Jack thought about the victims who had already been murdered, starting with Jennings who had his throat rammed into the broken glass shards of a window before Christmas eight years ago. Another killed while scuba-diving. Other unidentified victims not yet discovered, up to Lorne Welsh’s violent death in a hotel room in Moscow … and the family he left behind.

Jack glanced at his watch and saw that he had less than an hour before returning to the Corporate Asset.

I have to win out over Potter. There is simply no other option …

Chapter Twenty-One

Jack trailed behind another man as they walked down the pier to where the Corporate Asset was moored. When he arrived, he discovered that the man in front of him was Stewart Potter.

Oskar was on hand and introduced the two of them. Potter was a short man with a horseshoe pattern of brown hair around his prematurely balding head. His body looked skinny except for a rotund stomach. He gave Jack a big smile and a hearty handshake.

“My competition, eh!” he said, grinning. “Don’t get too close to the edge of the pier or I might push you in.”

“Actually I was contemplating breaking your leg.” Jack chuckled.

Oskar passed each of them an envelope and said, “There’s five hundred dollars cash for each of you. I want receipts. If more is needed, let me know. Otherwise, come Monday morning, I will speak to each of you alone and let you know who I have selected. Jack, meet me down here at nine o’clock Monday. Stew, come at ten.”

Oskar then took them into the galley and introduced them to three other men. The first man, Mr. Yu, was wearing a black suit, black tie, and a white shirt. He had all black hair, but Jack guessed his age at about sixty and knew the hair was dyed. Jack noticed that Oskar had not told Mr. Yu to remove his shoes.

The second man, John Barfoot, was dressed similar to Jack in a golf shirt and slacks. He was a large man and had a full head of wavy silver hair that made his bright blue eyes sparkle. Jack guessed that he was in his mid-sixties.

Upon introduction, Barfoot’s hand engulfed Jack’s as he gave a firm handshake. Along with the handshake, Barfoot gave a small smile that said he was sympathetic to the competition that Jack and Potter were going through.

The third man, Len Stein, was small in stature and in his early forties. He wore an open white silk shirt to expose a heavy gold chain over a waxed chest. His black hair was slicked back into a short ponytail, which did little to hide the bald spot on the top of his head. Two gold loops adorned one of his ears.

“Yeah, hi.” Stein frowned when Jack stuck out his hand, before giving Jack’s fingers a quick shake with his thumb and the tips of his fingers.

“So gentlemen,” said Oskar, “I thought we would socialize on board for a couple of hours. I’ve made reservations at Milestones here on the harbour at seven, so until then, let’s enjoy ourselves and get to know each other. Everyone help themselves to whatever you would like to drink. There is beer and a pitcher of margaritas in the fridge and liquor in the cupboard. Don’t be shy.”

Jack and Stewart saw that everyone else had a drink, so they went to the fridge.

“What’s your poison?” asked Stewart, as he opened the fridge.

“Just a beer, thanks,” replied Jack.

“Good thinking,” said Potter, handing Jack a beer and taking one for himself. “Two margaritas for me and I’m liable to do a face-plant on the dock.” He then raised an eyebrow at Jack. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to pour you a pitcher of them for yourself?”

Jack smiled. “What do you go by? Stew, Stewart, or Mr. Potter?”

“Please, no Mr. Potter stuff,” he replied. “And no jokes about whether or not I’m related to Harry. I think I’ve heard them all.”

Jack smiled and nodded.

“Most of my friends call me Stew or Stew Pot. You can call me anything you like as long as it’s not late for dinner,” he said, patting his stomach for emphasis.

“Stew Pot it is,” said Jack.

Over the next few hours, Jack mingled as best he could with everyone on board. The conversation was fairly light, with a smattering of talk in regard to world economics.

At seven o’clock, they walked the short distance to Milestones for dinner and then returned to the Corporate Asset for more drinks.

Once back on the boat, Barfoot sidled over to Jack and said, “So, I understand that you’re stuck babysitting me on Sunday.”

Jack smiled. “I wouldn’t call it babysitting. Oskar is picking up the entire tab and has told us to have a good time.”

“Tough for you to have a good time when you know you’re getting graded,” replied Barfoot. “Not to mention, I’m almost twice your age. I’m sure you would rather be home with your family.”

“Not really,” replied Jack. “I’m divorced.”

“Kids?”

“Yes, two boys, aged two and three.”

Barfoot frowned. “I am really sorry to hear you’re divorced. It’s tough on kids to grow up without a father.”

“I try to see them every chance I get. Maybe things will work out.”

“Oh? I don’t want to get personal, but is there any chance of reconciliation?”

“Possible. She lives in Vancouver, but often brings the boys over for a visit.”

“Well, if you’re willing to listen to an old guy like me, I can pass on some advice.”

“I’m all ears,” said Jack.

“I don’t have any children and my wife passed away a couple of years ago. I spent a lifetime accumulating wealth. Currently I have a bungalow in Belize, an apartment in Tuscany, and my main home is in Malaysia. The house has a pool, is right on the ocean and has live-in servants. I’ve also have a power boat moored out front.”

“Sounds great,” replied Jack, but he sensed frustration and could feel the man’s loneliness.

“Yeah, it sounds great, but I can tell you, it means nothing if you don’t have someone to share it with. I would trade it all to have a family. My advice to you is that the most important stuff in life is not stuff.”

“I appreciate what you are saying,” said Jack, “and I do believe in family values.”

Barfoot stared solemnly at Jack.

“Really I do,” emphasized Jack. Wrong guy to tell I’m divorced …

“I hope so, son, I hope so. Right now you are young, strong, and full of vitality. But the years go by fast. Don’t lose sight of what is really important. I eat in the finest restaurants all over the world. I travel first-class and drink one-hundred-dollar bottles of wine, but would trade it all to live in a tent, if it was with a real family.”

Barfoot eyed Jack to see his reaction, but he only nodded in response.

“Don’t measure success in money,” continued Barfoot. “Measure it in the amount of laughs you have as you go through life.”

“It is also easier to laugh on a full stomach,” replied Jack, “but I do understand what you are saying.”

Barfoot smiled. “Guess that’s enough babble from an old man. What plans do you have on Sunday when it’s your turn to babysit me? And don’t give me any guff that it’s not babysitting. I may not wear diapers yet, but I am sure those days are coming.”

Jack grinned. “I’m open to do whatever you would like. I could give you a tour of the city. Perhaps Butchart Gardens or —”

“Been there, done that,” said Barfoot, with a wave of his hand. “I’ve been to Victoria several times in the past. What would you do if you weren’t looking after me?”

Time to bring on the family atmosphere … “Well, I would probably go out to my favourite golf course and spend the day screaming ‘fore’ until my throat was hoarse.”

“That sounds good to me.” Barfoot chuckled. “I’m a duffer myself. I’ve done a few of the local courses. Bear Mountain, Olympic View.”