Free Bodyguard of Lies by Bob Mayer

up this morning there had been a slim hope she would find some help among her three acquaintances. That hope had died as she'd sensed their growing coldness, as if she had a sickness that they could catch. Sara's musings about the fundraiser had struck to the heart of the matter. The priority here was appearance first; substance if you could spare the effort.
    Hannah also realized that much of this was her own fault. She had never gone out of her way to cultivate any special friendships. She was in this cart because of the position she filled in their social circle, not because of who she was. She was a piece that could easily be replaced if broken and with John gone, there was no doubt she was broken.
    Hannah took the easiest way out for all involved. As the cart pulled to a halt, she briefly touched Sara's arm. "Sara, I know it's late to bring this up, but I don't think I'm going to be able to attend the fundraiser. The publicity is almost all wrapped up and, since I can't attend, maybe you could take over for me?"
    Sara put her hand to her chest. "Oh, I really don't know, Hannah." She turned to the other two women waiting for them. "Hannah doesn't think she can make the fundraiser and wants to know if I can finish the publicity."
    Hannah realized the tone indicated Sarah wasn’t phrasing it as a question.
    "What?" At least Amelia had the grace to appear surprised and a little bit worried.
    "Oh, come now." Rita had a strange look on her face. "We've been working on that for months now. Certainly you can make it."
    "I don't think John will be back from his conference by then," Hannah lied, knowing, even as she said it, that it was foolish to pretend any more.
    Amelia's eyes drew together. "Well, that's not a problem. Come by yourself then."
    "I don't think--"
    "I can understand if you didn't want to come," Sara said quickly.
    Hannah felt a sharp irritation. Sara was always worried that someone wanted to steal her short, fat doctor from her. Hannah imagined Sara's biggest concern at the moment was that Hannah was the dreaded "unattached" woman. If only I was unattached, Hannah thought, rather than locked to a man who had skipped out after breaking several laws.
    "Hannah, if you want to talk . . ." Amelia began. The other two women looked exceedingly uncomfortable. They wanted the scoop but they didn't want the emotions, not here on the country club golf course.
    Hannah didn't even bother to muster up a reply. She looked away, so angry that she worried she couldn't control it. Anger at John was just the tip of the iceberg. She knew the unseen bulk of the anger was toward herself and that was a bitter realization to accept. She blinked rapidly. On a hill near the tree line she thought she saw someone, a tall, dark figure in a long coat.
    "Hannah?" Amelia said, cutting into her thoughts. Amelia pointed to the tee. "Your turn, dear."
    Hannah turned to look again for the odd figure. There was only the shadow of the trees.
     
    ***************
     
    The conversations among Hannah Masterson and her golf partners intrigued Neeley. She could hear almost everything from her position at the top of the hill overlooking the course. The small directional mike hooked to the earpiece worked quite well. Definitely worth the exorbitant fee Gant had paid for it. Even more intriguing were the whispered discussions among Hannah's golfing partners when she was out of earshot. Hannah was a woman with a large problem and that meant Neeley had a problem. It was John she needed to find according to the information she had and he was gone.
    The last few hours of watching Hannah had left the rather frustrating impression that the woman had no clue of her husband's activities or whereabouts. It appeared that not only had John Masterson gone under, but he had also left his wife high and dry. Of course, it was also very possible that all this was a smokescreen left behind by John to confuse his trail and Hannah knew where he was. Regardless, Neeley