Page 93 of Home of the Brave

A slow but steady trickle of men looking annoyed and put out, men I immediately recognized.

I glanced at Cambrie, but she already had the camera up. I approached the players with a smile. “Good morning, how is everyone feeling?”

Taz was the first to notice me and frowned. “Not great. What are you doing here?”

“I’m not quite sure. I got an anonymous tip to show up, but I haven’t seen anything yet.”

“It’s a good thing there’s only six floors,” a West player grumbled as he walked by.

“Eh, it’s a good warm-up.” An East player nudged him.

“Why are you guys taking the stairs?” I asked.

“The elevators are broken,” Taz replied.

I couldn’t stop my grin. “No, they’re not.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Yes, they are.”

I looked at Cambrie, who was trying not to laugh.

“We were just in the lobby—people were going in and out of them.”

“There were signs on our floor.” He closed his eyes and sighed. "Whoever's doing this better not reveal themselves until after we get home. I don’t think he can handle the revenge of fifty guys.”

“Are you sure it's not one of the women?”

He shrugged. “It could be.” He finally cracked a smile. “It would be genius if it was.”

“Well, good luck today. Hopefully, some light exercise doesn’t mess up the game.”

“Thanks,” he gave a short wave and joined the group walking past us.

Cambrie filmed it all, and I got some short responses as I let them know the elevators were perfectly operational.

“You’re kidding,” Schultz looked at me as if I was behind the prank.

“Nope, looks like both teams were the victims,” I laughed. “Again.”

“It has to be one of the women,” Hartman eyed me. “What do you know?”

“Nothing more than you, I promise.”

He huffed as Josh stepped out from the stairwell. He saw me and paused before smiling. “You work quick.”

I shrugged. “Just lucky, I guess.”

He lifted his chin. “Oh, yeah? Just happened to be in the area?”

I nodded.

“With your camerawoman?” He eyed Cambrie, who waved from behind the lens.

“So this is twice now you’ve been at the scene of the crime, before anyone else,” he pointed out, making the players around us pause and look at me.

I put both hands up. “I’m not behind it! I just have a source.”

“Well, tell your source to stop,” Schultz snapped before walking away, and I laughed as he tossed another glare at me over his shoulder. He was the last to walk out, and the door slammed shut behind him.