Chapter 10: The Hearing

The hearing was on Monday morning, in a long oak room on the second floor of Hale Hall.

The dean sat at the head of the table, a thin man in a gray suit with a folder in front of him.

The swim coach sat to his right with her arms crossed.

On the left, Pierce sat in a fresh shirt with a bruise the size of a plum on his jaw.

Beside him was a man in an expensive navy suit, with Pierce's same smile and none of his warmth.

"Mr. Dowling's father," the dean said. "He is a guest of the committee."

"I'm a donor to this university," the man said pleasantly. "I'm also a very concerned parent."

Jesse sat across the table between Nate and Cal.

Hank was at the end with his phone face down and his hand flat on it.

Jesse's head still ached, but he had made himself come.

"We are here about two matters," the dean said.

"A complaint of assault by Mr. Dowling against Mr. Brandvold, and a report from Mr. Larkin about a drugged drink."

"Mr. Dowling, you may begin."

Pierce stood.

He told it well, with a catch in his voice.

He had held a party to make peace.

He had seen Jesse stumble, and had tried to help him upstairs to lie down.

Then Nate had burst in with no warning and attacked him on the staircase.

"I just wanted to help a kid who had too much to drink," Pierce said, and wiped one eye.

"I was trying to be a good captain."

His father put a hand on his shoulder.

"I will say plainly," the father said, "that if my son is punished for this, the university will hear from our lawyers."

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