Chapter 23

Kim briskly folded the blanket that had been used after their final game celebration. She placed it atop of the last of the items that needed to be carted to her car, and picked them up into her arms.  Just as she started across the grass toward the parking lot, someone called her name.

She glanced back and noted that it was Roper, the previous coach for the team. She'd thought it was very sweet of him to come all the way back for the final game and meant to tell him so again before he got away. She figured he'd want to head out since he had a long drive ahead of him, and so waited for him to catch up to her. They could walk to the parking lot together.

As she waited, she glanced over the grassy areas behind him. Most of the kids were gone, and the day had stretched into the evening. It had been a good day after all. Both Joshua and Jasmine had come, and they'd brought both their children. Though they had long since left, Kim had appreciated their support. Steven had also been there. She had a suspicion that if his time allowed, he might try for a coaching position during the fall soccer season.

Even Ray Santucci had stayed through till the end. There had been no sign that he was up to any bad deeds. He'd been especially giving with the kids. She hadn't actually seen him leaving, and his car was still in the lot, but she didn't see him immediately any place on the field. She didn't see Jerry for that matter either. She frowned slightly.

"I hope that doesn't mean you regretted doing this." Roper's voice interrupted her thoughts. He smiled and offered to help with the items that she was carrying.

She smiled at him. "Absolutely not. This was a wonderful experience, despite the rocky start." She shook her head at the offer of assistance as they continued on toward the parking lot. "These aren't heavy at all. I'm just going to put them in my car."

"Well you did a great job. It shows in the way the kids look up to you.  Do you think you'd be willing to do it again?"

"I wouldn't miss it," Kim told him. "Despite a very rocky start. And I really appreciate your vote of confidence."

"Well earned, I assure you. You and Jerry make a great team." A curious glint appeared in Roper's eyes as he continued. "Am I mistaken in my impression that you are more than just coaches and friends?"

"Is it that obvious?" Kim gave him a sheepish grin, though in her heart she was flattered that others saw the potential for something between the two of them. Others besides her family and Jerry's, that was.

Roper nodded. "I hope I haven't embarrassed you." He helped lift the trunk of her car as they had reached it.

"No, you haven't," Kim admitted as she dropped the items into her trunk, then leaned in to rearrange them. "Actually, I think he did a wonderful job of motivating the kids. They really loved him and he's very knowledgeable about the game. He's taught them a lot."

"I'm sure the commission would be happy to have him back next season, if he so desires." Roper said.

"Do you think Ray will come back?" Kim asked, curious. She wasn't sure what prompted her to ask, she only knew that it would be an interesting dynamic knowing what she did about the man. She had yet to understand how he'd made it as a coach in the first place. But he hadn't caused any trouble.

Roper's brow furrowed a little. "Oh, no. I'm sure he won't."

"Not his thing, huh?" Kim smiled.

Roper chuckled in response. "No, not at all."

"You know my brother is a policeman don't you?" Kim asked, wanting him to know where she was coming from when she asked the next question.

"Yes, I know that," Roper said, sobering.

"Makes me wonder why you'd hire Ray? Didn't you think it might be dangerous for the kids?"

A frown settled between Roper's brows and he glanced about them. "It was an undercover operation and he made sure that everything happened after the games, when the kids were all gone. I'm satisfied that he kept that end of the bargain. Besides, I wasn't the decision maker anyway."

It took several seconds for what Roper said to sink all the way in.  "Why wasn't I told?" Kim managed.

"The police made that call. They wanted as few people as possible to know. I did argue that you should be told, but again, I wasn't the decision maker. And they did keep their word, and the park is a lot safer than it used to be."

Kim nodded, still dazed to know that Ray Santucci was an undercover policeman. When their conversation ended and Roper headed