Page 110 of Scored

“Vee,” she asked, “have you told this to Detective Oldson?”

I shook my head. “No. I told him that I thought he arrested the wrong person. I didn’t know about Dad being gone or Grant and Daphne. I told him there was no way Bre could have drugged him. She didn’t have access; Daphne did.”

“But now…?”

“Now, I don’t know,” I admitted. I remembered something. “Detective Oldson said he believes my father was targeted. I don’t know why anyone would target him.”

Virginia sat taller. “There’s a possibility all of these separate situations could be connected.”

I shook my head. “How could threatening notes be connected to Dad’s accident?”

“Each note mentions your father.” She looked down at her phone. “The first one said ‘the truth will come out. Daddy isn’t here to stop it.’ And the second said, ‘What will happen when the truth comes out? Even your daddy couldn’t stop it.’” She looked up at me. “What truth is coming?”

Shaking my head, I sighed. “I don’t know. Like I said, I’ve learned a lot about my dad and Daphne and Grant… the truth that my family is a Peyton Place? I mean the average person won’t care. I don’t want my dad’s image to be soiled, but it feels like it’s more than that.”

“You said the police found a note from Bre Stanton to your father and that’s why they believed she could be responsible?”

I nodded.

“What did the note say?”

I tried to remember. There were too many thoughts swirling through my head. “Something about being tired of waiting for Dad to divorce Daphne. Honestly, I don’t recall. You could talk to Bre.”

“I think I will.”

There was another knock on the door.

Jen peeked inside. “I’m sorry to interrupt you. Caleb is waiting for you, Vee.”

Nodding, I wiped my lips with the napkin. “I apologize, Virginia. We have a lot going on around here.”

She stood. “I understand. Stephens Security also provides security for Mrs. Hubbard. Would it be all right if we compared notes and followed up on some possibilities?”

“Yes, please. Do whatever you can.”

“Thank you, Vee.”

CHAPTER 45

Fin

Friday afternoon as I took a seat for our final team meeting of the week, my muscles called out, reminding me that yesterday and this morning, I’d been run over by big men. Lacy’s MRI came back with signs of healing. She explained something about a sac around the shoulder. I only heard that I was cleared for full practice with pads and to play, and most importantly, I wouldn’t need any more MRIs for a while. Being back to full play meant that no one on the practice squad was taking it easy on me. Tomorrow, the team, the practice squad, and all the coaches would fly to Los Angeles, get our hotel assignments, and check out the practice facility we’d be using.

“The next week, gentlemen,” Coach Tilson said, “will be difficult to stay focused. The NFL has us utilizing the Rams Village at Warner Center for practice. While the entire center isn’t yet complete, a few years ago, a portion was opened for Rams’ team operations. Their practice fields are outside. It’s LA not Foxborough. Pack accordingly. The planes leave tomorrow at one p.m. sharp. Be here by nine. Anyone who needs to see the trainers, come in early. At nine we’ll meet here for a quick logistics meeting. Team meal will be at eleven thirty a.m. and then we set off for the West Coast.

“First and foremost to the NFL is safety. You’ll each be given a lanyard with a personalized electronic badge. Do not lose it. That badge will get you through checkpoints and beyond barricades.”

He went on, “I know everyone has family headed to LA. I want to emphasize, this is not a family vacation, gentlemen. As our normal schedule, you’ll have Tuesday free. You can see your families that day. Once you go to sleep in your assigned hotel room Tuesday night and wake up on Wednesday, you are one hundred percent on a work trip. After we win the trophy, you can take your families wherever the hell you want. This next week in LA, you’ll eat and sleep the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Monday, we’ll have more films in the morning and practice in the afternoon. That night is Super Bowl Opening Night. You probably know all about it. I’m going to tell you about it anyway. Opening Night is the kickoff to all things Super Bowl. It’s a massive, ticketed event. The AFC always goes first for media availability and introductions, followed by a joint appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles.” He scoffed. “Be prepared for anything. The questions will range from football to crazy, off-the-wall shit. It’s intended to be fun for the teams, the media, and the fans.”

Troy elbowed me. “They’re going to ask you about Ms. Maeve,” he whispered.

My only response was a groan.

Since Monday, both Vee’s and my schedule had been packed. Breakfast was the only time each day when we could sit for a moment and talk. At night, she’d been busy, either in her home office or out to dinner with her aunt and local Coopers’ sponsors and donors.

My thoughts went to my plans for tonight. It would be our last night together until after the game. We both cleared our schedules.