Chapter 12 - The Woman Who Said Nothing
Coach Dana Mercer had remained silent from the beginning.
Avery had assumed that meant guilt.
Now she wondered whether it meant fear.
They contacted Mercer using a prepaid phone.
She agreed to meet at an empty church parking lot before sunrise.
Mercer arrived alone.
She looked ten years older than she had a week earlier.
Avery didn't waste time.
“Who is above Keene?”
Mercer closed her eyes.
“I hoped you'd stop.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“Because every step you take puts more people in danger.”
“Lila almost died.”
Mercer looked at her.
“I know.”
Avery's anger exploded.
“And you stood in front of forty thousand people and let them call me a monster.”
Mercer's eyes filled.
“I know.”
“Why?”
Mercer took a shaky breath.
Her son had been arrested two years earlier.
Driving under the influence.
The charges mysteriously disappeared.
Athletic director Keene arranged it.
Afterward, Mercer owed him.
At first, he only asked her to sign scholarship recommendations.
Then financial transfers.
Then false eligibility reports.
By the time she realized what she had entered, leaving would have destroyed her career and possibly sent her to prison.
“Who controls Keene?” Avery asked again.
Mercer looked toward the road.
“Dean Caroline Voss.”
Avery knew the name.
Everyone did.
Voss was the public face of Westbridge University athletics.
Elegant.
Respected.
A national advocate for women in college sports.
She appeared on television constantly.
She had personally hugged Avery after last year's championship.
Mercer continued.
“The donor network belongs to her.”
“Vale's company moves money.”
“Keene protects the records.”
“I keep athletes compliant.”
“And Voss protects everyone from above.”
Lila whispered, “Why frame Avery?”
Mercer looked at her.
“Because Avery found the first missing payment.”
Avery's throat tightened.
Mercer continued.
“You were becoming dangerous.”
“And Lila?”
“She became dangerous too.”
Mercer wiped her eyes.
“Vale proposed the accident.”
“Voss approved it.”
Avery felt cold.
“She approved hurting Lila?”
Mercer nodded.
“She called it controlled pressure.”
Avery looked away.
The woman who had publicly praised them.
The woman who gave speeches about protecting young athletes.
She had approved an accident to silence them.
Mercer reached into her coat.
She handed Avery a keycard.
“Voss keeps private files in her stadium office.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“There is a donor gala.”
“Everyone will be downstairs.”
Mercer stepped closer.
“If you go in there, don't trust anyone.”
Avery almost laughed.
“I don't.”
Mercer's expression broke.
“Good.”
May you like
“Because I made that mistake.”
“And look what it cost you.”
