“Can any of you add more?” Nobody said a word. “How about any players on tour with you?” Jay prompted. “There’s always a few who don’t like my attitude or cockiness or more likely the fact that I beat them regularly. They would definitely benefit if I was gone.”
Susan scribbled notes furiously and Jay kept pecking at the tiny key board.
After another period of silence, Reid said, “You know what? As long as we’re throwing out longshots, there are some athletes we’ve thrown out of AllSport, our training camp for The Inner City Sports Foundation. We have a rule at ICSF. If you stay clean and trouble-free, you can stay at camp. No drugs, no alcohol, no screwing up. Two strikes and you’re out. A few of the characters we’ve gotten rid of were pretty pissed off when they left. But how seriously can you take an idle threat from a crackhead?” “Try very,” Jay said. “Yeah, I guess so… Hey, I’ve got one more addition. There were some hecklers that I had the police remove from the course during a tournament a few weeks ago. They were pissed and they told the cops that I should watch my ass.” Silence again. Jay finished typing and looked up. “Is that it?” He looked around the table. No one said a word. “Good. Reid, we have a lot of potential suspects, but I’m sure if you think hard, you’ll come up with more. Please work at it.” “I will.” “Okay, let’s move on. Who had access to your clubs between yesterday and this morning?” “We were just discussing that when you arrived. Go ahead, Buddy,”
Alto said. “I gave Reid’s bag to the guys in the bag room. I think there were four of them.” “I’d like to interview them here rather than downtown,” Alto said. “I agree. Let’s get their names and run background checks,” Jay said. “We’ll set up two rooms; Alto you take one and I’ll take the other. It’ll speed things up. Can you have someone run the backgrounds and then start researching all the people on this list?” “Of course,” Alto said. “Excuse me for interrupting,” Buck said, “but how long are we going to be needed here? Reid’s had a long day and needs to relax. Jay, please tell us what you expect from us, so we can make our plans. We are supposed to play golf with the president and first lady tomorrow, if that’s okay. Then I want to head back to New York. I’ll have to charter a larger jet to fit everyone. Should I reserve it for tomorrow or Tuesday?”
“As long as you’re with members of the team, you can go almost any where you’d like,” Jay answered. “But the less you wander about, the better. We have reserved the rooms surrounding your suite at the hotel. It would be best if you can stay there. Just make sure you let us know if you need to go anywhere. Your game with the president needs to be cancelled. You’ll have to explain the situation to him. He’ll understand. As far as going back to New York is concerned, we can leave tomorrow. Frank and his men can cover things down here.”
“Okay,” Buck said. “Reid, I’m going to go speak with the President, then we’ll head to the hotel. We have a lot of work ahead of us and you need to get some rest.”
“Fine, but I’m coming with you to speak with the President. It would be more respectful if I tell him myself.”
“Respectful? Ha, you never show me any respect,” Buck said with a laugh.
“Yeah, and don’t expect me to start now. My respect comes the hard way; you have to earn it.”
“Well pal, if the extra $15 million wasn’t enough to earn it, then your respect is out of my reach.”
“Hmm, maybe you’re right… Okay, I’ll try to show you some,” Reid conceded. “Yeah, sure, in my dreams,” Buck replied. “Enough already, you two. Go speak with the President, then get out of here,” Jay said. “Stu, Joel, stick to them like glue. Keith and Bill, you’re back-up, team two. Judy, Jared, team three. You’re assigned to Betsy and Hunter. Don’t let them out of your sight. Jeff and Kenny, team four. I want you to go to the hotel before Reid and Buck get there and do a complete sweep. Ladies and gentlemen, I only want to say this once. You will not find better protection anywhere in the world than the team assembled in this room. We will keep you safe, if, and only if, you work with us. There may be times you question our judgment in certain situations, but I need to ask for your complete trust. You must be prepared to do anything that any member of the team asks, at any time, no matter what. Without that commitment from each of you, we cannot do our job effectively. Do you all understand and agree?” Some answered yes, some nodded. They all obviously agreed. “Good. Okay, go ahead, get out of here,” Jay said, “I’ll catch up with you at the hotel later. Frank, let’s stay here and put a game plan together. I want to bring you up to date on the e-mail threats that preceded today’s threat.” “E-mail threats?” Alto asked. “Yeah, they received some threats at ICSF’s e-mail address. The first was checked out by the feds, who considered it a hoax. To tell you the truth, I had agreed until now. I’ll fill you in after everyone leaves.” “You got it,” Alto said.
Chapter 14
Reid and Buck found the President and first lady in the main dining room. Secret Service agents were seated at nearby tables, giving them some privacy. At the President’s request, Reid and Buck took seats at his table. Reid quickly explained the situation and apologized for not being able to play golf with them. The President was curious about the threat and wanted to help. He offered Reid Secret Service protection.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Buck said. “We’ve already hired Jay Scott and his team; I’m sure you know of them. Let me ask Jay if he wants help before we accept your offer.”
“Of course I know Jay. He’s done freelance work for me as well as my predecessor. His team is the best in the world.” He then noticed Joel and Stu, sitting at an adjacent table with his secret service agents. “Hi, guys. I didn’t realize you were there.” They walked over and shook hands with the President. “Good to see you gentlemen, even if that usually means someone has a problem. I’d like you to get this psychopath quickly. Reid is invaluable to the game of golf, and his foundation is going to take American sports to a new level.”
“Mr. President, we’re on it. We will take care of this situation post haste,” Stu said.
The President nodded and turned to Reid and Buck. “By the way gen tlemen, I have already asked Congress and the Olympic Committee to look into grants for the ICSF. Buck, call me and we can discuss this further.”
Reid’s look had become one of complete shock. He had only met the President the day before, and here he was, talking about federal grants for the ICSF? It was all too much to handle: the threat, winning the Master’s, and now possible government backing for the foundation, all in one day. Reid was overwhelmed. He needed rest, and it showed.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Buck said. “We appreciate your under standing and your help. When should I call you to discuss the grant?” “Next week would be fine, Buck. I’ll look forward to your call.” Reid stood up and shook the President’s hand, then reached for the first lady’s and gave it a light kiss. “Thank you both. Please excuse me, but I’m exhausted. It’s been a very long day and I need some rest.”
“It’s nice to know chivalry is not dead,” the first lady said. “Obviously the press doesn’t know the real you. You’re a perfect gentlemen and humanitarian.” “That’s what I keep telling them,” Reid said with a grin. Reid and Buck left the dining room, with Stu and Joel on their heels. They met the others out by the pool. As he walked toward the group, Reid noticed Betsy and Hunter were huddled together and Betsy was on her cell phone. He also noticed, as he got closer, that Hunter gave Betsy a signal to hang up. Quickly snapping her phone closed, Betsy did her best to turn and face Reid nonchalantly. Reid saw through the act and wondered what they were up to, but decided to let it go. He said, “Let’s head back to the hotel, everyone. I’d like to eat and get to bed early. It’s been a long day.”