“Those are nice courses,” said Jack, “but my favourite is the Metchosin Golf Club.”

“I’m not familiar with it,” said Barfoot.

“It’s a family run golf course. Owned by Grant and Sue and usually managed by their daughters, Shannon and Kate. The golfers there are generally more, uh, mature in age and —”

“You mean old,” said Barfoot.

“Not necessarily,” Jack said with a light laugh. “I meant less of the young drunken sots who sometimes show up at courses and spoil the game for others. Also, the golf course itself has fairly wide fairways, so it’s forgiving, although most of the greens are challenging. The atmosphere is friendly and people frequently play off the wrong fairways to get back on their own.”

“Sounds like my kind of golf,” replied Barfoot. “How about giving me some time on my own Sunday morning and pick me up right after lunch? Say one o’clock?”

“No problem,” said Jack. “I’ll book a tee time for two o’clock.”

Stew and Mr. Yu had left the boat an hour earlier on Stew’s suggestion that they go for a walk over to the Parliament buildings that faced the marina. The buildings were decorated with thousands of lights and were a popular nighttime tourist attraction.

Upon their return, Mr. Yu told Oskar that he was tired and wished to go to bed soon. Oskar relayed the information to Jack, cautioning him that he had little time left to impress Mr. Yu.

“Go ahead,” said Barfoot. “You’ll have lots of time to impress me on Sunday.”

“It won’t be with my golfing abilities,” replied Jack.

Barfoot smiled and said, “If you later suggest we place wagers on the game, I’ll know you’re hustling me.”

Jack spoke with Mr. Yu and asked, “Are you interested in art, such as sculptures?”

“Yes, I have much art in my home in Shanghai,” said Mr. Yu.

“I realize that there is a fifteen-hour time difference between here and Shanghai. I am sure you are tired. I know I would be.”

Mr. Yu smiled apologetically and nodded.

“The Empress has an impressive collection of art for sale. How would it be if I walked you back to your hotel? We could view some of the art and it would give us an opportunity to talk before you head up to your room?”

Mr. Yu liked the idea and Jack spent the next half hour alone with him. Unfortunately, it was clear that Mr. Yu was exhausted and not open to conversation.

Jack bade him goodnight and returned to the Corporate Asset. As he stepped back on board to go downstairs into the galley, he saw Len Stein coming up the stairs so he stood back and waited.

Stein was carrying a margarita and stumbled to one side on the stairs, spilling half his drink. Jack reached out his hand to assist him.

“What the fuck? I don’t need your help,” said Stein, looking indignant. “If you weren’t standing there blocking the light, I could see better.”

“Sorry,” said Jack, stepping back again.

“Ah, this is better,” said Stein as he reached the stern. “Needed some fresh air. Gotta admit, the air here is better than in the Big Apple.”

“Oh, so you’re from New York,” said Jack, trying to be friendly.

“Didn’t I just say that?”

“I guess you did,” admitted Jack.

“I hear you’re looking after my entertainment tomorrow,” Stein said, in a voice that sounded argumentive as he stared up at Jack’s face. “Hope you’re not going to repeat everything I say,” he added, with a sarcastic laugh.

“Sorry, guess I’m a little nervous,” said Jack. Small-man complex coupled with a desire to bully. You poor, pathetic little man …

“Yeah, well, treat me good and I’ll put in the right word for you.”

“Thanks.”

“This is my first time out to the sticks. What do you do for entertainment? My wife said she wants me to bring her back a picture of me feeding a grizzly bear.” Stein laughed.

I’d like to feed you to a grizzly bear. “Victoria is a beautiful city. There are many spots I could take you to see,” suggested Jack. “Some great restaurants.”

“Yeah, I’d like to see her beautiful spot and eat there,” said Stein, pointing to a teenaged girl who had ventured out onto the deck of a nearby boat. “Hey, honey!” he yelled. “How about coming over here for a party?”

The girl headed below deck and a moment later the girl’s father stuck his head out and scowled at Stein.

“Fuck him,” said Stein, turning to face Jack again, before gulping down the rest of his drink. He then handed Jack the glass. “Get me another one.”

Jack glanced at the narrow space between the pier and the boat. Wonder if I could jam his body in there and make it look like he fell in and drowned …

“I meant now, not tomorrow,” prodded Stein.

Jack did as directed. He knew Stein was too drunk to notice that the drink he would make had far more tequila than it should have. Dealing with an obnoxious drunk would not benefit anything and he hoped this next drink would be Stein’s last for the night.

Jack smiled as he returned and handed Stein the drink. “Lots more where that came from.”

“Yeah, that’s a good one,” said Stein, after taking a large slurp. “What say I finish this and we go some place and find some women to party with. I’m also in the mood for a little … you know,” said Stein, touching the end of his nose with his finger and sniffing loudly. “You got some?”

“I don’t do coke,” said Jack. “As a matter of fact, I don’t do any drugs.”

Stein stumbled back a step and said, “Well … listen to you. Mr. Goody Two-shoes.” His face clouded in anger. “Quite frankly I don’t give a fuck if you do or not.” He jabbed his finger in Jack’s chest and added, “But you’re here to look after me. Don’t forget that!”

“I understand,” said Jack. “Tell you what, let me go inside to use the head and I’ll be right back.”

Jack went downstairs on the pretext of going to the bathroom, but instead took Oskar aside and said, “Mr. Stein is wanting me to get him some cocaine. Also wants to go out and party someplace else. He’s pretty drunk.”

Oskar shook his head and said, “I know he can be a little difficult sometimes, but he is a major client. He has a lot of say in the pension-fund investments of one of the largest retail chains in the States. Just do your best,” he added and turned away to talk to Barfoot.

Jack used the washroom and then procrastinated around the bar, where he mixed another powerful margarita for Stein. It wasn’t needed. As he went back up the stairs, he heard Stein vomiting over the side of the boat.

“Fucking airplane food,” said Stein, while wiping his chin with the back of his hand. “I should sue the bastards,” he spluttered, before turning and vomiting again.

Ten minutes later, Jack saw Stein safely back to The Empress and helped him open the door to his room.

“Yeah, I got your number,” belched Stein. “I’ll call you tomorrow when I’m ready. I need some sleep.”

Jack nodded and left, but as he crossed the street from the hotel to the marina, he saw Stew and Barfoot saying goodnight to each other at the far side of the crosswalk.

“I’ll pick you up at twelve o’clock for lunch then,” confirmed Stew.

“I’ll be ready and waiting in the lobby,” said Barfoot. He saw Jack and said, “And I’ll see you on Sunday.” With a nod toward the hotel he added, “And good luck to you with Stein tomorrow. From what I’ve seen of him, you might need it.”

“Thanks,” replied Jack, feeling slightly relieved as Barfoot crossed the street. At least one person is sympathetic with the asshole I have to deal with.

“Oskar said to tell you that the party is over for tonight,” said Stew.

“Good. Where you taking him tomorrow?” asked Jack with a nod of his head toward Barfoot.

“Yes, I guess it wouldn’t do if we both took him to the same place,” said Stew. “He asked and I said I wanted to surprise him. I’m going to take him to Butchart Gardens for lunch and spend the afternoon checking out the flowers. For dinner I am thinking French cuisine.”