Page 176 of The Fourth Option
She followed the comment with a gracious smile as Belle stepped into the kitchen, leather jacket slung over her tattooed arm, skirt brushing her thighs, and Doc Martens thudding softly against the tile.
She froze mid-step, eyes widening at the sight of the three visitors.
“Oh,” she said abruptly. “Didn’t realize we had company.”
Bates stood and nodded. “Hello, ma’am.” Stanton and J.J. followed suit. They went through the introductions and mentioned the purpose of the visit as related to the missing Eagle. “When was the last time you saw it?” Bates asked.
“It’s stolen. I haven’t seen it in months.”
Stanton looked outside at the faded green vintage BMW.
Belle tracked his gaze.
“I let Belle park in the garage when she’s with me,” Gloria said. “Safer that way. I never bothered to put my car back.”
“Where’s your dog today?” Stanton asked.
“My dog?”
“Yes,” Stanton said, motioning to the dog bowls.
“Oh, my dog. He’s at the vet. Not really sure what’s wrong with him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Stanton said.
“What kind of dog is it again?”
“It’s a—”
“I told them it’s a mutt, dear,” Gloria interrupted. “Am I right about that? I do get confused sometimes.”
“Yes, that’s right. A mutt. A rescue.”
“That’s nice. We are thinking of getting a rescue for our family,” Stanton said. “What’s the dog’s name?”
“Name?”
“Nikon,” Gloria said.
“Nikon?”
“Yes, Belle named him after my favorite camera,” she said, indicating the photos on the walls.
“Well, that is nice,” Stanton said.
Bates’s phone buzzed again. He glanced at it, his expression sharpening.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said, standing. “Like I said, we’ll get going on the official report. It was nice meeting you both. Jarrett, J.J.,” he said, nodding as he threw on his coat and let himself out.
Stanton’s phone buzzed next. He looked at it and then at J.J.
“Thank you for your time,” Stanton said. “If you think of anything that might help with the vehicle, please reach out.”
They each gave Gloria and Belle their cards and said their goodbyes.
Outside, the two FBI agents watched Bates drive off in his unmarked NOPD Dodge Charger. Stanton paused on the cracked sidewalk just outside the laurel arch and looked at J.J.
“Thoughts?” he asked.
