As he handed over the drive, he said, "The only files we were able to look at were video clips of Brooke Mercer stealing the notebooks out of Landon's desk and handing them to an unidentified male. He also had a camera set up in Drew Sanderson's room at the fraternity where there are a couple of scenes with Drew, Henry, and Jill. The rest of the files are encrypted. I'm guessing that the contents of those files are what got him killed."
"And he's pointing us to a few people in particular," Haley added. "Otherwise, Landon wouldn't have included those clips."
"I'll get Derek on this right away," Jason said as he pocketed the drive. "Are you still interested in going to the golf tournament at Valmont this afternoon?"
"Yes. And Haley will come with us. She makes people nervous, and I want to remind everyone that the FBI has her back."
"I'll meet you both by the valet stand at one o'clock," Jason said. "Most of the golfers will be finishing up then. No jeans, no tank tops, or flip flops, not that you would. Dress code is upscale casual."
"Got it," he said.
"See you then."
After Jason left, Haley said, "I need to go by my apartment and get something to wear before the tournament. I didn't bring anything appropriate for upscale casual."
"Let's do that now."
ChapterSeventeen
The valet at Valmont Country Club moved with the practiced efficiency of someone accustomed to handling cars worth more than most people's homes. Matt watched a gleaming Bentley disappear around the corner as he and Haley got out of his SUV.
Jason was waiting for them as promised and escorted them into the club. It felt very much like old money, with wood-paneled walls in the lobby filled with oil paintings of men in golf attire.
"The founding members," Jason murmured, catching his gaze.
"Is your father on this wall?"
"No, he came in later."
"I didn't realize you were a member," Haley said.
"I inherited the membership. Sometimes it's helpful when I need to speak to rich and powerful people in a more casual atmosphere," Jason replied as he led them to the check-in desk, which was manned by a busty blonde with a fixed smile, who looked like she'd spent a lot of time at the plastic surgeon.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Colter," she said with a warm smile.
"Hello, Deb. How are you?"
"Quite well. I haven't seen you in a long time. No golf for you today?"
"Too busy with work."
"Saving the world," she said.
"Trying to."
"And these are your guests?" Deb asked.
"Yes. Matt Lawson and Haley Kenton," Jason replied smoothly.
Deb's smile never wavered as she handed them temporary membership cards. "Welcome. The tournament just concluded. Cocktails and canapés are now being served on the main terrace. The awards ceremony will take place in about thirty minutes, with a buffet lunch to follow. Enjoy yourselves."
"Thank you," Jason replied.
They followed him through the clubhouse, past a dining room where white-jacketed servers were setting tables with crystal and silver, toward the sound of conversation and clinking glasses. The main terrace opened onto a spectacular view of the golf course, with the San Gabriel Mountains rising in the distance.
Matt accepted a club soda from a passing server as Jason and Haley did the same, each of them pausing to sip and survey the scene. It felt very much like the event they'd attended yesterday. There was no art, but the people were very much the same.
"I wonder if this is what these people do every weekend," Haley murmured. "Do they go from one party to another, one tray of rich, decadent canapés to another filled with glasses of the most expensive champagne? It seems so…pointless."
