When the starting gun sounded, the gates opened and the horses burst out like water from a broken dam. It didn’t bother me that there weren’t enough people around to make the cheers sound thrilling; I screamed for our horse anyway. We’d put no real thought into making a dozen bets on a horse named Sullivan’s Dream. Marty had showed me how to bet on the horse by itself, as well as in combination with other horses, and now we were about to see the result of our leap of faith.

Everything looked good until the third turn, where our horse slowed considerably, and before the race had been decided officially, we realized we were out of the money. Marty said, “Had enough of horses for the day?” He scooped up the losing tickets and stuffed them into his pocket.

“What did you have in mind?” It was warm, and I didn’t mind the idea of avoiding Broward County rush hour.

A few minutes later, I found myself on the shuttle heading toward the far reaches of the sprawling parking lot and my white Volvo S-60.

Marty said, “I’ll drive, if you don’t mind.”

I smiled as I thought about what a gentleman he was. Then we slipped onto I-95 and started cruising north.

I said, “This is great. Just what I needed. A few hours away from Palm Beach.” I realized that was the opposite of the opinion most people held.

Marty kept his eyes on the road as he said, “Glad you liked it.”

“What would you like to do now?”

He thought about it for a few seconds and then said tentatively, “I have a game in mind.”

“Anything you want. You’ve definitely earned it.”

Marty just gave me one of his smiles and didn’t say anything else. I was content with that. We let Adele’s music fill our silence as we zipped along the interstate northbound. I didn’t say a word when we passed our exit. Marty had already proved that his surprise trips were always worth the effort.

When we were more than an hour past Palm Beach, I finally said, “Is this all part of your game or are you lost?”

He kept a smile as he said, “All part of the game.”

“Want to fill me in?”

He just smiled, and I liked it. He looked a little nervous, with his fingers thumping on the steering wheel and his constant shifting in the seat. I didn’t really know what it meant, but I was willing to go along with the game.

We pulled off the interstate and took the long road east until we were on the edges of the city of Vero Beach.

I said, “Okay, I can guess that this game has something to do with your ex-wife. She lives here, right?”

Marty nodded. “She does. You still in?”

“Sure, I said I’ll play.”

“Then do me a favor and reach back into my jacket on the rear seat.”

I twisted and reached for the Windbreaker and immediately felt something heavy in the pocket. I pulled out the pistol and held it up.