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     as though it was designed and built by his own kin. Despite the “luxurious” dorms
     and the remodel, the facility still lacked the glitz and glamour of Hohenschwangau
     Stadium and the Las Vegas Chips. She reminded herself that this wasn’t a major league
     ballclub’s home; it was a scouting joint that was occasionally used by the professionals
     during the offseason.
    And a small market club at that. Even the Buffalo Soldiers Dome hadn’t been able to
     compete with her former club’s home.
    “It’s nice.” She offered the proud scout her best smile. She had repeated the lie
     as they’d strolled through the fields, the gym and now into the office.
    Nice, good, lovely, neat, nifty, bitchin’.
    She was running out of praise.
     
    So Buffalonians, put another log on the fire and get ready to plan a trip down to
     the Caribbean for your own personal tour of this world class facility. With unique
     fitness programs, unsurpassed trainers and top-of-the-line equipment, the Soldiers
     have spared no expense for their future phenoms.
     
    Joe finished the tour in a large office just down the hallway from the lobby. With
     papers strewn across every table and desk, it looked like a post-tornado Kinkos.
    “My office is just off this room.” He pointed to a slab door behind one of the desks.
     “This was originally the coaches’ office, but since they built the addition across
     the street, it’s been used as interim storage. You and Paige will work out of this
     area. Ms. McDaniel—”
    “Cat, please.”
    “Cat. I’ll put you at the desk by the window so you can see your players on the field.
     Since Ms. Aiken will be working as my assistant, I’ll give her the desk by my door.”
    “They don’t believe in cranking the AC, huh?” Unlike Cat, Paige had made no attempt
     to hide her disdain for the facility, from the patchy grass on the fields to the archaic
     treadmills in the gym.
    “You get used to it, trust me. Still better than Buffalo’s sub-zero temps, right?”
    “I guess.”
    Paige scooted onto her makeshift desk and crossed her legs. She snuck her cell phone
     out of her purse as Joe continued his rundown of day-to-day operations. Cat admonished
     her with a glare to which Paige stuck out her tongue.
    “You’ll be on your own a lot because I’m in and out of the office all the time. Like
     today, I’ve got to monitor a catching prospect at the Aida Cartagena Portalatin Escuela game. Do you think you can file these while I’m gone?”
    “ No problemo .” She looked up at Cat with a smile. “Hey, look at that, I’m already getting the
     hang of this Español thing.”
    Joe nodded as he grabbed his car keys. He examined the room one more time before he
     shut the door. “Again, Paige, if you need anything—”
    “I’ll call. Don’t worry, boss man. This is going to work out great.” He tossed her
     a wave and turned out the door. Paige scurried to the doorway and watched him walk
     down the hallway. When she saw him turn the corner, she whirled around and grabbed
     the file box. She walked over to the cabinets and opened the bottom drawer. She happily
     found it empty and turned the box upside down, emptying its contents into the drawer.
     She smiled and slammed the cabinet shut, smacking her palms together triumphantly.
    Cat watched the show in disbelief. “Paige.”
    “What?” Paige cocked her head. “Come on, Warden. It’s my first day. I should be getting
     the lay of the land, not singing my ABCs in some dank office.”
    “You are his assistant.” Cat walked over the file cabinet and opened the drawer. “Assist.”
    “And what are you going to do?”
    “I’m a reporter.” She took a recorder out of her purse. “I plan to report.” She tapped
     the file cabinet with her foot. “Just do your job. I’ll be back in a bit.”
    Cat walked out of the room and down the hallway, basking in the silence that wasn’t
     Paige Aiken. She had recognized the young man