“You won’t believe it,’’ I said. “That was Himmarshee’s mayor.’’
_____
I sneezed when I walked through the door to the 19th Hole Lounge. The smell of cologne and spilled wine was so strong, it was like a punch in the nose. Everything in the bar was overdone: the laughs were too loud; the backslaps too hard; the hair and makeup on the women too much. The only thing that wasn’t too much was Angel’s outfit. That was too little, with a midriff top that barely skimmed the bottom of her breasts.
Men stood two deep at the bar—ordering, of course. But also ogling, perhaps wondering if the next time she reached for a top-shelf bottle, the blouse would ride up and reveal everything she had.
She was trim and taut, with bumps and curves in all the right spots. Even I had to admit, her body was hot. As the comedian Dom Irrera always said, That don’t make me gay, does it?
I didn’t want to spend too much time at a place that clearly wasn’t my style. But I did want to talk to Jason. I saw him on a stool at the end of the bar. He sat with his legs spread. The mayor’s wife stood between his knees, facing him and swaying slightly. Had she been out here all day, drinking?
I edged closer in the crowded bar so I could see and hear them. A burly guy with his arm around a big-boobed blonde provided the perfect camouflage. I slid onto a seat at a high-top table, hiding myself behind the big guy and busty babe.
“Aw, c’mon,’’ Beatrice said to Jason. “It’s just a little Sex on the Beach. I know for a fact you like that.’’
Jason raised an eyebrow at her.
“Them. I mean I know you like them.’’ She giggled. “Y’know, the drinks called Sex on the Beach.’’
“You’re a naughty girl.’’ He shook a finger at her. She bit it, and then sucked, doing an excellent imitation of a banana-eating contest I saw once during Spring Break in Daytona.
Jason grinned, and extracted his finger from her mouth. He moved it south, tracing her bare cleavage. She closed her eyes and shuddered, and then placed her palm on his thigh. With a devilish smile, he lifted it, and moved it several inches closer to his lap. When she tried to kiss him, though, he bobbed his head out of her reach.
I looked around to see if anyone else was catching this action, and nearly fell off my stool when I noticed who was. The mayor sat alone, just a couple of seats away from his wife and the golf pro. He followed every move they made, his eyes glued to the mirror behind the bar. I expected him to jump up and pound Jason to a pulp. That’s what would have happened in most every bar I knew. Oddly, the mayor didn’t look angry. He looked interested, like a man watching a fascinating documentary. There was some other expression there, too, but I wasn’t sure just what. The bar was dark, and the mayor looked away when he caught me staring at him in the mirror.
Suddenly, I realized Jason was standing next to me. While I’d been preoccupied with trying to read the mayor, the pro had broken away from Beatrice.
“So, you came.’’
“Yep, been here awhile. I didn’t want to interrupt you, though. You looked like you were pretty into Mrs. Mayor.’’
“ ‘Into’ her. Good one.’’ He plucked a peanut from the bowl on my table, popped it into his mouth. “I’m just keeping the members happy. It’s part of the job.’’
“Maybe you should find another job.’’
“Why?’’ He sounded genuinely surprised. “I like it here, and I’m not hurting anybody.’’
I gestured down the bar with my chin. “Except her husband, maybe?’’
Jason’s gaze followed mine. He didn’t seem the least bit taken aback to see the mayor so close by. He smiled slyly. “Don’t be too sure of that.’’
Someone pinched my waist. Hard. A familiar voice rang out in the noisy bar. “Well, well, if it isn’t my daughter—my engaged daughter—talking to this handsome man. This handsome, single man.’’
I turned to see the Mama Glare aimed full force at Jason.
He dimpled, pouring on the charm. “I was just telling Mace about another gator we’ve found on the course. Don’t worry. I have no designs on her at all. We’re just friends. I still can’t get over the fact you’re her mom, though. You’re so beautiful; you seem far too young.’’
Mama thawed a bit.
“I know your husband, Sal. He brags about you all the time, saying how he can’t believe he managed to catch you. I have to say, though, all his bragging hasn’t done you justice. Sal’s a very lucky man.’’
Mama smoothed at her hair. Jason had her at “brags about you.’’
“What are you doing here?’’ I asked.
“Sal and I have an early dinner engagement. I was on my way to the Ladies when I spotted you.’’ She sniffed. “I smell manure. What’s that all over your boots, Mace?’
I grabbed a handful of peanuts, stuffed all of them in my mouth. Mama slid the bowl to the far side of the table, out of my reach.
“Calories, Mace. If you and Carlos ever do get married, you want to make sure we don’t have to push you down the aisle in a handcart.’’
I chewed. Mama shook her head. “Just like a cow and her cud. Where are your manners?’’ she said. “Now, why did you say you’re here?’’
“I didn’t,’’ I mumbled through a mouthful of peanuts.
“The gator. Mace helped trap our last one.’’ Jason shot me a look. “Remember?’’
Was he more clever than I gave him credit for?
“Rosie!’’ A Bronx bellow vibrated the air. Sal stood in the doorway, beckoning Mama. “Our table’s ready, sweetheart. C’mon, I’m hungry!’’
Jason waved at Sal. The big man waved back, and yelled across the room. “I’m ordering the steak, Mace—that big T-bone you liked so much.’’
Now that everyone in the lounge knew Sal’s and my meat preferences, Mama took her leave. But not before taking my peanut bowl. “Sal’s hungry, honey. And Lord knows you don’t need these.’’
When she was gone, Jason said, “Your mother’s a trip.’’
“Yeah, but no vacation,’’ I said. “So, you told me you’d fill me in on all the secrets of Himmarshee Links. I hope I didn’t waste the drive out here.’’
Jason looked around, leaned in close to whisper. I thought he was going to reveal something scandalous. Instead, I felt his hot tongue in my ear. Before I could smack him, Angel grabbed him from behind by the shoulder. It must have hurt, because Jason jumped off his stool and let loose with a few curse words. He spun around. When he saw who it was, the expression on his face turned in an instant from angry to contrite.
“Manager needs to see you in the office. Right now.’’ Her tone was brusque. “You’re probably in trouble. Again.’’
“Sorry, Angel.’’
He should have told me he was sorry, seeing as I was the one whose ear he tongued. Angel didn’t bother to acknowledge his apology. She just glared at him until he scurried away.
She took the spot he left, next to me. “You’re back.’’
“Yep. Jason promised to tell me all the dirty secrets about this place.’’
She snorted. “And you believed him?’’
“Why wouldn’t I?’’
“He’s trying to hit on you. There’s nothing to tell.’’
I looked at her. She looked back, seemingly assessing me the same way I was assessing her. Could I trust her? My concern for Maddie outweighed my suspicions about Angel telling the truth.
“I’m worried about my brother-in-law, Kenny. My sister hasn’t seen him in a couple of days. Something’s going on. I’m just trying to find out what.’’
“Why do you assume it’s something out here?’’
“Because all of this mess with Kenny and Maddie started when he suddenly got interested in golf. It’s so out-of-character, I just know there’s got to be a tie-in.’’
We eyed each other. Silence stretched between us.
“I hear you know Kenny better than you let on. He likes to hang out at your bar.’’
She shrugged. “So do a lot of other guys.’’
“Can you tell me anything about his friends? What he says? How he acts?’’ I said. “It’d mean a lot to me.’’