Page 54 of Head Over Skates

I nod, as if silently echoing her sentiment. Coach Knight is sprawled out on the floor, barely conscious.

"But why would he be snooping around Rousseau's house in the middle of the night?"

I level her with a hard stare. “We’resnooping around Rousseau's house in the middle of the night.”

“Well, we can’t just leave him here.”

I sigh, kneeling down to check Coach’s condition. “Well, you didn’t kill him, so that’s a plus. Maybe we should get him some ice. He’s going to wake up with a huge headache.”

I glance around the basement, looking for anything to help.

Coach Knight stirs with a groan and his eyelids start to flutter. As he focuses on us, recognition hits. "What in blazes are you two doing here?"

I open my mouth, but no clever excuse comes out.

“We could ask you the same question,” Emily says cooly.

He jerks upright, then winces, gingerly touching his face. “What did you kick me for?”

“I thought you were somebody else,” she admits defensively.

“Somebody else? Like the people who live here?”

Emily and I exchange a look.

“Naturally,” we say in unison.

“Wow. You two were made for each other. Help me up.”

I lend him a hand and haul him to his feet.

He frowns and rubs his jaw where Emily nailed him. “You have ten seconds to tell me what’s going on or so help me.”

I realize this could get very bad for me. I could get thrown off the team if Coach spills. Then again, so could he.

“I found Éclat d'Érable gum in Rousseau's office,” Emily blurts. “We think he stole the Hart Memorial Cup.”

“How do you know about the gum?”

“Wasn’t there a wrapper found at the scene of the crime?” I ask.

“Nobody knows about that except me and Hal. And now you, I suppose, though I can’t imagine how.”

“He was eavesdropping,” Emily supplies.

“Thank you, my sweet loving girlfriend,” I deadpan. “I just love getting thrown under the bus.”

“I’m not your girlfriend. We’re coming clean now so we don’t have to pretend anymore.”

She might as well have just roundhoused me, too, because I feel like I’ve been kicked in the gut.

Coach pulls a face. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” I say. “Can we get to the part where you tell us why you’re here too?”

“Not until you tell me what you know about the gum wrapper.”

“Emily’s right. I overheard you talking to Hal. But I wasn’t eavesdropping. You’re kind of loud when you talk.”

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