The two of them laughed. Meanwhile, more members of the soccer team had arrived. Janine appeared with her mother. The two of them took a seat at the back of the waiting room. Then Kate Boggs strode in, carrying an overnight case.
Nancy couldn’t believe it. There was a spring in Kate’s step and a glow on her face that Nancy hadn’t seen before.
“Well, hello there,” Nancy said. “You look like a coach with a mission.”
“That’s right,” Kate said. “We’re going to win the Canadian Cup. I won’t let this team lose. Oh, George, Mr. Quinn is here with all the equipment. Could you make sure it gets onto the right flight? Wouldn’t want our stuff to end up in Sweden.”
George trotted off. Before she was even out of sight, Kate turned to Nancy and said, “I got some great news today. The coaching job I wanted came through. Starting next year I’ll be coaching a Division Two college team—at almost twice the salary I’m getting here.”
“Did you send George on that errand so that you could tell me this in private?”
“I don’t want to make an official announcement until after the tournament. I’ve always wanted to coach at the college level. I’ll also be able to get the other parts of my life straightened out.”
“I’m very happy for you, Kate,” Nancy said.
“Funny how things work out,” said Kate. Her expression turned serious. “I didn’t want to say anything before, but I’ve been having big problems with my mother. She’s been very sick. I had to hire a nurse for her at home, and it cost a fortune. But last week I found a place that can take better care of her, and with my new job I’ll be able to afford it. I’ve been hoping for this for months.”
She smiled brightly. “All this was really distracting me from my work. But not now. Wouldn’t the Canadian Cup be a great legacy to leave Pineview?”
Nancy nodded. She was happy that Kate’s life was coming together, but Nancy didn’t think this news would make her own job easier. Maybe she was making this trip for nothing.
12
All Aboard
George returned a few minutes later. She and Kate went off together to discuss some strategy for the game. Nancy decided to go over and greet Janine and her mother.
“Feeling any better today?” she asked Janine.
“A little,” the girl said. She looked miserable.
“A lot of people are counting on you. You’ve got to leave the worrying to me and play soccer,” Nancy told her.
“I told Mother she didn’t have to come,” Janine said.
“Nonsense,” said Ellen Sedgewick. “I have nothing to hide. Let people think what they want. When this thing is over I’m sure everyone will know I’m innocent.”
“Well said, Mrs. Sedgewick.” Nancy turned back to Janine. “Remember,” she told the young girl, “you let me worry about solving the case. You worry about winning a soccer tournament.”
“I’ll try,” Janine promised.
Most of the team members had arrived by now. Many had their parents with them. A few faculty members were also waiting to board the plane. Electricity was in the air. Everyone could feel the excitement building.
Russell Garrison came into the waiting room alone and joined a group of teachers. He had on a wool topcoat, and his pointed features made him look like a character straight out of a spy movie. The cool nod he gave Nancy was definitely not friendly. She looked away from him and spotted Jonathan Morse hurrying in, lugging a huge suitcase behind him.
Nancy approached him immediately. “Hello, Mr. Morse. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I am, too,” he said, wide-eyed. “But these girls are my students, you know. I want to see them win this tournament. Anyway, who knows? It may be my last hurrah.”
“Oh, come on. You’re supposed to teach my daughter someday.”
“That’s right. Well, at my age I shouldn’t make promises anymore. But I’ll try.”
Nancy smiled as the teacher joined some other faculty members. She really liked Jonathan Morse. She made a mental note to talk to him some more in Canada, if she could. Nancy walked over to Kate and George.
“How’s the summit meeting going?” she asked.
“Just about done for now,” Kate said.
“Do you think the girls will be ready after everything that’s happened?” Nancy asked.
“I’m counting on them to pull together when they realize where they are,” Kate replied. “An awful lot depends on how Janine plays. If she’s tested early and comes up with some big saves, it will give the whole team a lift.”
“Did you talk to Mr. Garrison about Kelly?” Nancy asked.
“I tried to,” Kate said. “But he told me not to bother. Right or wrong, he had to stick to his word, he said. Otherwise people would lose respect for him.”
“Speaking of Mr. Garrison,” George whispered, “here he comes.”
The headmaster appeared before them. “I trust everyone is here and ready, Ms. Boggs,” he said in his precise voice.
“Everyone except Kelly Lewis,” Kate answered pointedly. Now that Kate had found another job, she didn’t seem to care what the headmaster thought of her.
“Yes, that is unfortunate,” Mr. Garrison said. “I’m sorry it had to happen.”
“But not sorry enough to let her play.”
Garrison closed his eyes for a moment. He seemed to be counting to ten silently, trying to control his temper. Then he said, “Is the equipment on the plane? Are we ready to go?”
