“Thank you. After yesterday, I will need it.”

“It didn’t go well with Stein?”

“You hadn’t heard?”

“No. I’ve met Stein before. He is not someone whose personal company I prefer.”

“Yesterday he made it clear that he doesn’t like my company, either.”

“That is unfortunate. If I owned the company, you are the type of man I would like to have working for me.”

“Thank you.”

Debby came by and Barfoot ordered a second beer. She looked at Jack and said, “You too, Jack?”

Jack shook his head and said, “I’m still okay. Maybe in another ten.”

“Oh, you’ve got that three-legged table again,” said Debby as she left.

“Three-legged table?” asked Barfoot, glancing under the table.

“Her expression means we are never done our beer at the same time,” smiled Jack, “which causes her to have to make more trips.”

Barfoot grinned, but then eyed Jack for a moment before saying, “A moment ago, I had the feeling you were trying to talk me out of joining the company.”

“I thought it made better business sense to be in a position to apply more leverage.”

“Is that the real reason you are trying to dissuade me, or is there something else?”

“Something else?” The smart old codger picked up on my concern …

“Is it that you wouldn’t want me as your boss?” asked Barfoot seriously. Before Jack could reply, Barfoot could not hide the fact that he was joking and chuckled. “Don’t worry, I hardly ever use the cat-o’-nine tails on my crew.”

Jack smiled and raised his glass. “I think I would be happy to work for a man like yourself.” If you live long enough …

Chapter Twenty-Three

On Sunday night, after dropping Barfoot off at The Empress, Jack drove to Beacon Hill Park where he met with his cover team and told them of Barfoot’s intention to join the company.

“Goddamn it,” said Willy. “Always peaks and valleys in this business.

“And right now we’re in a valley,” replied Jack. “Death Valley.”

“It does sounds like Barfoot is going to rate you highly,” noted Willy.

“Yes, but we could still be in trouble,” said Jack. “I really blew it on Saturday with Stein. My only hope is Oskar understands the situation and goes with what Barfoot says.”

“What about Mr. Yu?” asked Willy.

“I doubt that his assessment of Stew or myself will be much different. Neither of us had much time to try and impress him.”

“What do we do if you’re not hired?”

“I think we have to risk telling Stew immediately. He strikes me as a really nice guy. I am sure he would quietly withdraw, but Oskar would find it odd.”

“And John Barfoot?” asked Willy. “What if he joins? There’s no way we could not tell him. It’s not like we could protect him if he lives in Malaysia.”

“I know,” sighed Jack. “Stew Pot is bad enough. If Barfoot gets kinky, Oskar will know that something is up. We don’t even know who his boss is yet.”

“Speaking of that,” said Willy. “I’ve had the race entries, licence plates, and hotel registries checked out. There wasn’t anybody with the name of Merlin or Marlin. Like you said before, if Oskar gets spooked and decides to quit, who’s to say that his boss won’t continue?”

“I know, I know,” said Jack in frustration. “We need to find out who he is. Guess it is one step at a time. Let’s see what tomorrow morning brings. Maybe we’re worrying for no reason. Oskar said he would make his decision then.”

At nine o’clock Monday morning, Jack boarded the Corporate Asset and sat with Oskar in the galley.

“Do you have the receipts?” asked Oskar.

Jack handed him the envelope and Oskar looked through it. “Most of the cash is still here! Are you telling me you spent just over a hundred dollars?”

“Game of golf and a burger,” said Jack. “Didn’t cost much. I’m sure you heard what happened with Len Stein. I only bought him a lunch.”

“I heard,” replied Oskar, gruffly. “You took off on him and someone drugged his drink and he was robbed.”

“I left at his request after I refused to get him some cocaine,” said Jack.

“I told you he was an important client.”

“Yes, you did.”

“It is too bad, because you really impressed John, but I need someone who is consistent in dealing with people. Someone I can rely on. Your ratings were not consistent.”

“My ratings?”

“I asked the three of them to rate you on a scale from one to six. Mr. Yu gave both you and Stew a three, so count his out. John rated you a six and Len gave you a zero. Stew received a three from John and a five from Len.”

“From what I understand, Stew only brought him some Tylenol and left him in his room. That rates a five?”

Oskar gave a sympathetic smile and said, “I am sorry, but that’s the way the ball bounces. I’ll keep your resumé on file, should something come up.”

Should something come up? Yeah, like a body …

Jack left the boat and was walking up the ramp from the marina when he saw Barfoot wave to him, near the top of a stairway overlooking the marina.

Jack waved back and met up with him.

“How did it go?” asked Barfoot.

“Not well,” replied Jack. “I really appreciate your support, though. Oskar told me that you rated me six out of six.”

“Are you saying you didn’t get the position?” said Oskar, sounding incredulous.

“Stein rated me a zero,” explained Jack.

“A zero! That is utter bullshit,” growled Barfoot. “Come with me! I am going to have a word with Oskar.”

Jack hesitated, wondering if Barfoot’s intervention would make the situation worse. Then again, how much worse could it get?

A moment later, Barfoot and Jack met with Oskar in his galley.

“What’s this bullshit that you’re not hiring Jack?” said Barfoot. “You know what I think of him,” he said, patting Jack on the shoulder.

“That was obvious from your assessment,” replied Oskar. “But I need someone who is consistent. Someone who can get along with everyone, not only you.”

“I know Stein,” said Barfoot. “He has the moral scruples of a snake. He is a womanizer, uses illegal drugs, and, in my opinion, is a complete ass.”

“That may be your opinion, but he is also an important client,” said Oskar, defensively.

Barfoot waved his finger in Oskar’s face. “Your company is suppose to uphold moral integrity when it comes to investment. Is Stein the image you want to portray as your poster boy for who you do business with?”

Oskar’s face reddened. Jack could not tell if it was from embarrassment or anger.

“The only reason Stein is where he is,” said Barfoot in disgust, “is because he came from money. He is nothing more than a spoiled, immature brat.”

“Who brings in a lot of money for my company,” said Oskar.

“You would attract more clients if you didn’t have the likes of Stein,” said Barfoot.

Oskar shrugged in response.

Barfoot tapped Oskar on the chest with his finger and said, “You were wanting me to come on board with your company?”

Oskar silently stared back.

“Well, I’ll tell you what would make me do that,” said Barfoot. “Just two things.”

“Those being?” asked Oskar.

“Hire this young man immediately and sever your relationship with Stein completely.”

“Are you serious?” asked Oskar.

“You’re damned right I am,” said Barfoot, evenly.

“Could be losing a lot of money by getting rid of Stein,” said Oskar.

“What do you care? You’ll be retiring soon,” said Barfoot.

Oskar looked at Jack for a reaction.

“It’s okay, he knows,” said Barfoot. “I told him last night.”

Oskar nodded, then took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and smiled. “Agreed,” he said, sticking out his hand.