Free Risky Shot by Kathleen Brooks

stars. She knew she had just bought herself some more time.
    She played ball, cards, and did just about anything else to be the caddy for Judge LeMaster’s group and today she was finally assigned to him. It was a comfortably warm day for the middle of June, and the group was excited to be out on the links after taking a couple rounds of drinks at the clubhouse. The group consisted of an Assistant Director in Charge at the New York FBI office, a U.S. Federal Judge, and the vice Mayor of New York City. It was a very powerful group and Dani had learned more about corruption in the first nine holes that she could ever imagine.
    She also learned the group of men had a thing for younger women who liked it rough. She had to hide the snorts of laughter that attempted to erupt when the four men talked about all the action they got. All of them were the perfect example of middle aged men. Rounded bellies, thinning hair, and some even had gray hair. If they weren’t paying for their action, she guessed most twenty year olds wouldn’t even notice them.
    “Hey Gene, anything going on at the FBI we need to be aware of?” Judge LeMaster asked as he waited for Jarred Felting, the vice Mayor, to finish his putt.
    “I have Edwards keeping an eye on the GTH issue for you. I can’t believe the incompetence of Bob’s men. It’s been four months now and all we know is that McKenna Mason is well protected in Kentucky.” Gene Pottinger slashed a blade of grass with his putter. “Chad came into the office the other day to let me know some agents are asking questions about him. He can’t figure out who and asked me to look into it.”
    “What’s the game plan now? We’re all going to be up shit creek without a paddle if one of those girls talks,” Jarred said after sinking his shot.
    The group turned and walked towards the next hole. Dani had to stop herself from running up to them and demanding to know more. Instead she kept her head down and trudged along behind them.
    “I don’t know about you, but I don’t like how Chad is handling this. He needs to stop dicking around and take care of business, if you ask me,” said Brian Voggel, the U.S. Federal Judge. The group murmured their agreement and teed up.
    “I think the best plan is to let Bruce’s men handle this. I just don’t know if Chad can take care of those two women. Maybe we need to try something else,” LeMaster whispered.
    Dani continued to bob her head and move her lips as if she was listening to music. The men each looked around and relaxed when they saw the caddies seemingly entertained with each other or listening to music. “We’ll talk about this more next week. Maybe Bruce or Chad will have something new to report. God knows Bob won’t.” Jarred shook his head and lined up for his shot.
     
    * * *
     
    Dani sat in the caddie lounge and listened to her iPod. She glanced at the clock on the wall and prayed the caddies currently on the course moved slowly. There were only four of them in the room and any minute now, the Judge’s group would arrive. If they did, she would be guaranteed a job.
    The door opened and the head caddie came in. “Okay, I need you four.” She jumped up and then made herself slow down. She pulled the ear plugs out of her ears and slowly walked out of the room with the other three boys. This time, she was assigned Brian Voggel’s bag and made a show of putting in her ear phones and cranking up the volume so everyone could hear it. Every couple of minutes, she would turn down the volume until it was eventually muted. Every time Voggel came to grab a club, she would un-mute it and he would be met with blasting music.
    On the thirteenth hole, the men looked around and signaled that they were all clear. There were no golf carts driving by, no teams they were getting close to, and all the caddies were hanging back.
    Gene Pottinger rubbed his mostly bald head and wiped his arm across his sweaty brow. “I have news.” Dani stared off