The Regent

By Thomas M. Bryan

Roy Whalen was twenty-six, a popular high school history teacher, and head coach for the varsity football team. He was happy. Then Whalen won the lottery.

Five years later finds Whalen standing on the railing of the Golden Gate Bridge, ready to step off into eternity.

An apparition of King Arthur appears and commands Whalen to halt. The King charges him to make right what is wrong by confronting evil, to be a knight errant, and Arthur’s Regent in the land.

Using his wealth, brains, and brawn, Whalen sets forth to do just that.

It doesn’t take long for Whalen to find himself fighting for his life against a ruthless corporation, outlaw growers in the Emerald Triangle, and the Yakuza.

Arthur promised Whalen the tools to succeed, but will they be enough?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas M. Bryan
• Release date: May 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463057179

Thomas M. Bryan

With over 30 years of film and television production experience, Thomas M. Bryan has turned his creative energy to the process of writing action packed novels. Born in Oakland and raised in Fremont, CA. It’s no surprise that Tom has taken that old adage “Write what you know.” and placed the action of his first novel, “The Regent”, firmly in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California

Book preview

Five Years Earlier - Davis, CA

Coach Roy Whalen was twenty-six years old. He was standing at the pump of the Red Ball gas station filling up the tank of his beat-up Chevy Silverado Sportside pickup. He was dressed in worn Wrangler jeans, dusty cowboy boots, a plain black t-shirt and a North Davis High School baseball cap. Whalen fit right in with the cowboy country vibe around Davis. Standing six-foot-one, a lean one hundred ninety pounds, with close-cropped blond hair and blue eyes, Roy Whalen was a handsome man. He was feeling good, his football team was the best he’d ever coached and the history classes he taught at North Davis were running smoothly… for the most part.

A black Mercedes CLK convertible pulled into the station. With the top down, it was easy to see the loud and laughing teenage girls, all of them Varsity cheerleaders.

Sally Landers rose up in her seat and leaned out, Hey Coach, your truck is a piece of shit!

Davis is a funny town Whalen thought. U.C. Davis gave it a somewhat college town feel, but the year-round residents were half privileged elitists and half struggling middle class. While the driver of the car, Sue Denton, was the former, Sally Landers was definitely from the latter. Sally was one the biggest thorns in an otherwise fantastic year.

Whalen gave Sally a weak smile. Sally, we may not be in class but you should still watch the language. The girls all laughed.

Don’t be silly Coach. So, are we going to kick ass on Saturday? Those Sacramento Grizzlies are huge! Sally smiled brightly.

That was the question on everyone’s mind. The North Davis Knights were smart, fast, and undersized, but they played with heart. A lot like Whalen in his playing days. We’ve got a great chance, I think we can do it. But you should be more worried about your government test Friday, you know you have to pass to graduate.

Sally bristled at the comment. Oh Coach, who cares about a bunch of dead guys, maybe I could do some extra credit. Something that really suits my talents?

Sally leaned even further out of the car and her low-cut top revealed two of her biggest talents. The other girls in the car joined in a chorus of, Eww, gross!!! Sue grabbed Sally and pulled her back into her seat. The car sped off.

Sally glared at her friends, Like you guys wouldn’t do him!

Sue frowned, Sally, you really are the team slut aren’t you?

Sally puffed up, You’re all just jealous! You know Coach likes me.

Her comment was greeted with another round of, Eww, gross!

Back at the station, Whalen was just shaking his head. He was in his third year of teaching, but he’d already seen his share of timid passes from students.

Sally Landers was different. Whalen worried that she was out of control maybe even crazy. The stories about her aggressive behavior were becoming legend at North Davis. He told himself to watch his step and never be alone with her. Rumors alone could derail his teaching career and maybe even screw him out of his dream of coaching at the college level.

The ding of the gas pump brought him back to the moment and he looked at the pump. The dial read exactly thirty-eight dollars. Whalen thought about trying to pump just a little bit more but changed his mind. He headed into the Red Ball mini store.

Inside the store, Whalen waited for his turn at the counter. A woman wearing a hideous muumuu dress stood in front of him. He knew her, her name was Wanda… something, she worked in the school cafeteria.

Wanda carefully placed five twenty-dollar bills on the counter. Can you believe it? The Jumbo Lotto is over a billion dollars! Billion with a B!

The rail thin old man at the counter was Gordy Brown, owner of the Red Ball. Gordy smiled, Guess you could retire, huh?

Retire to Hawaii! Wanda laughed nervously as she gathered her lottery tickets gently, as if they were all winners. She smiled at Whalen and moved out of the store.

Hey Coach, we gonna get those Grizzlies on Saturday? They’ve destroyed everyone else this year! Like many small towns around America, the local high school football team was a social focal point for the community, and Gordy was no different.

Once again Whalen smiled, he was sure he’d answered this question a hundred times already.

You bet, Gordy! Hey, I got gas on six. Whalen tried to keep it short.

Gordy looked down at the register. Thirty-eight dollars? Couldn’t squeeze in the last two bucks, huh?

Whalen smiled and shook his head. That was all she could take.

Gordy rang up the sale and put two single dollar bills on the counter. Can’t do much with two bucks these days, sure you don’t want a Jumbo Lotto ticket? The jackpot is over a billion and even if you take the payout you’d still pocket like five hundred million dollars.

Whalen frowned, You know the odds of winning are over three hundred million to one, right?

Gordy gave Whalen a huge grin, revealing a gold tooth almost dead center in his mouth. Yeah, but for two bucks you can dream all night about fantastic riches, and all your earthly desires fulfilled. That’s better than a movie ticket and a whole lot cheaper!

Whalen laughed at the suggestion and looked down at his two bucks. You know you really ought to be in sales, I bet you could sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo.

Come on Coach, that ain’t PC. I believe the proper term is Inuit, but does that mean you want a ticket? Gordy thought he was hilarious.

Whalen just shook his head and pushed the two bucks back to Gordy. Gordy smiled and rang up the sale. Whalen put the ticket in his wallet.

Chapter 2

North Davis High School

The sixth period American Government class was passing back their tests to the front of the class. Sally Landers was dressed in her typically seductive fashion, her skin-tight yoga pants left little to the imagination as she moved from row to row gathering the tests. At each stop she leaned at the waist and pointed another of her talents in Mr. Whalen’s direction.

Mr. Whalen pretended to be busy working on papers at his desk, but he did not fail to notice that Sally’s talent was absolute perfection. When Sally finished gathering the tests she approached Mr. Whalen’s desk and placed the pile in front of him.

Here you go, Coach. Seduction flowed from Sally so strongly that the entire class took notice.

Whalen looked up and realized that had been a mistake. Try as he might, his eyes stopped for just a beat when he noticed Sally’s low-cut, shear top had been pulled even tighter as she leaned forward threatening to let her talents spill out. Whalen thought he could hear a siren and a robotic voice yelling, Danger Will Robinson!

Whalen quickly shifted his focus to her eyes. Yeah, thanks Sally, please take your seat.

I put my paper on top. I like it on top. Sally smiled seductively.

She then turned and walked towards her seat. Her walk had the eyes of every boy in class following the sway of her hips, and the eyes of every girl shooting daggers.

Whalen looked down at Sally’s test. There, written boldly, was a single sentence. Did you know I turned 18 last week? Love Sally. Next to the message was a bright red lip impression. Sally had kissed the otherwise blank test.

Whalen looked up at Sally and he could feel the tension in the room. To everyone’s relief, the bell rang. The students could not leave the room quickly enough, everyone except Sally.

Class is over Sally, time to lock up. Whalen moved towards to doorway.

Sally stayed seated. How did I do on the test, Mr. Whalen?

Whalen was suddenly more uncomfortable than he had ever been in a classroom, Sally, this has got to stop, it’s totally wrong! I think I should invite your parents down for little talk and see what they think.

Sally pouted, Oh, Coach, does this mean we can’t be friends? You know it makes me want to cry, how could you forget about that passionate night we spent together.

Whalen was confused, "What???

Sally rose from her seat and moved towards Mr. Whalen. You silly, of course you remember, it was Back to School Night. I stayed here and helped you clean up and we made love right there on your desk!

Whalen lost control of his mouth, What the fuck are you talking about? Are you crazy?

Sally was standing close to Mr. Whalen and she slowly stretched out her hand, Now, I don’t think we need to call my parents, do we? After all, I was still just seventeen on Back to School Night. If anyone knew about that… you might get in trouble. Sally’s hand rested on Whalen’s chest.

Whalen grabbed her wrist. If you think you can blackmail me with this bullshit you’re out of your fucking mind!

At that moment Zach West, starting quarterback for the North Davis Knights, burst into the room. Whalen quickly let go of Sally’s wrist.

Zach hesitated for a moment and then said, Hey Coach, did you hear the news! Someone around here won the Jumbo Lotto! The winning ticket was sold over at the Red Ball!

Whalen did not really hear a word Zach said, he was just staring at Sally. That sure is exciting news Zach but we still have a football game to win. I wanted to talk to you about that. Why don’t we walk over to the locker room together?

Uh, well, the thing is Coach, I was kinda here to talk with Sally. Zach looked at her and smiled. Sally smiled back.

She headed out the door. Have fun with the boys Coach. I’m sure we’ll talk more soon. Let’s go, Zach. Then, with a sly smile, she left the room.

Zach was in love with Sally as were many of the other boys at school. The biggest difference was that Zach and Sally had been a couple over the summer, an intimate couple. He quickly looked at Coach Whalen, Hey sorry Coach, I’ll catch up with you. Zach followed Sally out of the room.

Whalen shook his head and wondered what would that girl do next.

The hallway was not crowded. School was out and most of the kids could not wait to get off campus. Walking next to Sally Zach asked, So, Joe Bob is having a big party after the game Saturday. I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go with me?

Sally gave a sad smile, Oh Zach, that is so nice of you to ask but I’m with someone now. To tell you the truth it’s pretty serious. We’re probably going to get married after I graduate.

Who is it? Zach demanded, but he thought he already knew.

That’s not important is it? I…well, I love him, that’s all that is important! Sally smiled shyly.

It’s Coach Whalen isn’t it? You’re fucking Coach Whalen! Zach’s raised voice brought everyone’s attention to their conversation.

Don’t be ridiculous! That’s just silly. However, Sally’s face told a different story.

That’s bullshit, Coach is a fucking pervert, that shit is just sick! Zach stormed off.

Sally kept smiling as she looked around at her captive audience in the hall. Perfect she thought. People always thought of cheerleaders as gossips but it was Zach West that was the biggest gossip on campus. Coach Whalen was going to be sorry he tried to reject her. She would deny it if anyone asked her, of course, but she would let Coach squirm a little first.

North Davis High Locker Room

Whalen sat at his desk. He was angrier than he had been all season. Today’s practice had been a disaster. Zach West wasn’t listening to anything he said. In fact, he was downright defiant. Whalen thought he should take Zach aside and have a man-to-man talk with him. He was worried that Zach had misunderstood what he saw in the classroom.

The problem was that half the team was as bad as Zach. Whalen lost his temper with them and sent the team to the locker room. He stayed on the field until he felt his temper was under control. Finally, back at his desk, Whalen was looking over the scouting report on Sacramento, but he couldn’t concentrate.

Marvin By Golly Byers, the offensive line coach, knocked and entered his office. By Golly was everyone’s nickname for Coach Byers, but only behind his back. A devout Christian, Coach didn’t curse or take the Lord’s name in vain, but that didn’t mean he was without a temper. By golly, I can’t believe you did that!!! Was a phrase they heard every day. By golly, what do you think you’re doing? Maybe we should just sit you on the bench, by golly! The double by golly meant you were really in trouble. All the players were sure that if Coach Byers ever had a triple-by-golly moment his head would explode!

Coach, can I talk to you a minute? Coach Byers was almost timid.

Whalen was used to a range of emotions from Byers, but fear was never one of them. You here to tell me why today’s practice was such a disaster?

Okay Coach, the only way to say this is to just say it. The players are talking, Zach West being the loudest and, by golly, like I said, I just have to say it. Coach, are you… being intimate with a student? Byers hated to ask such a question but it was important, not just for the team but for Byers’ sense of propriety.

Whalen leapt to his feet, WHAT? No, Goddamn way! Shit, sorry Marv. The look on Coach Byers face warned Whalen to get his temper under control. I knew I should have taken Zach aside and talked to him. He walked in on a rather uncomfortable moment with another student. I was afraid he didn’t understand it.

Coach Byers waited to hear more.

Okay, there is a student who has been very aggressive in expressing her crush on me. Zach walked in on me telling her to knock it off. Marv, I swear to God I am not having an affair with a student.

looked at Whalen, he was pretty sure Coach Whalen was not a devout Christian but he still respected him. I believe you! I think we should pray, will you pray with me Coach? Byers bowed his head. Whalen hesitated for a moment then bowed his head as well.

After Byers left his office Whalen found himself thinking about what he needed to do to get ahead of this thing. Hell, half the team had turned against him already and by tomorrow maybe the whole team. If only Zach had not shown up when he did. What the hell had he been saying anyway?

When Whalen left his office and went out to his truck he found the windows busted out, the tires flattened, and graffiti sprayed all over the truck. Included in the roughly drawn depictions of penises and other graphic imagery were the words pervert, child molester, and the misspelled word pedafile spray-painted on the hood. Whalen called a tow truck and waited.

Chapter 3

Redball Gas Station

Gordy Brown was at the counter reading the newspaper. The front-page headline told the story from the game the night before, Grizzlies Maul Knights 62-0. A sub headline read Coach Whalen: No Show for Big Game.

Coach Byers entered and walked to the counter. He placed a twenty in front of Gordy.

Hey Coach, real sorry, that was a tough loss. Gordy tried to be empathetic but he was dying to ask a question.

Thanks, the boys took it pretty hard. I’m gonna fill up on pump two. Byers turned to leave.

So is it true, about Coach Whalen and that Landers girl? Gordy was almost embarrassed to ask but he wanted to know, everyone did.

Byers shoulders fell and he turned back to Gordy. I’ll tell you what Mister Brown, by golly, I think Zach West is lying. He turned the team against Coach Whalen. Last night’s results are the rewards of that betrayal. The boys should have read Galatians 6:7. Byers went out to pump his gas.

Gordy searched beneath the counter, came up with an old bible, and quickly thumbed through it. Finding what he was looking for, Gordy read it out loud. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

North Davis High

Sally Landers was standing at her locker when Zach West walked up.

So where the hell is your boyfriend? Zach’s loud voice caused everyone to stop talking and focus on the couple.

Who? I have no idea what you’re talking about Zach. Sally was firm.

Bullshit! Coach Whalen is who! You know damn well that you’ve been fucking him! Zach was now yelling.

That’s a lie! Sally tried to walk away but Zach grabbed her arm.

You told me you were fucking him, don’t try to deny it. Zach grabbed her with both hands and began to shake her.

You’re hurting me! I never said that! Sally screamed.

You lying bitch! Zach was on the verge of punching her when a strong voice sent a chill up his spine.

Young man, let that girl go RIGHT NOW! Principal Pamela Hutch ran her school with an iron fist and put the fear of retribution into the heart of every student. Zach let Sally go.

Sally, come here right now. As for you Zach, report to Vice Principal Castro’s office and stay there – I’ll get to you after I talk to Sally. Principal Hutch was not one to be disobeyed. Zach marched off.

I don’t have anything to say, Mrs. Hutch, it’s just a big misunderstanding. Sally just wanted to go to class.

We’re going to talk, let’s go. Principal Hutch moved and Sally reluctantly followed.

Principal Hutch’s Office

Okay Sally, even I’ve heard the rumors. Did you or did you not have an affair with Mr. Whalen? Hutch tried to be gentle but it wasn’t really in her nature. She’d never liked Sally Landers anyway.

I did not! I mean, I think Coach wanted too, but I wasn’t interested. Zach is just imagining things, he’s the jealous type. You know he’s been stalking me, right? Lies came naturally to Sally’s lips.

So Mr. Whalen made inappropriate advances? Hutch didn’t believe it, but a complaint like this from a student would have to be taken seriously.

No, he never said anything but a woman knows, right? I mean I could see it in his eyes, he wanted me. Sally had actually convinced herself that this was true.

Principal Hutch looked at Sally for a long moment. Okay, I’m going to invite your parents to join us, wait outside my office.

My parents? They’re both at work and I’m eighteen now so I don’t need my parents to come down here anyway.

Maybe. But we’ll see what your parents think about that. Principal Hutch waved Sally out of the room and picked up the phone. Hey Alex, you got Zach West in your office? Good, send him over. Tell him to come right in.

When Zach arrived Sally was