Chapter 36
Vee
“Tomorrow,” Virginia said, “we’ll track down who sent the roses. May we see them?”
I nodded. “Follow me.”
Fans had begun entering the concourse. There was a buzz in the air, electricity and excitement like that of before a game. This event wasn’t a game. Nevertheless, it was timed to precision.
“This is fantastic,” Virginia said, looking around at all the props. “Quite the production for a one-evening event.” She lowered her voice. “I’m sorry. I’m not much of a sports fan.”
“It’s never too late.”
She nodded.
“Last year,” I began, “the Coopers made it to the championship round. However, we fought from a wild-card slot. We hosted the divisional game. This year with being first seed, we get to host the divisional and championship rounds. It’s an honor.
Lexington has been so supportive of our team. This is us giving back to them.”
“Mayor Watson has arrived,” came through my radio.
“Have her meet me,” I said, “by the small stage.”
“Roger.”
“Lexington’s mayor?” Viriginia asked.
“Yes. She has her own security.”
“We’ll coordinate with them.”
I led us through the pretend paths. Aromas fought for prominence.
There was the sweet scent of cotton candy and the spicy aroma of onions, peppers, and sausages.
Maker’s Mark, the distillery not the football complex, had a stand.
Not only could people purchase whiskey to drink, but Maker’s Mark also had commemorative Coopers’ Playoff bottles for sale.
“There.” I pointed to the small stage.
My three shadows looked from one another to the stage decorated with roses.
“That’s quite the statement,” Virginia said. “Have the flowers and vases been searched?”
“Searched?”
Virginia turned to Raphael. “We need dogs.”
“Dogs?” I asked, wide-eyed. “I don’t understand.”
“The roses look innocent enough. One of those vases could be hiding an incendiary device.”
My pulse rate was back up. “We don’t have our own canine unit,” I said. “But Crystal Light works in conjunction with ATF. They complete a sweep prior to all our large events. I can contact my director of security or the department head. A sweep should have already occurred.”
“Before or after the roses were delivered?”
“Ms. Hubbard,” Raphael said, “we’ve worked with both Gavin Weiss and Marvin Phelps in the past. I can contact them.”
“I was just talking to Gavin. He’s nearby.”
Raphael nodded and pulled out his phone.
Virginia nodded. “I don’t want anyone entering the floor until we know for sure.” We should confine the fans who have entered and stop further entries to the building.”
“No.” I shook my head. “My team wouldn’t allow anything into the building that wasn’t safe.”
“Vee, it’s better to be safe…”
Raphael stepped forward. “Ms. Hubbard, Marvin Phelps confirmed that the roses were subject to the canine sweep.”
I let out a breath. “My team is good. I’m just freaked out about the roses.”
Virginia nodded. “No need to change your plans. The fans can continue to enter the concourse.” She turned toward the stage. “It shouldn’t be difficult to learn who ordered all of these roses.”
“I hope not,” I said with a sigh.
“Was there a note?”
“Not to my knowledge.” Looking up, I saw Janine Watson and two bodyguards coming our way. “There’s our mayor.”
“Vee,” Janine said. “I feel like I’m outdoors on a summer day. This is fantastic.”
“I’m so glad you could come and make a few remarks.”
She turned toward the roses. “Wow. You’d think this was the Kentucky Derby.”
My head tilted. “The Derby?”
“Run for the Roses.”
Roses.
Derby.
Horses.
Meadow Farms and the Clarks.
I turned to Virginia. “I have an idea. Remind me to tell you later.”
She nodded.
Janine and I climbed the four steps up to the stage. “We’ll speak here.” I pointed. “Some of the fans will be around us, but see that camera? It’s one of many. Our speeches will be shown live on the jumbotron for everyone to hear.”
As we spoke, the Stephens Security member spoke with the mayor’s bodyguards.
“Do you mind having security?” I asked.
Mayor Watson shrugged. “One of those necessary evils in today’s world.”
“I wish it wasn’t.”
My radio buzzed. “Event doors opening in fifteen minutes.”
The countdown was on.
As Janine and I spoke, I couldn’t help thinking about what she said about the Kentucky Derby. Why would Preston or any of the Clarks be sending me threatening notes? It didn’t make sense.
With only a few minutes to go, I touched up my lipstick and smoothed my hair in the ladies’ room.
Wearing blue jeans, an amber-colored blouse, and a tan blazer, I did a visual sweep.
I was as good as I was going to get. Once the stadium was filled with fifteen thousand people, I would probably be a sweaty mess.
Virginia met me as I exited the restroom.
“I hate to admit, I feel better that you’re here.” I pressed my lips together. “But I do.”
“What did you want me to remind you about?”
“It was something Mayor Watson said. When she saw the roses, she said something about the Kentucky Derby. It’s nicknamed the Run for the Roses. Even though it’s held in Louisville, all of Kentucky is filled with roses.”
“You think there’s a connection?” she asked.
“It’s a long shot. Up until about four months ago, I dated Preston Clark of the Meadow Farm Clarks.
They’re, as they like to say, thoroughbred royalty here in Kentucky.
I learned recently that prior to his death, my father met with Preston’s father.
I don’t know for sure, but I think it was regarding my father’s quest for investors to help build out Lexington’s infrastructure.
We need more hotel rooms to host a Super Bowl,” I added for explanation.
“Did your and Preston Clark’s relationship end badly?”
I nibbled my lip. “No breakup is great, but there weren’t horrible things said or threats made. Preston isn’t that kind of a man. We’ve spoken multiple times since the breakup. He knows I’m currently seeing Griffin Graham.” I paused. “It’s probably silly. It was just a thought.”
“No thought is silly, Vee. Share them whenever they occur.”
“Doors are open,” came from my radio.
“Here we go.”
It was difficult to worry about the roses as smiling people entered the floor.
Adults and children alike, all wearing the Coopers amber, filed in, their lips agape as they took in the decorations.
Within minutes the carnival games and food vendors had lines.
The cheerleaders were busy with photos, and a face painter booth was painting the Coopers’ C on children’s cheeks.
“Vee, this is impressive.”
I turned to find Aunt Rachel. “You made it,” I said. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Darin and Grant are also here. We’re the face of the Coopers.” She looked around. “It’s truly amazing that it looks and feels like a county fair in here and in two days we’ll be hosting the AFC championship.”
My cheeks rose as a smile came to my lips. “We have an amazing team in stadium ops. This day at a fair was Fran Holland’s dream child.”
Aunt Rachel shook her head. “You are our resident expert in this category. Reid was the one to oversee stadium operations. It’s all new to me.”
“We can help one another learn all there is to know about our Coopers.”
“Welcome,” I greeted person after person.
As the clock approached seven thirty, I climbed the steps onto the small stage, and the crowd grew before me. “Good evening, Coopers’ fans!”
The crowd cheered.
“I’m Maeve Hubbard.”
Cheering.
“And this is the Coopers CEO and my aunt, Rachel Marsh.”
More clapping.
“We are also honored to have Lexington’s own mayor, Janine Watson, with us here tonight.”
Applause.
“We welcome each and every one of you here this evening to support the Coopers. Is there anyone here tonight who will be cheering for the Lexington Coopers Sunday afternoon?”
Loud cheers.
“A few words from our mayor.” I stepped away from the microphone as Janine came forward.
“Isn’t this amazing?” she asked, gesturing with her hands.
The crowd cheered.
Janine spoke for a few minutes, showcasing the cooperation between the city of Lexington and the Coopers. Finally, she stepped back and motioned to me.
Back up at the microphone, I completed my speech. “We thank you for your fervent support. Tonight is about giving back to our wonderful Lexington community. Please enjoy yourselves—”
Click, crackle, boom, boom, boom.
Screams came from the crowd as Virginia pushed me to my knees. Raphael rushed Aunt Rachel, and Mayor Watson’s team hurried the mayor from the platform. Crystal Light security swarmed the stage.
My heart thundered in my chest as my body trembled.
“Was that gunfire?” I asked, looking down, seeing if I’d been shot. There wasn’t any blood, only my fried nerves. “Aunt Rachel? Is she hurt?”
“Everyone is safe,” Virginia said as we stood. She escorted me to the floor below.
“Firecrackers,” Omer reported. “Firecrackers were placed under the stage.”
The PA system was telling people to stay calm.
“I’m going back up there.”
“Vee,” Virginia said, “I don’t think—”
I didn’t listen. “Turn the cameras and my microphone back on,” I said, speaking to the cameraman.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please listen to me.” My voice reverberated throughout Crystal Light.
The mayhem calmed down to a low drone.
“Everyone is safe.” I flashed a smile. “You know we love our pyrotechnics here at Crystal Light. Someone decided to add to the fun. Harmless fireworks. And the Coopers don’t quit.”
Clapping. The crowd near the stage seemed to visibly relax. Smiles were returning to their faces.
“The Coopers won’t quit Sunday and we’re not quitting tonight!”
Cheers.
“That’s what we want. The evening is still young, and we have a big show coming at nine o’clock.
Remember, all the activities are free. Get your face painted.
Take your picture with one of our fantastic Coopers’ cheerleaders.
Throw a football and clock the speed.” I opened my eyes wide.
“Did you know that Troy Dennison’s throws have been clocked as fast as sixty-one miles per hour? ”
Cheering.
“He’s going to be showing his talent to the world as the Coopers win the AFC Championship.”
Cheering.
My speech was working. Even my own heart rate was returning to normal.
“Now, have fun.” I looked over at Aunt Rachel and walked to her. “Are you all right?”
She nodded before wrapping me in a hug. “I don’t know,” she whispered in my ear, “what’s happening, but you need to be careful.”
The fans were back to having fun. Yet my nerves were fried. “I think I’m going to slip out.”
Aunt Rachel pressed her lips together. “Darin and Grant are here. We’ll stick around to introduce the performer.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to ride with you on your way home,” Virginia said.
I’d used up my energy calming the crowd. I didn’t have it in me to argue.