Senior Year Box Set

“I want you to consider something. If you hadn’t given me the heads-up about what was said inside the car, I might’ve skimmed over that part and sent it to Sheriff Cochran. I’m not saying the man is bad, but video like that gets leaked all the time. In fact, I suspect that’s how the media got the video of your rescue effort. The last thing I want is for my security team to be the reason you are suddenly in the middle of a media firestorm,” Fritz said.

I blanched. My goal was to never be involved in something like that.

“The second reason Paul is being reassigned is that he completely shirked his responsibilities to the Dawson family over almost the entirety of your trip. I’ve seen the pictures, and it’s obvious he simply wasn’t doing his job. His assignment was to act as your security and to protect you, and he clearly wasn’t doing that.”

I started to speak, but Fritz held up his hand.

“Don’t even start. I understand you gave Paul that freedom, but we work for your parents, not you, and Paul works for me, not you. It’s up to your security to say ‘no’ when you suggest they not do their job.”

Fritz looked at me for a couple of seconds and sighed before continuing.

“Frankly, your parents would have been justified in canceling our contract for either of those. From what your dad just told me, he considered it. I’m glad they didn’t because you’re an interesting guy to protect. Even so, they’d have been justified.”

Fritz stood and walked back to the others, leaving me to contemplate what he’d said. Yes, Paul had shirked his duties, but I’d been the one who’d persuaded him it was okay to do so. And yes, Paul had been utterly foolish to blurt out what he had, but I was the one who’d put myself in the situation where he could.

◊◊◊

I came in to say goodnight, but my dad motioned for me to follow him into the office and close the door. I was a bit mystified, but Dad had his ‘game face’ on. Neither Greg nor I ever questioned Dad when he gave us that look. I shut the door and sat in a chair facing him. I had a pretty good idea of what this was about.

“There’s a lot that’s happened over the last few days that you don’t know about, but that I need to go over with you,” he said calmly.

When Dad was like this, it was never good. I would rather he be yelling at me than face ‘calm Dad.’ This meant he’d had time to consider what he was about to say and had already decided on the consequences. There was no swaying ‘calm Dad’ with my charm or guile.

“We’ll start with Saturday. In addition to the drone cameras, there were two bodycam videos, one interior car video, and one exterior car video. Any of those could have filmed portions of what happened. The two bodycams and the interior car-cams include a conversation where your taking ecstasy was discussed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for you and your family if the media were to get hold of something like that?”

“I told them I hadn’t known …” I began, only to find out my father was madder than I first thought.

“You don’t get it!” he roared, rising out of his chair, and our eyes locked.

He was furious. I’d never seen him this mad, ever.

He took a moment and with a visible effort, composed himself, then sat back down and looked at me.

“You are going to sit there and listen to me. That means you’re not going to interrupt; you’re not going to dissemble; and you’re not going crack some of your unbelievably stupid jokes. Instead, you are going to listen to me tell you some things I should have told you long ago. Get it?”

I wanted to be anywhere but there, but I nodded. This was my dad.

“As soon as he saw the videos, Fritz downloaded them and forwarded copies to Ms. Dixon, who reviewed them. She’s advised us to send all the recordings from the other feeds but reserve the one regarding drug use. If the sheriff demands it, we may have to go to court to fight him. Right now, he’s happy with what he has.

“Ms. Dixon has advised Sheriff Cochran that there is other video, but that it’s irrelevant to his investigation. He has requested to view the additional recording to make sure there isn’t anything on there he needs. But he’s agreed not to make a formal request unless they think it’s necessary.

“As of right now, the evidence on the videos Fritz sent is enough. The two men arrested will more than likely accept a deal on these charges, so the other recording that includes the conversation may never be needed. Sheriff Cochran told Ms. Dixon that the other charges they face are more serious. His state’s attorney wants to kick the whole mess to Chicago and let them deal with it.

“You may have to be re-interviewed to make sure it all gets on the record. Sheriff Cochran wants to see how this plays out before he decides if that’s warranted.”

Warming to his subject, Dad continued.