Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Can you elaborate?”
“Pranks. Things like spiking punch at dances, stuff like that.”
“Things like that happen at every school, I’m afraid.” Darrell sighs.
“We understand that, Darrell,” I say. “But here’s the issue. The future lawmakers club at Tejon Prep all those years ago turned out to be involved in some illegal activity.”
“Again, I’m just not sure what—”
Donny holds up his hand. “We’re not accusing you of anything, Darrell. We’re not accusing your students of anything. We just want some information. Could you tell us who on faculty is the advisor to the club?”
“That would be me,” he says.
I stop my jaw from dropping.
“You,” Donny says. “And you didn’t think it was important to tell us that right off the bat?”
He places both hands on his desk and leans toward us. “I didn’t think it was any of your business, Don. I can assure you the club is not involved in any illegal activities, nor are we involved in sticking it to the man in any way.”
“What is the club involved with?”
“Charitable work, mostly. The members support nonprofits that are working on legislation at the state level.”
I wrinkle my forehead. “Exactly how do members of your club help with legislation at the state level? We’re in a little one-horse town here.”
“We take field trips into Denver sometimes, work with the nonprofits there.”
“And what types of legislation are you trying to help get passed?” I ask.
“Usually bills that are important to ranching communities like Snow Creek. The club is what it says it is, gentlemen. It’s a club of future lawmakers.”
“So no one’s sticking it to any man, then?” I say.
“Not since I’ve been the advisor to the club.”
“Why did you take on this advisory job?” Donny asks.
“Because I’m interested in it.” Darrell leans back in his chair. “I’m interested in helping the community I live in.”
Donny shakes his head. “But you’re not a rancher, Darrell.”
“My parents are ranchers. Have you forgotten, Steel?” Darrell lets out a sarcastic scoff. “You don’t own all the ranch land on the western slope.”
Donny draws in a breath. Inside my head I can hear him counting to ten.
“Last I checked, Darrell, the Steel Trust has a lien on your family’s property.”
This time Darrell draws in a breath. Yeah, now he’s counting to ten.
I’m not sure where Donny’s going with this, but I don’t like it. All those rumors appear to be true. The Steels do own the damned town. Even though I’m in love with one of them, I’d like some answers just as much as Darrell would.
“I was not aware of that,” Darrell says.
“Oh, come on, Darrell. You’ve heard the same thing the rest of us have our whole lives. That my family owns this town.”
“So you’re saying it’s true?”
“I’m saying the Steel Trust has a lien on your family’s property. Nothing more than that. Take what I say at face value, Darrell.”
“What the hell does all this have to do with the future lawmakers club?” Darrell asks.
I can’t blame him. It’s a good question.
“Brendan and I would like to attend your next meeting,” Donny says.
“There won’t be any more meetings until after the first of the year. We’re going on holiday break soon, as you well know. None of our clubs meet in December.”
“Fine. January, then.” Don turns to me. “You ready, Brendan?”
“I suppose. Darrell?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you keep minutes of your club?”
“Not really. The kids take notes.”
“Donny and I would like to see those notes.”
“You don’t have any right to see those notes.”
“Darrell, you, Dale, and I went to school together. I’d like to think we were friends.”
“You and I might’ve been friendly. Dale Steel wasn’t anyone’s friend.”
Donny goes rigid next to me. “You might want to watch how you talk about my brother.”
Darrell nods. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way, Don. Dale didn’t talk to anyone. None of us really knew him.”
“Anyway,” I continue, “I’m asking a favor, Darrell. From an old classmate. Humor me.”
Darrell rolls his eyes. “All right. I’ll talk to the students. Get what I can for you.”
“When?”
“Sometime this week. Or next. We go on break after that.”
“Good.”
Donny stands, pulls out his card, and hands it to Darrell. “You know where I am, but in case you don’t know the number, here it is. Call me when you have something.” He walks out the door without so much as a thank-you.
I stay for a moment. “Listen, Darrell. Donny’s doing his lawyer thing, but this could be very important. So please. We need those notes.”
Darrell rises and gestures to the door. “I said I’d get them to you, Brendan. I’ll be in touch.”
I nod. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”
I leave the office, joining Donny out in the reception area.
“I really think we’re barking up the wrong tree here, Don,” I say. “Just because the name of the club is the same doesn’t mean this club has anything to do with the club fifty years ago at a different school altogether.”