by Pol Robinson
She worked in the near-darkness, tweaking the shell, making minute adjustments, lit only by the lone bulb glowing high above the racks of stacked and prepped boats. The single light cast harsh shadows, and she had to lean sideways to see what she was doing. The boathouse was nearly empty, just one or two other athletes or team assistants quietly prepping their equipment before tomorrow’s races.
Cass worked methodically, letting her mind wander. She could feel her nerves rising and to combat them began to build the day ahead in her mind. Piece by piece she added elements, beginning first with the water. It always started there. Then came the boathouse. The undulating shape of the roof, the gentle sweep of the natural bank leading to the water, the perfect man-made straightaway that was the venue for their final qualifying heat in the morning.
Tomorrow is it. That thought winged its way through her thoughts. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and added details to her visualization. The lap of water against the sides of the shell, the slap of oars hitting the water in near-perfect synchronization, the thunk and slide, point-counter-point of the seats and the oarlocks accompanying the rhythm of the boat’s movement through the water. She even added the tangy, salty air, the flavor of it scratchy against the back of her throat as she sucked in air. She saw the vee they cut through the water, pointing them on toward victory.
Cass’s vision was so complete, so detailed, that she lost herself in the moment. She was no longer in the darkened boathouse, but instead living in the space she’d created in her mind. Her boat, she and Sarah charging down the lane to the finish. She let herself imagine the relief and the joy she’d feel as they swept to victory. And a tiny part of her added one last element to the fantasy. She imagined the joy and pride on Laura’s face as she, along with the rest of the U.S. squad, watched Cass’s boat triumph. So intently was she focused on her own preparations that she lost track of time and those around her. She was startled by a voice coming from someone immediately behind her in the dark.
“Back again? Why do I always find you here alone?”
“Excuse me?” Cass peered into the darkness, trying to locate the speaker. She shaded her eyes from the overhead light and moved away from her boat. “Oh, for cryin’ out...Shelly? What do you want?”
“Just came to give you a message.” The shadows shifted and Shelly stepped out. She casually pulled a towel from the side of the shell and wiped her hands. “Stay away from Laura.”
Cass grabbed a towel of her own, wiping the excess grease off her hands. She stepped around the boat, putting some distance between herself and Shelly. Shit, the woman’s nuts. She took another step, trying to figure out how she could attract Yanmei’s attention, or anybody’s for that matter. She watched as Shelly stepped closer and stopped, resting her hands on the dark blue hull of her boat.
“Get your hands off my boat.”
“What?” Shelly looked down, then shrugged as if to say the shell was of no importance to her. “Fine. Whatever. Did you hear what I said?”
“Yes, I heard you. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I said, stay away from Laura.”
“Yeah, I got that. I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“It is my business. Laura is my business. If you’re smart, you’ll stay clear of her.”
“I don’t believe this.” Cass shook her head, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Are you threatening me? You have got to be kidding.”
“It’s no threat, it’s a promise. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from her.”
“Right, then. That’s it. Yanmei!” Cass called out suddenly, startling Shelly into stepping back. She nodded to the small security guard who raced around the corner and slid to a stop before her.
“Yes, Miss?” Yanmei’s breathless voice was high, and she glanced nervously between Cass and Shelly.
“Yanmei, this woman should not be in here, she is not a member of any team.”
“Oh! But she say—”
“Oh, be quiet,” Shelly snapped. She waved her press credential and gestured to the now flustered security guard. “I have every right to be here.”
The security guard grabbed it and examined it carefully. She flushed bright red before giving it back.
“No, Miss. Your pass not for inside. Please, come?”
Yanmei placed her hand on Shelly’s arm and attempted to lead her toward the door. Shelly yanked herself free and raised a hand to strike the young guard. Suddenly, her hand was caught in a vise-like grip.
“I don’t think so.” Cass’s voice was low, angry.
Shelly struggled for a moment before swearing and relaxing her arm. Cass nodded and slowly released the woman’s hand, keeping her body between Shelly’s and Yanmei’s. “I guess I’m in better shape than you expected, hmm?”
Shelly yanked her shirt straight and spun around, heading for the exit. “This isn’t over, bitch. I warned you.”
Oh my God, the woman really is nuts.
Cass waited until Shelly was out the door before turning to Yanmei. She was trembling now from the adrenaline and she could see the little security guard was in the same shape.
“Yanmei, are you okay?”
“Yes, Miss. I so sorry. She has badge, and I see her with you and others, so I think...” She wrung her hands together in distress. “Please, I am sorry. I will be sure she does not return in here.”
“Thank you, Yanmei.”
“Yes,” another voice said out of the darkness. “Thank you, Yanmei for your help.”
Laura stepped from the shadows, concern on her face. She watched Yanmei return to her post, then turned to Cass.
“Are you okay?”
Flustered, Cass simply nodded. She’d spent a laughter-filled evening with Laura after the eight’s win three days ago, but since then had barely seen her. Laura could—and did—disappear for hours at a time, a habit that in turns frustrated and intrigued Cass. She looked up to find Laura staring at her intently. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough that I’m worried. What was she doing in here?”
“I don’t know. She came out of the dark and basically told me to stay away from you.”
“Cass, you know she’s not my girlfriend, right?”
“Oh God, I hope not. You’d have to have your head examined to be with—” Cass stopped, realizing what she was saying. “Damn, Laura, I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes you did, but it’s okay. She wasn’t always—” Laura stopped and shook her head. She looked over the boat and then up at Cass. “About finished here?”
At Cass’s nod, the two women lifted the shell back into its storage cradle. They gathered up the wax, grease and oil and tucked it into the storage box at the end of their team’s section. Together they walked out to where Cass had parked the van. Cass started to get in, but stopped when Laura put a hand on her arm.
“Cass, look. Maybe it would be better if we...” Laura stopped, her eyes shadowed by the night, her voice reflecting her struggle. “We’ve gotten to be friends and I, um, like that. Like you. But maybe it’s better if we...if you stay away from me for a while.”
The humid night air seemed suddenly thicker to Cass. She struggled to get a deep breath...Laura’s words had knocked the wind out of her. I...she...no. She’s going to let that woman mess up this thing we have. That we might have.
“Laura,” she said softly. “No.”
“Yes, Cass. I mean it.”
“I don’t get you, you know? You run hot, then cold. One minute you’re hugging me like...like it means something—”
“It—”
“No, let me. Then...you just disappear. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. Or whether you’re coming or going.”
Laura ran her hands through her hair, tangling the red waves into disarray. She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut again. She waved a hand between them, “See? This is what I mean. This is why I...”
“What, because I’m frustra
ted with you? No. You want to back off because your ex is here and she’s stirring things up.” Cass took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Look, I like you. I think we make a pretty good team. Whatever else, we’re friends, Laura. You can’t let her do this to you, to our friendship.” Cass took both of Laura’s hands in hers, noting how cold her fingers were. “You can’t. I won’t let you.”
Laura pulled her hands free and stepped back. Cass could see that she was trembling, and ached for her.
“It’s not your decision. There’s something broken with her, and I won’t let that touch you.”
She stepped out of the ring of the streetlight, leaving Cass alone near the van. Her softly spoken, “I’m sorry,” drifted back on the damp night breeze, bringing Cass little comfort.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Amy glanced again at the door to the room she’d shared with Cass. Cass had retreated there to dress earlier, and Amy had given her time alone to prepare for the day’s race. Today’s event was the final medal round for the double sculls and Amy knew Cass was nervous as a cat this morning. She’d watched as Cass tried to settle herself with some stretching exercises before giving up and going to change. Amy had hoped that Laura would be able to settle her friend down. It seemed as if the two had grown closer, especially following the Eight’s spectacular finish in the repechage. The two had been inseparable at dinner that night. But Amy frowned as she realized that she hadn’t seen the two together since then. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen Laura with Cass for several days. Damn. She grabbed her sneakers and knocked on the dorm door.
“Hey, can I come in?”
“Sure. I’m almost ready.”
Amy bounced over to Cass, reaching to grab her gym bag as they left their room.
“How do you feel?”
“Good. Fine. Okay.”
Amy chuckled, then said, “Um, wanna pick one?”
Cass’s wan smile stretched a bit further. “Sure. I’ll go with okay.”
“Hmm, have to do something about that.”
She watched Cass’s surreptitious check of the main room, knowing that she was looking for Laura. They were the only ones left in the common room, the rest of the squad having gone ahead to the venue. Amy led Cass to the elevators.
“She left a little while ago.”
“Who?”
“Come on, Cass. I know you’re looking for Laura. What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Outside, Sheila waved them over to the team van, checking her watch one more time.
“All set?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Sarah’s with Pam and Josh,” she said, referring to Cass’s double scull partner and two of the assistant coaches. “They’re getting the numbers from the referee. There’s been some last-minute rearranging or something. Computer glitch.”
Sheila’s speech was as choppy and short as Cass’s, and Amy knew it had to do with today’s medal round. She knew that when the Eight went later in the week she’d be just as nervous and short. Amy said nothing for a moment as the coach began the drive to the boathouse, then tried again with Cass.
“You know, she’s just as miserable as you are.”
“She’s got a funny way of showing it. Shit, Amy, she cut me off. I thought we had something...something good. She let that...that bitch decide for us.” Cass shrugged, resigned. “I resent it and I’m hurt.”
The two watched the scenery slide by in silence. Finally, Cass turned to Amy.
“You know what, Amy? That’s what really gets me. She decided for us. Laura simply decided that since Shelly threatened to make things tough for me, it would be best to stay away from each other. No discussion, no alternatives. It makes me wonder if that’s the real reason, you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“What if...what if Shelly’s just an excuse? God Ames, I was really falling for her. What if she just didn’t feel the same way? God, I’m such an idiot sometimes.”
Amy reached out and caught Cass’s hand in her own. This wasn’t the time for any of this and she didn’t know any other way to offer comfort. She simply sat there and held her friend’s hand, wishing for the right words.
Sheila pulled the van into the reserved slots and waited for Amy to get out. She caught Cass’s arm before they left the van.
“Cass. Put it aside for now and focus. I need you to do that. Sarah needs it too. Okay?”
Cass nodded reluctantly, and they joined Amy on the sidewalk. As the trio made their way down to the launching area, a red-jacketed official approached Sheila, accompanied by Josh, one of the team’s assistant coaches.
“Uh-oh.” Amy pulled Cass to a halt.
“What?” Cass’s voice was tight with tension.
“I don’t like the look of this.”
Amy and Cass watched the official confer with the coach. After a minute, the official left and Sheila turned to Cass. She ran a hand through her close-cropped hair and frowned.
“Ames, run down and get Sarah, okay? Meet us at the course referee’s office.”
Amy nodded and ran off. Whatever was going on was not good.
Sheila waved Cass and Josh forward. All three followed the race official to the tower.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“You think I what?” Cass stood, rigid with indignation, as she faced the chief referee. The room had gone silent after his announcement, and she was certain that everyone in the room could hear her heart banging in her chest.
“As I say, there is no evidence, simply an allegation.” The official bowed to her, but his voice was disapproving.
“But I—”
“An allegation made by whom?” Sheila’s voice drowned out Cass’s protests. She placed a hand on Cass’s shoulder, squeezing to silence her. The official looked from Sheila to Cass and back again. He looked extremely uncomfortable and distressed. As he opened his mouth to speak, the door swung open and Amy, Sarah and someone Cass didn’t know entered the room. Sheila, however, recognized the man instantly.
“Kevin, thank God. Cass? This is Kevin Taylor, of the U.S.O.C. Kev, this is Cass Flynn. Can you help us sort this out?”
“I hope so, Sheila.” The slender representative of the United States Olympic Committee looked upset and angry. Tall and slim, with hair that at one time had been red and was now a faded gingery-orange, he was the image of a metrosexual. He had the look of an athlete, though, and that reassured Cass, as did his confident tone when he turned to the official and began a rapid exchange in Chinese. Cass stood next to Sarah, both women holding hands and anxiously watching the exchange.
“What’s going on?” Sarah whispered.
“I’m not sure. The ref says somebody,” and she made air quotes with her free hand to emphasize her point, “says I was seen tampering with the Irish boat.”
“But that’s crazy!”
“Yeah, I know. And I’ll bet I know where the...allegation...comes from.”
“Who—”
Sheila cleared her throat as Taylor turned toward them, his face grim. He pulled out a chair and waved everyone to sit as the Chinese official opened the door and spoke rapidly to someone in the outer office. Everyone but Sheila sat. The coach remained where she was, legs planted shoulder-width apart, arms crossed. She exuded anger, and her presence, so firmly behind them, bolstered Cass. The official joined them at the table, passing a pitcher of water around. Cass glanced at the clock on the wall. Two hours before the start of the race.
She started to ask a question, then stopped as Taylor shook his head. His eyes were sharp behind the steel-framed lenses that rested on his pointed nose. “Ms. Flynn, if you’ll wait until the others get here?”
Cass nodded, her eyes on her hands clasped tightly together on the table in front of her. She knew who had done this, she was certain of it. I should have reported her threat last night. Damn. Now if I say something they’ll think I’m making it up.
Beside her, Amy nudged her shoulder, offering silent
comfort. Sarah sat to her right, still and silent, almost vibrating with anger. She could feel the solid presence of Sheila standing behind her. It seemed like hours before the door opened again, this time to admit the Irish coach and doubles team. All three looked perplexed and the two rowers somewhat anxious.
The taller of the two Irish rowers relaxed when she spotted Sarah.
“Sarah, what the devil is going on?”
“Alanna. I don’t know, really. This is Cass. Cass, Alanna Doyle, bow seat—”
“Ladies, have a seat.” Taylor cleared his throat as the rowers sat. The coach, however, stood behind her team, mirroring Sheila’s pose. “Coach McCandless, the chief referee says that allegations have been made, accusing a member of the U.S. women’s doubles team of tampering with your boat’s rigging.”
Taylor acknowledged the Irish team’s gasps of surprise with a nod. Coach McCandless’s eyes flickered between Cass and Sarah, then up to Sheila. Her face flushed with anger and her jaw tightened. Before she could speak, Taylor raised his hand.
“I take it you know nothing of these charges?”
McCandless shook her head, restraining Doyle in her seat. The rower was visibly upset, her eyes too flicking from Sarah to Cass and back again.
“I’ve heard nothing of this, have you Alanna? Kay?”
“Nothing!” Alanna shook off her coach’s hand and jumped to her feet. She began to pace the length of the room. “This is rubbish! Sarah wouldn’t—they would do nothing of the sort!”
McCandless nodded and addressed the chief referee. “I will, of course, check our rigging carefully. But, well, to be honest, I simply do not believe that what you have heard is true.” The Irish coach looked around the room. “Where is your witness?”
The official bowed to McCandless. “I have no name to offer you, Coach. It was only a message that was passed on to my office.”
“You dragged four women who have to compete in less than two hours into your office to talk about something that you’re not even certain took place?” Disgusted disbelief colored McCandless’s words. She turned to Sheila and simply shook her head.
