Touchdown Tony Crowne and the Mystery of the Missing Cheerleader (10 page)

“We gotta whole ‘nother half to play and I’m just gettin’ warmed up. Ain’t this fun! Whoa! Haw-Har!”

The referee blew his whistle signaling the end of the first half with the Bobcats still trailing the Lions, 21-0. After the disastrous first few minutes of the game for the Bobcats, both teams had trouble moving the ball on offense due mainly to missed assignments, penalties and great defensive plays by each team.

During the short halftime, neither team returns to the locker room. Instead, they retreat to their respective end zones, huddle up and discuss strategy there. As the Bobcats jogged to their end zone, the fans yelled their support and the pep band played the Bobcat fight song with a new intensity.

Doc Claiborne ran with Coach Tiny and said, “Tony’s all yours. I’ve ruled out everything I was concerned with. He’s anxious to talk to you about something.”

“Thanks, Doc. I appreciate it. I’m eager to get him on the field.” Coach Tiny shot him a knowing glance and when he reached the end zone, he called out, “All right, everyone huddle up with me, but do not sit down, I repeat, do not sit down. Form a circle. That’s it. Okay, spread out just a little bit. Judd, Tony and Nick, come here inside the circle and kneel down. I want to go over some plays with you and I don’t want the Lions coach to know who I’m talking to.”

A highlight for many a Bobcat fan is being able to listen in on Coach Tiny’s halftime pep talk. Many fans can hear him as they sit in the bleachers because his voice carries well, but some like to mosey down to the end zone and experience the emotion of the speech up close and personal. One such habitual eavesdropper is Rudy Ernst, the owner of the local sporting goods store, Rudy’s Sports. He listens for a catch phrase that Coach Tiny might use during his speech and, if he hears a good one, he will print it on t-shirts or sweatshirts with the Bobcats logo on the front and the catch phrase on the back. The cash registers on Mondays are especially busy at Rudy’s Sports if the Coach spouts something memorable or catchy. It’s a win-win situation, all profits go to the local Boy Scout troop of which Coach Tiny is the scoutmaster and Rudy’s Sports gets more customers in the door.

“Okay, are all three of you clear on what we’re going to do?” Coach Tiny’s gaze flitted back and forth between Judd, Nick and Tony making sure they knew what their assignments were.

All three grinned, nodded their head and gave him a rousing yes, sir. One of Coach Tiny’s prerequisites for playing and starting on his team was the usage of “yes, sir” in all conversations with coaches, parents, people in authority and most especially with the referees. Coach Tiny felt if you give respect, you gain respect back from that person and you also gain more self-respect for yourself.

Coach Tiny raised his hand, got everyone’s attention quickly and said in a low voice, “Listen up. The speech I’m about to give is in two parts. The first part is gonna be a misdirection play for Coach Chuck’s benefit. What I mean by that is I’m gonna pretend that we are sticking with our game plan no matter what, but actually we’re not. I want him to hear it loud and clear. Now, the second part of the speech is for all of you to take to heart, so you pay strict attention to the second part. Hear me?”

All the players nodded and gave him a rousing, “Yes, sir!”

Peering down to the opposite end zone, Coach Tiny saw the Lions break up their huddle and were waiting for the signal to return to their sideline. “Coach Buck, it’s time for that pep band to take a break, ain’t it?”

“You got it, Coach.” Eddie Buck trotted down to the pep band’s director, whispered a few words into his ear and the director immediately stopped the band. The football field for the most part was quiet.

Standing up, Coach Tiny cleared his throat, wiped the sweat off of his brow and began pacing back and forth in front of his players.

“All right, by the looks of the scoreboard, I’ve got exactly one minute for a speech. ONE LOUSY MINUTE!” Holding up one finger he continued, “First thing, I was an awful coach the first half, A LOUSY COACH, I made so many mistakes that we are now 21 points in the hole! I’ve never been 21 points in the hole in my life! So what are we gonna do? STICK TO OUR GAME PLAN!”

A couple of groans emanated from the Bobcats’ fans and the Lions’ crowd clapped and hooted at the last line.

That didn’t faze Coach Tiny, he was on a roll. “It’s a good plan. It’s what we’re known for! IT’S OUR BRAND OF FOOTBALL!” He thundered with the veins popping out on his neck.

Holding up two fingers, he went on, “Second thing, second thing.” He glared at the players and roared, “I AIN’T GIVING UP!” He took a few steps toward the Bobcats’ bleachers, pointed his finger toward them and bellowed, “I AIN’T GIVING UP!” The Bobcats’ fans stood, clapped, fist pumped and shouted their approval. Turning back to the players he yelled, “AND IF I’M NOT GIVING UP, THAT MEANS YOU’RE NOT GIVING UP! I WON’T LET YOU!”

Coach Buck waved to the pep band director and the band erupted into the Bobcats’ fight song as Coach Tiny ran with the players back to their sideline.

Rudy Ernst smiled as he took out his little white notebook, drew a picture of a t-shirt and outlined the words, “I ain’t giving up!” on the shirt.

Chapter 17- The Interrogation

From the town of Lourdes, France by birth, Jean-Baptiste Bouguereau became a naturalized citizen of the United States at the age of eighteen, graduated from the state university, joined the police force of the nearby big city and rose in the ranks until he settled in as a homicide detective for thirty-five years. Widowed early in his career, Jean-Baptiste poured all of his energy into his career, receiving many commendations and medals for his work. Retiring to Dersee, he promptly bought a lakefront home, as well as a boat and fishing gear intending to while away the hours on his new found hobby. A life without work, however, was not for Jean-Baptiste. He contacted the Chief of Police, Chet Murphy, and offered his services on a part-time basis and at a rock-bottom salary, one dollar per year. Chief Murphy could not refuse and was thrilled to add him to the force. While homicides are rare in Dersee, many other crimes need to be investigated and Jean-Baptiste was more than willing to do the investigating.

“Miss Brady, so pleased to meet you, my name is Detective Jean-Baptiste Bouguereau of the Dersee Police Department, would you be so kind as to have a word with me in private?” Bouguereau bowed, smiled and motioned for her to step away from the cheerleader squad.

“How…how do you know my name?” Tisha asked without moving.

“Oh, Miss Brady, I make it a point to be aware of many names in this community whether I have been formally introduced or not.” He smiled and motioned again for her to step away.

“But, it’s halftime and I’ve got so much work to do with the cheerleaders to get them ready for the second half. Couldn’t this wait?”

Bouguereau did not smile this time, his hazel eyes became cold and stared at Tisha intensely. “
Mademoiselle
Brady, a young girl has mysteriously disappeared and the last thing anyone knows about her is that she was on her way to a cheerleading meeting at
your
residence.” Bouguereau normally spoke with the tinge of an accent and was exceedingly polite to everyone he spoke with, however, if he became agitated with anyone, he would slip in a few French words to let them know his attitude had changed and to keep them on their toes. “Are you not the least bit concerned?”

“Why…why yes, yes I am. I’ve been worried to death about poor Ash.” Tisha turned to the cheerleading squad and announced, “Girls, I’ll be right back. Keep those pom-poms shaking and remember to smile.” She and Bouguereau moved out of ear shot from the cheerleaders.

Leaning on his walking cane, he inspected his cigar for a moment, then glanced at Tisha and explained, “You see, Miss Brady, I have a potential kidnapping case in progress—”

Tisha gasped, cupped her mouth with her hand and asked, “Kidnapping? Are you serious? How can that be? I don’t see how—”

“I am sorry, but what else would you call the situation poor Miss Richardson has found herself in? She is not in her house, her parents have not seen her since early this afternoon and she didn’t arrive at your meeting. For all intents and purposes, Miss Richardson was supposed to attend this game, yet she is not here. The likely route she would have taken to your residence has been thoroughly scoured with absolutely no sign of her.” Bouguereau sighed and continued, “She has either been abducted or has run away. Her family background would not indicate a desire to run away so, at this time, that leaves me no choice but to consider this a potential kidnapping case.”

“Okay, okay, I understand now that you put it that way.” Tisha smiled weakly and plaintively asked, “Do you consider me a suspect?”

“Miss Brady, I consider
everyone
a suspect until the evidence proves otherwise,” Bouguereau went on, “Were you concerned when Miss Richardson did not appear at the appointed time for your meeting?”

Raising her hand to her chest and wearing a surprised expression on her face, Tisha replied, “Oh absolutely! We waited as long as we could before we came here. I asked all the girls if they had any idea where Ash could be and no one knew.”

“I see.” Bouguereau lightly tapped the ground with his walking cane and asked, “Did it occur to you to call her residence and inquire as to her whereabouts?”

“Oh, Detective, I should have, I should have. But, it was getting toward game time and you know the old saying, ‘the show must go on’, well, we packed up everything and came over here.”

“How many cheerleaders are on your squad, Miss Brady?”

“Well, as you can see, there are six.”

“Six, Miss Brady? How can there be six if one is missing?”

“Oh. I see what you mean. Yes, um, Felicity Whittaker is the first alternate in case someone is sick or…or… whatever.”

“And how did Miss Whittaker know her presence was required?”

Tisha smiled and proudly said, “Oh, I gave her a call and told her she needed to get over here immediately!”

“Tsk, tsk. Miss Brady, you called Miss Whittaker, yet you could not be bothered to call Miss Richardson?” Bouguereau’s voice rose as he scolded her.

“But Detective, you don’t understand. I meant to call her, I really did! I’ll never forgive myself if something bad has happened to Ash.” Tisha’s eyes welled up with tears and she wrung her hands worriedly.

Bouguereau nodded in sympathy and then tilted his head toward the cheerleading squad and said, “I shall need to speak to each one of the cheerleaders as well. Let me begin with Miss Whittaker. Please be kind enough to bring her to me, Miss Brady.”

“So…so you’re all done questioning me?”

“For the present moment; however, if need be, I shall be in contact with you. Oh, and if for any reason you feel the need to leave the fair city of Dersee, please inform me before doing so.”

Chapter 18- The First One

The second-half kickoff scooted across the ground, wobbled and then bounced into and off of Nick Miller’s chest at the thirty-four yard line. Fortunately, the football stayed in front of Nick, he picked it off the ground, squiggled out of an arm tackle, but was brought down six yards later by an avalanche of Lions thanks, in large part, to the squib kick.

As the referee placed the ball on the Bobcats’ forty-yard line, Judd ran up to him and announced, “Sir, I’m switching positions with our tight end for the rest of the half. My coach said to make sure and tell you so that you don’t throw a flag ‘cause you’re confused about who’s playin’ where.”

“Thank you seventy-five, that was right nice of you and your coach to think of me. I’m not ready for the old folk’s home yet, so I won’t be too confused.”

“You’re welcome, sir!” Judd grinned, spun around and ran back to the huddle. Standing next to Tony on the sideline, Coach Tiny put his hands on his knees, glanced at Tony and said, “Here goes nothing. Let’s see what Judd can do.”

On the advice of Tony, Coach Tiny kept the plays simple and straightforward. Also on the advice of Tony, Nick Miller would draw the pass route on the ground for Judd, since he was unfamiliar with the tight end position. “Okay, pass play, wide receivers run hook routes, Judd you run six yards into the middle of the field, like this: “Nick sketched the route with his finger, Judd nodded and Nick went on, “Hike on two, hike on two, break!”

With the binoculars up to his eyes, Hunter Dunwoody clicked his tongue and said, “Are you kidding me? The Bobcats are drawing plays in the dirt now?” He took a quick glance at the Lions’ sideline, “Hah, even Coach Chuck is having a good laugh. My, oh my. How the mighty have fallen.”

At the second hut, Nick took a three-step drop, fired the ball to Judd who received it effortlessly and drug three tacklers to the Lions’ forty-nine yard line for a first down. Tony, Coach Tiny and Coach Buck high-fived each other while yelling encouragement out to Judd and the rest of the team.

Nick knelt in the huddle, smiled at Judd and said, “Another pass play, this time both wide receivers line up wide on the left, Judd you line up wide on the right and when the ball is hiked, take one step forward, then two steps back and I’ll wing to you. If you’re covered, I’ll pass to one of the other guys. Got it? Hike on two, hike on two, break!”

When Judd lined up wide on the right, Coach Chuck, thinking the Bobcats would want to score quickly, yelled at his defensive backs, “Watch out for the bomb, watch out for the bomb!” He motioned for all them to back up several steps. Nick grinned slightly and knew the right play had been called.