.In this environment, a wedding band would earn me a modicum of respect by telling people that a man had deemed me worthy of investment.At the country club, wives trumped girlfriends.

Which was yet another reason I disliked golf.

The Texan parked his electric caddy and set to work selecting a club.Why did people wear a single glove for golf?So they’d only leave half the amount of fingerprints?Screw tradition—I was wearing two gloves, the pair I carried with me everywhere in case of emergencies.

His spatial awareness needed improvement—when I approached, he didn’t look up until I was more or less on top of him, although Blok did whip his head around as I got close.

“I’m soooo sorry to interrupt your game, but could you tell me, were you in that movie with Will Smith?My husband says I’m being silly, but…” I tapped my head.“I never forget a face.”

“Then I’m sorry to disappoint ya, darlin’, but I never was in that movie.”

“Maybe I got confused?A different movie?”I thrust one gloved hand at him.“Oh, hark at me being rude—I’m Marlie Baldwin, and this is my husband, Alan.We just moved here from Idaho.”

I waited, expectant, and he didn’t disappoint.Texans had a tendency to be polite.“Well, I’m Joe Deaver, and I haven’t been in any movies.”

“You’re not in showbiz at all?You look so…so distinguished.”

His grin widened.“No, darlin’, I’m in the oil business.”

Score.

“Darn, then I must’ve been thinking of somebody else.I’m real sorry to have disturbed you.”

Deaver was still holding on to my hand.“No need to apologise.And if you’re in the clubhouse later, why don’t you join us for a drink?It’s always a pleasure to talk with a pretty lady.”

I acted coy and giggled, made my cheeks turn red by thinking about Pavel and his murderous final act.Perhaps I’d take Deaver up on his offer—it all depended on what Emmy’s team managed to dig up while we finished this round of golf.Round.That made it sound so innocuous.It was achoreof golf.

“Aw, that’s real kind of you.We might just do that.”

Blok didn’t look happy about that idea, but he wasn’t the boss, so who cared?Alex didn’t seem thrilled either, which was…interesting.I gave my hand a gentle tug.

“So, uh…”

Finally, Deaver let go.

“A pleasure to meet you, Marlie.”

“You too, Joe.”Another giggle.“Enjoy your game.”

Because I was enjoying mine, and it had nothing to do with golf.

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