‘You’re right. All in all, it’s the outcome that counts, right?’

She offered him a thumbs up. ‘Exactly. And speaking of outcomes … ’ She beamed, ready to raise the real reason she’d wanted this debrief in person. ‘I spoke to Bernie and he’s thrilled with how everything’s going. To the point that he got a call from Craig Sumners, asking if you’d attend his wife’s charity benefit happening soon.’

Ward groaned. ‘What? How is my having to kiss-ass at yet another fundraiser a good thing? I thought you said this was going well. I’ve been breaking my butt with all this PR stuff to get the top brass back onside. And now Sumners wants me to jump through even more hoops?’

‘That’s the thing though, it’s not just you. The whole Panthers squad is invited and lots of media too, it seems. Very big affair, at the Plaza Hotel. Bernie gets the sense that there’s more to it than meets the eye and that the event is merely a platform for something bigger. Something public. And if that something gets even more eyeballs on his wife’s favourite charity then all the better.’

‘Aw, you know I hate that stuff, Hannah. I don’t belong there.’

She laughed. ‘No one belongs there, Ward. Everyone’s just pretending they do.’

‘Wait—’ he narrowed his eyes as if only now registering what else she’d said ‘—the whole team will be there?’

‘Yes. Now, I don’t want to pre-empt but, according to Bernie, the board is happy, very happy with how well your rehabilitation, both personal and physical has been going. And he’s wondering if this might well be the perfect opportunity for a big announcement. Return of the prodigal son, maybe?’

‘Seriously?’ Ward’s face lit up and it was amazing to see. Being welcomed back into the fold was all he wanted, the only reason he’d allowed Hannah to let him in, and the perfect culmination of all the work they’d been doing this last while.

She knew that the Panthers’ owner Craig Sumners was a wealthy philanthropist but he was also a very savvy businessman, known for his theatrical flourishes with anything team-related. If he wanted the whole team to be there and Ward too, it was a pretty good bet that something major was planned. She just hoped that Bernie’s instincts were right and that it was a grand public welcome back for the rehabilitated player. But not knowing the intricacies of sports boardroom shenanigans, Hannah couldn’t conceive of what else it could be.

‘OK, OK, yes …’ Ward’s gaze raced excitedly around the room as he seemed to be coming around. ‘Maybe that is good. I mean, I’m not thrilled about having to wear the monkey suit again but needs must, I guess.’ He shrugged but his face now glowed with excitement and expectation.