"51-14; Huygens beats Pac Ocean". In the hands of the Editor himself, the just off the press campus newspaper was delivered to the Coach's Cottage on Monday morning, precisely when Griff and Caydance returned from the beach house. Perhaps in response to the Friday arrival of Phoebe's boyfriend, Griff had left his Jeep Cherokee at home and was driving his silver Porsch. Phoebe and The Saint had not left her apartment since Friday as far as anyone knew.
"After the gang tackle on Jerry, we would have held them to one touchdown", Griff remarked, "but Durango was concerned about Mira's fate when she returned to the Pac Ocean campus."
"A surprise Graduate Assistant Coach will arrive next Fall", Coach Sebo informed Griff. "Don't count on beating Pac Ocean again". Meanwhile, next Saturday on the enemy home field, Huygens would play the formidable Diablo Mountain Wolves. The close game, 27-26, that Huygens lost last year against the Wolves, persisted in Griff's memory. That, and the tie with El Dorado Polytech, had marred a perfect season. This Monday would not be a day off.
In the coach's cabin, Caydance prepared to leave for San Francisco, where, alone in the Studio/Workshop, she would open the back of the watercolor of Utah Beach.
Meanwhile on Griff's mind was Sunday's game. Raiders 20-Steelers 3. Yes! In the first possession, Steelers quarterback Bubby Brister, managed a disturbingly long opening drive, but Raiders Defense held them to a field goal. Then, against the Steelers brutal run defense, Marcus Allen pushed forward, play after play. That was good, but the 3-3 tie seemed to last forever. Marcus was out for a while. Greg Bell ran surprisingly convoluted routes, but Schroeder was stuck at the one yard line with a failed "Jumbo" play until Marcus came back. Touchdown!
Jaeger had already kicked a second field goal. But unbelievable back to back interceptions occurred,and neither team's Offense appeared to be in control, until it was Schroeder to Fernandez, Schroeder to Fernandez and -- then that perfect moment when.... Suddenly Griff realized that Caydance was talking.
"I'm pretty sure that behind the painting, there is an object under the brown paper backing, either a photograph or a folded piece of paper. Also, something has come up that I should tell you."