Page 11 of Silent Trail

In her mind, Sheila quickly reviewed Claire Hutchinson's words about Richards' tough attitude toward Kristen.

"Did you ever have any conflict with Kristen?" she asked.

"Of course," Richards said with a dismissive wave of her hand as she leaned back in her chair. "I push all my athletes hard because I believe in their potential, and sometimes that leads to...friction. Kristen was no exception."

"So you weren't particularly hard on Kristen?"

"Kristen had an immense talent," Coach Richards replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I saw great potential in her, and I wanted her to reach it. Sometimes, people learn best when they're doubted rather than praised. It forces them to dig deep and prove themselves."

Sheila took in the tense lines around the coach's eyes and the way her fingers drummed on the desk. She remembered her own experiences as a Division One athlete, feeling the pressure from coaches who seemed to expect perfection. Her next question felt risky, but she had to ask.

"Coach, we heard about an incident where you supposedly shoved Kristen during practice. Is that true?"

The color drained from Richards' face, and she shot up from her chair, her hands gripping the edge of her desk. "That's preposterous! I would never lay a hand on one of my players. Who told you such a thing?"

"I'm not at liberty to share that," Sheila replied, her heart racing at the sudden change in the coach's demeanor.

"Well, rumors are dangerous," Richards hissed, leaning forward. "They can ruin lives and reputations. So don't go spreading lies about me or my players."

Sheila held the coach's gaze, not backing down. Still, she knew there was no point in pushing this line of questioning any further. The coach's defensiveness spoke volumes, but without concrete evidence, it was best to tread lightly.

"Of course," she said, her voice steady and calm. "We're just trying to put the pieces together and find out what happened to Kristen."

"Then I suggest you focus on facts," Richards snapped, sinking back into her chair, her face a mask of anger.

Taking a deep breath to regain her composure, Sheila glanced at Finn, who had been quiet throughout the exchange. He cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Coach Richards, did you notice any changes in Kristen's behavior lately? Was she acting differently or struggling with anything in particular?"

The coach seemed to consider the question carefully before answering. "Well, I can't say for sure, but I knew she was dealing with some personal issues. She didn't share any details with me, though."

Sheila's brow furrowed as she noted the evasive answer. She wondered if Richards was hiding something or simply respecting Kristen's privacy.

"Did anyone have a reason to hurt Kristen?" Sheila asked, her eyes locked onto Richards', trying to gauge her reaction.

For just a moment, the coach hesitated, her gaze flickering away from Sheila's. Then, she straightened her back and met Sheila's eyes once more. "No," she said firmly. "I can't think of anyone who would want to hurt her."

Sheila felt a twinge of suspicion, but without any proof, there was no point in confronting Richards about her possible lies. Instead, she nodded, letting the matter rest for now. Her instincts told her that there was more to this story, and she was determined to find out what it was.

"Is that all?" Richards asked. "I really am very busy, and most of these questions would be better directed to Kristen's friends and family."

Sheila nodded, sensing they had learned all they would from the coach—for now, at least. "Of course," she said, forcing a polite smile. "Thank you for your time. Let us know if you think of anything else."

"I'll do that," Richards said. "And in return, all I ask is that you don't go around repeating things that aren't true. There's no telling how much harm it can do."

"We understand," Finn said. "Thank you again for your time."

Sheila and Finn stepped out into the hallway, the sound of their footsteps sharp against the linoleum floor. The fluorescent lights cast a cold glow over them as they walked away from Coach Richards' office.

"Something's not right," Sheila said quietly, her brow furrowed in thought. "She's lying."

Finn glanced at her, his eyes narrowing. "Why would she lie?"

"Maybe she's covering for someone." Sheila's mind raced, recalling her own experiences in sports. "Coaches sometimes cover for star athletes, especially when it comes to issues that could hurt the team."

"You think Coach Richards is actually protecting Kristen?"

"I don't know, but it's a possibility. Kristen Lee is the victim here, there's no doubt about that...but maybe it didn't start that way. Maybe someone was settling a score."

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