The Fox’s Tale

We didn’t get a chance to sneak into the pocket universe before practice. I tried to keep that from annoying me. Being away from Ellery for so much of the day was taking its toll on me in ways I hadn't anticipated. I had no idea what the hell I would do next year. Maybe she could graduate early?

So instead of getting sexy times with my mate, we, along with the rest of the team, were rounded up and sent to one of the conference rooms near the administrative offices. The Athletic Director and Principal were waiting for us. I glanced at Ellery who was the only non-adult who wasn’t surprised by this turn of events.

Once everyone was settled down and quiet Coach Hendrix, who was visibly upset, began to speak.

“We thought you all deserved to have an update on the events that followed our game on Friday. Fifteen people were arrested for weapons and/or drug possession, thirty were arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, and ten more were arrested for destruction of property.”

Coach Hendrix sighed before continuing. “The rest of Central’s season has been canceled.”

“What?" I exploded in disbelief. "It was their fans and their coach who caused the problems, not the team,” I protested. “I mean, they were punk ass bitches too, but they didn’t throw any punches, or at least I didn't see any of them do that.”

Around me the team murmured in agreement. We didn’t like the players at Central, but they didn’t deserve this level of punishment.

Coach Hendrix held up his hands and silence fell over us. “Their season has been canceled because their coach has been arrested for murdering his wife only hours before that game. Her body was discovered in the trunk of his car after he shot his assistant coach in the back.”

He took a moment to compose himself as we freaked out over this horror story.The humans in particular looked ill, and the most alarmed.

He held up his hands again to silence us. “He shot him in the back after asking for his help taking something to the car. Fortunately, he didn't die from his injuries, but he will be hospitalized for weeks.

"Consequently, the school board felt it was the best course of action to not have any basketball there this winter, and night games of any kind have been suspended indefinitely for that school as well.”

“He thought they were having an affair,” Ellery murmured in my ear.

“Were they?” I whispered back.

She shook her head. “No, she was sleeping with one of her coworkers with the same name as the assistant coach. He jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

We sat in stunned silence digesting all of this until Coach Murphy gestured for the Athletic Director, Mr. Harper, to speak. He rubbed his hands together as he spoke.

“Because of the events of Friday’s game we have decided to cancel tomorrow’s game so that you may all recover from and process the trauma. Your schedule will resume on Friday at home, and we will take more care in picking opponents in the future.”

He was a thin man with a receding hairline. One good sniff told me he was an ordinary human with slight body odor from nervous sweat.He'd only been the AD here for two years, and I wasn't sure he was up to the task.

Ellery piped up. “No charges are being filed against any of the team, right? Everything was in self defense.”

“No, no charges are being filed against any of you,” he assured us.

The tension in the room dissipated and Matt and Nick in particular looked relived. I didn't blame them; I knew that they had used their claws on people. Ellery leaned against me.

“You already knew that, didn’t you?” I whispered.

A warm mmm was all I got in response. The AD turned his attention towards Ellery.

“Ms. Sinclair, the AD from Central wanted to extend you a personal apology for the way his fans behaved. He’s waiting in my office if you’d like to join me.” He gestured to the door.

Ellery crossed her arms across her chest, but otherwise didn’t move. “I wouldn’t.”

“I beg your pardon?” Mr. Harper asked, stunned by her refusal.

“I wouldn’t like to join you. I have met Mr. Lawrence on a number of occasions over the years and he’s disgusting. If he wants to apologize for putting us all at risk by allowing drunk adults to attend the game and providing inadequate security he can issue an apology in writing to the Gazette and the Courier. Or better yet, hold a press conference and then resign.”

“I see. Well, he did come all this way to speak with you. Perhaps you could tell him?”

I growled. Why the hell was Harper trying to get her into his office so bad? I caught Coach Murphy’s eye and he shook his head, his eyes narrowed at Harper’s back.

“As I said, I’d prefer to not speak to that odious weasel.” Ellery gave Harper a look that made my balls clench in fear.

Coach Murphy cleared his throat. “I’ll be happy to deliver Ellery’s message to him on behalf of the Sinclair family.”

Mr. Harper relaxed. “Oh thank you, Murphy. Come with me, he was most insistent on seeing her.”

“I just bet he was,” Coach Murphy muttered as they left. Before the door shut I heard Mr. Harper say, “I appreciate you coming to explain. He kept on mentioning blood debts. I'm at a complete loss dealing with someone like him.”

“Is he really a weasel?” I whispered. Ellery didn’t answer. Instead she fixed her gaze on our principal.

“You’re awfully quiet, Dr. Reilly. Why are you here?”

I turned my attention to our principal and his eyes flashed as he stood up.