" Fore!"
My golf ball splashed into the water far away from the flag and hole I was aiming for.
Victor tipped his hat with a chuckle. " You're off your game this morning, Onyx. "
" You've noticed?"
Shrugging, he added." I mean, I know body language. It is somewhat my profession."
" Your ex profession..." My retort was ignored as he lined up to the golf club and swung.
Swoosh!
Plunk!
The ball sore through the sky and landed right in the hole.
A smile crossed Victor's lips slyly. He scratched his brown-ish grey 5 o'clock shadow. "Ha! That's game!"
' Today was the time away I needed, but I wish Kay was here...' I sighed.
As Victor was retrieving his golf clubs, he peered over to me with a puzzled look. " What's wrong with you, Onyx?"
"I-I've just had a lot on my plate- been thinkin' a whole bunch lately. "
Victor and I packed up the golf equipment into the golf cart.
" Oh. That's never good. "
Rubbing my neck I shyly uttered. " I feel like I should tell you."
He turned the key in the ignition of the vehicle, the engine started. He then shifted gears and we started back to the country club. " Well you don't have to. I'm sure it has nothing to do with me so-"
I glanced up at him quickly with a glimmer of optimism.
Victor took notice of this and automatically retorted. " No. "
" Wait!"
He parked the golf cart and hurried off inside the club. It was full of men rowdily chatting and drinking.
" I don't know what you're going to ask, but if it has to do with that damn police station you already know my answer. No, no, no. "
He sat down at the bar and ordered a coffee.
" Come on! I need you for something under the table. A special secret mission. "
Victor's brow furrowed. "A secret mission?"
" You and me. No middle man. Like old times- and you'll never believe who we are going after."
A sigh came from Victor followed by an eye roll. "You want me to come back to work for a single private investigation?"
" Ivan Stock." I whispered.
Victor pinched the bridge of his nose. " The Ivan Stock? Owner of The Ginger Snap- millionaire Ivan Stock?"
" Yes."
" Now, why should I- wait! Does this have to do with that 'Kay' ? He hasn't found out about her, right?"
" No, not exactly... but Aden Montgomery is back in town. She's dating him!"
" Your high-school sweetheart? Why does that matter?"
"She's the Forensics Specialist at the station now. She was just hired and is dating Ivan."
Victor blinked," Let me get this straight. Aden is working for you but is in a relationship with Ivan. You rescued Kay from some sort of underground ring of explicit and illegal sexual activity and now you need my help in privately investigating this man and bringing justice to these women."
I blinked too.
" Yeah. Wow. You really do need some help. Ha!"
"I don't even know how to go about this alone." I mumbled sheepishly.
Victor laughed. " I need a drink after talking to you. You're lucky, I'm a teetotaler."
***
" Maybe Aden and Ivan's relationship isn't as serious as we are thinking."
" I just need to be sure that something like what happened to Kay doesn't happen to Aden-."
" And I agree with you. He does need knocked down but you know the real problem with me coming back to work, my wife. What should I tell Misty? You know how she feels about all of this stuff?"
"I was thinking maybe... w-we won't tell her?"
"And what if she gets suspicious about me leaving all the time?"
" Tell her you are with me. It's not lying. "
"Technically. But-"
"Technically. " I reiterated.
"She is going to catch on. We both don't drink enough or golf enough to make it seem like we'd always be here."
"Yeah...true."
" I'll ease her into conversation tonight. You know clean a little, smell nice, cook dinner-"
" Then wham! ' I'm coming out of retirement and going back to the police station' !" I exclaimed.
The room fell silent. The entire country club stared at us for a moment before returning to their endeavors.
I leaned in again. "It's simple. We investigate Stock and then you go back to the ice cream shop without another peep ever from me. I promise!"
" Okay, fine. I'll figure it out. Just give me a day or two. I am going to let my wife know."
I did a little jig in my chair. " Good! We are going to get justice for Kay and Aden will realize that Stock is a horrible man."
Victor itched his stubble."Now stop talking about it and let me finish this drink in silence."