Tammy leaned back and came around with another swift blow.
The manager moaned and grabbed at his head and then his mid section. He curled into the fetal position on the floor in front of the desk where he twitched and coughed.
"Where did you come from just in time?" John asked as he stood and reached for Tammy's hand.
"I was listening at the door. I watched him pull in behind you and figured you must be having a meeting or something."
"He was having the meeting," John remarked coldly.
"I know. I heard everything he told you. I can't believe he had anything to do with it. I guess I was in denial."
John shook his head as he looked down at the wounded manager. There was a thin trail of blood working down the side of his face.
"Better call the cops," she said.
They held hands in the late afternoon sun as they walked down the beach away from the office. The police had come and gone. Hank was now safely behind bars being charged with Michael's death among other things.
"Well," Tammy said, "I don't know how many times I can keep bailing you out."
John glanced over to her and noticed a jumpy smile played at the corners of her mouth.
"You're starting to bring me down."
"Really."
"Yes, really."
They walked on and before long the office was no more than a speck against the surrounding hotels and restaurants.
"Where did you get that stick, anyway?" he asked.
"Dumb luck, I guess," she admitted. "It was there right by the door."
"Dumb luck is a damn good name for this case."
They stopped as a little girl cut in front of them on her way along the waters edge. She was giggling all the while without a care. Her father ran after her and they both landed in the knee-deep Atlantic sea foam.
She squeezed his hand. "What do you mean this case was dumb luck?"
"I should say good dumb luck."
She looked thoughtful and gazed out at the ocean.
"I'm lucky you walked into my life and I'm sure lucky to have dodged the flying bullets. And now add that I'm lucky that you dropped by this morning and found that stick by the door."
The wind once again had its way with her hair. "I think I'm the one that's lucky."
"How does this grab you?" John said. "The Good Luck Agency."
"Now in business," she added.