Page 30 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

“Helping Amanda and Greg Richardson. I was wondering if we could get together sometime and chat.”

The coach chuckled, but his expression was unfriendly. “Well, let me tell you, I’m pretty busy trying to run a team here. No time to chat.”

“Maybe I could help you out with that.”

“I doubt that. But you know what I could really use?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“Money. A bigger budget. We could get a lot done with more money for training and salaries.”

“Well, I’d do that for you if I could, but there isn’t a ton of money lying around upstairs.” Amanda had been pulling her hair out every time she worked the financial statements.

“Guess we’re unlucky then, Lucky. Let me tell you straight up: I report to Thomas Richardson. And until he gets back, I’m running hockey ops and reporting to Greg. I don’t have time for any high-priced consulting crap—which I’m pretty sure is going to lead to more work for me. And nobody on my team has time to talk to you either. So stay out of my hair, and we can all live happily ever after.”

“That’s some welcome speech you got there, Coach.” I got up and left without another word. Killer said that Pankowski was in a bad way, but pissing off everyone around him wasn’t going to help. I was walking down the hall when someone called out, “Hey, Lucky!”

I turned around and recognized Daniel Ramsey. He was the captain of the Vice, and on a two-way with the Millionaires, so I’d played with him a few times.

“Hey, Rams. How’s it going?”

“Not bad. Is it true you’re working with the Vice now?”

“Just a consulting thing. I’m still on the Millionaires’ payroll.”

He grinned. “Well, that’s good news for the team.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because bringing this team up to NHL standards would be a giant step up.”

“Oh yeah? Maybe you’ve got suggestions you’d like to share?”

Rams nodded. “I’m going out with a few of the boys right now. You care to join? We could jaw.”

As tempting as that sounded on a few levels, I was tired, my back was aching, and I had an early morning physio session. Besides, this wasn’t even my team, so going out with them wouldn’t have the same satisfaction.

“Not tonight, Rams. But feel free to drop by and see me at the office. Be great to chat.”

If the Coach didn’t want to tell me anything, I’d find out from other people.

13

Sexual Healing

Amanda

“And that’sour new sexual harassment policy. We want to ensure that this is a comfortable place for everyone to work. Are there any questions?”

I looked around the large video room, which was packed with people. This was the only place big enough for everyone—admin staff and the team. I wasn’t too excited about talking to the players, but it only seemed fair. There were rumblings that people on the hockey operations side believed women didn’t belong in hockey management, but I was taking on my battles one at a time.

Brenda raised her hand. Oh, for heaven’s sake, I had given her the policy first so she could incorporate it into our human resources materials. She could have asked me questions then.

“Yes, Brenda?”

“This policy doesn’t mean that there is no dating around here anymore, does it?”

“Well, yes and no. This is not an anti-fraternization policy, but it is against relationships where one person can impact the career of another. For example, if one person directly reports to another, they cannot date. It’s about fairness and influence.”

---