“Sounds nice,” said Jack, smiling to himself. He decided against telling Stew that Barfoot wasn’t interested in seeing Butchart Gardens again. It is, after all, a competition. A competition between life and death …

“How about you?” asked Stew. “What are your plans with him on Sunday?

“I’m taking him out golfing for the afternoon. Not sure about dinner yet.”

“What about Len Stein? What are you going to do with him tomorrow?”

“I don’t know yet. Guess it will depend upon what he wants when he wakes up. Tonight he wanted me to line him up with some powder,” said Jack, pointing to his nose.

“Powder? What do you mean?”

“Cocaine.”

“Oh my God. He does that?”

“Apparently.”

“What did you say?”

“That I don’t do any drugs.”

“Me, either.” Stew looked apprehensively at Jack. “What do you think I should do if he asks me for that when I take him out on Sunday?”

“I mentioned it to Oskar and he said Stein was an important client, but other than that he was non-committal. If Stein asks you, I would refuse.”

“I certainly would. I guess if we both do, there isn’t much he can say,” added Stew.

“Exactly.”

“Well, good luck,” said Stew, extending his hand. “May the best man win.”

Jack shook his hand and walked away. He thought about the night’s events and Stein’s behaviour. What will tomorrow bring?

Chapter Twenty-Two

It was one-thirty Saturday afternoon when Stein called Jack.

“Where are you?” asked Stein. “I walked down to the boat and nobody is around. I thought you were suppose to look after me.”

“I was waiting for you to call.”

“Well, I’m calling now. I’m starving. It’s almost suppertime in New York. Get over here.”

“I’ll be there within half an hour.”

“Yeah … that’ll be okay. I’ll meet you downstairs in the Bengal Lounge.”

Jack met Stein twenty-five minutes later in the lounge in The Empress. Stein stood up as soon as Jack arrived and said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Jack waited as Stein charged two Bloody Mary cocktails to his room and they walked outside.

“Well, what do you have lined up for me?” asked Stein.

“What are you in the mood for?”

“I want oysters and a bottle of white wine. After that, I want to go see some naked women and see if the oysters work.” Stein chuckled, elbowing Jack in the ribs.

“The Wharfside is a good place to eat,” said Jack. “There is also a strip club named Monty’s, that is nearby. Both are in walking distance.”

“Great, what are we standing around for? Let’s go.”

It was four o’clock when they finished lunch and walked to Monty’s. Stein picked a table that bordered the stage and quickly caught the stripper’s attention when he tossed a ten-dollar bill onto the stage.

Stein soaked up the woman’s attention as she crawled like a cat across the stage and brushed her bare breasts across his forehead. When she retreated to another part of the stage, Stein turned to Jack and said, “I know what these girls like,” he said, and tapped the back of his hand. “Give it to me.”

“Give you what?” asked Jack.

“The coke. I’ll put a little on the back of my hand and give her a real treat.”

“I told you last night, I don’t do drugs.”

“What? I don’t believe this,” spluttered Stein. “And I told you I don’t give a rat’s ass if you do or not, but you’re supposed to be looking after me!” Stein gazed around the room and said, “I’m sure someone has some. Go ask.”

“I’m not a drug trafficker,” said Jack. “Go get it yourself if you want.”

Stein sat back in his chair and glared at Jack. “You know something? I don’t like your attitude and I sure as hell don’t like you … so fuck off! Get out of here and leave me alone.”

“With pleasure,” replied Jack. “You’re an embarrassment to be seen with.”

Jack returned to the motel where he was staying and debriefed his cover team. They were sympathetic to his plight and he suggested that they take the rest of the night off, with the exception of two of the team who were still out watching Oskar and Mr. Yu.

So far, there had been nothing significant to report on that end as Oskar was seen taking Mr. Yu to the usual tourist haunts.

Willy invited Jack to come over and spend the rest of the evening at his house, but Jack declined.

After everyone left, Jack was left feeling tired and depressed. He went to bed early, but felt apprehensive about his altercation with Stein and had a restless night. His only hope was that Oskar would be sympathetic as to the reason behind what would surely be Stein’s poor assessment of him.

To impress John Barfoot was even more critical and Jack went over what he knew of him. The guy seems lonely and family is important to him. Wish I hadn’t told him that I was divorced …

At one o’clock Sunday afternoon, Jack was about to enter The Empress Hotel to pick up John Barfoot, when Stew called out to him.

Jack turned as Stew, carrying a small plastic bag, quickly approached the hotel.

“What did you do to Stein last night?” asked Stew.

“Nothing,” replied Jack. “Last I saw of him was around four o’clock yesterday afternoon at a strip bar. I parted company with him then, at his request, I should add.”

“He phoned me at ten o’clock this morning to come and get him,” said Stew. “He was robbed.”

“Robbed? Was he hurt?”

“No, he woke up in some motel down on Gorge Road. His money and credit cards were gone. He thinks he might have been drugged. When he came to, he phoned me to come and get him.”

“Did he cancel his credit cards?”

“Yes, I got him to do that. He doesn’t want to report it to the police.”

“Because his wife might find out he was with a hooker,” said Jack.

“Uh, yeah. How did you know?”

“Just a wild guess,” replied Jack.

“He told the credit card companies that he lost his wallet, maybe at some bar he was at earlier in the night called The Fox.”

“The Fox? That’s another strip bar. When I left him, he was at Monty’s.”

“He told me that he thinks one of the hookers slipped a drug in his beer at the motel.”

“One of the hookers?” said Jack. “Sounds like the oysters worked.”

“Pardon me?”

“Nothing. What are you doing?”

“Got him some Tylenol,” replied Stew, holding up the plastic bag. “I think he is going to stay in his room today. He told me he wants to be left alone.”

As Stew headed off, Jack was greeted by John Barfoot who was waiting in the lobby.

“I’m ready,” said Barfoot. “Let’s see this family-run golf course that you’ve been bragging about. Maybe they’ll adopt me,” he added with a smile.

The drive to the Metchosin Golf Club took forty minutes and their conversation was easy-going. When they arrived, Jack introduced Barfoot to Shannon, who was working behind the counter. By the time they had rented clubs and a cart, Barfoot had met some of the regulars, including Shannon’s father, Grant.

“This really is a family-run business,” said Barfoot, as he prepared himself for the first tee shot. “I can see why you like it here.”

“Also a good course for those who are relatively new to the game,” said Jack. “Most everyone is friendly and not critical or judgmental if you make a bad shot. Or I guess I should say the bad shots I usually make.”

“That’s good to hear. I am a bit of a beginner myself.”

Over the next three and a half hours, Jack discovered that Barfoot was anything but a beginner. When Barfoot politely asked Jack if he wanted any tips on how to improve his game, Jack readily accepted. When they were finished, Barfoot asked, “What would you normally do after a game?”