Your dad will get a big contract extension for making the Final Four. Cooperate and you'll be a millionaire in a couple of months. 'Hey, Chip, the world's a cold place sometimes. Just when Stevie thought he was wrong, he heard Graber's voice again.

Susan Carol started to open her mouth to say something, but he put a finger to his lips to indicate she should stay silent. Stevie wondered if perhaps the conversation had ended, but there were no signs of movement below. 'Then the team gets stripped of all its wins and your father gets fired. 'I never had warm feet,' Chip Graber answered in a stage whisper, still plenty loud enough for Stevie and Susan Carol to hear. 'Okay, Chip, we've got about two minutes to get this straight before the press conference,' the suit said. Graber and the charcoal suit finally seemed satisfied they were alone, then walked towards the loading dock until they were almost directly below Stevie and Susan Carol-who were both frozen with surprise and curiosity. Instinctively, Stevie took Susan Carol's arm and stepped back so they were hidden behind some rolled up Astroturf. Right behind him was a man in a charcoal gray suit who was also looking around in a suspicious way.

Stevie recognized the floppy blond hair right away. Stevie turned and saw one final purple-and-white suited player walk through the doorway, peering around as if to make sure no one was there. He hated to admit it, but she was kind of funny. 'He must have forgotten that they're student-athletes,' Susan Carol said. 'As if they can't read the signs,' Stevie said. 'Your locker room is the first one you come to on your right.' 'Straight down this hall to the end and turn right gentlemen,' someone they couldn't see was saying. Stevie could see a group of young men in purple-and-white sweats coming through the doorway. She pointed across the dark, open area to the outside door. 'I guess we-' She stopped in mid-sentence. Feinstein throws in guest appearances by such sports figures as Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon and Dick Vitale. When they overhear a player being ordered to throw a game, they realize they've stumbled onto a scoop. Their prize is to attend the NCAA Final Four championships, with full press credentials. Sports writer John Feinstein offers a story for young readers: Eighth-graders Steven Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson have won a contest for young sportswriters.

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