I started the next two games, and Vakos started the two after that. We spelled each other off in the second half. We won all four games, which didn't make me look any better than Vakos, but Reed wasn't letting either of us go the distance. I didn't know why and he ignored that question whenever I asked him.
After the sixth game I was the last one to leave the dressing room. Reed was waiting outside for me.
"I might as well tell you now," he said.
"I'm not going to make it to the Viking taxi squad?"
"Don't try to be funny."
"It's not funny. You never let either of us finish a game."
"There's a pusher on the team."
"So?"
"You don't know anything about it, I suppose?"
"The goddamn doctor probably. Who the hell do you think we get our pep pills from?"
"Nope. Hash. Heroin."
"Come on."
"I want a straight answer, Matt."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"It was found in your locker."
"You're nuts!"
"Ask Binks. We haven't turned it over to the feds."
"Thanks a lot."
"Do I play like I'm on the stuff?"
"We had to let DeHaven go. He was on the needle."
"What's that got to do with me?"
"We found some in your locker."
"Goddamn frame?" I yelled at him. "If you want to get rid of me, say so! Don't pull this crap. Would I keep it in my locker if I were using it?"
"Who knows what a dopehead will do?"
"You're full of crap. Did DeHaven say I was pushing it?"
"He wouldn't say anything."
"Somebody's trying to put a jacket on me. That goddamn Leighton. Or Vakos."
"I'm not making this up."
"Who said you were? DeHaven said there's a pusher on the squad, but he won't name him."
"I'll see if I can find out."
Frankly, I didn't give a crap. Somebody was trying to put a jacket on me.
"I need your help."
"Wanna see my needle marks?"
"Do you smoke hash, Matt?"
"Give me a kiss and find out. Half the squad gets a little hash smash now and then. I've never touched the stuff."
"Who smokes hash?"
"Don't ask me."
"I'll fire him."
"You'll lose a lot of good players."