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“Gerry’s doing what?”
Troy winced as Jaclyn’s incredulous words climbed several octaves. Andrea sat in the black guest chair beside him in Jaclyn’s arena office. It was Monday morning. The team would be flying back to Cleveland tonight for game five of the series.
Troy rested his forearms on his thighs. “He’s blackmailing Mario Nunez’s nephew, Otto, to convince him to throw games to make sure the Monarchs don’t advance in the playoffs.”
Jaclyn’s wide-eyed gaze swung from Andrea back to Troy. “When did Gerry first speak with Otto about his plan?”
“Around the same time the playoffs started.” Troy glanced at Andrea for confirmation. She nodded. Troy returned his attention to his boss.
Jaclyn leaned into her black executive chair. She crossed her legs. “At the risk of sounding disloyal to my man and my team, the Monarchs have shown they can lose on their own. Gerry doesn’t need to go to the lengths of b
ribing a ref for that outcome.”
Andrea spread her hands. “Gerry’s not taking their losses for granted. Frankly, Jackie, last night’s win proves you should never count out your man or your team.”
A ghost of a smile flickered across Jaclyn’s lips. “Why would Mario go to a reporter rather than the league?”
Troy drummed the fingers of his right hand on the arm of the cushioned chair. He couldn’t understand Mario’s motives, either.
Andrea shrugged one slender shoulder beneath her tan blazer and light blue blouse. “Otto doesn’t want to risk an NBA investigation. Something like that can follow him his whole career.”
Jaclyn nodded slowly. “I understand.”
There was a subtle tone in Jaclyn’s response that made Troy glance between the two women. Were they thinking of Andrea’s past?
He stood, propelled by impatience to pace his boss’s office. “I knew Gerry wasn’t done antagonizing the team. I was looking in the wrong place.” He put his hands on his hips. “If Mario is right and Gerry is trying to force Otto to throw the games, Gerry will be banned from the NBA for life.”
“Probably.” Andrea’s soft caution drew his attention. “But if we don’t have indisputable proof of Mario’s claims, Gerry will sue us for libel. He’ll try to take away everything we value.”
Like the Monarchs, Troy thought. He wouldn’t put that past Gerald.
Jaclyn held up both palms. “Let me think. We don’t have proof because Gerry spoke to Otto. He didn’t put anything in writing.”
Troy circled the room. “That’s right.”
Jaclyn lowered her arms. “And no one overheard the conversation. It’s Otto’s word against Gerry’s.”
Troy paused. “This has Gerry Bimm, Puppet Master, written all over it. We know it’s him.”
Andrea looked at Troy with concern. “Knowing it to be true and proving it are two different things.”
His impatience was growing. Troy kneaded the muscles at the back of his neck. “He hides behind other people, newspaper reporters, fake drug dealers, and now referees. He’s too much of a coward to do his dirty work himself.”
Andrea stood and walked to him. She put her hand on his arm and held his gaze. “All of what you’re saying is true, Troy. We’re not arguing that. But what happened the last time you went after Gerry without proof?”
Troy’s muscles relaxed. He glanced at Jaclyn, who watched them with open interest. He returned his attention to Andrea. “He fired me.”
“This time, we need a plan—a well-thought-out plan.” Andrea gave him a pointed look.
Jaclyn stood. “Righteous indignation isn’t a plan.”
Troy broke eye contact with Andrea. “I understand.”
Jaclyn continued. “No one wants Gerry out of the franchise more than I do. Working with him isn’t my idea of a dream job. Nor do I like doing my job and your job while watching my back.”
Troy sighed. “All right. What’s the plan?”
Jaclyn’s curious eyes touched on Andrea again before answering Troy. “It won’t be easy. Gerry’s right to be cautious. If he’s caught, he could go to jail.”
