"Let's go," Joe said coming into the living room where Phil was watching the early news.

Phil turned the television off in disgust. "Not one word about all the so-called accidents surrounding this tournament," he said. "It's like some big cover-up."

"It is," Joe stated as they headed outside. "If word gets out it will kill the tournament not to mention offer up bad publicity for Braun Enterprises; the superintendent; the school board; and the principals of the schools."

"So it is in everyone's best interest, except for the contestants, to keep it a secret," Phil snorted.

"Mm-hmm," agreed Joe, getting into the passenger side of Phil's car.

"Tony is meeting us at school, right?" asked Phil. The more he thought about the danger Joe had put himself in the more worried he became.

"Yes," acknowledged Joe with a slight grin. Phil had been hanging out with Frank too much.

When they reached the gym Coach Anderson was talking to Annie Hooper while Biff helped Tony check out the equipment.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Joe said to Biff as he and Phil joined Biff and Tony.

Biff shrugged. "I kind of mentioned I help you guys out on occasion to Annie and she asked why I wasn't this time," he explained. "I told her I hadn't been asked but she realized it was because she was in town and she refused to be the reason you got killed."

"Besides, I love gymnastics," Annie said, joining them in time to hear Biff's explanation. "And I hear you are the best gymnast at Bayport High."

Joe blushed a bit but didn't respond. "I see you are already dressed," Coach Anderson said to Joe. "Let's get started."

"That's it!" Phil called out an hour later.

"After he does back flips from one end to the other," the coach protested.

"Sorry, Coach," Phil said shaking his head. "Doctor's orders."

Coach Anderson gave a little growl but didn't argue. "I want to see you first thing in the morning," he ordered Joe.

"Before school?" asked Joe.

"Seven a.m. sharp," confirmed the coach.

"How about something to eat before we head home?" Tony suggested. "My treat," he added, looking at Joe. Even though it had in no way been his fault he still felt guilty because the poisoned pizza had come from his family's restraint.

"Thanks, but I'm on a special diet for the next two weeks," Joe reminded his friends. "Mom's even going to pack my lunch to make sure I get what I am supposed to eat."

"We'll follow you home then," Biff said.

"Good idea," agreed Phil.

Phil and Joe climbed in Phil's jeep and pulled out of the school's parking lot. Joe turned on the radio and leaned back in his seat. "You didn't overdo, did you?" asked Phil glancing over and seeing that Joe had shut his eyes.

"No," Joe answered as the final strands of the song ended. "Why are you being so overprotective?" he asked.

"Because Frank made me promise to take care of you like he would," answered Phil.

Joe laughed and looked at Phil with twinkling blue eye. "You'll never be able to do it," he said. "Frank's had way too much practice."

"Maybe," agreed Phil. "But you got hurt on my watch yesterday. It won't happen again."

"Shh!" Joe ordered, his eyes narrowing on the radio as he reached out and turned it up.

"Braun Enterprises scored another win last week when Marvin Dellman lost his case against the corporation. Dellman claimed Braun Enterprises fired him because of his cancer diagnosis. The attorney for Braun proved that the diagnosis was not issued until almost two weeks after Dellman had been let go. This is the fourth lawsuit Braun Enterprises has been involved in concerning unfair employment practices.

"George Braun is quoted as saying, 'We have the best medical insurance available and our employees reap the benefits of low out of pocket expenses and free medication. It is sad that Mr. Dellman is ill but his performance was below standard and he had to be terminated. Had he been diagnosed before termination then Braun Enterprises would gladly have covered the majority of his expenses. This was not the case and Mr. Dellman has learned it is not acceptable to take advantage of a corporation merely because it is a business.'

"Stay tuned to this station for a recap of other events from the past week after this public service announcement."

Joe flipped off the radio and turned to Phil. "I think we may have a new angle to check out," Joe announced, excitement reflecting in his eyes.

"I don't get it," Phil said.

"What if it isn't someone at Braun Enterprises or anyone involved in the tournament?" suggested Joe. "What if it is someone who wants Braun Enterprises to have a lot of bad publicity?"