as he grabbed the keys from the driver—Ryland Jagger.
David jumped behind the wheel and drove down the hill. Instead of heading into the valet lot, David pulled the vehicle into a large garage, which was used for storage and for servicing the golf carts and other club vehicles. There was a car wash service area next to the building, but David hadn't taken the car into the washing station.
Why would David drive Jagger's car in there? He should have parked it in the valet lot.
He needed to get into that building. But after just striking up a conversation with David, it would seem incredibly odd for him to follow him inside. He waited for David to emerge from the building, but five minutes passed and there was no sign of him.
What was he doing with that car? Why had David needed to be the one to take it from Jagger? Had he just seen a handoff?
With so much on the line, he decided to take a risk. He moved toward the building. There was a side door. He tried the knob. It was locked.
And then he heard the garage door lift. He dodged out of sight behind a dumpster and watched David drive the Porsche out and into the valet parking lot. He got out of the vehicle and went back to the stand, where he placed the keys. Then he started talking to the other valet, who seemed to be pissed off at him.
Jax slid out of his hiding spot, but instead of going into the club, he returned to his car. He now had the perfect opportunity to put his wedge into place.
He knew which car belonged to Ryland Jagger and that David had been in it. Grabbing an envelope from out of the glove compartment, he slid it under his T-shirt and walked toward the valet lot. David had disappeared into the building and the other valet was sitting in the shade looking at his phone.
Jax moved over to the Porsche. He took a small device out of his pocket and unlocked it. Then he placed the envelope on the seat and closed the door. Hopefully, the play would get David into some hot water. Considering that he was already a wild card, Jax didn't think it was beyond the stretch of anyone's imagination that David would try to blackmail one of the club's wealthy members.
When he walked into the club, he headed straight to the bar. It was late Saturday afternoon, so the room was still quiet. He said hello to Chuck, the other bartender, who immediately went on break and then wiped down the bar. He looked up as Ryland Jagger took the seat in front of him. For a split second, he wondered if he'd been caught, but he didn't let the uncertainty show in his eyes.
"What can I get you?" he asked.
"I'll take a Scotch," Ryland said, pulling out his phone.
Jax poured the drink, then set it in front of him. "You're not with your father today?" he asked.
"No." Ryland took a long swig of his drink. "He's coming in later." His gaze shifted. "You were talking to him last night after his chess match."
"Yes. He seemed upset by his play."
"He's never good enough. Did he talk about anything else?"
"No," he lied. "Why?"
"Just curious. You seemed like you were having a long conversation." Ryland took a drink. "Did he mention anything about that woman who came to see him?"
"What woman?"
"Never mind." Ryland paused as Sylvia walked into the bar with Constantine Dimitrov, his gaze following the two of them as they headed into a back room that was set up for private parties and more intimate conversations.
There was no sign yet of Maya, but she would no doubt be arriving soon.
As his gaze moved back toward the door, he saw Victoria enter the bar, wearing a short red dress with a plunging neckline. Her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck showing off a pair of expensive diamond earrings. She said hello to a few friends as she maneuvered her way around the tables, eventually stopping next to Ryland.
Ryland gave her a wary look. "Victoria."
"Would you like to join me on the pool deck?" she murmured. "My friend, Cassandra, wants to meet you."
"You know I don't come here to meet your friends," he said quietly.
"You're always so respectful about that," she replied, her voice ringing out as if she thought someone might be listening. "But I insist you join us."