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Baseball History Mystery - Chapter 1

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Baseball History Mystery - Chapter 1 Twenty years can change a person’s appearance to make them almost unrecognizable. History Professor Bobby O'Brien doubted his ability to find his old friend, Will Carter in an elevator much less a crowded café. Last week, Bobby checked photo files from his sports reporter days for a picture of Will. The caption still fit, “African-American baseball league expert to speak at conference.” Will demonstrated instant recall when asked about teams, players, coaches, and owners. No one could tell fascinating stori es about the leagues better than Will. Bobby felt pleased that he secured a well -known and engaging speaker to complement the Lone Star College-CyFair Branch Library’s Pride and Passion display on African -American baseball or the Negro Baseball Leagues as they were called. He knew that anyone who attended the program and saw the display would be deeply affected by the trials and triumphs experienced by the players. The only trial faced by Bobby at this point was being able pick out his friend from a di stance with his past-their-prime prescription glasses. “I should have made an eye appointment several months ago,” Bobby thought to himself. “I didn’t realize how rotten these glasses are.” As he glanced around the café, Bobby narrowed down the choice s for Will to two guys sitting alone in booths near the kitchen. He worked his way through the clutter of bodies, chairs, and tables to get a closer view of the finalists. “I’m going with the Sporting-News -on-the-table guy,” he said to himself, pleased t o find a definitive clue to his friend’s identity. Bobby approached the table and introduced himself, but realized as he was talking, that this guy was way too old to be Will. “Over here, Bobby,” said someone who obviously overheard from a few tables back. “It’s Will.” “Man, I’m relieved you’re not that guy, because he seemed positively ancient once I saw him up close.” “How are you, Bobby? It’s good to see you again. Can I buy you lunch?” “That’s okay, Will. I need to get back to campus for a 2 p.m. class. I’ll just have coffee.” Will motioned to the server and ordered a cup. “Let me check my schedule for this week,” said Will as he turned the pages on his planner. “It’s going to be difficult to do everything at the conference and collectibles show downtown. I’m scheduled to be on a panel tomorrow discussing newspaper NOTE: Request permission before using or adapting this material. coverage of African-American baseball teams and then sign my latest book in the exhibit hall.” “And there’s the 7 p.m. Thursday talk at the college listed in your planner, right?” “Right, I need to circle that entry. I still have 3 days to look over my notes and polish the presentation.” “Everyone at the college is looking forward to your talk, especially the library director, Mick Stafford. When he secured the grant for the Pride and Passion African-American Baseball display, he knew that he should get you to appear since you are quite the expert. He’s read quite a few of your articles and books and was quite impressed.” “It’s good to have fans, because they make you feel that your work is important. And they expand your contacts. In fact, a fan who became a good friend recommended that I meet someone who came across some historical baseball records. This person supposedly found a box of items from a 1930s African-American baseball team. I’ve been asked to put a value on them for insurance purposes.” “Pardon me, but how do you know these records are genuine? I’d be suspicious of anyone who said they had this stuff. These teams weren’t known for keeping statistics.” “Yes, you’re right about teams not having accurate player stats, but these records appear to be about the business side of the team from the owner’s family. Supposedly, they have quite a collection. I’m a bit skeptical, but I said I’d take a look.” “Would you mind if I came with you? You could mention I’m a history professor doing some research.” “I’ll be setting a meeting time tonight, so I can ask if it would be okay. With a find such as this one, there is a desire to tell very few people to prevent theft. This type of memorabilia can be valuable.” As the two men continued to talk, Will's cell phone began to vibrate. He checked the number. "Excuse me, Bobby. This call may be about the team records appraisal." Will listened intently to the caller for several minutes, responding with a few “uh-huhs” and “okays” as needed. "Well, if you say that it's urgent, I suppose I could meet briefly tonight. Sure, 8 p.m. at my hotel. That's right, that's the one. I'll be in the lobby near the escalator. Yes, I'll be alone." "Hmm, so I guess that means I won't be accompanying you to the meeting?” "Sorry, Bobby. This woman sounded very anxious on the phone. She said she needs to get a price for the memorabilia very quickly. And as you heard, she wants to keep the meeting private." Baseball History Mystery - Chapter 2 Will returned to his hotel to finish preparing for his talk tomorrow. As he reviewed his presentation, he heard a knock on the door. "Hi Will, we need to talk." said Sheila Ross, his book editor, as she breezed into the room. "Time to finalize plans for tomorrow's book signing." "Well, I'm a bit busy right now, Sheila.” “I only need a few minutes of your time, Will. That’s the least you can do for me since I proofread your talk for tomorrow.” "I’d feel better if I could look at it again to make a few more improvements. And I need to meet someone soon. Can't we discuss the signing in the morning? I’ll buy you breakfast." "Oh, okay. You're always so last minute with everything, I know. By the way, who are you meeting tonight?" "No one you know.” "Oh, really? I bet it's that Liz Sampson from Sports Publishers International. She's trying to lure you away from us with a better book contract, right?" “Really Sheila, I need to focus on the talk. We’ll discuss the signing tomorrow. Let’s say 7:30 a.m. at the coffee shop in the lobby.” “Okay big spender. Coffee and a muffin isn’t what I’d call breakfast, but if I can get your attention for 15 minutes, that’s all I need.” Sheila left Will’s room and headed for the lobby bar. After she finished her drink, Sheila walked toward the elevators. As she turned the corner, she saw Will walking with a woman near the lobby’s main door. Wondering if a rival publisher was indeed trying to make a deal with Will and having nothing better to do, Sheila decided to follow them at a discreet distance. Will and the woman reached a surface parking lot and entered an idling sedan with deeply-tinted windows. Sheila waited across the street on a bench. When a half hour passed without incident, Sheila decided to return to the hotel. She rose to leave and then heard the car’s engine stop and the driver’s door open. The woman exited the vehicle, retrieved a box from back seat, and walked across the street to another hotel where she hailed a taxi. “Where is Will?” Sheila thought to herself. As soon as she thought the cab was far enough away, Sheila crossed the street and approached the sedan. She wondered if she had missed seeing Will exit the car and was making a big deal over his “disappearance.” Then she thought she should have called the police. But what would she tell them? They’d think she was crazy if she said she followed her friend to a parked car, saw him enter it, and never saw him get out. What a truly convincing idiotic story that would be! She reached the car and tried to peer inside but the window tinting prevented her from seeing anything or anyone. She called Will’s name instead of tapping on the window, thinking that the car might have an alarm. No one answered. Giving up for now, Sheila decided to walk back to the hotel. She wanted to call Will’s room to see if anyone answered, but she forgot to bring her cell phone with her. As soon as she reached her room, she called Will’s room. No answer. Then she called Will’s cell phone number. No answer there either. Baseball History Mystery - Chapter 3 Sheila stayed up most of the night worrying about Will. Where could he be? She grabbed a few hours sleep right before dawn and then decided to take a shower. After getting dressed, she went to the coffee bar hoping Will would show. Promptly at 7:30 a.m., she saw him stroll across the lobby. “Good morning, Sheila! Whoa, you look tired. Late night, huh?” Sheila held her temper, but his greeting infuriated her. It was his fault that she couldn’t sleep and looked awful. But she couldn’t admit that she followed him last night and thought he might be in danger.
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