“Yes, Mr. Gilsmear,” I chirp.
My jaw aches from maintaining my fake smile.
“Please, call me Robert.”
“Have fun, Erin!” Mom calls, waving us off as we speed past.
“We will,” Robert says. His chubby fingers squeeze my shoulder and linger a little too long.
I’ve heard rumors about his appetite for young women. Due to his position, people brush the speculations off. Instead of calling him a pervert, like they should, they brand him an ‘eccentric’. Even if he were caught, he has enough cash to brush anything under the carpet without consequences. His wife, who I haven’t met, is ten years his junior. Mia swears she saw Mrs. Gilsmear hooking up with their gorgeous gardener once. Like many wives, she’s probably unhappy, but won’t leave her husband for fear of losing her comfortable life.
“How is school?” Robert asks. “You must be, what, eighteen now?”
“Yes,” I reply. “It’s going well.”
“Your father told me you’re shaping up to be a musical prodigy,” he says.
We whizz along the perfectly maintained grass, through sloping hills, past the sandbanks, and around the edge of the small lake.
Are they watching us? I keep expecting to see a masked face, but there’s no sign of them so far.
“He’s exaggerating,” I say. “Playing the piano is just a hobby.”
“You’re so modest!” He slaps my knee, not noticing my flinch. “I’m looking to hire a music tutor for my son. He’s only eight, and he already plays the violin, piano, and flute. The little tyke can’t decide which is best. He wants it all—a real chip off the old block!”
“He sounds very talented,” I reply.
We take a left, trundling over uneven ground. Robert steals a glance at my chest, watching my breasts bob with the motion.
“My wife is convinced we have the next Mozart on our hands!” He laughs. “Do you tutor in your spare time?”
“My schedule is pretty busy,” I say. “My dad takes my studies seriously, so I don’t have time for a job.”
“I could have a word with him?” he offers. “You’d fit right in at our house.”
I say nothing as we come to a halt at the hole.
“Why don’t you help with my clubs?” he suggests.
We’re in a deserted area, a row of conifers hides us from view. Maybe this wasn’t my best idea…
His golf bag is huge. Based on my size, there’s no way I’ll be able to carry it single-handedly. I strap on my big girl panties and remember why I’m doing this. The masked men know something about Sarah. I need answers.
“Here.” Robert places a lecherous hand on the small of my back as I attempt to haul the bag off the cart with a huff. His breath sends shivers down my neck. “Let me help you.”
Not wanting to give up so easily, I tug the bag, causing them to fall with a crash.
Robert chuckles. “What am I going to do with you?”
I smile sweetly, ignoring my inner feminist and twirling a strand of hair around my finger the way I’ve watched girls flirt in the movies. “I’m such a klutz.”
He checks his gold Rolex. The watch would look oversized on most people, but his large wrists make it look tiny.
“We still have time before the opposition arrives,” he says. “Why don’t we have a friendly game?”
“Golfing isn’t my forte,” I reply. “Music is my thing.”
His face lights up. This is the response he hoped for. “I’m a great teacher.” He winks and hands me a club. “Here.”
