My face looked much better the next day. Perhaps it was the scotch, or maybe it was my pity party that brought the swelling down. But if I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that the only thing that happened yesterday was a nice lunch at Delmar. Maybe old man punching power is overrated.
Imogen and I had already swung by Delmar to speak with the board about hosting Alese's auction. And, much to my shock, the board was interested. I made the proposition sound terrible. If I was being pitched the idea, I would have turned it down in a second but not these guys. Imogen had even given them the whole spiel about the authenticity of the painting, and when it came down to it, all of our hemming and hawing had zero effect. They only had one question. What was Alese willing to pay in commission for them hosting the auction? I told them that she didn't want to pay a commission. That was the point. She was trying to keep the entire sale price for herself. They listened.
Then I moved on to the Bill situation. I explained that he had verbally assaulted me and then physically assaulted me at the entrance to the club. They were mortified. They were also worried that I would press charges and possibly sue the club. I assured them that I wasn't interested in pressing charges against Bill and that I certainly didn't think that that Delmar was responsible for Bill's behavior. But I did want to make sure that Bill was punished for his actions.
After a brief chat, they decided that they would take appropriate measures to ensure that Bill was held responsible for his actions. They would bring him in for an internal disciplinary hearing and then decide what course of action should be administered. They would do that as quickly as possible.
Then they moved on to Alese. After discussing the commission conundrum amongst themselves, they came up with a work-around. They all agreed that the buyer would pay the commission. That meant that Alese would not pay a dime for selling her masterpiece. The buyer, on the other hand, would pay the hammer price plus Delmar's commission. The club was going to make millions. Like everyone else at Delmar, the club itself is all about making money.
"We've got to tell her at some point," Imogen said, over a salad.
I was eating my lunch as well, at the main restaurant at Delmar.
"I know," I said. "I still can't believe they said yes."
"I can. Money, Max. It's all about the money."
"Always is," I said. "Speaking of which, we need to set up a golf date with Endicott."
"Why don't you give him a ring after lunch?"
"Good idea. Do you think his wife plays?" I asked.
"She didn't say. She plays tennis though."
"I'll invite her. You'll have to take it easy," I said.
"Oh, Max. I'm not as competitive as you," she said.
"Please. I've seen you reduce grown men to tears."
"Only the ones that had it coming."
We finished lunch, and I called Lee Endicott. He was very excited to hear from me. Told me he was in the office today but would love to play tomorrow if I could swing it. I asked if his wife would like to join us, and he was thrilled.
"Yes, she loves to play," he said.
"Really? I'm happy to hear that," I said.
"I have a confession, Max."
"Shoot," I said.
"Tori played in college. She's damn good. So I wouldn't blame you if we didn't wager on the round."
I weighed filling Lee in on Imogen's golf skills or just surprising him when he received his ass kicking courtesy of Ginny.
"I wouldn't have it. I love some good competition," I said.
"You might be sorry," Lee said.
"Never underestimate a husband and wife golfing pair," I said.
"That's what I'm trying to tell you," he said.
"I know. I was talking about Ginny and me."
I had opted for the surprise route. He was one of those guys who could stand to use a good old-fashioned smackdown administered by a woman. Might have knocked some sheen off his pearly white veneers.
Another thing that would come as a surprise to Lee was the fact that we were not plunking down two million dollars to invest in his fund. Although, that surprise was for another day. Tomorrow would be all about golf, taking his money, and fishing for information. Not to mention the look on Bill's face when we walked over to that shed. We might just have confirmation of our killer by tee off.
"Good news," I said.
"Yeah?" Imogen said.
"Get your clubs ready. We've got a match tomorrow."
"I can hardly wait," she said.
"Tori played in college. Lee warned me," I said.
That should have gotten her competitive juices flowing. She enjoyed some healthy competition every now and again. Tori didn't have a clue what she had gotten herself into.
"You don't say," Imogen said.
"As a matter of fact, I do say."
"Well she bloody well better be on her game tomorrow," she said.
"I'm sure they'll come prepared. They might even throw the match," I said.
"Why?"
"They've got two million reasons to make us happy," I said.
"You're terrible."
"Just speaking the truth, my love."
"That's what makes it so terrible."