Page 7

CHAPTER 7

Turk

When Tatum walks out of the locker room, I pull her in for a hug. “I am so proud of you. You guys are good. Damn good.”

Hugging me back she says, “Most of us. I’m depending on you and Clark to fix the weak links.”

“He’s working on it.”

“Is Cat getting food?”

“I was just there, I didn’t see her.”

She rolls her eyes. “You haven’t let her out of your sight since you met her. When the hell are you going to make a move, bro?”

“Mind your own business.”

“You are my business and as my bestie, so is she.” She pulls back and looks around, frowning. “Somethings wrong. I was gonna make sure she ate and took a box home. She doesn’t drink so we were going for a latte to celebrate. She wouldn’t stiff me.”

“Do the two of you text?”

“A little. She’s got a crappy phone plan, so she has to watch her minutes. Let me check.”

Her frown says it all. “She said she had to leave.”

“What do you know about her?”

“Not much. Actually, damn little. She’s from here. Her dad died before she knew him. Her mom remarried. Then her mom and stepdad both died when she was in high school. I’m not sure what happened then. She really hates talking about herself. I get the feeling her life has been rough. Truth, I was shocked to see that guy here tonight. I wonder what he is to her?”

So do I. The other night he seemed like a boss or almost a big brother. Now I’m not so sure. “Look, I need to get going too. I can’t make your road game Thursday but will try for Saturday. If not, I’ll be here for the next home game.”

“Love you, Turk.”

“Love you, too. Stay out of trouble and leave Baylor alone. Clark’s on it.”

“What? No diuretic the next time he tells me to get his coffee?”

“Tatum.”

“Just kidding. Sorta,” she whispers as she turns away.

I text Clark letting him know I’m taking off. According to the bus schedule, if it was on time, I just missed it. Another one won’t be coming for forty minutes. She either caught the bus or is walking. Not knowing how far behind I am I follow the route the bus took the night before in my car.

I get to the restaurant in time to see her flying down the stairs and entering the backdoor of the diner. Moments later she and the big guy I now know is Mel rush back out to the alley. I crack my window.

“God damn it, Caitlyn. You need to report the bastard.” He pulls off his cap and runs his hand through his hair.

Her response is too soft and so are his next words. I watch as she swipes what appears to be tears from her face. He shakes his head then opens his arms embracing her in a hug.

Something in the pit of my stomach tightens. I want that to be me. I want to be the one to hold and comfort her. There are shadows in her eyes, and I want to know why.

A few moments later, she steps back. Mel shoves his hand in his pocket and pulls out a wad of cash, then his wallet and gives her more. How much is he giving her? She hugs him again and moves to go back into the restaurant. He shakes his head, says something and turns her to the stairs leading up to her room. After she’s safely inside he goes to the restaurant door but pauses, looking straight at my car before going inside.

What the hell is going on?

I text Clark.

Where are you?

Clark: Just getting home.

Turk: I’m coming over.

I walk into his house and head straight to his office. “Did you get her money straightened out?”

“I assume you mean Caitlyn?” He lifts a brow. “Most of the contracts were legit. Missy is making more than what she deserves. But I can’t change it. Since I’m letting her go at the end of the month, that situation will take care of itself. Teddie is underpaid by five thousand. Cat, as I said before, wasn’t even at minimum, and she should be making fifty easy.

“Yes, payroll has made the changes to be effective on their hire date with me, so they will see the increase on their first checks. There is nothing I can do about what they were making with the other owner. I’ve told Teddie, but I haven’t been able to reach Caitlyn to tell her of the contract changes. I was going to tell her after the game, but she was gone.

“Tatum says she doesn’t use her phone much and she never answers numbers she doesn’t know. Call my sister, ask her to text Cat and have her call you regarding good news on her contract.

He leans back in his chair and studies me. “Besides you having a hard-on for this chick, you want to tell me what’s really going on?”

“Don’t disrespect her like that.”

“Oh man. You are smitten. Or should I say bitten.”

“Something is wrong with her. She was supposed to go out with Tatum after the win. But when Tatum got back from her shower, Cat was gone. Tatum was concerned so I went to where I followed Cat before. She was already dressed to work the diner. The big guy, Mel, was in the alley talking to her. She was upset and crying. He gave her money. What looked to be a lot of money. Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

Clark leans back in his chair. “You’re channeling your father.”

“What? What does my dad have to do with this?”

“You are so much like your dad. You see things the rest of us miss. You should have been a damn detective like he is. It’s how you outed those boys before they torched the principal’s truck. How you knew the girl from science class was being stalked by her pervy ex-boyfriend. How you found out Baylor was using drugs when he played.

“It’s why your instinct was to follow Cat the other night.”

“Look I just know something isn’t right with her. She’s obviously broke if she’s working every spare minute at the diner.”

Clark is silent for a moment. “She’s a little wired and on the too thin side. Do you think it’s drugs? You know that’s a hard no for me.”

“No. That’s not it. She’s on edge and watchful. Too clear headed for it to be drugs. More anxious, nervous like she’s waiting or watching for something to go wrong. When she’s on the ice that all goes away. Like she’s safe there,” I explain.

“Do you think I should run a background check on her? You said she doesn’t appear to be living at the address in her file.”

“People move all the time for different reasons. Maybe she broke up with a boyfriend. Tell her she’s getting the raise and let’s see if that chills her out.”

He studies me for a long time. “We’re bringing in food. I’ll have them up the quantity to make sure there’s enough for her and anyone else to take home if they need it. What’s left goes to the VA homeless shelter anyway. I pay for everything on away games.

“We already have the issue of your sister on the team and next week my sister. I can’t responsibly show her or anyone preferential treatment. But we can keep our eyes open. If Baylor was trying to threaten her in any way it’s my excuse to fire his ass, contract or not. But I have to be fair.”

I nod.

“The team bus heads out Wednesday night. We play Thursday and Saturday. Nights. You coming for Saturday’s game?”

“I’ll be there.”

He smiles. “You can discreetly check into this however you want…within reason. No stalking.”

“I’m not.”

“You followed her home twice and sat in a darkened car.”

“I’m leaving now.” I stand. “If I learn anything I’ll let you know.”

“Hey Dad, what’re you up to?”

“My knees in dirt.”

“Huh?”

“Your mother decided she wanted a raised vegetable garden so I’m putting one in with old railroad ties.”

“That’s a lot of work. You’re retired. Why didn’t you pay someone to do it?”

“I’m not paying someone when I’ve got the time.”

“Dad, you hate yard work. Always have. What the hell are you really doing?”

“I’m bored out of my mind. I’ve read all the books I had on my ‘to be read’ list. I’m sick of fishing. You can only do so many crossword puzzles a day.”

“You haven’t even been retired for six months.”

“I’m driving your mother crazy. She locked me out of the house yesterday when she caught me rearranging the kitchen cabinets. That’s when she decided she wanted the garden.”

“Maybe you could help me with something,” I ask.

“Did your mother call you to get me out of her hair?”

I can’t stop the chuckle. I wonder if that’s the reason for the text she sent me inviting me for dinner. “I have not talked to Mother. She wanted me to come for dinner tonight, but I can’t make it.”

“You said you needed something, son.”

“The team Clark bought has a player that may be in trouble. She seems like a sweet girl. But she’s nervous, edgy. We’re worried.”

“You do the work up on her? You’d know if it was drugs.”

“It’s not drugs. She can be a little spitfire on the ice, but off she seems wary and scared. Looks over her shoulder a lot. Cory Baylor initially signed her to the team.”

“That little shit still around? Figured he’d get himself locked up or taken out by now. So you need to know if she’s a threat to the team, and Clark. Or if she’s being threatened.”

“Something like that.”

There’s a long pause. “I see. Send me what you got. I still have friends who will help me check.”

“Thanks, Dad. How about meeting early for breakfast Friday morning? Say seven. I have patients starting at nine.”

“Tell me where and I’ll be there.”

“Nonno’s Diner, it’s….”

“Been there. Damn good food. I’ll get us a table.”