Book excerpt: "Shank" MacDuff embodies Southern California ease-a dashing blond Newport Beach surfer who makes good money working for a PGA golfer. Yet his world is shaken when friend and fellow caddy Buddy Franks dies dramatically. Buddy's widow recruits Shank to discover what really happened. The amateur sleuth draws upon his Caltech smarts and FBI Academy training to hunt for the killer. As he roams places like ocean-front La Jolla, colorful Las Vegas, and historic Del Mar race track digging for clues, challenging questions emerge: Are the unpredictable widow's intentions pure? Which is more slippery, the tournament director or his gelled hair? Is Buddy's mysterious past the cornerstone? Amidst interviews and incriminations, Shank risks his life while struggling to fill the deep-rooted void that lies at the center of his heart. Treachery at Torrey Pines is a dynamic thriller with intense action, tender moments, and tantalizing twists.