Tell No One

by Jeff Vrolyks

  “Think nothing of it. I love that girl. I think of her as a daughter. I understand how sensitive a matter this is for you, being that you are going into the NFL draft. It wouldn’t look good that you hid the knowledge of a dead man ten years ago. Some people might speculate that it was you who killed him.”

  “We didn’t!” Theo blurted. “God, no. We don’t know what happened to him. Only that he was dead.”

  “Oh I know. I’m just saying, you know how the media is, they like to fill in the blanks. They like to be subjective when it is their job to be objective, you know? How long are you in town for?”

  “I leave tomorrow morning. Can we take care of this today?”

  “I think that would be fine. Did Georgette tell you that I think we should be armed?” Theo nodded. “I think it would be best. He’d feel he had the upper hand with the gun he stole. If he see’s all three of us are armed, he’d think twice about being aggressive or demanding.”

  “I agree. If things got out of hand, if he becomes violent, we wouldn’t… you know.”

  “We’ll do what we have to do. Self defense, Theo. I pray that won’t be the case, and I highly doubt that it will. I have a hunch I know who it is, too.”

  “I don’t care, we can take your car or mine, doesn’t matter to me,” Carmen said to the phone. Then, “Can you hold for a second?” She covered the phone and said, “Who do you think it is?”

  “John Whitmeier,” Gary said. “Maybe not. He’s been roaming around town for awhile now, it would make sense.”

  Carmen put the phone against her ear and said, “Matthew, I’ll call you after work, okay?... Alright, you too. Bye.” She cradled the phone. “I considered it might be Whitmeier, too. Is he volatile? Might he use my gun?”

  “I don’t think so. He’s a sick pervert but I don’t think he’s violent.”

  “Great.”

  “Dear, you might want to go to the restroom and correct your face-paint. Looks like Theo helped you redistribute some of it on the sides of your mouth.”

  Theo thought the doctor may have enjoyed Carmen’s reaction to his words, like this was fun to him. She put her hands to her face and rubbed around, aiming to eradicate the smudged lipstick, and her cheeks were rosy. She whisked off to the examination room and into the adjoining restroom.

  “What must it be like to go up against Tom Brady and Drew Breeze? You’ll be mentioned in the same breath as those guys… it blows my mind.”

  “It’ll be an honor to play against those guys.”

  “The Forty Niner’s, huh?” Gary’s smile made him appear twenty years younger than he was. “What a great team they once were. Montana, Rice, Ronnie Lott, Roger Craig, it was a dynasty. You’ll be in the locker of one of those guys.”

  “It’ll be a great team again, you wait and see. Harbaugh will turn that team around. San Fran has two picks in the first round, from a trade last year. They’ll probably get a wide-out. The defense has really turned around last season, too. One of the top defenses in the league; they just need some offense.”

  “And you’ll give it to them.” Gary scratched the back of his head, looked away before meeting Theo’s eyes. “I feel like a jerk asking you this, but whatever team you go to, when you play the Vikings or Packers, maybe you could get me some good seats to the game. I’d pay of course. It would just be amazing to get right down at the fifty-yard line, seats reserved for important people, you know?”

  “Doctor Gerhart…”

  “Please, call me Gary.”

  “Gary, consider it done. After what you’ve agreed to do for us, you deserve more than that. You have my word as a gentleman that I will get you the best seats in the house to whichever game you want to see. Actually, screw seats, how would you like to stand on the side-lines?”

  Gary’s eyes bulged. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Not at all. And I’ll throw a cherry on top: if I throw a touchdown pass, I’ll sign the ball and give it to you.”

  The poor doctor was dizzy, swooning in his chair. “Incredible,” he breathed. “simply incredible.”

  “Gary…” Theo said in a hushed tone, stole a glance to the open examination room, where Carmen was running water in the restroom sink. “I’d do more than that for you, maybe even fly you out to San Fran, if that is where I get drafted, and have you come inside the locker room to meet the guys. Would you like that?”

  “You’re pulling my leg,” he said, pie-eyed.

  “I would do that for you if you help me out.”

  “Name it.”

  “You spend eight hours a day with Georgette. You have her ear. If you could help her see things my way, that Matthew isn’t right for her, that I am… that would mean the world to me. Nonchalantly, of course.”

  “Of course, nonchalantly,” he said in a tone that suggested mischief. “I suppose I would do that anyway. Matthew is a good boy, a great boy, but… well, it’s different with you. I’m selfish in that I’d love to have this young gal be with a football player. It serves my own interest. But you know something…?” He stole a glance at the examination room door before continuing, “I think you’re best for her, too. Regardless of how far apart you two live from each other, there’s something there that isn’t there with Matthew. I see how she looks at you, and how you look at her. And what I walked in on… my goodness.”

  Theo grinned sheepishly.

  He whispered loudly and animatedly, “I think she narrowly escaped being thrown on top of that desk and being ravaged! And what’s more, there was no restraint in her eyes!”

  “What are you two loons yapping about,” Carmen said from the door.

  “Nothing,” they said together.

  “Yeah, I doubt it,” she said playfully. She went to her chair and plopped herself in it, swiveled a little side to side.

  “When’s our next appointment, Georgette?” the doctor inquired.

  “Two o’clock, I believe.” She went to the keyboard before the monitor and hit a couple buttons. “Yes, two o’clock. Mary Farber.”

  Gary looked at the clock. “So, Theo, when was it you first knew you had a special talent in football?”

  Theo stood, stretched, said, “Oh, let’s see… my freshman year in high school, I guess. I’ve wanted to be a quarterback since I can remember, though.”

  “Your parents must be proud.”

  “Do you need me to stay,” he addressed to Carmen, “or is it okay that I get going. I told my dad that dinner at the Handle’s wasn’t possible tonight, and thinks I’m picking up stuff for dinner tonight.”

  “No, you can go. Meet me here at six-thirty and we’ll head out.”

  “Yes, six-thirty,” Gary said. “What time is our last appointment for the day?”

  She checked the monitor. “We only have one appointment after Mary. Richard Ogden at four-forty-five.”

  “Ah yes, Richard. I’m removing his stitches. Shouldn’t take long. I’ll cut out of here at six and get my guns, come back.”

  “Just get two guns,” Carmen said and opened the drawer of the desk. She showed him the .38. “Theo brought me protection.”

  “Alrighty. I’ll grab my Glock, and maybe my shotgun. Nothing makes a man swallow harder than looking into the eye of a twelve-gauge.”

  “I’ll see you guys at six-thirty,” Theo said, and made his way to the door.

  “Wait,” Carmen said and chased after him. She led him outside and closed the door. It was chilly outside, a steady breeze and low brooding clouds.

  “What’s up?” Theo said.

  “We need to discuss what happened in there between you and I, wouldn’t you think?”

  “What’s there to discuss?”

  “That it shouldn’t have happened, maybe? Not that it’s your fault, I’m just as much to blame.”

  “Or more. I didn’t touch you anywhere inappropriately like some people did.”

  “I thought it was a gun!” The corners of her mouth were uplifted, as were Theo’s.

  “I’m sure
you did. A gun of another name.”

  “Stop it.” She pushed his shoulder. “It was fun playing the TV commercial, but we took it too far.”

  “Okay. I’m sorry then.”

  “It doesn’t change anything, you know.”

  “I know.”

  “It’s just some damned thing. A primal urge inherent in me. I kind of crave you, to put it mildly. I think it would be best if we didn’t touch each other anymore. I don’t trust myself.”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  “No it’s not what I want, but it’s what I’m asking for. You leave tomorrow, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.” She reached in and kissed his cheek. “Now skedaddle. Shoo, be gone. Go take a cold shower and put some ice on that thing in your pants.”

  Theo laughed well into his drive home.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The doctor was seeing Richard Ogden in his office, just finishing up removing the stitches when the phone bleated that high obnoxious tone. It only rang once before his dear little assistant answered the phone.

  “It was a twelve-pointer,” Richard said proudly in the examination room.

  “That’s a big buck.” Gary discarded the thread in the trash can.

  “You bet. We’re going again in two weeks. I can’t wait.”

  The door cracked open; Carmen’s face peeked in. “Phone’s for you. He didn’t give his name.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Georgette.”

  Carmen left and closed the door.

  “Good luck on the hunting trip. Next time you come in, have some venison for me, or deer jerky.” He clapped Richard’s shoulder.

  “Sure thing. Are we all done here?”

  “Yep, good as new. See Georgette on your way out, schedule an appointment for those two moles to be removed. I wouldn’t be too concerned about them, their removal isn’t urgent, but within the next month or two would be good.”

  “Alright. Nice seeing you again, Gary.”

  “Same, Richard. Tell Barb I said hi.”

  “Will do.”

  Gary followed Richard into the waiting room, then stepped inside his office, closed the door, sat in his leather high-backed chair before his wide desk. He took the phone, pressed the flashing button and greeted the unknown caller.

  “Hey, Gary. It’s me, Matthew.”

  Gary wondered why Georgette didn’t mention it was Matthew, then remembered she had said he didn’t give his name. Odd. “What can I do for you?”

  “Don’t say my name, please. Can Georgette hear you?”

  “No, she’s with a customer in the other room.”

  “Okay. Gary, please be honest with me. Between you and me, is there something going on between Theo and Georgette?”

  “No, why do you think that?”

  “When I called earlier I heard a couple voices. One sounded like Theo’s. I took my ten-minute break and drove by the office, saw that Ford truck of his. Should I be concerned?”

  “Nah, they’re just friends.” Kissing friends, he thought and humored. “She thinks very highly of you, Matthew,” he said with great apathy and a yawn. “Is that all? I have things to attend to.”

  A stretch of silence before Matthew said, “Do you know if they’re going to be together tonight?”

  “You’ll have to ask Georgette, I don’t now.” His tone was now impatient.

  “Would you let me know if she says anything? Like if she makes plans to go out with him tonight?”

  “Sure thing. Have a good day, Matthew.” He hung up the phone before Matthew could extend the conversation, took a sip from the bottle of water on his desk, then headed out to the reception room.

  Richard had just left, Carmen was plugging numbers into the computer.

  “That Matthew sure is a nosy young man,” he said and took his black trench coat from the rack.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “That was him on the phone.”

  “That was him?” She said in disbelief. “It didn’t sound like him. What did he want?”

  “He probably disguised his voice for you. The boy is paranoid. He thinks something is going on between you and Theo.”

  “He asked you if something was going on between us?”

  “Yep. I said no. That’s between you two. I don’t like to be stuck in the middle.”

  “Thanks for covering for me.”

  “My pleasure. He knows Theo was here, he drove by and saw the truck.” He took the black Stetson hat from the rack and perched it atop his shock of white hair. Had he worn an eye-patch, Carmen thought he’d look a little like Rooster Cogburn from True Grit.

  “He did?” She shook her head. “He doesn’t trust me at all.”

  “Can you blame him? I saw what you two were up to while I was out. I’d be worried too if I were him.”

  “We were just playing around.”

  “Playing? Looked like a fun game. Who won?”

  “Oh shush. Things will return to normal once Theo leaves, you’ll see.”

  “I know, and that’s unfortunate. I hope he comes back soon.”

  “He will, don’t worry.”

  “That boy is batty for you.”

  “Who, Matthew?”

  “Him too. I meant Theo.”

  “Yeah, I suppose he is,” she said, picturing him pinned against the desk, ravaging each other. “It feels good to be wanted all of a sudden.”

  “Theo would do anything for you. He’d make a long distance relationship work, that’s what I think.”

  “It wouldn’t work. If it would, I’d consider it.”

  “That’s the problem with people. They think love can be rationalized and sorted out intelligently, as if love’s domain is in the brain, when its foundation is in the heart. Do what your heart says, Georgette, not your brain.”

  She nodded and thought about that. He was right, as he usually was. Her heart and brain were at odds on the matter. Now wasn’t the time to give the subject the breadth of thought it warranted. Yes her heart wanted Theo and yes her brain knew who she should be with, but there was a man with her gun and knowledge of their past who needed to be dealt with.

  “I’ll be back soon,” Gary said. “Gotta stop by my neighbor’s before going home; he’s lending me his Jeep. I’ll be a little like Rambo when I return. Guns a-plenty. See you in a bit.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The internet was iffy at best on Theo’s laptop. The 3G card inserted in the USB port was generally reliable, but cell towers aren’t built in towns of two-hundred people. He was able to connect and pulled up ESPN to see if there was any news relating to the draft. When he clicked on the College Football link, the page froze up. James was pacing around the main room, hobbling slightly, talking to Lea on the phone. Theo guessed he was arguing the necessity of coming home tomorrow, but couldn’t be sure. If the subject had been broached, it was on her end and he was doing a fine job not mentioning it directly. Theo gave up on the internet and closed his laptop. His father ended the call and took a seat on the rocking chair.

  “How’s Mom?”

  “Good. Your sister is coming out in two weeks.”

  “Great. I’ll come out and see her.”

  “You should. Amy will be there, too.”

  “What time did you want to head out tomorrow?”

  “Whenever you want. I have no plans this week. I’ll get back to the crummy old painting I’m working on next week.”

  Theo thought he’d bait his father a little. “So whether we come home tomorrow or Sunday, it makes no difference to you?”

  His father took the bait and smiled. “None at all. Why, were you thinking about staying another day or three?”

  “I need to get back to school.”

  “You already missed a couple days, what’s a couple more?”

  “I have a test on Friday. And I hate missing that much school, I get so far behind.”

  “That’s fine, we’ll go home tomorrow.” He rocked in his chair, thinking. “Of course, I’m sure Ca
rmen will miss you. I bet she wouldn’t mind a few more days of you.”

  “Just come out and say it, Dad.” Theo chuckled.

  “We should stay another day or two, don’t you think?”

  “Maybe. I really do need to get back. I’ll have an answer for you when I get back from Carmen’s tonight.”

  “I’ll look forward to it. At the very least, we could leave tomorrow evening, put in a solid day of fishing first. I feel slighted having cut out so early today.”

  “I know, I’m sorry. Carmen needed me though. Boyfriend troubles.”

  “No need to be sorry, I understand. I’m just happy you two are on speaking terms.”

  “Would you mind eating alone tonight? I thought I’d like to have dinner with Carmen.”

  “If you agree to fish tomorrow before we leave, it’s a deal.”

  “Okay.” He checked his watch: twenty till six. “I’m gonna head over a little early. I want to go online and reception sucks here. Maybe it’ll be better in Cedar Hills.”

  “Tell her I said hi.”

  * * *

  Cell phone reception in town was shoddy, just as the wireless internet was. Occasionally Theo would have a missed call that never rang, and during his drive into Cedar Hills he saw that he had a voice mail. It was from Scotty. He didn’t think Scotty would be calling him again unless it was important. Being that the draft was six weeks away, every phone call and voicemail could be hugely important. The voicemail simply said “Call me,” as they often did. Theo pondered why he never gave any detailed messages, and wondered if it was a privacy safeguard. People lose their cell phones. If the message said something about the draft, something confidential, the wrong person could listen to it and call the media with the news.

  He waited till he was in town, where somewhere a Verizon cell tower was doing its best to provide him with three bars. He pulled over to road’s shoulder and called his agent. What he liked most about his agent (there wasn’t much to dislike; he was personable, told good jokes about his competitors in the draft, and was thoughtful enough to ask about his father, mother, and sister) was that he always answered the phone when Theo called. Once he called at 3AM, drunk and bored, and wanted to know the details behind Plaxico Burress’s self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg, Plaxico being one of Scotty’s clients. Scotty’s voice was groggy, he had been asleep, yet he answered on the second ring. He heard Scotty’s wife’s voice in the background asking if something was wrong. Scotty gave Theo the details and impressed upon him not to tell anyone, and asked if there was anything else he could do for him. He actually thanked Theo before hanging up. Thanked him! It was probably an autonomous remark, as he was still half asleep, but that he did say it showed how much he thought of Theo; or how important a client he was, at least. Theo supposed it was his job, but still, that meant a lot to him. When selecting a man who will be taking ten percent of your earnings over the next five, ten, fifteen years, which could amount to many millions of dollars, it’s things like that that make it slightly less painful when sharing your money. If Scotty didn’t go above and beyond to make his client happy, there were dozens of agents who would, and do so happily. The movie Jerry McGuire is premised on that very thing, if you could look past ‘You had me at hello.’