Chapter 34
Vee
Monday morning, Don Tilson met me in my office. We discussed the same scenario Royce talked about in the suite. Not about Royce retiring, but about the fact that our last regular game of the season wasn’t a blow-off game. The Coopers needed to win to get the first seed in the AFC South.
“We beat the Texans our first meeting,” I said.
“Dennison played the entire game. I think that should be the plan next Sunday.”
I nodded. “I saw an email this morning. The NFL moved us from four thirty to the Sunday Night Football game. We’re playing at 8:20 p.m.”
Don nodded. “I haven’t seen that, but I was expecting it. The Coopers versus the Texans is the beginning of playoff football.” He took a drink of his coffee. “Are you okay with Graham sitting the bench?”
“I’m not the coach, Don. That’s your job.”
“We need Dennison healthy, but we also need to win this game. Tough season when you’re sixteen and one and that final game is a must-win.”
“As usual,” I said, “send me any controversial calls from yesterday and the injury report once you have it.”
“Will do. Your thoughts on yesterday’s game,” he questioned.
“Defense was strong. Darius lit a fire under them.”
Don grinned. “Graham was beating himself up about that loss. He wasn’t alone. There was plenty of blame to go around, and the defense deserved the lion’s share. Coach Brown was hot.”
“The hard work paid off.”
“Offense?”
“Dennison got us a comfortable lead, and Graham put on the padding. It was the defense that made the biggest difference in my opinion.”
“You surprise me.”
“How?” I asked.
“I thought you’d take this opportunity to speak up for Graham.”
“Fin doesn’t need me to pad his accomplishments. He’s capable of succeeding on his own.”
After a discussion about a few calls in the fourth quarter, Don stood. “I heard Royce told you his plans.”
“Yes. What’s your opinion of Quinten Ledger?”
“He’s good,” Don said. “He learned from Royce. He’ll keep the Coopers’ status quo.”
“Is that where we want to be?”
“I believe that’s a question for you and Mrs. Marsh.”
“You’re right. We’ll start our discussions at today’s executive meeting.”
Two hours later, that was where I was, sitting at the conference table in the Carroll room, listening to a lively debate about the general manager’s position. Finally, I lifted my hand. All eyes came to me.
“You haven’t said much,” Uncle Darin said, his eyes on me.
“I’ve been listening.”
“You have an opinion?”
“I don’t want opinions,” I said. “I want the answer that will be best for the Coopers moving forward. Don Tilson made an interesting comment. He believes Quinten Ledger would benefit the Coopers’ stability.”
Aunt Rachel nodded.
“Is that our goal?” I asked.
“Yes,” Grant said.
There was an unnatural calmness about my cousin that had been missing of late. I hated to think that it was because he got laid yesterday, but the possibility was there. “Why?”
Grant sat forward. “Uncle Reid is gone. You’re the owner, but that’s under question. Mom’s the CEO. We all know she planned to retire. Vee, do you really think we need a change in philosophy or management of the GM department?”
“Why is my ownership under question?”
“Reid had a new will written,” Grant answered. “And the more obvious unspoken issue is the wording in the old will—children. What if Bre isn’t lying?”
‘Weren’t you the person who told me she was?’ I didn’t say that. Instead, I inhaled and searched the people around the table, looking for someone to speak up in my defense.
“I don’t understand,” Lip said. “Does Aunt Daphne’s contesting of the old will affect the Coopers’ ownership?”
“My attorney filed for a separation—separating the team from Dad’s estate.” I shrugged. “The judge hasn’t ruled on it yet.” That was bothering me, but I wouldn’t show it to this group of vipers.
“Back to the general manager position,” Aunt Rachel said.
“If we’re entertaining the idea of hiring from outside the franchise, we need to start looking at available candidates.
The teams who don’t make the playoffs will be firing coaches and general managers after next week’s games.
The good ones will be picked up quickly. ”
“At the same time,” Uncle Darin said, “we should be concentrating on the playoffs.”
“We will have to do both,” I replied. “Uncle Darin, you’ve been with football operations almost as long as Aunt Rachel.
She’s busy with her new responsibilities.
You can gather data on Quinten Ledger and anyone else who we might promote from within.
Also, gather data on possible outside hires.
We’re already able to identify most of the teams who won’t make the playoffs. Look at their personnel.”
“Because we want a GM from a losing franchise,” Grant said dryly.
“There are other reasons for a losing record,” Lip said. “Injury is a big one.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Gather the information. We may need to move on this as early as next week.” I looked around.
“If you haven’t seen the email, the NFL moved our game next Sunday to 8:20 p.m.” The tips of my lips curled.
“Not bad for a small-market team. I’d still like to fly to Houston on Saturday.
” There were nods around the table. “Is there anything else we need to discuss?” When no one replied, I said, “Then our meeting is adjourned.”
Aunt Rachel lingered as the others made their way out of the Carroll room.
“Is there something else?” I asked as I stood.
“I wanted to be your aunt for a minute.”
My aunt.
Not the Coopers CEO.
“Okay.”
Pressing her lips together, Aunt Rachel smiled.
“Vee, watching you sit and listen as everyone voiced their opinions about Royce’s replacement...
” She inhaled, her nostrils flaring. “I just wanted to tell you that I’ve seen a lot of growth in you over this season.
Reid was a good teacher, and you are making him proud. ”
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Yesterday was difficult. I don’t think I could have spoken to the full stadium as eloquently as you did. That’s something Dad or Reid would have done.”
I sat back in my chair. “Why did Grandpa Carroll leave the team to Dad and none of it to you?”
She shook her head. “That’s water under the bridge. It isn’t pertinent to today’s concerns.”
“Did Blaine Marsh help Grandpa purchase the Coopers?”
Aunt Rachel’s complexion blanched. “My parents bought the Coopers after selling their many McDonald’s franchises. You know our history, Vee.”
“I know what I’ve been told.”
“My father-in-law was a successful man. He and Dad were friendly to one another. I’m sure I would know if they were in business together.”
Pressing my lips together, I nodded and stood. “Thanks for being my aunt for a minute.”
We walked to our respective offices.
Cammy Wilcox was in mine when I arrived. “Do you want me to order lunch?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Please close the door.”
The small hairs on my arms stood to attention. “Okay…” After closing the door, I went to the grouping of chairs where Don and I sat earlier this morning. “What’s going on?”
“We should include Tricia in this discussion.”
I retrieved my tablet and opened our scheduled Zoom meeting. Trish appeared on the screen. “Thanks for joining us, Trish,” I said.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there in person.”
I set the tablet facing both Cammy and me. “Cammy, you called this meeting.”
She sat taller. “I have reason to believe that Reid Hubbard placed the Coopers into a trust.”
“You believe.” I said, not fully understanding. “What does this mean?”
“Have you seen the trust?” Trisha asked.
Cammy shook her head. “I’ve been digging into old files. There’s a file with a trust worksheet. If the trust was written like the worksheet states, the Coopers are not part of Reid’s estate and on the worksheet, Vee is specifically listed as the beneficiary.”
“My name. It doesn’t say children?”
Cammy nodded. “It would also make the Coopers unattainable to Daphne’s contestation that she deserves thirty to fifty percent. She can still contest the estate, but the Coopers would be off the table.”
Trish moved closer to the screen, her excitement evident. “We need the trust. Who wrote it for Reid? Where do you think it is?”
“I have every reason to believe Joseph Eads has it.”
“Why hasn’t it been disclosed?” I asked. I remembered what Fin said about Daphne and Joe. “If it’s present, is it legal for him to hide it?”
“No,” Cammy and Trish said in unison.