Page 21 of Breakaway

“Looks like coke. I wish I could hear what he’s saying.”

“There is no sound. Click the other video I have open. It’s slow-mo and focused on his mouth. See if you can read his lips this time.”

I watch it twice before looking at him. “Want your fix? Throw the game.”

Clark nods. “That’s what I thought too. That’s just before the game where Missy made the shitty play toward the end and the opposing team was able to tie. The rest of the team miraculously saved the game. Which tells me two things. The others are not involved, and Baylor is as corrupt as he’s always been.”

“Baylor was working for the previous team owner. That’s how he got himself the one-year contract in the sale of the team. I wonder if Leon’s Share had anything to do with that.”

He nods his agreement.

“That’s also how Missy and Baylor were making so much more, Teddie and Cat were short changed. Do the dollars match?”

“Yep, that’s why no one got suspicious. The total amount of payroll made sense to anyone with league knowledge.”

“We need to get this info to my dad.”

“Now that we know we have someone we can trust, we will.”

“I don’t like this. The whole team could be in danger.”

“Agreed. I have guards watching the bus and moved the parking to a different ‘unlisted’ location since it’s a vulnerability. We also have new bus drivers. Ex military from a securitycompany I trust. There will be two on the bus until we get this all cleared up.”

“They misjudged you, my friend.”

Clark gives me his charmer smile. “Happens all the time. Blonde haired, pencil pusher, geek. Can’t get any less threatening.”

I stand. “They’ve never seen you in your private dojo.”

His smile is almost lethal. “And that’s their last mistake.”

CHAPTER 12

Caitlyn (Cat)

Missy doesn’t show up for warm-ups. Coach joins us afterward, a strained expression on his face, to explain she’s sick and won’t be playing. Steph will be taking her place.

Ten minutes before we need to be on the ice I step away from the rest of the team like I always do to center myself. There’s a stairwell at the end of the hall right past the bathrooms that I use at this arena. Closing my eyes, I do the breathing routine, stretching and personal mantra I’ve used to keep me grounded since I was fourteen.

When I open my eyes, Baylor is standing in front of me.

“I have a message for you from your brother.” A smirk twists his lips. He leans in and whispers near my ear. “Throw the game or Nonno’s Diner won’t exist tomorrow. Make it look like a bad play.”

Patting my shoulder, he turns and walks away laughing.

My brother? What the hell does he have to do with hockey? How does Baylor know him? God, I’m naive.Gambling.

Sports equal gambling. Even women’s sports.Drugs and gambling. Just like his father. Oh my god. That’s why I got the offer to be on this team. He must have pulled some strings. Didhe know the team was up for sale? I can’t see Mr. Davies being a crook.

Rushing back to my locker I slip into the bathroom and call Mel.

I don’t even give him time to speak when he answers. “Mel, is everything okay? Is the diner okay?”

“Cat?”

“Mel, tell me nothing unusual is going on?” He’s silent so long I practically scream into the phone. “Mel?”

“Listen to me, Cat. Listen carefully. Nothing is going to happen to this diner. It will be here when you get home. I know how to take care of things. Now you go out there and you win this game for me. It’s important. You hear me? I’ll be here when you get home.”

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