Unplayable Lie

Prologue The summer sun kissed the blue sky good night and descended slowly below the horizon. Exactly at sunset, fireworks commenced at the High Ridge Golf and Country Club. A tuxedo-clad male figure wandered away from the Fourth of July engagement party. He strolled onto the golf course with a drink sloshing in his hand. The grass, damp with evening dew, soaked his dress shoes. Leaving the party was his second mistake. The sound of a lone gunshot reverberated off the trees near the eighteenth green. The young man's body crashed into the soft sand. A bright red stain seeped around the front of his freshly starched shirt. He tried feebly to crawl out of the sand trap, but it was too late. It only took one bullet from a superior marksman to pierce the heart and do its job. The deceased's first mistake was being a “dead” ringer for the true target. Casa Bella Thursday Morning, May 13th A man with a prominent space between his teeth emerged from the black limo parked across the street from La Bella Casa, the new Italian restaurant on the block. He looked furtively around before disappearing into an alley between two buildings. Gap Tooth, as he was called, had just met with The Don, head of the Mafia in Westchester County. The Don was very interested in this restaurant and had big plans for it. Plans that would not make the owner too happy. _____________________________________________________________________ Anne Lawson wheeled her chair around Casa Bella. As an interior designer she felt pleased with the end result. She smiled when she saw the completed cozy nooks and quiet corners which would give patrons a feeling of privacy. Reidel wine glasses were set on red tablecloths, and red checkered napkins graced the Majorca dinner plates imported directly from Italy. Babs knelt down and hugged Anne. “It's exactly what I wanted!” exclaimed Babs. “I thought you had outdone yourself with La Maisonette, but this is even better.” Casa Bella Thursday Afternoon, May 13th Babs settled into a booth to look over her new manager's resume. Casa Bella, sister restaurant to Bab's first place, the successful La Maisonette, was due to open in one week. The La Maisonette manager, Andre, had been doing double duty until Babs hired the new man. Babs had a final interview shortly with Chad Hawthorne, Chad's father, Hank, was a close friend of the family, sometimes much closer than Babs' husband, Chip, appreciated. Chad Hawthorne had been in trouble as a teenager for buying drugs, but his probation was over now. Babs and Chip had discussed at length whether or not to hire Chad, but Chad seemed to have settled down. Just then Chad strode through the door and looked expectantly at Babs. His demeanor was extremely confident. Babs saw so much of his dad in him. The same sandy gold hair fell slightly onto his forehead. Both had large soulful hazel eyes which could wink at you if you were lucky. Chad had his father's charm, but unfortunately also his arrogance. At twenty-two years of age Chad was a striking young man. Dressed in a conservative blue suit and muted tie he looked exactly like the manager Babs hoped to find. At first she had been the one reticent to hire Chad, but Chip seemed positive about him. Chip had been Chad's lawyer during the drug problem, and seemed to feel it was all behind the young man. Chip did see the good in everyone so Babs wanted to make certain this hiring wasn't a mistake. “Hi, Chad,” said Babs as she motioned him to sit down across from her. “You look every bit the manager I'm hoping to hire.” “Hello, Mrs. Nelson,” Chad said as he slid into the booth. “Your restaurant looks great! If the food is as good as the décor, I'm certain it will be filled every night.” “Your stepmother did the murals. I'm glad I had her sign them as she's becoming more of a famous artist every day.” “Don't I know it,” stated Chad, “She has to turn away so many clients. Even though my baby brother has a nanny, Sarah wants to be a major part of his life. I'm glad she feels that way.” Babs privately wondered if that statement was for her benefit. She knew that Sarah and Chad had not gotten along during his teenage years. Of course, his mother had skipped out on his father with a personal trainer so Chad's childhood had been a mess. “Would you like some coffee, Chad? Maybe you'd rather have an espresso?” “An espresso sounds good, Mrs. Nelson. Let me make it. Once it gets busy at night I will be helping out with things like this. I see you have one of the latest Italian machines.” Chad slipped out of the booth and made two espressos. He put one before Babs and took a sip of his before asking, “I see you have my resume? Do you have any questions?” “It is a plus that you have taken some hotel management courses at the junior college you attended. Will you go on with your studies? “If I am hired I would be devoting myself full time to your restaurant. If in the future it works out I might be taking more courses. I love the hotel and restaurant industry. Who knows, maybe I can persuade you to add a bed and breakfast nearby.” “Funny you should say that, Chad. You know Peter Drummond, my husband's partner. He is in negotiation to buy the building next door. Mum's the word, however. The owner died and his heir wants to sell the property quickly. It would make a perfect boutique hotel.” “I like the looks of this position more and more. I would like the job if you are willing to offer it to me. Is there anything more I can do to make you see I would be the best person to oversee La Bella Casa?” “Chad, I just talked to your previous employer where you managed that trendy bed and breakfast in La Jolla. He gave you high marks. As far as I'm concerned, you have the job. I'm just curious. Do you have a place to stay? There is a small apartment at the back of the restaurant. You could have it for a nominal fee.” “Thanks, but I'm living with my dad and Sarah for now. You probably heard my mom is moving back here from California. She divorced my stepdad who owned all those gyms and health spas. He gave her a spa here as part of their separation agreement. I hope to live with her then. I'd like to save as much money as possible.” Babs had heard that Amy Sue was moving back. The grapevine was very active in this town. She hoped this would not be a problem for Sarah and Hank, but why would it? Sarah was busy with a child and work. Hank had just been given a promotion to vice-president of his company. His ex-wife should be water under the bridge by now. Chad seemed to be expecting a reply to the question about his mother. “Sorry, Chad, I started daydreaming for a minute. I had heard your mom was coming back. I hope she can settle in easily.” “My mom is so gregarious she will have no trouble making friends. I hope no one will hold it against her about what happened in the past.” Babs wryly thought no one would care that Amy had basically screwed Hank as he had literally screwed many others. Maybe that was why he was always trying to prove himself with women. He did seem devoted to Sarah these past few years. She figured a lot of it had to do with the birth of Hank, Jr. He had not been much of a dad to Chad so he wanted another chance with his new son. He already had him hitting balls at the golf club. “Chad, I only have one last question. Are you definitely through with drugs? I will not have anything like drug dealing here.” “I am glad you are being so direct with me, Mrs. Nelson. I can honestly say that is all in the past. I was lucky to get community service and probation. Your husband saved my life. I would never do anything to hurt him or you.”