CHAPTER 36

CAL DRUMMED HIS FINGERS on his knee as he waited for Josh Hood to come downstairs. The fact that he’d been allowed inside his home was a miracle considering all that had happened. But Cal felt obliged to tell the whole story, including Josh’s.

Donned in a pair of grey sweatpants and a black hoodie, Josh ambled down the steps and into the living room.

Cal stood up and offered his hand. “Josh.”

Josh shook it and sat down across from him. “I don’t have much time before practice.”

Cal nodded. “Then I’ll try to make this quick, and I appreciate your speaking with me.”

“You and I were both pawns in my uncle’s game.”

Cal turned on his voice recorder and slid it across the coffee table closer to Josh. “Now that we know you were framed by your uncle, what was the first thought that went through your head when you learned that?”

“I don’t think you can print that in any newspaper or post it on any website.” He paused. “I just couldn’t believe it. He was always there for me when we were growing up and I always thought he was one of my biggest fans. But there are just no words to describe how betrayed I felt.”

“Did you know about The Gentleman’s Club?”

Josh leaned back in his seat and shrugged. “I mean, everybody in Miller County has heard of it, either in open conversations or in whispered rumors. It wasn’t really a secret that it existed. Most people assumed it was a good ole boys drinkin’ club. You go huntin’ or fishin’—and then you go drinkin’ with your buddies. I’d heard they had real moonshine there, the kind that’s still illegal. But it was all just rumors. I’d never been nor had I been invited.”

“Did you know Jeremy was going there that night?”

“Guys like to talk and say stuff all the time. You know how it is. It’s locker room talk where everyone is trying to out-do everyone else. Bigger stories. Bigger exploits. Bigger, well, you know. Anyway, he’d mentioned that he was going as a guest and was supposed to be initiated. I asked him what that meant and he laughed at me like I was an idiot. We’d had a strained relationship recently. I don’t know if he was jealous of all the attention I was getting for basketball or what. He could’ve been just as good as me, or better, if he wanted to. But he got wrapped up in being Wilfred Lee’s son and burning all my uncle’s money. He quit caring about sports about three years ago and got into cars and other expensive things. But I think he didn’t like the fact that I was getting so much coverage in the press. So, he just did more stuff to irritate me, like trying to steal my girlfriend. It was not good.”

“Knowing what you know now, what do you think about your uncle trying to help you out while at the same time framing you?”

“I guess all I can say is that he loves Miller County basketball. He’s a sick man to do what he did, there’s no doubt about that. Maybe he felt guilty too, in a way. I don’t know.”

“How did your feelings for him change when you found out he was your biological father?”

“I don’t care how I’m related to him, what he did was sick. It disgusts me. But to be honest, nothing changed. He always acted like my uncle, so I thought of him in that way. From what I’ve seen from my other friends, it’s how their uncles treat them too. They care about their nephews and might show them some form of favoritism, but they’re still going to favor their own kids above everyone else, as we now know all too well.”

Cal scribbled down a few notes and continued. “You mentioned earlier about all the press coverage you’ve received for your play on the basketball court. How did you handle the sudden storm of negative press as well as the arrest and murder charge?”

“Not well, as you might recall,” Josh said, forcing a wry smile. “It’s not something I was used to dealing with. And certainly when people are writing lies about you, it hurts. I knew I didn’t do anything, but prison is full of innocent people, right? Hardly anyone comes right out and admits their guilt, so most people remain suspicious of you and begin to analyze everything you say and do when you’ve been accused of something like that. I’m not the first athlete to be unjustly charged and I won’t be the last. But you have to cling to the hope that the truth will come out.”

“Whenever something like this happens, the accused person always sees his future growing bleak. But in your case, it was not just bleak but potentially crushing. How did you react to the stories of you losing your scholarship?”

“It was all painful, I’m not going to lie. I knew all along that I was innocent, and to have coaches who I trusted suddenly bailing on me simply because of media reports and false charges filed by the government hurt too. I guess I can understand why they did it. I mean, there are athletes who actually are guilty of bad things all the time. But I would’ve just appreciated the common courtesy of a call from one of the coaches to ask me about it, at least get my side of the story.”

Cal leaned forward and eyed Josh closely. “So, what about your future? I’ve heard that Kentucky decided to offer you a scholarship again. Have you decided where you’re going to school yet?”

“When Kentucky pulled my scholarship—like a lot of other schools did—I decided to reassess my decision. And there was only one school that stuck with me through it all. They didn’t pull my scholarship. One of the assistants actually called me to find out if there was anything they could do to help. And that’s when I decided I would go there.”

“What school is it?”

Josh reclined in his chair and smiled as he patted the arms of the leather chair. “I’m going to Louisville. I never thought I’d say that, but it’s where I belong. Those people believed in me, while Kentucky and other schools didn’t. I can’t wait to make them regret their decision to act hastily. At some point, people in this country have to stop with the mob mentality and let the judicial process take its course, especially with athletes.”

“So, what’s next for you?”

“I’m gonna keep playing basketball and get myself ready for the next level. But tonight, I’m gonna have a bonfire—and burn everything Kentucky blue.”

Cal grabbed his recorder and turned it off before shoving it into his bag. He stood up and offered his hand again to Josh. “I want to tell you again that I’m sorry about everything that happened. I was just trying to do my job.”

Josh tightened his grip. “I understand. And maybe next time I hope you believe someone when they tell you they didn’t do it before you try to make them appear guilty in the eyes of the public.”

Cal exited the house and headed for his car. As soon as he climbed inside, he called Kelly.

“How’d it go?” she asked.

“Better than it could’ve gone, that’s for sure.”

“So he didn’t shoot you at the door?” A pause. “Maybe that was the wrong choice of words.”

“Yeah, well, I know what you meant. And, no, he was actually rather gracious. It’s one of the few times I haven’t seen him act like he was too big for his britches.”

Cal turned the key in the ignition as his car roared to life. “Have you heard anything yet?”

“No. Have you?”

“I got a text from Gatlin and I’ve got several emails from editors inquiring about this story.”

“You selling it to the highest bidder?”

“I’ll give it to anyone who will give me a job.”

“I hear Charlotte’s a nice place.”

“I’ll call them now on the way back to the hotel. But I’ve got one more stop to make.”