When Men Betray by Webb Hubbell

Author:Webb Hubbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Published: 2014-10-16T04:00:00+00:00

32

MAGGIE AND I returned to my suite, and I was greeted by a new face. This time I didn’t ask for a password.

He was well built, broad-shouldered, and taller than most catchers. He wore his hair short, almost military. His forearms were massive, and a deep tan complimented bright blue eyes. He stood when I entered, and I walked over and stuck out my hand, “You must be Jeff. What took you so long?”

“Sir, your daughter can be pretty stubborn, but I guess you know that.”

He had a good firm handshake. I looked at Beth, who was brimming with pleasure. “I understand you’re worried about my daughter.”

“Yes, sir, I am.” He looked me straight in the eye.

“Well, if she’s not safe, neither are you. Do your parents know you’re here?”

“Yes, sir. And I’ve told them what’s happened.”

“Well, you’re certainly welcome. And please call me Jack. No more ‘sirs.’

We all relaxed a little, and I told him I used to throw a decent fastball—maybe I could show him my knuckleball one day. Beth had told me at dinner that he was the starting catcher for the Wildcats. She eased my fatherly concerns by telling me he had recently been accepted at Emory Medical in Atlanta.

Beth was twirling her hair between two fingers, an old nervous habit. “You’re not mad? I really didn’t know he was coming till he showed up.”

I played the stern dad for a moment, and then assured her it was okay. She didn’t look so happy when I mentioned he could bunk in with Clovis and Paul. In truth, I think we were equally pleased that Jeff was here.

Beth and Jeff went down to the coffee shop to catch up, so I went back to work while Maggie updated Micki on the recent developments with Banks and Tuohey.

I caught Jerry Prince on his cell phone, driving to the golf course. He was evasive, attributing his sudden decision to retire to a mutual agreement and confirming that Arcade was staying with Banks and Tuohey. I assured him I didn’t need clients, but felt I owed him a call. He laughed and said he’d heard I wasn’t going to make our meeting.

Now that we were dancing, it was time to lead.

“I find it hard to believe that on Saturday you offered me a plane ride from Little Rock, and now, two days later, you’ve retired and Arcade considers me a pariah. What’s going on?”

Jerry hesitated, “Look, I’d like to tell you, but I can’t. I made the decision to retire and in return got a nice little parachute that’s dependent on an ironclad confidentiality agreement. My plan is to enjoy myself, play a lot of golf, drink a lot of gin, and maybe even travel for fun. And that’s it. You have an open invitation to join me at Burning Tree, but don’t ask me about business again. Be careful in Little Rock, Jack. … Remember, I told you to come home.”

I gave Maggie and Micki an easy summary of the call: “They made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

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