Club

I drop into a posh chair in the country club lobby and wait for Ryan to meet me for lunch. I want to tell him about LulaBelle sooner rather than later- I've now learned it's best to be upfront with him.

My foot is impatiently bobbing about in front of me when someone almost trips over it. I pull my outstretched leg in just in time to see Mr. Huxley catch his balance. I pop up off the chair and put a gentle hand on his shoulder to steady him. He looks to me as he says, "Sorry Sawyer, my vision ain't what it used to be."

"No need for apologies. I should have been paying attention." He adjusts his golf bag on his shoulder as I ask, "Coming or going?"

He pats his bag and says, "Going. I just finished the executive nine."

"How did you do?" I ask with a polite smile."

"Long game was good, short game not so much."

He gives me a light laugh as I reply, "Mine is always the opposite. I can't drive to save my life."

I glance to his golf bag again and notice he has quite the assortment of clubs- some looking ancient. He readjusts the strap on his shoulder and I realize this is probably the most I have ever said to the older man. He hardly says anything at the meetings, unless it regards the budget, otherwise, he keeps to himself and quickly scurries away after the meetings. He looks back to me and says, "You know I am a golf pro here Sawyer. If you ever need a lesson or help with your drive, schedule an appointment with me."

I smile and notice Ryan strolling up behind him.

I nod, "I might just take you up on that. It was nice to see you, Mr. Huxley. I'll see you at-" I almost said the next meeting but now with Poppy, I don't know when that will be.

He frowns as he says, "I'm sure we'll wait until after the funeral to reconvene. Give everyone a chance to process and heal."

I nod and he gives my arm a squeeze as he passes. Ryan comes up next to me and asks, "Who was the old guy?"

I stifle a laugh and reply, "That's Arthur Huxley. He's the treasurer of the Historical Society."

Ryan nods as he puts together the relation and then says, "I thought maybe he was hitting on you." He winks while flashing me his devilish grin. He quickly pulls me in for a kiss and I am glad he's not angry with me after last night. I pull back after enjoying his lips on mine for a long moment to look at him.

"No more of that young man. I don't need word getting back to my mother that we was fornicatin' in public." He laughs at my dramatic southern twang and I tug on his hand while I lead him to the dining area.

We quickly scan the menu I practically have memorized, and after ordering sandwiches and sweet tea, I look to Ryan.

"So, I saw LulaBelle today."

"And..." Ryan says and I frown.

"You're not going to like what she said."

"Why? Did she already talk to Detective Connor?"

I shake my head.

"No, but the only way she won't is if I feed her information about the case."

Ryan quickly becomes confused and he plants his elbows on the table as he asks, "What kind of information?"

"Anything. She wants to be the source of all information regarding Poppy and her death."

"She's sick is what she is," he says flatly and I nod in agreement.

"I can't disagree with that. But she wants to feel important. She wants the clucking Hollis hens to flock to her for gossip. In her eyes, knowledge is power," I tell him and he drops his head into his hands.

The waitress drops our teas off and I happily suck mine down while gripping the clear plastic tumbler. I can see that Ryan is in his head because he's staring at the table. He finally looks to me and asks, "How is she planning on getting the scoop?"

I stare at him and it takes him a second to process. Once the light bulb clicks on, he shakes his head while throwing his hands up, "I can't talk to her! I could lose my job."

"I know. She wants you to tell me when something is discovered."

"I can't do that Sawyer.

I toss my hands up.

"That was her deal. She'll keep her mouth shut if I run mine."

He runs his hands down his face before slumping back in his chair. Ryan hasn't dealt with LulaBelle and her wickedness yet. He doesn't understand how she operates.

He gazes off to something behind me and I let him think while I fiddle with my straw. I know he's trying to find a way to keep my name away from this case and I'm sure he's trying to figure out the best way to help me without losing his job.

An idea occurs to me so I look at him.

"Someone is going to be talking to the press about this case. It's already in all the papers, which means someone is getting information from somewhere."

"Talking to a news outlet is different than gossiping with the town's drama queen," Ryan says flatly.

"I know Ryan, but what if we just told LulaBelle the same things that are going to be revealed in the paper? That way she's not being fed anything the public won't eventually know. She'll just be told first."

"So you want me to leak information to LulaBelle before reporters?" He asks, clearly annoyed but I shrug.

"I want you to tell me anything that's going to be common knowledge before it becomes common knowledge. I'll decide what to tell her."

"This is a bad idea, Sawyer," he says with concern splashed all over his face.

"I know. But if everyone is running to her for details and I am left out of all those details, then that means gossip will not be spreading about me. No one will think I had anything to do with this if LulaBelle is directing them elsewhere." While he frowns, I add, "If someone finds out where LulaBelle is getting her info from, I will one hundred percent take the blame, Ryan. You will not be connected to her in any way."

He exhales loudly while rapping his knuckles on the table. He looks to the ceiling before he says, "Detective Connor does have you on his suspect list. Someone did make it known today that you once had an incident with Whitney Carmichael and that tied you to Jackson."

I roll my eyes.

"Like I would ever kill someone over Jackson Hemming." I mutter and then look back to Ryan, "This will stay between you and I but...is there anyone else they are entertaining as a suspect? Or should I hire a lawyer after lunch here?"

Ryan shakes his head.

"No, if you were the sole suspect, I wouldn't be allowed near this case. They'd remove me if they thought it was a conflict of interest."

I nod.

"Okay, so that means there is someone else."

"There is an idea," he says. He looks around him before leaning in closer to me. "The Penderghasts were in trouble financially."

I nod.

"I know. Tinsley told me."

"Well, there is an idea that maybe Poppy was trying to obtain funds illegally. Like, maybe a business deal went sour or she crossed the wrong person," he says and I look to him as I process this.

"It's possible. I know her family was looking to sell their lands and the winery. Maybe that's what this is all about."

The waitress comes back to drop our plates down and we cease conversation while she politely chit chats about the weather finally cooling off. We smile to her and once she's out of earshot, I look back to Ryan.

"Have y'all figured out what made the hole in her head?"

Ryan looks to his Reuben sandwich before frowning. I apologize for bringing up her head wound while eating and then he takes a bite.

"How do I know you ain't gonna run and tell LulaBelle what I tell you?"

"I'll only tell her what you tell me I can. I'm not going to ruin your trust or put your career in jeopardy Ryan," I tell him before taking a big bite out of my club sandwich. He wipes his hands on the white cloth napkin before saying, "Obviously it was a large blunt object. We think it was possibly a golf club. Forensics is working at finetuning the details now."

"Well, she was killed on a golf course so a golf club makes perfect sense," I say while he nods. I munch on a fry before asking, "Y'all don't think Jackson was involved in any way do you?"

He quickly shakes his head.

"I don't think so. Jackson is an ass but he's given us no reason to suspect him as a murderer. Mason brought him in for questioning today, hoping Jackson would know anyone that Poppy could have been meeting with. I should have more information of his involvement when I get back to work."

"Well keep me posted on everything and if there is anything I can let slip to LulaBelle, tell me," I beg but he still doesn't look convinced.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"I thought I'd hang with Gus and Annabeth. It's been a while since the three of us did anything."

"You need to stay out of trouble. No stealing chickens or drunken midnight strolls through the woods ya hear?" He sternly says while shooting me a warning look.

I laugh.

"I will be on best behavior, it's just Gus and Annabeth."

"That doesn't give me the confidence you think it does Sawyer," he jokes and I giggle before popping another fry into my mouth.