Chapter 29 Sabotage ?
The air in the hockey rink was always cold, but today it felt like it was freezing my blood. I stood in the dark hallway, still wearing my medical school scrubs. My heart was racing. I had run all the way from the anatomy lab.
Inside the locker room, the shouting was loud. It echoed off the metal lockers.
"I want an answer, Vance!" Coach Reed yelled.
I peeked around the corner. The whole team was there. They were standing in a circle around my brother. Leo looked calm, but his hands were clenched into tight fists.
He was still wearing his nice shirt from earlier, but he had thrown his hockey jersey over it. The "C" for Captain looked heavy on his chest.
"I told you, Coach," Leo said. His voice was very quiet. "I don't know where the leak came from. And I don't know where Jaxson is."
"Don't lie to me!" Coach slammed his clipboard against a locker. The loud bang made me jump. "The IT department checked the server. The person who stole our plays used Jaxson Miller’s account. He hasn't been at practice. He is hiding because he is a thief!"
"Jaxson wouldn't do that," Cooper said from the back. He looked at me for a second, then looked away. He was the only one who knew Jaxson was in our basement. He looked terrified.
"Shut up, Cooper!" Marcus snapped. Marcus had a mean smile on his face. "We all knew Miller was trouble. He probably sold our plays to the rivals for a quick paycheck. He needs the money, doesn't he?"
I felt so much anger. I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell them that Jaxson was a better man than all of them. But I remembered Leo’s warning. Don't say a word. Play the part.
"If Jaxson doesn't show up soon," Coach Reed said, "I am calling the campus police. This is a crime, Leo. This is the end of his career. And if you are hiding him, it is the end of yours, too."
Coach stormed out of the room.
The players started whispering. Leo didn't move. He just stared at the floor.
I waited until the players started to change. I grabbed Leo’s arm as he walked past the hallway. I pulled him into the dark equipment room. It smelled like sweat and old leather.
"Leo," I hissed. "We have to do something. Jaxson doesn't even have his laptop! How could he leak the plays?"
Leo looked at me. His eyes were dark and tired. "He didn't, El. Someone else did. Someone who has his password."
"You mean... Dad?" I whispered.
"Maybe," Leo said. "Or maybe someone on the team who wants him gone. If Jaxson stays hidden, he looks guilty. If he comes out, the police arrest him. It’s a trap."
"We have to warn him," I said. "We have to go home."
"No," Leo said. "You go after your classes have ended. I have to stay here so Marcus doesn't get suspicious. Take the back way."
I drove home fast. Every time a car passed me, I thought it was the police. My hands were shaking. I kept thinking about Dr. Aris and my medical lab. A Vance does not make mistakes.
But my whole life felt like one big mistake now.
I reached the house and ran inside. I didn't turn on the lights. I went straight to the basement. I didn't even knock. I burst into the guest room.
Jaxson was sitting on the floor in the dark. He jumped when he saw me.
"Elena? What’s wrong?"
"Jax," I said, gasping for air. "Something happened at the rink. Someone leaked the playbook. They used your account. The Coach thinks you did it. He’s talking about the police."
Jaxson stared at me. He looked confused. "The playbook? I haven't even looked at a computer in days."
"I know," I said. I grabbed his hand. "Someone is trying to frame you."
Jaxson sat back down on the bed. He looked defeated. "They win, El. They always win. I should just go. If I turn myself in, maybe they’ll leave you and Leo alone."
"No!" I knelt in front of him. I took his face in my hands. "If you go out there now, the police will take you. You have to stay hidden until we find out who really did it."
An hour later, I heard the front door open. It was Leo.
I ran upstairs. Leo was standing in the kitchen.
He looked like he had been in a fight. His lip was cut.
"Leo! What happened?"
"Marcus," Leo said shortly. He wiped blood from his mouth. "He said something about you. He said you were the one helping Jaxson steal the plays. I had to shut him up."
"Did Coach call the police?" I asked.
"Not yet," Leo said. "But the team is turning against us. Marcus is telling everyone that we are traitors."
Leo sat down at the table. He looked exhausted. "The dinner with Dad is still days away, but the school is already on fire. We can't keep Jaxson here much longer. Marcus is already asking why I’m acting so weird."
Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the front door.
My heart stopped. It was too early for Dad. It was too late for a friend.
Leo stood up slowly. He put a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. He walked to the door and looked through the small window.