[legendsport]

July 9, 1921: Toronto, ON:

There was a knock at the door. Jack Barrell, wearing a nice suit that his wife had picked out specifically for him when he had been hired for his new, offseason job, had been busily sharpening his pencil. His new job was... well, it was easy and also boring. He was head of security for the Toronto Global Grand Hotel, owned by Bert Thomas, who just so happened to also own the hockey club for which Jack played. He actually shared the job with Eddie Montague, who played baseball for Thomas' Toronto Wolves. Montague was security head from October until March, and Jack for April thru September.

"Come in," he said. His job didn't come with a secretary. He wondered if some drunk had wrecked a room or something. He'd seen some interesting things in the three months he'd been working at the hotel.

The door opened and one of the desk clerks poked her head into the office. "Mr. Barrell, there's a woman here to see you."

"She give a name?"

The clerk was about to reply when another woman raised her voice and said, "It's Jane Clough, Jack."

Jack drew a blank for a moment. That name was familiar.... He was still racking his brains when the clerk was pulled away from the door and the woman entered. Apparently, Ms. Clough was not willing to wait.

As soon as he saw her, Jack remembered. Jane Clough was Jack Connolly's mistress. A tall, attractive and buxom red-head, Ms. Clough was hard to forget - at least everything about her except her name was, Jack mused.

He stood and struggled - but failed - to keep the surprise off his face. "Ms. Clough? It's been... a long time," he said, uncomfortably. As what his mother would call a "loose woman" Jane Clough made the now happily married Jack Barrell extremely uncomfortable.

Knowing full well the impression she made on young men, Jane Clough gave Jack a sultry smile and pointedly looked him up and down. "You're looking, mmm... well, Jack," she purred.

Jack swallowed and shot a quick glance at the photo of Marie on his desk. He took a quick breath and asked, "Something I can do for you, Ms. Clough?"

Rather than respond, Jane Clough closed the door, then sat down in the worn guest chair and slowly crossed her shapely legs. "Do I make you uncomfortable, Jack?" she asked, knowing all too well that she was doing exactly that. "Jack," she said and grinned wolfishly, "my Jack, that is, well... he said you're a married man now."

Jack's mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton, so he just nodded.

"That's so... interesting," she said and batted her eyes at him.

Jack made a determined effort to look her in the eyes and asked, "So... what brings you in, Ms. Clough?"

She sighed and pouted for a second, then said in a disappointed voice, "Aww, you're not any fun at all, Jack."

Jack gave her a stern look, sat back down and raised his eyebrows. "Well...?" he prompted.

"Fine. Jack wants to see you."

"Connolly wants to see me? Why?"

"Business," was all she said in reply.

"Where?"

She smiled again and motioned towards the ceiling with her head, her red curls bouncing. "Upstairs. Suite 410... that's his favorite room."

Jack was somewhat surprised that Bert allowed Connolly to stay at the Global. It's just business, he reflected, and Bert Thomas didn't get rich turning away customers.

Jack sighed and got to his feet. "OK, let's go see him, then."

Jack made a determined and mostly successful attempt to keep his eyes ahead and his thoughts pure as he accompanied Jane Clough to suite 410. He had his master key, but Jane rapped on the door - three quick taps. As if he had been standing right behind the door, Jack Connolly swung it open and gave Jack a broad smile.

"Hello, Jack! It's been far too long," he said, exuding all the charm he possessed.

Jack was still not quite sure what this was all about, but he politely nodded and replied, "Mr. Connolly. Good to see you."

"Come on in, I have a proposition for you." Connolly waved him in. Jane Clough had already entered and was sashaying into the suite's bedroom. She raised a hand and waved her fingers, saying, "See you Jack," without looking back.

As she closed the door, Jack felt the temperature drop about ten degrees. He took a deep breath and turned his attention to Connolly. The older man was smirking. "That Jane..." he mused, "sure has a way about her, no?"

Jack nodded and said, "Yeah."

After they had seated themselves, Connolly got right down to business. "I'm starting a new hockey league in the States. I want you to be a part of it."

Jack shook his head. "I'm under contract, Mr. Connolly."

Connolly came armed, as usual, with information and persuasion. "You're American, Jack. This is a chance to help grow hockey in your country. We have four clubs and you can have your pick of where to play."

Jack was dubious, and reluctant, to say the least, but figured he'd at least hear him out so he asked, "Where are these teams?"

Connolly ticked them off on his right hand. "Boston, Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia."

"Which one's yours?" asked Jack, figuring it'd be New York since Connolly was fundamentally pre-disposed to needing to be the top dog.

So Jack was surprised when Connolly replied, "Buffalo."

"Buffalo?"

Connolly chuckled and said, "Yes. Buffalo. It's close to Canada, for one thing." He paused and lit the cigar he had been holding in his hand. "Plus, Sam Bigsby wanted New York - his family has just built a brand-new arena there. Same is true for Mr. Denny in Boston and Mr. Franklin in Philadelphia. So... Buffalo."

"Hmm. Interesting..." Jack muttered as his mind went through the possibilities. New York was out - given what Bigsby thugs had done to Rollie there was no way Jack would ever play for a member of that family. Boston? He knew Frank Denny by reputation and had played against his son in the minors. Franklin he didn't know anything about.

"I can see the wheels turning, Jack. Does that mean you're interested?" Connolly prompted.

"No, I wouldn't go that far, Mr. Connolly," Jack said. As Connolly was about to reply, Jack raised a hand and added, "But I will think about it."

Connolly chuckled and took a puff on his cigar, then said, "You being... somewhat receptive... this have anything to do with ol' Bert lending you out to Quebec last season?"

Jack tipped his head to the right and said, "Maybe."