Strike Me Down - Mindy Mejia Page 0,40
her eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Why did you bring me here?” Yesterday Logan hadn’t even wanted to talk about Aaden. She’d said he had nothing to do with the investigation.
“Someone told me you see things other people don’t.”
“Who said that?” After witnessing the scene between Logan and Gregg in his office yesterday, she couldn’t imagine the two of them chatting about anything, let alone her.
Logan crossed her arms, staring at the empty chair. “Go ahead. Look around.”
Nora hesitated, then slowly began to open drawers and sift through the files Aaden Warsame had accumulated in his brief career. Other than the badge hanging on the computer—which was another giant lapse of security to match the open server doors and unlocked computers—nothing here seemed inherently personal. Company memos, trainer tips. Nora found nothing that pointed to theft or suicide, much less the loss of twenty million dollars. What did Logan want her to see?
“Do you have children?”
Nora, kneeling now beside a low drawer, looked up in surprise.
“Yes, I have a son.”
“I never wanted kids. All the fighters I knew who got pregnant had to quit for at least a year. Most of them never came back, and the ones who did were changed. Their jabs could be just as strong, their reaction times just as fast, but it was like their center of gravity had shifted and they couldn’t quite figure out where it lived now.”
“That’s basically how it feels.”
“Mine is gone. It’s like I have no center left to find.” Logan gripped her arms, legs braced wide as though worried she was going to be knocked over. The celebrity who’d laughed and paraded Nora around the party was nowhere to be seen. She swallowed and lifted her gaze. “Are you a good parent?”
Nora’s hands fell into her lap. The professional answers, the jokes about parenthood, the quips and quotes she saved for interviewing clients all slipped away and the only thing she could see were Sam White’s boys racing through the night with sparklers, laughing with the giddiness of kids whose father was strong and caring and alive. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d made her own son laugh.
“I don’t think so, no.”
Logan stared at the badge hanging on the dusty computer. “Neither was I.”
DAY ONE
July 2, 2019
Two days ago, a pilgrimage began. Fighters all over the world rose up with their gloves and wraps. They crossed continents on cracked and bleeding feet, making their way to the middle of North America where the last falls of the Mississippi die.
They’re hungry.
And they’re here.
For six months I’ve been talking about Strike Down and it begins tonight. Here’s the rundown for anyone who doesn’t know how this four-day tournament is going to roll.
Day One: Opening Ceremonies and Preliminaries. Three rings of continuous fights will decide which amateur and professional fighters move on to the finals. In each category, fights are organized by gender and weight classes from straw weight all the way to super heavyweight.
Day Two: Amateur finals. Watch the best of the amateurs fight it out for thirty-six championship spots. The final three fighters in every weight class will receive purses to rival pro-MMA champions.
Day Three: Exhibition. We’re celebrating Independence Day by throwing the premier athletic and wellness convention of the decade. Freedom, baby, is why this event is free and open to the public. I’m talking vendor giveaways, samples, the hottest new gear, panel discussions on everything from debunking exercise fads and diet myths. (I’m fueled 100% by protein powder and avocados and I have no shame.) For tournament ticket holders, Strike’s Minneapolis trainers will host demonstration classes all day long at our downtown gym.
Day Four: Professional finals. The last day of competition will showcase the best of the best competing for the biggest kickboxing purses ever awarded. In addition to twenty million dollars in prize money, I’ll be changing one champion’s life forever. One of the fighters who made a pilgrimage to the center of this country won’t be going home again; they’ll become the next face of Strike. On Friday night, history is going to be made.
Are you ready to fight?
Because Strike Down. Is. Here.
GREGG
“WE’RE BROADCASTING live from beautiful downtown Minneapolis here at the opening ceremonies of the record-smashing Strike Down tournament.”
The announcer turned to where Logan and I flanked the view to the field, and god, what a view. Three rings rose from the massive space, the center elevated higher than those on either side, and beneath the rings people swarmed like bees in a hive. Geared-up