“Oh yeah? Anything you want to talk about?” I ask as I walk toward the athletic building.
He sighs. “Not really. Just family stuff. Did you learn anything?”
“Chip says he doesn’t know much. I’m on my way to talk to the men’s’ hockey coach now.”
“Hockey coach? Shouldn’t you be talking to someone in finance?”
That would make more sense, yes. “It sounds like Joseph and this man, Sam, have some sort of special arrangement.”
“I get the impression Joseph has a lot ofspecial arrangements,” Rover grumbles.
“I think you’re right. I’ll let you know what I find out. Call me if Joseph wakes up and tells you who called him to his house.”
“Will do. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
I pocket my phone and walk the rest of the way to the athletic building. It’s off-campus and a bit of a trek. When I round the corner and it comes into view, I’m awestruck.
The building is attached to an arena which, from the outside at least, looks like a professional-level arena a person would see in a large city, not at some college. I know this is a private school for the wealthy, but even that fact didn’t prepare me for this.
I don’t recall any of this being here when I toured this school thirteen years ago with Lucy. And since I was offered a sports scholarship, I was given a tour of the athletic facilities.
I would remember this.As I reach for the door, I see a plaque mounted beside it.
Gardiner Athletic Center.
Gardiner? As in Lucy’s father? I walk inside and take in how modern everything appears. I know Lucy’s family has money, but Lawrence couldn’t have been the only contributor.
“Mr. Anthony?”
I turn to see a tall, broad man in his forties smiling as he walks toward me. He’s wearing athletic pants and a jacket and has a whistle around his neck. His very appearance screamscoach.
“I’m Sam Morrey, the men’s hockey coach. Chip said you were coming here to talk to me.”
“Yes, thank you for meeting with me.”
The man extends his hand and gives me a firm shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“I, uh, don’t recall this building being here the last time I was here.”
“Oh, did you go here?” Sam asks.
“No, but I took a tour.”
He nods. “The athletic facility was built a few years ago, thanks to some very generous donations.”
I jerk my thumb over my shoulder, toward the door. “I saw the building is named Gardiner. Is that after the donor?”
“Yes, Mr. Gardiner was our largest donor. Do you know him? He’s done so much for this town, and his daughter teaches here too.”
“I’ve met him a time or two.” I don’t add any compliments; I have nothing nice to say about that man.
“What did you want to discuss?” Sam asks.
“Joseph Taylor.”
Sam frowns. “I don’t know him very well. We’ve worked together on some accounting matters, but that’s about it.”
