Page 88 of The Big Puck

I nod.

He blows out another big breath. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me bring my attorney.”

“No. There’ll be plenty of time for that later if need be. I’d appreciate your moral support and being there in solidarity.”

“You got it.”

In spite of the fact that he didn’t order anything and I never drank more than one sip of my beer, we both stand and shake hands.

Stepping outside we head in separate direction and I feel more like I’m working for the FBI than the NHL, which is not cool. I’m glad I took a chance on talking to Stonewell, the soon to be a not so silent partner.

* * *

When I get back to the arena late, Kap is waiting for me outside my office.

“Where’ve you been?” His concern is palpable.

“I had a meeting with Richard Stonewell, the team’s silent partner.”

“What the fuck?”

Inviting him inside my office, I proceed to tell him what the fuck. I explain about my contract and his partnership agreement and the power move I have planned to dethrone Gavonza, because we have the goods on him cooking his books.

“You have an actual fucking smoking gun on him?”

I nod, though a person can never be sure with guys like Gavonza. He’s wriggled out of predicaments in the past according to Tina and never got caught red-handed enough to be charged with a crime let alone done any time.

“Who are you? Did you go undercover with the FBI when I wasn’t looking?”

I laugh.

“If you don’t tell, I won’t”

“It’s plausible,” Kap says. “This shit is way out of my league. If it doesn’t involve a puck and a stick or a simple problem to resolve like a black eye or a suspension, then I don’t know about it.”

I snort and don’t bother to tell him I’ve learned quite a few things since I’ve been here.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d stick around after the dust settles.”

“Of course. I’ll take a ride on whatever rollercoaster this is you have going. I’m with you to the end on the Portsmouth Whalers team, the best, most fun team experience I’ve ever been a part of.”

“I owe you, Kap. Go ahead of me. I need to make one more call before the game.”

I call my agent, Hamish Jett, who’s also an attorney and tells him it’s time to confront Gavonza. I’d sent all the documents I got from Lainey to Jeff for review, telling him that they were obtained legally by Tina Gavonza.

This is partially true and legitimate because Tina is stipulated as Gavonza’s direct heir and only beneficiary in all of the agreements.

“If you’re ready, I am,” he says in typical Jett go for broke style. “It’s a ballsy move. That’s why I like it. But, seriously, if you win tonight, you’ll have everything going for you. You’ll have met the terms of your so-called pie-in-the-sky clause. So it’s time to shoot your shot for all the marbles.”

“And for the girl.”

“Didn’t I throw in enough clichés?”

I laugh and it’s genuine, unriddled by doubt or cynicism. The exact ready-to-win attitude I need for tonight’s game. Ending the call on a good-luck-but-you-don’t-need-it quip from Jett, I head to the locker room to my team. My heart starts beating faster and I can feel the adrenaline beginning to pump as if I’ll be on the ice with them.

When I push through the locker room door, I find the room quiet as a church.

All the heads turn my way. They’re all dressed and waiting for something to happen.