Page 59 of Fastball Fever
We slip out of the equipment room, checking both directions before hurrying down the corridor.My mind races with the implications of what we've discovered.This isn't just cheating—it's criminal.
"What's our next move?"I ask once we're safely in a service stairwell."We can't just accuse them without proof."
Amy holds up her bag."We get these samples tested immediately.I know a lab that can rush the analysis."
"We've got until the next game to flush out the culprits—meaning Jared and his buddy."I hiss a breath out through my nostrils."I want him caught red-handed where everyone can see."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A controversy Erupts
We had yesterday off, which conveniently gave us time to show our evidence to Ray and Phil.After that, they told us to hold tight and not let on to anyone outside of our team until after they figure out how to handle the situation.Amy has custody of the samples, but we hadn't thought to record Jared's conversation with his buddy last night.
We need more proof.The irrefutable kind.
"Leave it with us," Phil suggests."We don't want to tip off Jared or his cohort just yet.Better figure out exactly what's going on before we make any serious accusations."
I understand his reasoning, though the idea of Jared continuing to mess with our gear—and maybe even our bodies—makes me want to punch my fist through a wall.I need to confront Jared, but that would alert the bastard that we're onto him.
"What about our bats?"Amy asks, concern evident in her voice."We can't keep playing with compromised equipment."
Ray rubs his chin."I've ordered new bats—regular and torpedo.They'll be here tomorrow.Until then, we'll need to be extra vigilant."
"Should we take drug tests?"I ask.
Phil and Ray exchange a look.Then Ray explains, "The THC is probably out of your system already, but just to be safe, we've scheduled tests for the team tomorrow morning.It's mandatory for everyone, though we won't say anything about the marijuana yet."
Amy's brows scrunch up."Why not?Are you worried that one of our guys might be Jared's cohort?"
"I can't believe that, but it pays to be suspicious of everyone—for now."
"Yeah, we need to be on guard at all times," Phil adds."Only the four of us will know what's really going on."
"Understood," I say, though my muscles tense at the thought of letting Jared get away with this travesty for even one more day."But I don't like the idea of that asshole touching our stuff in the meantime."
Amy places her hand on my arm, her touch calming me in a way only she can."I agree, Charlie.But we have no other options."
"We've got the night game tomorrow," Phil reminds us."I'll have our equipment managers keep a closer eye on everything, but they won't know why.All we can do is act like normal, like nothing unusual is going on—especially around Jared."
"Fine, I understand."But inside, I'm grinding my teeth and seething with rage.
"And for now," Ray adds, "I'll have our security team review the camera footage from the clubhouse and equipment rooms.If Jared's been tampering with our gear, we might catch him on video."
"That's a solid plan," Amy agrees."But what if Jared finds a way to hide or destroy the evidence before security can review it?Or his cohort does it?We still don't know who the other man is."
Her question hangs in the air, and I can't help but picture Jared's smug face as he gets away with everything.My fists clench involuntarily.
"We need a trap," I blurt out."We need to catch him in the act."
Phil raises an eyebrow."What did you have in mind?"
"Tomorrow, before the night game, we let him think we're not suspicious."I hesitate, hit by the sudden fear that we might be walking into a trap.Are Jared and his buddy that clever?I just don't know.But I trust Ray and Phil."Amy and I will make a show of leaving our equipment unattended at a specific time.We'll have security watching with cameras, ready to catch whatever he does."
Ray nods slowly."Not a bad idea.But it's risky."
"If we don't stop him now, what's to prevent him from escalating?"
Ray leans back in his chair, considering my words."You've got a point, Charlie."
