“That’s amazing.” I looked at my phone and could see what the camera was recording.
“It is pretty crazy. So where should I hide? I was going to hide in the stands, but I don’t want to be next to that homeless guy.”
“That’s Tanner.”
Rob squinted. “Are you sure?”
I laughed. “If you can’t tell that’s him, how do you expect me to believe you when you tell me about his other disguise?”
“I see his stupid face now. I can tell it’s him. Just like I can tell it’s him when he’s rocking a man bun. What the hell kind of mustache is that, anyway?”
I stared at Tanner. “I have no idea.”
“Well, I’m glad all three of us coordinated to dress like homeless men,” Rob said.
“I’m not dressed like a homeless person.”
“Whatever you say. I’ll wait at the entrance instead of in the stands. I don’t want to be anywhere near Tanner. And speaking of Tanner…how about you wave him down here so you can tell him that I’m your best friend right in front of his mustachioed face?”
“Let’s wait until after. I don’t want the hitwoman to see us all together before we try to corner her.”
“Fine. But you have to tell him. In front of me.”
“I will.” Honestly, if I was still alive in a few minutes I’d do whatever Rob wanted. Because I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without his camera.
I watched as Rob walked over to the entrance. And that’s when I saw the hitwoman coming into the stadium.
I opened up a group chat between Rob and Tanner and sent them a text. “That’s her walking in now. Keep an eye on her.”
“Get me out of this group chat,” Rob texted back.
Tanner’s message popped up next: “I concur.”
“You guys, focus. I need to wrap up practice and then we can surround her.”
“Fine. I’ve got eyes on her,” Tanner said. “She sat down right in front of me on the bleachers. I can’t see a gun, but it’s probably under her coat.”
I swallowed hard as I watched the kids do sprints. This was it. Either the end of Mr. Pruitt or the end of me.
“We need a mission name,” Rob texted.
“I actually agree with Robert on this,” Tanner replied. “How about Operation Robert Shouldn’t Be Here?”
“Or Operation Tanner is a Liar.”
“What have I ever lied about?”
I put my phone in my pocket and ignored them. Honestly, it was nice that they were here. But I didn’t want to put either of them at risk. I wasn’t going to tell them when I was approaching her. Hopefully she’d start moving away from Tanner soon and then I’d get there and restrain her before Rob and Tanner even reached us. That way I would be the only one in danger.
And I couldn’t wait till the end of practice. I’d already made the team sprint for far too long anyway. I blew my whistle and waved them in.
I wanted to make Smith apologize, but I knew that would just make him hate Jefferson even more. “Great practice,” I said instead. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
Smith grumbled something under his breath.
I also didn’t have the patience to reprimand him right now. I could feel the hitwoman staring at me.
“Coach Caldwell?” Jefferson said.
