'And we did. We waited in there for a long time,' Neely said. 'It took an hour just to settle down.'
The door opened behind them as one group of locals left while another trooped in.
'And y'all never talked about it?' Mal asked.
'No. We agreed to bury it,' Neely said.
'Until now?'
'I guess. Rake's dead, it doesn't matter anymore.'
'Why was it such a secret?'
'We were afraid there'd be trouble,' Paul said. 'We hated Rake, but he was still Rake. He'd punched a player, and not just anybody. Neely's nose was still bleeding after the game.'
'And we were so emotional,' Neely said. 'I think all fifty of us were crying when the game was over. We'd just pulled off a miracle, against impossible odds.With no coaches.Nothing but sheer guts. Just a bunch of kids who'd survived under enormous pressure. We decided it would be our secret. Silo went around the room, looked every player in the eyes and demanded a vow of silence.'
'Said he'd kill anyone who ever told,' Paul said with chuckle.
Mal skillfully poured a pint of molasses over his next target. 'That's a good story. I figured as much.'
Paul said, 'The odd part is that the coaches never talked about it either. Rabbit kept his mouth shut.Total silence.'
Chomp, chomp, then, 'We sorta figured it out,' Mal said.'Knew something bad happened at halftime. Neely couldn't pass, then wordleaked that he was wearing a cast the next week at school. Figured he hit something. Figured it might've been Rake. Lots of rumors over the years, which, as you know, ain't hard to find in Messina.'
'I've never heard anyone talk about it,' Paul said.
A pull on the coffee.NeitherNeely nor Paul were eating or drinking. 'Remember that Tugdale kid, from out near Black Rock?A year or two behind you boys.'
'Andy Tugdale,' Neely said.'Hundred-and-forty-pound guard. Mean as a yard dog.'
'That's him. We picked him up years ago for beatin' his wife, had him in jail for a few weeks. I played cards with him, somethin' I always do when we get one of Rake's boys in. I give 'em a special cell, better food, weekend passes.'
'The perks of brotherhood,' Paul said.
'Somethin'like that. You'll appreciate it when I arrest your little banker's ass.'
'Anyway.'
'Anyway, we were talkin' one day and I asked Tugdale what happened at halftime during the '87 title game.Clammed up, tight as a tick, not a word. I said I knew there'd been a fight of some sort. Not a word. I waited a few days, tried again. He finally said that Silo had kicked the coaches out of the locker room, told 'em to stay away from the sideline. Said there had been a rather serious disagreement between Rake and Neely. I asked him whatNeely had hit to break his hand.A wall?A locker?A chalkboard?None of the above.Somebody else? Bingo. But he wouldn't say who.'
'That's great police work, Mal,' Paul said. 'I might just vote for you next time.'
'Can we leave?'Neely said. 'I don't like this story.'
* * *
They rode in silence for half an hour. Still flying with all lights on, Mal appeared to doze occasionally as his ponderous breakfast got digested.
