Not because Derek had recently competed, but because Daniel remembered watching his fights years earlier.
Derek Vale had been a talented professional competitor. He was known for explosive entries, powerful clinch work, and an ability to overwhelm opponents before they could establish their rhythm.
His career had included several impressive victories.
It had also included controversies.
There had been arguments with referees, complaints about excessive contact during training exhibitions, and a public disagreement with a former coach who accused him of treating every practice session as a fight.
Daniel scrolled through the registration information.
Derek had listed himself as an instructor.
He was thirty-four years old and currently associated with the Eastern Regional Combat Team.
Daniel leaned back.
He did not like surprises during events involving physical contact.
He printed the registration page and walked to Victor's office.
"Do you recognize this name?"
Victor looked down.
"Derek Vale."
"He's registered as an instructor."
Victor sighed.
"I was hoping he wouldn't."
Daniel placed the page on the desk.
"You know him?"
"I met him at a regional event several years ago. He was competing then. Very talented."
"That doesn't sound like a problem."
Victor looked up.
"His reputation is complicated."
"How complicated?"
Victor took a moment before answering.
"He doesn't always understand the difference between intensity and control."
Daniel frowned.
"Has he had safety complaints?"
"Not officially through our association, as far as I know. But I've heard stories."
"What kind?"
Victor leaned back.
"Training partners being pushed after a round was called. Athletes being told to ignore fatigue. Coaches turning technical demonstrations into hard sparring. Nothing I can prove from personal experience."
Daniel looked at the registration form.
"That is enough to make me cautious."
Victor nodded.
"We'll contact him before the seminar."
"Set the expectations clearly."
"I will."
Daniel tapped the paper.
"And if he ignores them?"
Victor's expression hardened.
"Then he doesn't participate in the contact sessions."
Daniel nodded.
"Good."
He picked up the registration sheet.
As he reached the door, Victor spoke again.
"Daniel."
He turned.
"Yes?"
"Don't assume he'll be a problem before he arrives."
Daniel nodded.
"I won't."
Victor continued.
"But don't let his reputation intimidate you into ignoring what you see."
Daniel gave him a small smile.
"I won't do that either."
Derek Vale arrived at Iron Harbor the following Saturday.
It was just after eleven.
The morning classes had ended, and several members were cleaning the mats. Madison was putting away focus mitts. Brooke was reviewing a printed lesson plan. Tessa was discussing equipment needs with Evan.
A black SUV pulled into the parking lot.
A moment later, the front door opened.
Derek entered carrying a large sports bag.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular, with the compact build of someone who had spent years training for competition. His hair was cut short. A dark training jacket carried the embroidered logo of his academy.
He walked with the confidence of someone accustomed to entering rooms where people knew who he was.
A young member near the water station recognized him immediately.
"That's Derek Vale."
Another member turned.
"No way."
Derek heard them.
He smiled without slowing down.
"How's it going?"
Victor came out of his office.
"Derek."
"Victor."
They shook hands.
Derek looked around the facility.
"Nice place."
"Thank you."
"New mats?"
"Last year."
Derek walked a few steps farther.
"Good cage."
"We take care of it."
Derek looked toward the championship wall.
His eyes moved across the photographs and belts.
"Some good athletes here."
Victor smiled politely.
"We've been fortunate."
Derek examined one of the older photographs.
"Madison Cole. Brooke Sanders. Tessa Lane."
He glanced toward the three women.
"Good records."
Madison nodded.
"Thank you."
Brooke offered a polite smile.
Tessa shook his hand.
"Good to meet you."
Derek looked toward Daniel.
"And you must be the head instructor."
"Daniel Price."
They shook hands.
Derek's grip was firm.
"Good to meet you."
"Likewise."
Derek studied Daniel's face for a second.
"I watched some of your old amateur footage."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Did you?"
"Years ago. You had a good left hook."
Daniel smiled.
"Years ago is the important part of that sentence."
Derek laughed.
Then his attention moved to Nia.
She was standing near the edge of the training floor, holding a stack of printed assessment sheets.
Derek looked at her.
"And you?"
Nia approached and offered her hand.
"Nia Carter."
He shook it.
His expression changed almost imperceptibly.
Something about the name seemed familiar.
He held her gaze for a moment.
"Have we met?"
"Not that I remember."
Derek frowned slightly.
"Maybe at an event."
"Possibly."
He continued studying her face.
Then he shrugged.
"Could be."
He turned toward the mats.
"I'd like to see how you run your rounds."
Daniel answered before Nia could.
"We'll be happy to show you during the seminar."
Derek looked at him.
"Good."
He placed his bag against the wall.
"I've always preferred seeing how a gym operates rather than listening to people talk about it."
Victor nodded.
"That's reasonable."
Derek looked toward the training area.
"Can I watch today's advanced session?"
Daniel considered the request.
"Yes, as an observer."
Derek smiled.
"Perfect."
He moved to the side of the mat and folded his arms.
Nia returned to her paperwork.
But as she walked away, she noticed that Derek was not simply watching the techniques.
He was watching the people.
He seemed particularly interested in who received attention, who gave instructions, and who had the authority to stop a session.
Nia had seen that kind of attention before.
It did not always come from confidence.
Sometimes it came from someone trying to identify the boundaries of a room so they could decide which ones they might ignore.
She said nothing.
Not yet.
The first session went smoothly.