Page 78 of Mann Hunt
“From what it says,” Charlie began, “with Ian’s death, the potential deal with the buyer from Toronto for the team has fallen through, but a new buyer has stepped onto the ice. A guy named Nick Neves.”
“Interesting,” Declan said.
“There’s more. It looks like he and Ian didn’t get along. He was one of the sponsors pushing for an audit of the team’s books. And this guy in the photo,” Charlie said, pointing to one of two players holding up a trophy, “I know him. I met him coming out of The Greek the night I came to pick you up.”
“Are you sure?”
“You don’t forget a face like that, especially when it hits on you,” Charlie said, rubbing his chest where the guy had caressed him. “And look at the caption—Terry Fredericks (left) hoists the Governor’s Cup, assisted by Justin Neves. (Photo credit: Ian Mann).”
“And what do you bet that Justin is Nick’s son?” Declan said. “This just keeps getting better. You,” Declan pointed at Charlie, “have more than earned your breakfast this morning.”
Charlie beamed.
Declan’s phone went off. He glanced at it. “It’s Luke.”
Of course it’s Luke. Just when it became about me. Charlie frowned.
“Good morning,” Declan answered. Charlie stared at the table as Declan listened to Luke.
“He got a hit on the gum wrapper,” he whispered to Charlie. “Let me guess, Michael Taylor?” he said to Luke.
Charlie watched the expression on Declan’s face change.
“Even more interesting,” Declan said to Luke. Declan nodded as he listened to the other end of the conversation. After a few minutes Declan said, “Thanks for this. We’ll talk soon.”
Declan disconnected. He sat in silence. Charlie couldn’t take the suspense any longer. “What did Luke say?”
“They found prints on the wrapper. They belonged to an eighteen-year-old kid with a prior arrest for breaking and entering. It proves the kid was at the scene, but not necessarily on the night of Ian’s disappearance. The police aren’t interested in following up, but I think we should.”
“Why?”
Declan pointed to one of the players in the newspaper picture. “Because the kid was Justin Neves.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Declan and Charlie burst into the office.
“Start looking up everything you can on the Axemen. I need contact info for the team, coaching staff, the guy who cleans up the change room—everyone. I’m especially interested in anything you can get me on Justin Neves. I’ll call Katherine and see what she can tell me.”
Declan sat at his desk and pulled out a pad of paper and pen. Then he grabbed his phone and punched in Katherine’s number. She answered on the third ring.
“Declan? Do you have any news?”
“Katherine, tell me everything you can about the Airdrie Axemen.”
Katherine said, “It was the one thing that really excited Ian. There was a big-shot from out east that was looking at buying him out. Ian was considering it, but he knew it wouldn’t go over well with the team. Ian needed money to keep the team afloat, which is why Ididn’t understand his resistance to selling that goddamned factory building.”
“Who would I talk to in the organisation who knows about the players?”
“Dave Chalmers. He’s the coach. I can give you his contact information.”
Declan wrote down the number, thanked her and ended the call.
Charlie walked into Declan’s office. “I’ve pulled together a list of everyone directly involved with the team and facility. Information on the team members was more difficult, since some of them are under eighteen, but I located a bunch of their social media accounts, including those for Justin Neves.”
“Those’ll come in handy,” Declan said, taking the printout.
“I’m heading down to Gwen’s. Can I pick you up something?” Charlie asked.
