The Adventurer
Copyright© 2025 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 2
Trey completed his forms early Tuesday morning, put on his sweats, and went to the gym. He worked out on the weight machine and returned to the suite. After his shower, Trey dressed and went to the restaurant for breakfast. While eating, he reread the golf rule book, then took a cab to the golf academy.
He arrived 30 minutes early, sat in the back, watched, and read everyone entering the conference room. The instructors entered, and a test on the golf rules was passed out. Trey finished his in 20 minutes and handed it in. Dan told him to go warm up on the practice range. Slowly, other students arrived, formed four groups, and went to the starting line. Trey teed off first, and they played a round under the supervision of a pro. His name was Mike Sheely, and he questioned our course knowledge, club selection, and shot placement.
They finished the round, and he shot a two-under-par. Mike verified our score cards, and then we returned to the classroom. Mike told us to get lunch and be back in an hour. After lunch, everyone trickled in, and Dan said there would be a test tomorrow about course management. Then he returned the golf rules tests and said,” Those who scored under 70% please stay seated. Trey got up to leave, and Dan told him to go to the practice range.
The Callaway rep was there when he arrived, and introductions were made. His name was David Scott, and he wanted to verify my swing speed. David put a device on his waist and a small transmitter on the club. Trey hit a dozen balls with his driver, then the woods, and David had him stop. He said your swing speed is too fast for normal club shafts. You need a pro model rigid shaft, and he’ll send them to me at no charge. David said to return your old clubs when the new ones arrive. David left, saying he would see me on Saturday.
He was confused upon returning to the hotel. It was early, so he reviewed the phone tags. Two students, Tom Howell and Ronny Skinner, planned to break into his room tonight and add a club and Stickum to his bag. That would disqualify him from the program tomorrow. You’re allowed 14 clubs in the golf bag, and Stickum helps with your grip. So, using Stickum or an extra club disqualifies you from the course or tournament.
Trey called home and told them about Callaway measuring his swing speed and sending him pro model clubs at no charge. Grandmother said there must be a catch somewhere, and Trey said he’ll find out Saturday and said goodnight. He ordered room service, went to the stairs, and put hair conditioner on the top six steps. Trey ate dinner, and then he went to sleep. At midnight, he got up and waited by the suite door. When it opened, Trey started punching and kicking Tom and Ronny. They ran to the stairway and fell down two flights of stairs. He got a wet towel, wiped off the stairs, picked up the key card, and returned to bed.
Early Wednesday morning, Trey did his forms, put on his Speedo and robe, and went to the pool. He swam laps for 40 minutes and returned to the suite. He showered, dressed, and went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. While eating, Trey read the minds of people close to him. Two men were stock brokers with J P Morgan and were here for a conference. Trey tagged their phones and then took a cab to the golf academy. He arrived 30 minutes early again and waited.
At 8:05, the instructors entered, and Dan instructed half the class to warm up and play a round. The rest would stay and take the course management test. Trey was in the first group, so he warmed up on the practice range and teed off. Their pro instructor watched and made notes, but didn’t offer advice unless asked. He shot a four under par and waited for their group to finish. Then they went to lunch and returned to the classroom. They took the test on course management and were excused for the day.
Trey returned to the hotel, ordered room service, and called home. Mom answered, and he told them about his day. Trey did tell them about the two intruders so they wouldn’t worry. He told them there was a Saturday tournament at the end of their training. The Callaway rep said he’d be there watching. They said goodbye when room service arrived, and he ate dinner watching the local news. A segment was about two young golfers falling down the stairs at a local hotel. The golfers suffered concussions, broken bones, and bruises. Unfortunately, they couldn’t remember anything about the accident. He shut off the TV and went to bed.
We trained on the course on Thursday and Friday after seven students were excused from the academy. They failed both tests twice. Dan told the attendees that talent alone won’t get you far in golf. You must know the rules, plan your shots, and execute them. Some of you want to get college scholarships and go pro. Remember, even if you reach the pro ranks, most golfers fail to make enough money to survive. So, an education is key to being successful.
Saturday was the tournament, and we teed off in reverse order of our last names. That meant he teed off in the last group. Trey finally teed off after everyone in his group and hit a booming drive to the center of the fairway. He heard his fellow golfer say shit and Trey ignored their banter and focused. By the ninth hole, he was leading his group by three strokes. They began taking chances, and he played it safe. Trey finished seven under par, winning the tournament by five strokes. The teaching pros and the Callaway rep, David Scott, congratulated him. Trey received a trophy and a gift bag of goodies.
David gave Trey an offer for Callaway to sponsor him. He asked Trey to take it home, discuss it with his parents, and then call him. He would explain the proposal in detail with them and hopefully come to an agreement. They said goodbye, and he headed back to the hotel. Trey packed, called the airline, changed his reservation, checked out, and took a taxi to the airport. He called home and said he was flying home tonight and gave Mom his flight number to get the arrival time. Trey checked his bags and arrived at the gate 15 minutes before boarding.
He was lucky that the first class wasn’t full, and $100 got him upgraded. When seated, he wondered if he had used his skill to get the gate agent to agree. They landed in North Dakota at 7:30 p.m., and Mom and Uncle Jack welcomed him home. On the drive home, they asked how he did in the tournament, and Trey said, “OK.” They laughed and demanded details. Trey told them he shot a seven under par and won the tournament by five strokes. They asked what he won, and Trey said he’d discuss it when we get home.
Trey got a hug and kiss from Grandmother, and then they sat at the kitchen table. He showed them the trophy and the goodie bag, then passed around Callaway’s sponsorship proposal. Everyone read it and asked what he thought about it. Trey said he didn’t read it. Uncle Jack said he’d have his attorney look at it, but it seems like a good deal. It’s a one-year agreement, and you must play in up to six tournaments. There is a clause for school and weather, and you must say Callaway is your sponsor during interviews.
Trey said he’s not sure about it, and Uncle Jack said it’s approaching the end of the golf season. So, at most, you’ll play in one or two tournaments this year. Let’s wait and have the attorney review it, then make a decision. They all agreed, Uncle Jack left, and Trey went to bed and crashed.
Early Monday morning, Trey did his forms, went to his dojo, and did his martial arts workout. He had missed it, and it felt good to hit something again. After his shower, Trey dressed, grabbed his guns, and went to the stables. Blackie was happy to see Trey, and he saddled him, and then they took off for a ride. Halfway through their ride, Trey saw a drone. He stopped pulling his rifle and fired three shots at it. The drone crashed, and he rode over to it. The drone was destroyed, but he got the memory card and returned to the stables.
Trey took care of Blackie and went upstairs to view the memory card. He said shit after viewing the pictures and knew he had to discuss this with Uncle Jack. The photos showed the beginning of the drone flight, with two Air Force men in uniform. But they also showed two men in Army uniforms and a man in a suit. This wasn’t good, and he wondered if it had something to do with his Dad. Trey shut off the computer and went to the kitchen.
After breakfast, Trey returned upstairs and checked his email. Jacob had another programming assignment for him. He said payment for the last assignment was in his PayPal account. There was nothing more important, and he checked his phone tags. The JP Morgan men were texting about joining an exclusive club called “Top Shelf.” It would supply them with stock tips for 10% of their profit. It cost 25k to join, and they agreed it was worth it.
So, Trey checked their emails and phone apps. He got both their website logins and passwords. Trey transferred the information to his computer and logged in. He didn’t stay long; he just checked out the site and logged off. He’d check it out early in the morning when they’re sleeping, so there wouldn’t be dual logins. Trey started programming Jacob’s new assignment and stopped when Mom called him for lunch. He shut the computer down, grabbed the memory card, and went to the kitchen.
After lunch, Trey drove his F250 to Uncle Jack’s company. He was in a meeting, so Trey helped IT with a programming problem. At the end of the day, Trey went to Uncle Jack’s office and told him about the drone he shot down this morning. Then they viewed the memory card, and Jack said shit, this is bad. Uncle Jack said his brother William must have been involved in something illegal or top secret. For them to fly a drone over your ranch, they must suspect something’s there.
Trey told Uncle Jack he didn’t tell Mom or Grandmother about it. Jack said Good, and keep it between us. The guy in the suit must be CIA, and for the Army and Air Force to be involved makes it worse. Trey asked what he should do if another drone comes or they send a team. Uncle Jack said to do what you must, but get rid of the evidence. You can keep their equipment, but make sure no one finds their bodies. Trey drove home thinking about ways to dispose of bodies.
Arriving home, Trey went into the kitchen, and dinner was ready. They sat and ate, and Grandmother said, “Now you’re back, we have requests for appearances at campaign events.” Trey said,” Great, what are their requests? “I’ll notify my social secretary.” Everyone laughed, and Grandmother said Thursday night and Saturday night. Saturday is a black-tie affair, so that means wear your tux. They finished dinner, and Trey said goodnight. Then, they went to bed and fell asleep.
Nothing exciting happened Tuesday or Wednesday, but they got the okay to sign Callaway’s sponsorship agreement. Trey called David Scott and said to send the agreement. David said, “Great, and your new clubs should arrive tomorrow morning. When they do, please play a few rounds of golf to get used to them. “David said his drives will go further, so log your yardages.” He said we also need to schedule a fitting to get our hats, shirts, and pants for you to wear.
We haven’t had any more problems with drones or surveillance. Uncle Jack said they may be regrouping, so don’t let your guard down. The Air Force won’t be happy losing a drone. He also logged into the investor website “Top Shelf.” Trey bought 500 shares of Cumming Aluminum at 24.90 a share. He had to transfer funds from his PayPal account to cover the purchase. But the inside scoop was Cumming was getting a large automobile order so the stock should rise quickly.
At one a.m., Trey was awake, dressed in black, and exiting the kitchen. He looked around and saw a Black Hawk helicopter dropping two men on a bluff 500 yards from the house. Trey jogged to the backside of the bluff and climbed the trail to the top. He read their minds, and they were supposed to take me out, then invade the house to search for the hidden documents and cash. They suspected William, his dad, of stealing the documents and cash from a mission a year ago. Intel was just discovered to point the finger at Dad.
Trey sent them the command to sleep, and they did. He thought, “Damn, it worked,” and went onto the bluff. Trey stripped them and then threw them off the back side. Then he gathered their supplies, carried them off the bluff, down the trail to the bottom. Trey checked the men, and they were dead. So, he took the supplies to the garage attic and returned to his room. Trey thought about what happened this morning. He woke up dressed and left the house without knowing about it. Then he put the men to sleep by sending a command. The last part was feeling the energy surge towards the top of the trail.
He’d check that out later, but what about Dad having documents and money from a mission? Trey thought about what Dad did a year ago when he visited last. He arrived in a rented SUV and parked in the garage. It couldn’t be that simple, and Trey got a flashlight and returned to the garage. He climbed the attic stairs and looked into the attic with the flashlight. In the corner was a metal foot locker with a padlock on it. Trey needed a place to stash his valuables that was safe from the weather and secure. He left everything in the attic for now and closed it up.
Trey went upstairs, changed into sweats, did his forms, and went to his dojo. He did his martial arts workout, returned upstairs, showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. Grandmother and Mom were cooking breakfast, so Trey sat at the table. They sat and ate breakfast, and Grandmother said we needed to leave by 6 p.m. for dinner. Trey said, “OK,” and went upstairs. He thought about where a good stash place would be, and a cave on the hillside would be ideal.
He went to the garage, drove the mule along the hillside, and stopped halfway to the bluff. Trey got out, climbed the hillside about forty feet, and found an opening. The opening was only about two feet high and wide. Trey crawled through the opening, stood, and turned on his flashlight. The cave went back forty or fifty feet and turned left. Trey followed the route until he came to a large cavern. This would be ideal if he could make the opening larger and disguise.