Page 12 of Breakaway

Turk: I’m coming over.

I walk into his house and head straight to his office. “Did you get her money straightened out?”

“I assume you mean Caitlyn?” He lifts a brow. “Most of the contracts were legit. Missy is making more than what she deserves. But I can’t change it. Since I’m letting her go at the end of the month, that situation will take care of itself. Teddie is underpaid by five thousand. Cat, as I said before, wasn’t even at minimum, and she should be making fifty easy.

“Yes, payroll has made the changes to be effective on their hire date with me, so they will see the increase on their first checks. There is nothing I can do about what they were making with the other owner. I’ve told Teddie, but I haven’t been able to reach Caitlyn to tell her of the contract changes. I was going to tell her after the game, but she was gone.

“Tatum says she doesn’t use her phone much and she never answers numbers she doesn’t know. Call my sister, ask her to text Cat and have her call you regarding good news on her contract.

He leans back in his chair and studies me. “Besides you having a hard-on for this chick, you want to tell me what’s really going on?”

“Don’t disrespect her like that.”

“Oh man. You are smitten. Or should I say bitten.”

“Something is wrong with her. She was supposed to go out with Tatum after the win. But when Tatum got back from her shower, Cat was gone. Tatum was concerned so I went to where I followed Cat before. She was already dressed to work the diner. The big guy, Mel, was in the alley talking to her. She was upset and crying. He gave her money. What looked to be a lot of money. Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

Clark leans back in his chair. “You’re channeling your father.”

“What? What does my dad have to do with this?”

“You are so much like your dad. You see things the rest of us miss. You should have been a damn detective like he is. It’s how you outed those boys before they torched the principal’s truck. How you knew the girl from science class was being stalked by her pervy ex-boyfriend. How you found out Baylor was using drugs when he played.

“It’s why your instinct was to follow Cat the other night.”

“Look I just know something isn’t right with her. She’s obviously broke if she’s working every spare minute at the diner.”

Clark is silent for a moment. “She’s a little wired and on the too thin side. Do you think it’s drugs? You know that’s a hard no for me.”

“No. That’s not it. She’s on edge and watchful. Too clear headed for it to be drugs. More anxious, nervous like she’s waiting or watching for something to go wrong. When she’s on the ice that all goes away. Like she’s safe there,” I explain.

“Do you think I should run a background check on her? You said she doesn’t appear to be living at the address in her file.”

“People move all the time for different reasons. Maybe she broke up with a boyfriend. Tell her she’s getting the raise and let’s see if that chills her out.”

He studies me for a long time. “We’re bringing in food. I’ll have them up the quantity to make sure there’s enough for her and anyone else to take home if they need it. What’s left goes to the VA homeless shelter anyway. I pay for everything on away games.

“We already have the issue of your sister on the team and next week my sister. I can’t responsibly show her or anyone preferential treatment. But we can keep our eyes open. If Baylor was trying to threaten her in any way it’s my excuse to fire his ass, contract or not. But I have to be fair.”

I nod.

“The team bus heads out Wednesday night. We play Thursday and Saturday. Nights. You coming for Saturday’s game?”

“I’ll be there.”

He smiles. “You can discreetly check into this however you want…within reason. No stalking.”

“I’m not.”

“You followed her home twice and sat in a darkened car.”

“I’m leaving now.” I stand. “If I learn anything I’ll let you know.”

“Hey Dad, what’re you up to?”

“My knees in dirt.”

“Huh?”

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