Page 80 of Mann Hunt
“Thanks for agreeing to meet with me,” Declan said.
“No problem,” Chalmers replied. “I can’t tell you how hard-hit the kids were when they heard that Ian was dead.”
“Sorry to hear that. How are the people in the office and the coaching staff doing?”
Chalmers shook his head. “Mister, this isn’t the NHL. Sure, we have the guys who maintain the building and the ice—they’re city employees. Just like the cleaning staff. And the concessions, they’re run by contractors. Other than that…it’s me, Todd Elmer who’s the assistant coach, our travel manager Jan McNab and the owner. Now that Ian’s gone, I don’t know where the team stands.”
“Do you have any idea who might have wanted to kill Ian?”
“Around here? No one! Everybody loved the guy. Since he bought into the Axemen, they’ve been a winning team. He got them the best equipment, the best publicity—he even got new ice-grooming equipment. Hell, he even badgered the big companies here to kick in for a complete overhaul of the arena.” Chalmers raised his empty mug in the direction of the waitress who came over with a second mug and a full pot of coffee. She filled both men’s cups.
“Thanks, Maggie,” Chalmers said.
Declan waited until Maggie was out of earshot before asking, “What about the rumours that Ian was mismanaging team funds?”
“So, you heard that, did ya? Those rumours were started by Nick Neves, who wanted to get control of the team. He was very much against the possible sale to a Toronto investor.”
“What was Nick’s connection to the team?” Declan asked.
“He was its lead sponsor. He installed the ventilation system in the new arena, all at his own expense.”
“Doesn’t his son play for the team?”
“Justin? Yeah, he’s with us.” Chalmers said.
Declan noted the lack of enthusiasm in the coach’s response. “Is he a good player?”
“He’s not the best but having him on the team keeps his dad happy and that helps us.”
Declan paused. “Is there much money in owning a team like this?”
Chalmers laughed. “For the most part, it’s a break-even proposition at best, but a few of our kids have been picked up by the NHL. When that happens, the team owner might see a bit of a…financial reward. Some parents have even offered me a little money to give their kids more ice time when the NHL scouts are in.”
“You ever take them up on that?”
“Nope. Won’t touch a bribe. I like what I do, and I don’t plan on risking that for anything.” Chalmers took a long sip of coffee. “What’s this all got to do with Ian’s death?”
“I’m just gathering as much information as I can.”
“Why areyoudoing this, and not the cops?” Chalmers asked.
“They have their own version of what happened to Ian Mann. His wife has a different idea, and she hired me to find out what happened. I’m consulting with the police, though. Coach Chalmers, I’m hoping you can help me get some information about Ian’s death.”
“Sure. Whatever you need.”
“I saw on your website that you’ve got a summer training camp coming up next week.”
“What of it?”
“I want to put one of my people on the ice with your team.”
Chalmers snorted. “You think it’s that easy? These guys are some of the best players around.”
“My assistant will pass for eighteen or nineteen, and he played hockey in university.”
Chalmers was silent.
Declan continued, “It may be our best chance at getting a lead on finding out who did this to Ian. And, if we find nothing, it’ll clear the team of any involvement.”
