Free Deadly Sexy by Beverly Jenkins Page B

negotiations, Bobby kept him out of training camp. Economically, the tactic worked, but missing camp cost the quarterback in terms of learning the playbook and in bonding with other members of the team. As a result, he rode the bench during the summer exhibition games and rarely played more than a down or two during the regular season. Bobby didn’t care. Of course he pretended that he did, and made noises on his client’s behalf to the team’s GM about the lack of playing time, but he didn’t really. All he cared about was being paid. Period. And now he was on his way. The agent’s cut of Quise’s salary would help plug the holes in his bank account, get Kelly off his back, and give him room to breathe, at least for now.
     
     
     
    “The new commish is sending the head of security to talk to you tomorrow,” Big Bo announced, walking into Matt’s office.
    Seated at his desk, Matt’s head shot up. “I already talked to the police.”
    “I know, but the league is conducting its own investigation.”
    “Can they do that? I mean, legally?”
    “Yes, Matt. They can. For God’s sake stop looking so damn scared.”
    “I’ve got reason to be scared.” Memory of the murder rose again but he forced it away.
    “Not if you stick to the script and keep your mouth shut.”
    His lips thinned. He thought about his wife and the prospect of spending the rest of his life in jail, or worse. California did have the death penalty. “I don’t know how long I can do this.”
    “You’ll do it for as long as we need to. So buck up. If you crumble, we all fall.”
    “You should never have gotten us involved in this mess in the first place.”
    Big Bo leaned down. “Boy, we’re losing cash like water flowing over a damn. What was I supposed to do?”
    “Take out a loan like every other legitimate businessman.”
    “And put us further into debt? Hell no. This is fast and painless.”
    “It wasn’t painless for Gus Pennington.”
    His father’s blue eyes blazed. “I took care of his family. What more do you want?”
    “For you to stop trying to take the easy way out all the time. We could do life!”
    “Not if you keep your damn mouth shut.”
    The eyes of father and son, so much alike, locked on each other, but as always, Matt looked away first.
    Big Bo smiled. “I’m leaving. Got a date with a young woman who wants to be a team cheerleader. Hooters out to here.” He gestured. “You just hold it together tomorrow. Another few deals and we can pull out.”
    Matt fumed silently. They were going straight to hell, and his father was driving.
    Bo gave him a wave. “See you tomorrow afternoon. My love to Melissa.”
    Alone again, Matt put his head down on his desk. It was all he had.

Five
     
    Reese drove his rental car to the Grizzlies Stadium and pulled into a parking space. Getting out, he scanned the area of the lot where the police report indicated Pennington’s truck and body had been found. Studying the office buildings across the street and the early morning traffic flowing around the stadium, he spent a few moments trying to imagine the circumstances surrounding what went down that night, but because he had only a few tiny pieces of the puzzle, no images surfaced, so he walked around to the door leading to the team’s offices.
    Inside, he noted the red eyes of security cameras staring down as he stepped up to the desk marked INFORMATION . Behind it sat a good-looking blonde who was all smiles.
    Reese nodded. “Good morning. I’m here to see GM Wenzel. Name’s Reese Anthony.”
    “Good morning, Mr. Anthony,” she replied, looking him up and down like he was something she wanted to take home and try out. “I was told to expect you. Here’s your visitor badge. Take that hallway to the left, then the elevator to the third floor. I’ll call ahead and let Matt know you’re on your way.”
    Reese pressed the white tag onto his black sport coat. “Thanks.”
    “No, thank you,” she countered, still