Page 56 of Statler

This definitely was a grunting situation.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Statler didn’t like the look of this, and Eliza’s confusion over the presence of people at the factory after hours, reinforced his concerns.

If she wasn’t with him right now, his inclination would be to reach beneath his seat and unclip the Glock which was always strapped there, but he couldn’t do that and face any questions she might have.

After all, he was supposed to be a construction guy, not someone who carried a firearm. Even though it was legal in Maine for him to have the weapon, explanations would need to be made, and he wasn’t tongue-ready with any plausible lies.

“Do you want me to turn around and drive you to your house?” Statler asked, reading the situation and feeling like it might be the best option.

“No.”

Eliza bit her lip and scrunched up her face. “I… There must be some kind of special meeting taking place I was unaware of. It should be fine. You can drive me over to my car.”

Statler wasn’t so sure about things being okay.

He was catching vibes all the way across the lot from the two dudes at the door who were dressed like security guards. Their eyes were glued to his truck, and if he wasn’t mistaken, the bulges in their jackets meant they were carrying.

Still, this wasn’t his home territory, it was Eliza’s.

If she wasn’t worried, he’d follow her lead. But if either of those security guards—or whatever they were—so much as looked sideways at her, he’d make sure they regretted it.

Slowly, he drove toward Eliza’s Toyota, and sure enough, one of the pair approached as Stat opened his door to emerge.

He quickly rounded the truck as Eliza was already getting out.

“Hey, Mrs. Belle,” the man greeted with a hefty dose of suspicion in his tone. “What are you doing here? We weren’t expecting to see you.”

“My car.” She pointed unnecessarily.

“Yeah. We thought maybe it had broken down and someone took you home.” He glared at Statler.

Eliza looked considerably flustered. Her hands clenched and unclenched in front of her as she attempted to explain. “No, Jeremy. I…”

She knew the guy?

“Actually,” she began again, “Mr. Bothswait called earlier and asked me if I knew of any good spots for night fishing. And instead of telling him, I decided to show him.”

She brightened, artificially. “We caught fourteen really decent looking trout.”

The beefy man stepped closer to Eliza, which made Statler bristle. But as long as the burly guard behaved himself and didn’t put hands on her, Statler would hold his neutral position. Barely.

He might look relaxed, but he was more than ready to engage.

“I’m not sure that was such a smart idea,” Jeremy replied.

And what business was it of his? Statler wanted to ask.

The guy continued. “Your father isn’t going to like it.”

Her father?

Eliza’s gaze twitched toward Statler, then to the door. “Is he… Is he here?”

“Not yet,” Jeremy glowered. “But I expect him in about ten minutes. If I were you, I’d head home right now.”

He sent a glare Statler’s way. “Alone.”