Prove It!

by Susanne Matthews

  “I do remember something else about the day of the accident. Something was bothering me. Mom was making meatloaf…” His voice trailed off.

  “Do you remember talking to Erik on the phone after school?”

  Liam frowned. “Now that you mention it, I do. We were arguing about something.”

  “A note,” she said quietly, hoping she wasn’t giving away too much. “Erik said you’d received a note.”

  Understanding dawned on Liam’s face. “Not just a note. It was like the others I’d gotten but different.”

  “It was a threat.”

  “And he wanted me to show it to the coach, but I’d already tossed it, and the others like it, into the trash.”

  “Do you remember what the note said?”

  “Not exactly. But it was something about my not listening and not living long enough to regret it.”

  She felt her blood run cold. “And you ignored something like that?”

  He reddened. “I didn’t believe they meant it literally,” he answered, his jaw thrust out defensively. “Erik was sure they did. I should’ve listened to him, but I can be stubborn at times. I guess that was a bone-headed move on my part.”

  “You think? When you see the police, you have to tell them about the notes and whatever else you remember about the threats. Erik’s convinced that if we find the person who threatened you, will find the person who tried to kill you.”

  “Whoa! Tried to kill me? That’s a bit of a leap, isn’t it? I mean, now that I think about it, it was foggy and raining … It was just an accident, wasn’t it?”

  “Was it?” she challenged. “What did you think that threat implied? ‘Not live to regret it’ is pretty straight forward to me.”

  “Yeah, I suppose it is, but I thought it was posturing … You know guys say stuff like that all the time, but they don’t really mean it. Someone just wanted to mess with my head,” he finished lamely.

  Hannah shook her head. How could such a smart guy be so dumb?

  Chapter Seven

  Acutely aware of the situation, the new skin on Liam’s face itched as it heated. No doubt Hannah thought he was an idiot, and as things had turned out, she was probably right.

  “Sometimes I just can’t figure out boys.” Hannah exhaled. “How could you take something like that so lightly? They did more than mess with your head, Liam. They almost killed you, and Erik thinks it was planned. From what my father told me of your injuries, I think he’s right.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “I can’t be more specific right now without taking a chance I might mess things up. I’m sure when the state troopers come to talk to you, they’ll explain all this, but I don’t want to plant a false memory. For what it’s worth, we’ve eliminated most of the staff and students at Ivy Hills.”

  “I told Erik it couldn’t be anyone on the track team,” Liam said. “I remember that. So you and he have gotten close?”

  Hannah frowned, and scrunched up her nose at the same time, reminding him of a television cartoon character.

  “Close? Not really. Well, if you mean he can talk to me without turning cherry red, yes, but that’s all. I like him, but not that way,” she finished lamely and glanced down at their hands. “My cousin Mina likes him for some reason, and I’ve been thinking of a way of bringing up her name, but…”

  Liam relaxed. Hopefully she hadn’t heard that zing of jealousy he’d felt.

  “That’s good news,” he said, “but I can guarantee you won’t have any trouble. Erik’s a little shy around girls, but I distinctly remember he wanted me to ask you if your cousin Mina might want to go out with him sometime—see a movie or something.”

  “Really?” Her face lit up. “That would be awesome. She thinks he’s cute in that geek chic way he has, and she admires people who can speak in full sentences instead of grunts. I know she’s got questions about what’s going on between him and me, but so far I’ve dodged them.”

  “So, maybe you should set her mind at ease and point her in his direction. Has Erik made any progress in finding out who threatened me?”

  “Well, we’ve got the other guys on the relay team helping at Ivy Hills and Mari and my friend Ronje and I are looking into things at Central. Erik’s narrowed the list at your school, there are a couple who may have had opportunity to get into your locker—Sam Fitzroy and Xavier Lorenzo.”

  Liam frowned. He should’ve thought of Fitzroy himself, but Lorenzo?

  “I know Sam, and he isn’t exactly my greatest fan, since I’m the one who pointed Coach Morrison in his direction. He was on the basketball team until the coach kicked him off for using steroids, so hanging around the locker room would’ve been suspicious for him. I wasn’t just snitching, Hannah, but that crap can really mess a guy up, and the last game he played, he was out of control.”

  “Wow! I’ve heard rumors there are some football players at Central who may be using, but so far no one’s been caught. There’s been mention that some of the track team are on ’roids, too.”

  “Maybe my accident is just a case of ’roid rage.” He shook his head when she didn’t laugh at his joke. “Xavier’s another story. While he’s not on any team, he’s a stringer for the school newspaper, which gets him into the gym and the locker room on a regular basis. He’s got a bad habit. The guy likes to bet on sports, including high school ones. Last spring, he bragged that he’d won money by making side bets on my races. I don’t see him being involved in this, since he would’ve made even more if I were still winning.”

  “But you are,” Hannah exclaimed. “Erik says that even if Malcom wins all three of the fall races, you’ll still be on top come spring.”

  Liam scowled, staring down at his sheet-covered legs. “I know that, but I’m not running right now. Look at me. Can you honestly see me racing in the spring?”

  “That’s four months from now,” she stated stubbornly. “Erik said Malcolm had to win eight more events to beat you. So, if you add March, April, and May, the winning race isn’t until June, and that’s seven months from now.”

  “Well, seven months doesn’t mean a thing if I’m not out of this chair long before that.” He couldn’t suppress his anger and frustration.

  “You will be and in lots of time to train,” she answered, daring him to disagree with her. “You’ll see. In the meantime, Mari, Ronje, and I have been trying to put together a suspect pool at Central, but it isn’t going well,” she continued, “I was hoping you’d remembered something to help us. Would either of those guys be willing to help Malcolm because from where I sit, he’s the only one who can benefit from this?”

  Liam ignored the stinging in his legs. Pain was good. It meant he wasn’t completely paralyzed. While his head and chest were getting worse now, he didn’t want to complain because that would mean she would leave, and he wanted her to stay. Instead, he focused on what Hannah had said. That was an angle he hadn’t considered, but killing him wouldn’t have helped in the least.

  “Maybe, maybe not. If what Erik says about my position in the standings is right, then the odds on my winning will change substantially. In sports, the odds of the favorited team wining means you don’t win as much money when you bet on them. But, if there’s an upset, and you put your money on the team expected to lose, then you could win several times the amount you put down. For example if the odds are ten to one, you would win ten dollars for every dollar you bet. I’ll go from being the favorite to being a long shot, and that could mean a lot of money to someone since it’ll change the odds on Malcolm, too.”

  “I don’t understand,” she said, her gorgeous, hazel eyes filled with confusion. “Why would it mean more this year than last year?”

  “Last year’s events were individual ones, and while they counted toward the scholarship race, this year’s events are the ones that matter. Let’s say I get out of the chair and back on my feet by Christmas, the odds’ makers will be gauging my progress. Betting on high school and college sports has
become big business. Not wanting to sound cocky, up until the accident, I was a shoo-in. Now, the odds will fluctuate based on my prognosis. Thousands of dollars change hands for state high school championships, and I recall Xavier saying the mobs get involved. I can’t be positive, but I think he took some money off some of the Central kids last spring. I don’t see him helping them hurt me though. I may remember more tomorrow. The hospital psychiatrist is coming to see me again. Your dad thinks some of my inability to walk could be psychosomatic—you know, a bad reaction to the stress—sort of like PTSD. As far as I’m concerned, he’s wrong. If I could walk, I would.” He tried to shrug, but couldn’t because of the collar. “Who else does Erik suspect?”

  “Dooley Jones and the track coach.”

  “No way! Neither Dooley nor Coach Morrison would do something like this to me,” Liam all but shouted and let go of her hand. “Erik’s wrong.”

  “That’s what I said, but he has a point. They both had access.”

  “Is something the matter?” Katie asked, stepping into the room, no doubt brought there by his outburst.

  “Not really,” Liam said, no longer able to hide the pain. “I’m getting tired, I guess.”

  Katie smiled. “That’s not too surprising. You’ve been in the chair almost two hours. That’s an eternity considering it’s your first time up. Let me finish what I was doing, and I’ll get the orderly to help you back into bed. Supper should be along soon. I’ll bring your meds, too.” She smiled at Hannah and left the room.

  Hannah stood. “I’m sorry if I upset you,” she said, her teeth gripping her lower lip. “I really didn’t want to.”

  He sighed. “You didn’t,” he said, reaching out to her and clasping her hand once more. “Erik’s right. Both Dooley and the coach had access to my locker. I can’t dismiss anyone. It’s obvious whoever’s behind this means business, but I don’t see why they would want me dead. That wouldn’t change the odds. The only thing that would be different would be that Malcolm would be the shoo-in instead of me.” He huffed out another breath and winced. He’d managed to forget that pain listening to Hannah speak.

  “But that would mean all the goodies associated with the scholarship would go to Central. My school isn’t rich like yours. The money for enhancements to the track program would really help, and that’s a hell of a good motive for anyone there.”

  He tried to shake his head and couldn’t. “You’re right. I need to remember something. Will you come and see me again?”

  “If you want me to.”

  “I do. Your dad says they’ll be moving me to a regular room tomorrow. Maybe Mom can bring in my laptop, and we can watch a movie.”

  “That sounds great.” She bent, placed a quick kiss on his cheek, the slight beard tickling her, and hurried to the door. “I’ll come right after practice. See you soon.”

  “The sooner the better,” he said, giving her a huge toothless smile.

  * * * *

  Hannah gaped at Erik sitting across from her and Mina. As far as she was concerned, all signs pointed to Malcolm’s involvement in this, but Coach Snow?

  “Are you out of your mind?”

  She was still reeling from the effects of the bomb he’d just dropped, and Mina looked like she’d been kicked in the stomach—hard.

  “No, and if you give me a few more minutes to explain myself, you’ll see why,” Erik answered, his face so red he looked like he might explode at any moment.

  “Give him a chance to talk,” Mina said, finding her voice and jumping to her new ‘boyfriend’s’ defense.

  “Fine, but this had better be good,” Hannah answered bad-temperedly. She would much rather be at the hospital than here listening to wild theories. She glanced at her watch. Another ten minutes, and then she would go to see Liam. After all, tomorrow’s track meet was at a private school, three hundred miles away near Madawaska, Maine, right on the Canadian border. They would leave at six and not get home until nine at night.

  Since the accident, she and Erik had gotten to know one another well as they’d searched for the people who might’ve been involved in the hit and run, but he’d taken a wrong turn at reality this afternoon. What he was implying made absolutely no sense. She’d been looking into things at Central, but the coach?

  When Erik had asked her to invite Mina to join him for a burger after school, her cousin had been over the moon. Tagging along on their “first date” wasn’t Hannah’s idea of a good time, but she didn’t have much choice. Mama and Papa had left for Greece on Monday and Hannah was staying with her aunt and uncle on the farm, which meant tonight Mina, instead of the school bus, was her ride home. Hannah had offered to go to the hospital and come back later, but Erik had insisted she stay with them—much to Mina’s initial dismay.

  If this was the way Erik operated, it was no wonder he hadn’t had a girlfriend. While it was true he was shy, he didn’t seem to have a romantic bone in his body either. For a good half-hour, he’d carried on with all the fervor of a single-minded district attorney grilling a reluctant witness. Didn’t he realize they were on his side?

  “I know Liam’s your friend, and seeing him in that wheelchair must be hard—it’s hard on me, too—but you can’t go around accusing people of something like this without solid evidence. First, you had this giant conspiracy theory about everyone at Ivy Hills and now this? Liam’s memories from that night aren’t reliable. Papa says head injuries combined with the other trauma his body suffered can be tricky. What he may or may not remember is questionable, and it’s highly unlikely a judge would even consider his testimony.”

  “Think what you like, but I have proof,” Erik said mulishly.

  “The kind of stuff Mr. Lewis, my civics teacher, would say stands up in court? You can’t build a case on hearsay and rumors.”

  “Believe me, there isn’t a second about that accident that Liam doesn’t recall vividly now, especially those kicks to the ribs he got, but I have something else—something that proves the coach is guilty.”

  “Then, why haven’t you gone to the cops with it?”

  “I tried, but they gave me the brush off. They don’t want to know the truth either.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Hannah said, rolling her eyes. “I know you didn’t grow up around here, Erik, but this is Cedar Grove, Maine, not New York City or Chicago. We have a ten-man force from the state police who look after this area. None of them are dirty cops. You watch too much television.”

  “It’s because I didn’t grow up around here that I can see what’s going on,” he argued. “Maybe not dirty cops but friends and lodge brothers. It’s the Old Boys’ Network at its finest, and lower your voice. I’m not ready to have this shouted from the rooftops yet.”

  Hannah shook her head in disbelief and glanced around the fast food restaurant. The place was crammed full of kids making weekend plans. Erik was right. If one of them started a rumor, the coach could sue him or Liam for slander, and that was the last thing the Howard family needed right now. While insurance had covered most of Liam’s hospital bills, she’d heard Papa and Mama talking. The renovations to the house were expensive, and the Howards might have to sell land or cattle to cover them.

  She reached for her strawberry milkshake and sipped, watching Erik’s face as he spoke.

  “Here’s the thing. Unless Liam can run again, the New Horizons Youth Scholarship will go to Malcolm. It isn’t fair, but it is what it is. Having the winner on a school’s team means a large grant to the school to upgrade and improve their track facilities, as well as a twenty thousand dollar honorarium to the winning coach, but it also guarantees that coach a foot in the door if he wants to move up to college or university athletics. Rumor has it Mr. Snow is applying for the position at the University of Maine when the track coach retires.”

  “That’s your proof?” Hannah stared at him once more. “That’s nothing. The coach is always talking about moving on to bigger and brighter things. Maybe this time he’s planning to do
something about it, other than complaining.”

  “I won’t miss him if he goes. He’s been like a horse with a burr under his saddle since school started,” Mina said, dragging a French fry through ketchup. She smiled at Erik. “Have you mentioned this to your parents? Your mother is my math teacher. What does she think of all this? I mean, if she works there and the rumor was true, she would know about it, right?”

  “I haven’t said anything to her. Hannah and I agreed to keep it between us until we had something.”

  Hannah frowned. “Say I believe you, and the coach is involved with this, why would he put his career and reputation on the line? Liam almost died. If Coach Snow were caught, whether he drove the truck or not, he’d end up in jail.”

  “I’m convinced Liam was supposed to die,” he answered softly. “If he did, there would’ve been no witness to the crime, and it would’ve stayed one big mystery. Now, the police are looking for a newer model black or dark colored truck and black cowboy boots, and considering this is Maine, not Texas, those boots should be easy enough to find.”

  The words froze Hannah, and she blinked when Mina laughed.

  “Erik, you jerk. There are tons of cowboy boots around here. My father has a pair. They sold them as a fundraiser about six years ago, just before you moved here. If Coach Snow has a pair, he probably bought them to raise money for charity. It won’t prove a thing,” Mina said.

  “It will if I can find them, and there’s blood on them. Even if he wiped them off, it’ll be there. Hannah, you heard your father,” Erik continued. “It’s a miracle Erik survived without brain damage. Walking or running again will be icing on the cake. As to why he would take that chance? That’s easy. Why do most people commit crimes? For the money, of course. Mr. Snow’s wife has filed for divorce, and he’s not going to be able to live the way he did on a high school teacher’s salary. He needs that job at the university, and he’s got to be feeling the pinch. I overheard my parents and Uncle Max talking last night. Apparently, everything but the house on the lake belongs to Mrs. Snow, and there’s an ironclad pre-nup in place.”