Page 48 of Bad Ruck

"In that case, I'm on the right side of history if I learn more from you," I said. "It sounds to me like you're doing important work." Under other circumstances, I'd be behind him completely. As it was, I felt uncomfortable standing next to him and a body of water. Not that I thought he'd try anything with this many witnesses in the area right now.

"I am," he said with an edge of reluctance. Reluctance to share too much more information with me? Or maybe he didn’t want to share with anyone? He might be scared I'd try to steal his work somehow. Or insinuate myself into his studies so my name would be included in anything he published. It happened often enough.

"Ramsey is working with you, isn't he?" I said with some reluctance of my own. "I get the impression he's been doing too much. Pool therapy might be better than spending so much time in the gym."

"He has been working with me," Otis agreed. He looked at me carefully, as if trying to figure out whether or not I caught on to his double meaning.

I pretended to be completely oblivious. "I'm worried he's working himself too hard," I said. "I just saw him and looked at his knee. According to his notes, you've been doing the same. How does he seem to you?"

I hated talking about Ramsey behind his back, but if he wasn't going to open up to me about why he was working out toohard, maybe Otis could give me some insight. If we bonded over this, he might come to trust me.

"As you say, he's been over-exercising," Otis said. "I've insisted he do more pool work, especially Watsu, but he's resistant. I believe he thinks relaxing is counter-productive."

"That sounds like every guy on the team," I said dryly. "They like to be busy. Active." Of course they did; they were all physical guys. None of them would be happy sitting in an office day after day. They liked to be on the go as much as they could.

"Indeed," Otis agreed. "The support of their coach would be helpful."

"You think if Coach Stanley ordered them to do more in the pool, they would? I mean, of course they would, but with his backing they might be less resistant?" I assumed that was what he was getting at.

"Precisely." He nodded. "They understand its benefits as a treatment, but as an exercise regime in and of itself? That's where they are most reluctant. They're accustomed to stationary bikes and treadmills."

"So, you think pool therapy is a holistic approach?" I said. "Body and mind."

"That's exactly what it is," he said. "Fortunately, the GM believes as I do. He may consider replacing Coach Stanley with someone who supports my work and my methods."

There was a double meaning in that too. He wanted the head coach replaced with someone who was working with them outside of working with the team. If Coach Stanley wasn't careful, he’d end up like Bruce Fergus, but courtesy of Otis instead of Atlas.

"I'm sure Coach Stanley could be coerced," I said carefully. "If he understood what was at stake, he might change his mind." I sent a mental apology to the head coach. Their kind of coercion would suck. No doubt they’d already considered it, but I wastrying to get Skinner on my side. The guys would have to do whatever was necessary to keep the coach from ending up dead.

"Most people can be coerced," Otis said meaningfully. "I would have thought you were the ‘have a pleasant conversation with someone’ kind of woman. Hope to convince them to rethink."

"I am that kind of woman," I agreed. "But sometimes, things have to be taken a step further. For the good of the team," I added quickly.

"Of course, for the good of the team," he agreed. "If you had to coerce him, what would you suggest?"

This was a test, and I wasn't sure if I could pass. If I was honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to. I waded in this far, I might as well press on. We both knew what was going on here. More or less.

"That depends how resistant he is," I said. "Brutham Academy taught several different varieties of coercion. Beyond that, I know people. I'm sure you do too."

"I might, but I'm more interested to hear about you," he said. He was still sceptical, wondering what my angle was. Men like him didn't get far by trusting one casual conversation. "I'm aware who your brother is and who he works for."

"That's him," I said. "I make up my own mind about who I work with. For the record, my brother gets restless. He doesn't always agree with his boss. Like most people, he's always wanting to expand his power."

"Interesting," Otis said.

"I thought so," I said. If he really thought my brother would turn his back on his boss, he was mistaken, but he didn't need to know that. Not right now anyway. If he believed we’d flip and work with him, that would work in our favour.

"We might need to test this theory," he said slowly. "Find out how much coercion is necessary."

I looked over to him. "Did you have something in mind?"

He looked back at me. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"Ramsey trusts me," I said. "Who do you think sent me here?" I made a note to tell Ramsey I brought him into the conversation. No doubt Otis would ask him directly. I was sure he could handle himself, but it would help if he wasn't taken by surprise.

"Ferris Ramsey sent his girlfriend to me?" Otis mused. "That is interesting. He was instrumental in uncovering a mole." Apparently he bought Ramsey's story about the way she died.

I had a feeling he didn't know Dallas' part in it. I hoped like hell he didn't. Dallas had been through enough already. I didn't want him to become more of a target than any of us already were.

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