“Talk to us about the kidnapping the 2 kids, Coach,” urged Uncle Mike. Coach Russell’s head snapped up, “Kidnapping? What are you talking about? I’d never hurt kids, I’ve worked my whole life trying to help kids!” “You weren’t there on Wednesday night?” asked Brooks. The coach continued to look confused, “Wednesday night I was celebrating my 40th wedding anniversary with my wife!”
Uncle Mike walked out of the room and kept the door open. The policeman who had been outside kept watch on Brooks and the coach. The coach put his head in his hands, “What have I done…my whole career, gone,” he said with an air of despair.
Uncle Mike walked back into the room with Smokey and sat him down at the table. The coach started to cry softly when his son was brought in. Smokey’s demeanor had changed also. Seeing his dad cry softened him.
“Dad, don’t say anything until you talk to a lawyer!” said Smokey. “It’s over son, I told them the truth,” said the coach.
“Coach Russell, Smokey, we are going to arrest both of you for the kidnapping of Brooks Berry and Brad Klemz and assault for using gas to knock them both out.” Coach Russell stood up, ”What are you talking about? I told you, we did the taping, but there was never any kidnapping!”
“Dad, sit down,” said Smokey. “I think I can explain…I sent this Brooks kid here an email – but I didn’t know it was Brooks then. When Coach Thomas got that email saying they were on to him, I just replied to that same email address saying I had more information. Brooks and some other kid showed up and we locked them in the scoreboard. We pumped some chloroform in there to knock them out and tried to scare them. We weren’t gonna hurt them, just scare them quiet.”
The coach leaned back in his chair and let out a loud sigh. “What has this come to?” he asked himself aloud.
Brooks leaned in, “Smokey, you said ‘we’” – who is we?” “Marc Ille - kid from West. He helped after his dad got mad at him. Said he wanted to do whatever it took to get a scholarship. His dad caught him watching the video once and almost ruined everything. But he really wanted Marc to get into a good college on scholarship so he didn’t go to the authorities with the information, but he made Marc promise to stop watching the tapes and win on his own. Marc didn’t buy into it though, he just told him he would stop to make his dad happy and get him off his back. He wasn’t that involved but he was with me on Wednesday and did help me haul you and your buddy down from that scoreboard and into my truck after you guys passed out. Sorry about that. We might have gone too far.” Brooks just stared at him.
“I have one last question for you, Coach Russell. When you played Tosa West, Smokey has his disguise on - the long hair and the moustache. He tried to hand you some CD’s and you got angry with him and knocked the envelope out of his hands. Why?” asked Brooks.
“Easy!” said Coach Russell angrily; “I didn’t want anyone seeing me with those dang CD’s. He came up to me before the game to see if I could give those to Marc Ille after the game because he had a date that night. I told him to stay away from me – especially when he had that stupid disguise on! If someone would have caught me with those CD’s I’d have been cooked right then!” Brooks and Brad looked at each other and nodded. The coach’s actions seemed strange at the time, but now made perfect sense.
Chapter 17 Post Game
The next day Coach Russell and his sons and Marc Ille were charged for their crimes. Smokey and Marc were the only one that was in any real legal trouble. The Coach resigned from coaching at Kenosha High School and lost his coaching job at State University. Bob Russell lost his contract with the state. The school district also forfeited the whole season for every team but Tosa East who they declared the District Champion by default. With Marc Ille probably headed to prison, his scholarship was rescinded and it was offered to Jeff Kopish. Jeff eagerly accepted and was looking forward to fulfilling his dream of playing quarterback at the University in the Fall. Another winner in the whole situation was Coach Vitrano who was named the State College head football coach in place of Coach Russell.
Brad held the door open for Brooks’ mom as she carried a large tray of hamburger buns to the table. The whole Berry family was there, including Uncle Mike and his wife Jenn. Each of them held a copy of the local newspaper that had the headline BROOKS BERRY - BOY SLEUTH - COMES THROUGH AGAIN AND BREAKS UP FOOTBALL CHEATING PLOT
“Come and get your veggie burgers!” yelled Brooks’ mom as she came out the patio door. As they sat down to eat, Uncle Mike raised his glass and said, here’s to the best Boy Sleuth of them all – Brooks Berry and his faithful companion!” Brad said, “Hey that was nice, thank you, Uncle Mike.” “Huh?” asked Uncle Mike, confused. “The toast, remember – here’s to Brooks and his faithful companion.” “Umm, Brad, I was talking about Ripken…” said Uncle Mike.
The whole table erupted in laughter except for Brad who turned red. As if on cue, Ripken walked over to Brad, sat at his feet and put a paw on his leg. The table erupted in laughter again.
Inside the house, the phone rang. Little did Brooks know that he’d be on to his next mystery much sooner than even he could have hoped for…
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