Who's Bret Vandergard and what's he done for us lately? [DDSCB3]

[PointGuard 70]

Somewhere near and yet out of the reach of any normal human

 

Alex Johannsen knew what was going down about 25 minutes before it happened and is making "arrangements".

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

5 AM American Flight 207

 

Kelli Olafson-Dearing like any servant of the law obediently turned off her cell phone when first going in the air when requested. She is now on the final leg of her flight into Spokane and won't remember to turn her phone back on for several hours after landing.

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

5 AM American Flight 207

 

Kelli Olafson-Dearing like any servant of the law obediently turned off her cell phone when first going in the air when requested. It remained off after landing in Spokane 15 minutes early and never gets Alex Johannsen's text message. She's about to call a cab when she sees a sign with her name on it. Of course, dear sweet dad sent someone to the airport to meet her. The really big guy waving the sign opens the door to the back seat of the limo for her. The rat faced driver turns to her and says , "just relax Kelli and enjoy the ride!"

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Nancy Parker, Athletic Department Secretary

 

(A little while after the arrival time in Spokane of Kelli Olaffson-Dearing's flight)

Ever-diligent, Nancy Parker feels she should ensure that Kelli got her text and answer any questions she might have. So Nancy again calls Kelli's cell phone, only to get an immediate voice mail message. Nancy leaves a quick message.

She then wonders if Kelli isn't answering because she is busy making phone calls or if her phone isn't working.

She confirms the arrival of the plane.

She tries calling Alek Johannsen...and doesn't reach him either.

She becomes worried since she's not sure if either got her messages and why they are not yet in Cheney.

She waits a half hour and calls both again but still doesn't reach either one. She calls Swede's house. Swedes' wife answers, obviously distressed that her husband has been arrested. Swede's wife says that Kelli has not yet arrived and that she expected her some time ago. Nancy's fretting increases. 

Nancy decides to review Swede's "Dawes and Others" file to try to take her mind off her concerns. She stares at some of the information in it, realizing that Swede and Bret are in a much more tangled mess than she ever imagined. The names and information in the file set off alarms in her mind.

Not knowing who to call, she finally decides:

NP: Hello, this is Nancy Parker at EWU.

MK: Oh, hi Nancy. I'm surprised to hear from you. Has something else happened?

NP: Well, nothing that I know of has happened, but things just get stranger and stranger. Swede's daughter was supposed to get to Cheney this morning, but hasn't arrived and I can't reach her. And I can't get in touch with Alek Johannsen either. Kelli is an attorney so I thought she might go directly to where they are holding Swede and Coach V, but I called there and no one has come to see them yet. Then I just took a look at a file Swede has and I'm getting scared. I just don't know who to talk with about this, but I decided I need to put my trust in someone and that someone is you, Miss Kriley. I need to trust someone and hope my trust in you is well placed.

MK: I can assure you that it is, Nancy.

NP: Can you come over and look through this file with me?

MK: Why certainly Nancy. You think Bret is in danger? Errr, I mean Bret and Swede?

NP: I think that this goes even beyond them. There are things about President (well ex-President) Clement Morgan in the file as well. Swede (and others) seem to feel he's been wrongly accused. And now with Swede and Coach V being arrested. I think there is some sort of conspiracy and that someone is trying to frame them, but I can't figure it out at all. The file is as jumbled as are all of Swede's personal files, and there are so many old newspaper clippings, pictures, names, arrows, circles, cross-outs, indecipherable notes...I just don't know what to make of it.

MK: Remain at your office, I'll drive over from Spokane right now.

[PointGuard 70]

Outside of Gate 401 at the Spokane Airport

 

Alek Johannsen arrives at the gate 10 minutes before his client's daughter is to arrive. 15 minutes later he checks the board and sees that the plane has landed. He sees no one matching the picture given to him. He is about to head to baggage claim to have a look when he gets a text message. Reading it he nods to himself and heads off to pick up Nancy Parker for the anniversary party, Kathi seemingly forgotten. He sends a text message to Nancy telling her he is on his way.

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Meaghan Kriley, Spokane Spokesman-Review Columnist

 

(After arriving at the athletic department, Meaghan Kriley is shown the "Dawes and Others" file by Nancy Parker. They both peruse it and talk about some of the things that are in it.)

NP: So you can see how confusing this entire file is, right?

MK: I sure do! But there definitely are some interesting items and notes in here. I see several names that Bret asked me to check.

NP: Coach Vandergard? He asked YOU to research some of these people for him?

MK: Uhhh, why yes. Is there something wrong with that?

NP: No, not at all Miss Kriley. It's just that Coach V doesn't normally ask anyone to do anything for him.

MK: Is that right? (a small, nearly imperceptible smile forms at the corners of her mouth) Well, maybe he was just desperate, Nancy. But no matter what, trying to figure out the puzzle within this file is going to take some time unfortunately. Maybe I should just forego Chief Hauser's anniversary party so I can work on this. I really don't care to go anyway.

NP: No! I am CERTAIN you should go. Some of the names in this file will be at the party, and I believe that other names in here are linked to people who will be at that party. I'm going to be nosing around, Alek will be doing whatever it is he does, and I think a reporter would be a very good resource there as well.

MK: You're probably right. Two female sleuths might be just what that party needed. We'll just have to go through this file in depth later, I guess.

NP: You did say "sleuths", didn't you? (laughing) Besides, Alek said he will be coming soon to pick me up, then we're going to pick up my friend Tori, who got us the invitation. That's just three and I'm sure Alek's car will be big enough for a fourth person.

MK: Ohhh. But I'm really not dressed appropriately. I had a special dress I was going to wear tonight.

NP: (looking at her). Pffffttt! What you have on right now is great! You''re far better dressed than that famous "sleuth", Nancy Drew. Don't worry, you'll fit right in.

MK: OK, OK...then tonight's my night to be a REAL "sleuth". (both laugh)

[PointGuard 70]

Meaghan Kriley and Nancy Parker

 

While waiting for Alek Johannsen to show up, Meaghan Kriley mentions the following to Nancy Parker:

MK: You know what? I probably shouldn't say anything about this, but you've trusted me with the file so I think I can trust you with this. 

NP: We're sister "sleuths" are we not?

MK: I think I got a weird message from Corky Branigan yesterday.

NP: Corky Branigan? He's been missing so long, I was wondering if he was still alive.

MK: Well, I've certainly had my doubts as well. But yesterday I got this overnight FedEx envelope containing a CD with Elvis Presley singing just this much of one of his songs:

"I know my luck's gonna change, just you wait and see
Startin' tomorrow only good things in life are going to come to me
There's a brand new day on the horizon
And the whole world's gonna be mine
And the whole world's gonna be mine"

NP: Why would you think Elvis singing has anything to do with Corky Branigan?

MK: It's just that Bret let it slip once that he and Swede thought they were getting messages from Corky with him dressed as an Elvis impersonator.

NP: You don't say! My, Coach V seems to have opened up quite a bit in your presence.

MK: (laughing) Yeah, like I said, I just think he was desperate and felt I could help.

NP: Hmmmm..."a brand new day on the horizon". Interesting, indeed!

[PointGuard 70]

Alek Johannsen, private investigator

 

Alek Johannsen relaxed for a moment. His mind had been working at a fever-pitch ever since arriving in Cheney and listening to Olaffsen and Vandergard detail what had been happening and their suspicions.

He needed this short, private breather. His mind quickly drifted to happier times when he was on the police force. 

He had grown up in a family of few material means, He never even considered college since that would have placed a great burden on his family.

Instead, not yet 18, he immediately enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school. The Navy quickly realized the prize they had and offered him the opportunity to join the Seals. While he had heard of the Seals, he knew little about them. But he did know they were an elite force and mediocrity had been what he had seen in his first 17 years of life, so he jumped at the chance. His service in the Seals had taken him to many far-flung lands, but the things he and his team had done were not tales to be recounted to others. Rather they were things that needed to be done, but best left carefully stored in the dark recesses of his brain.

His service with the Seals, though, had made it easy for him to get hired by the police force after leaving the military. He had risen rapidly by cracking case after case and was viewed by most all as a rising star. 

His investigatory skills also had provided him the opportunity to meet the young, new assistant DA, Kelli Olaffsen. He quickly recognized her to be the diamond in a DA’s office otherwise littered with fool’s gold. She was not only smart and talented, but also unwavering in her desire achieve results and unafraid to rock the boat, even when her boss preferred to play politics. All that and beautiful and vivacious as well. They worked well together. He would have liked it to have been personal too, but never tried to take it in that direction because of the age difference and because of their distinctly different backgrounds. 

But now…she was married…and the powers that be at the police department had decided his techniques, although successful, could possibly one day be a liability and sent him on his way.

That thought jarred his attention back to the case at hand. He was ready…

[PointGuard 70]

Spokane Airport

 

On his way out of the hub, Alek notices the headline in this morning's sentinel and buys a copy.

EWU Head coach and AD Arrested on Murder Charges

The better than 5 month investigation into the death of Bud "Buddy" Springfield, Jr. took a turn last night, when the Spokane County Sheriff's department arrested Eastern Washington University head men's basketball coach Bret Vandergard and univesity athletic director Tolburn Olafson for the murder.....


beneath the article are stock photos of Bret and Swede next to the police sketches previously published.


Aex chuckles to himself and tosses the paper into the nearest trash receptacle. Still chuckling, he continues to the parking area. "It's party time!"

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

EWU Athletic offices

 

Alec arrives and presents Nancy with a bouquet of flowers and a box of candy which causes Nancy to blush.

MK OOh, what a gentleman!

AJ: I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met. I am Alec Johannsen, and you are?

NP: (still flustered) Alek, this is Nancy....I mean....er....Meaghan Kriley, columnist for the Spokane Spokesman-Review. She is going to ride with us to the party, if that's okay with you.

AJ: (kisses Meaghan's hand) Charmed! If I'd known I was going to be escorted by TWO lovely ladies, I'd have arranged for more flowers!

(Meaghan is almost as flustered as Nancy)

AJ: So are we ready then?

NP: Yes, just last me grab my purse. (Still so flustered she manages to toss the flowers in the refrigerator, tucks the candy under her arm and tries to jam her purse into a vase before she realizes what she is doing)


as they begin to leave the office, Nancy suddenly remembers something

NP: Wait! What about Kelli?

AJ: What about her?

NP: You were supposed to meet her at the airport. Did she arrive safely?

AJ: She wasn't there.

NP: Wasn't there?

AJ: Her plane arrived early. When I got there she was already gone. Probably took a cab. That is what Mr. OLafson said she had planned to do in the first place, as I recall. When she arrived early, most likely she flagged down the first taxi she saw since she wasn't expecting anyone to meet her at the airport.

NP: Hmm. Ok, I guess that makes sense. Ok, I'm ready. Meaghan?

MK Let's go!

NP: Oh, by the way, Alec, if you don't mind being seen in the company of THREE lovely ladies, I promised my friend Tori we'd pick her up on the way. She's the one that finagled your invitation.

AJ: Not a problem at all, my dear. Sounds like an enchanting morning! (winks)

NP: (smiles while trying not to fall down)

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

Catherine Olaffsen, Swede’s wife

 

This has been an absolutely terrible day. First Swede is taken arrested and taken into custody. Then Kelli doesn’t show up at home when expected. I’m a nervous wreck.

I repeatedly try calling Kelli’s cell phone but there is no answer. I just get her voice mail message.

Finally, I drive to where they are holding Swede and am able to talk with him. He says a person named Alek Johannsen was supposed to pick Kelli up at the airport. He says he doesn’t have Alek’s cell number since the sheriff’s took his cell phone when processing him. 

After talking with Swede I’m even more concerned. When I get home I think about calling the police department to report Kelli as a missing person, but then decide they won’t do anything since it’s not even been a whole day since her flight arrived in Spokane. I finally decide to call the Chief of Police since maybe I can get him to do a favor for us.

I call Chief Hauser’s home number and am happy to reach him there. I tell him about my concern for Kelli. He says he’s sure she is OK, but that he will be happy to try to see what he can find out even though he and his wife are having their 25th wedding anniversary party soon. I thank him. I then can only continue worrying.

[PointGuard 70]

Nancy Parker, Athletic Department Secretary

 

Shortly after we get to the Hauser’s party, Alek tells us he has some things to check on and do, Meaghan says she will do some investigating on her own, and Tori has many friends at the party so makes the rounds. So not really knowing anyone else at the party, I find myself on my own. I decide that checking on what that nasty Christine Rozniak is up to is my best course of action. Of course, she doesn’t even acknowledge me after she arrives. That allows me to sort of stay close and in the background and observe. She spends quite a bit of time talking with Chief Hauser as she ushers him away from others. While I can’t hear what they are saying in hushed tones, they both are very animated. I just wish I could hear what they are talking about.

[PointGuard 70]

Cheney VFW Hall

 

As Nancy Parker enters the large reception room, she does recognize a few people. The bride and groom of course, and she sees that Tori has already made a beeline to go talk to Gina, naturally. She also, much to her consternation recognizes that bitch Chrisine Rozniak hanging on the arm of some big neanderthal man. She finally decides to go towards the head table to express her congratulations to the guests of honor. At least she has MET them before. Just as she starts to head towards the bride and groom she feels a tap on her back............she spins around and finds herself face to face with Presiident Pro Temps Fred Parkinson.....


MEANWHILE

Meaghan decides that if she ever wants to be accepted as an investigative reporter she needs to take the less obvious angle that none of the idiot men on her beat would be likely. Instead of taking the more obvious route towards the Chief and his wife....she heads towards the punchbowl on the side of the hall near where Christine Rozniak is standing with her cave man date and hopes to hear what she can hear.


MEANWHILE

Alex Johannsen sees the Chief and his wife, of course. He also see Fred Parkinson coming up behind Nancy Parker. Alek was trained to have more than two eyes, however, so while having one on the chief, and one on President Pro Temps Parkinson...........he still has one eye available to watch Christine Rozniak's enormous date........and one more to watch the rat faced guy who is trying to be invisible somewhere between the punch bowl and the exit. Alex maneuvers himself so that he is equidistant from all 4.


MEANWHILE....

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Cheney VFW Hall

 

MEANWHILE 

Fred Parkinson says to Nancy, "How nice it is to see I'm not the only university Representative to be here today. There are so few of us left free to go anywhere any more!" He then laughs like he has just made the biggest joke of the century, Nancy replies, "Excuse me dean..I mean President Parkinson..I need the ladies room" Then scurries off in any direction that is away from the erstwhile dean. Fred watches her walk away and calls after her , "no problem, honey! Bring some fries with that shake to my office next week, and I promise you a big raise! At which point Parkinson again laughs like he'd been telling himself jokes and had just told himself one that he had never heard before.

MEANWHILE.....

 

[Copied from a post by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Cheney VFW Hall

MEANWHILE

Meaghan maneuvers into a better position for "sleuthing" around the punchbowl and closer to the northwest exit, oblivious of the rat-faced guy skulking there,

MEANWHILE

Alec moves slowly towards the rat faiced guy in the corner

MEANWHILE....

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Cheney VFW Hall

 

MEANWHILE

After escaping Parkinson, Nancy finds herself headed towards that wench Rozniak and her huge date. Christine stares bullets at her, so Nancy changes directions again and heads toward the punch bowl. From the corner of her eye she spots a rat-faced little guy hanging out in the corner. She turns and finds herself face to face with Tony Carpelli. She wheels around looking for Alec and calls out his name.

MEANWHILE

Having seen Nancy get too close to Carpelli, Alec moves a few more feet in that direction.

MEANWHILE

Tony Carpelli sees Olafson's secretary looking at him and is pretty sure she recognizes him too. Out of the corner of his eye, he also spots a muscular guy he's never seen before slowly moving towards him. He suddenly yells out, "SOL!"

MEANWHILE

Christine Rozniak's enormous date, who happens to be undercover federal agent Sol Molinari, hears Carpelli yelling his name. He pulls out a gun, looks in Alec's direction..nod slightly nods. Then he turns and points the gun at Tony Carpelli. "The jig is up, Tony. You are under arrest", he bellows.

MEANWHILE

Matt Hauser hears the yelling, pulls out his gun, points it at Sol Molinari and yells, "This is Chief Hauser. Drop your weapon!"

MEANWHILE

A man in a suit steps out of the crowd pulls out a gun and points it at Chief Hauser. He yells, "FEDERAL AGENT LAWRENCE LAWRENCE! DROP YOUR WEAPON CHIEF HAUSER! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!"

MEANWHILE

A Number of Cheney's finest in attendance, totally confused, also pull out their weapons and point them at various people, including each other.

MEANWHILE

Tony Carpelli in total shock yells, "SOL? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?", grabs Meaghan around the neck and uses her as a shield and starts backing towards the exit. When the mass confusion reaches its height, he shoves Meaghan in the direction of Sol Molinari and scurries towards the exit. He doesn't get very far, however, as suddenly an Elvis impersonator steps into the doorway and clotheslines Carpelli knocking him into next Tuesday. Alec quickly moves in to subdue him.

MEANWHILE

2 more federal agents step out of the crowd and identify themselves and the confused police officers decide that laying down their weapons and staying out of it might be the wisest decision. Chief Hauser surrounded on all sides by federal agents quickly surrenders.

After Hauser and Carpelli are taken into custody and Sol Molinari and Lawrence Lawrence begin questioning everyone else in attendance. Guests are forbidden to leave in the meantime. 

Alec comes over to Nancy and says, "I'm sorry, Miss Parker, but I must leave to go release Kelli." The Elvis impersonator appears along side of them and says, "Don't worry, Alec, I'll make sure Miss Parker gets home safely."

"Thanks, Corky. I owe you one!", Alec says as he turns to leave. As he is walking out he thanks Agent Molinari for the text message he sent to him at the airport.

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

Nancy Parker, Athletic Department secretary

 

As she leaves, a thought flashes through the mind of Nancy Parker in which she pulls out a gun, points it at President Pro Temp Fred Partington, and squeezes the trigger...a flag pops out of the barrel of the gun saying "Bang!"

[PointGuard 70]

Fred Partington pees his pants.

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

In a little shack out in the country

 

Bound and gagged,blindfolded and ted to a chair, Kellli tenses when she hears a door open and tenses even more when someone cuts her hands lose, removes the gag and the blindfold. She immediately begins to cuss like a sailor, and vows to gut whoever is in the room with her like a fish.

"Is that any way to talk to your savior, Kelli?"

Kelli looks up into Alec's face and for one of the few moments of her life is speechless. But only for a moment.

"WHAT? YOU?? You are behind this?"

"Hardly, Kelli. I'm just here to take you to your parents house so you can rest up and figure out what you are going to do to get your father out of jail."

"WHAT? What are you talking about?"

"I'll explain on the way"

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

Aftermath

 

Over the next couple of weeks the papers can hardly keep up with the headlines. Much confusion reigns however.

In short:

Former Washington high school coach Tony .Carpelli is arrested for suspicion of murder, racketeering, attempted kidnapping, and a half dozen other charges including a forgotten 1878 Washington state statute against spitting in public with ladies present.

Cheney Chiefe of Police Matt Hauser is arrested on charges of tampering with evidence, destruction of evidence and obstruction of justice.

At the Grand Jury hearing of Clement Morgan, no indictment is obtained due to lack of evidence.

Almost immediately thereafer, FBI agents arrest Fred Parkington on the same charges that were originally brought against Clement Morgan, in addition to several others, including pandering.

Within a week, the board of regents vote to re-instate Clement Morgan as President of EWU.

All charges against Tolbert Olafson and Bret Vandegard are dropped when the witness recants her story claiming she was coerced into a false statement.

Within a week of the release of Olafson and Vandegard, the NCAA drops all pending charges against the EWU basketball program, but unofficially censures the program for being too "rambunctious"

The headlines hail the sudden reappearance of Corky Brannigan, but as Brannigan has thus far declined any and all interviews, the nature of his disappearance remains mysterious.

Lt. Herschel Rozniak has been appointed by Cheney city council as the new Chief of Police.

The investigation into the death of Bud Springfield, Jr. continues.

A warrant is out for the arrest of former EWU head coach, Dawes Johnson, but he has yet to be apprehended.

Cheney city council member Christine Rozniak calls a press conference in which she she states that she is appalled by recent developments in HER city and vows to rid Cheney off any future embarrassments.

At the end of Jim Rome's national broadcast of March 14th, he tells his viewers that the rest of the week will be filled by "best of" episodes because he is on to the nation's capitol to be king of the annual Easter Parade.

 

[Copied from post by CoachC in Wolverine Studios forum]

[PointGuard 70]

All characters in this dynasty thread

 

Phew! Our heads are spinning!

[PointGuard 70]

CIT Round 2

 

#5 seed Weber State (19-10) vs #1 seed Wright State (19-11) [shortly after the beginning of the game, the wheels began to fall off for Weber State. By the end of the first half, they trailed 48-36. Wright State kept the pressure on in the 2nd half and was never challenged. Final Score: Wright State-82, Weber State-64. PoG: Wright State’s SF Ray Bennett-19 pts, 5 reb, 1 steal.]

[PointGuard 70]

CIT Championship

 

#6 seed Wichita State-71, #5 seed Mount St. Mary-47

[PointGuard 70]

NIT Championship

 

#1 seed Richmond-62, #8 seed Stanford-52

[PointGuard 70]

NCAA Round 1

 

#16 seed Northern Arizona (11-20) vs #1 seed Duke (23-7) [Duke broke out on top and never trailed. By halftime they were ahead 44-22. Final Score: Duke-73, Northern Arizona-55. PoG: Duke’s PF Jason Fuhs-26 pts, 7 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal.]