Page 84 of Mann Hunt
“Okay,” Charlie said, uncertain.
Declan moved around the desk. “You’ll be fine. All you have to do is go in, do whatever you have to do to make yourself look good and try to make a good impression on Justin. If he was attracted to you outside The Greek, I bet he’ll feel the same in the arena, even if he doesn’t remember you from before.”
Charlie frowned. “What if he does remember me?”
“You say you were there for the same reason he was—a bit of fun.” Declan handed Charlie a piece of paper. “Now, I know it’s not far from home, but I’ve booked you into a hotel. Here’s your reservation.”
Charlie glanced at the paper. “Do I have to stay there?”
“Yes,” Declan replied. “That way you can go out with the guys after practice, stay as late as you need to and not worry about sleeping in and missing practice.”
“That makes sense.”
Declan continued, “I want you to listen for anything they might have to say about Justin or Ian Mann. If something comes up, don’t try to remember it, just text me the details. If anybody asks, you’re just texting a friend.”
Charlie sank into a chair. “What if something goes wrong? I mean really wrong?” Charlie asked.
Declan knelt down beside him. “I’ll be watching to make sure nothing bad happens. And if you’re spooked, just text me.”
“I just don’t want to disappoint you.”
Declan put his hand on Charlie’s leg and leaned in closer. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
Charlie stopped breathing. He wanted the moment to last forever. Declan broke his reverie when he stood and walked out into the reception area. Charlie shook his head and followed.
“So,” Declan said in a matter-of-fact tone, “you’ve got the address of the hotel you’re staying at, and you know the plan. Do you need anything else?”
“I’m good. I check into the hotel first, grab some lunch and then get to the arena by two-thirty—early enough to show I’m serious, but not too early to make me look like a pussy.”
“I don’t recall actually putting it that way.”
“I’m channelling my inner eighteen-year-old.”
Declan put his hand on Charlie’s back and walked him down to the Red Beast.
“Declan?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for trusting me with this.”
“No problem. So, are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Charlie smiled, got into his car then burned rubber as he peeled off down the street.
* * * *
Forty-five minutes later, Charlie pulled into the Airdrie Comfort Inn just off of the highway. He was excited. This was the first time he’d been away on the road by himself.
He discovered that Declan had prepaid the room. After checking in, Charlie unpacked his suitcase and scoped out his accommodation. It was basic with a small fridge, which to Charlie’s disappointment didn’t contain any tiny bottles of booze.
He stopped in at the restaurant next door for a light pre-practice lunch, then headed out for his undercover mission.
When Charlie pulled into the parking lot of the Alconco Arena, he was surprised to find a dozen cars already parked there.
Shit, if I’m late…
He leapt out, pulled his hockey bag out of the trunk and ran to the front doors. He desperately searched for the change rooms.
