“The parking lot is awfully full,” Alex said, as she looked around. “It’s league night so there shouldn’t be any private parties or anything. I wonder what’s going on.”
As they retrieved their bags from the back, Fin pointed to a mob of people standing near the doors. “Danger, Will Robinson,” he quoted a classic line from a 1960s TV show. “I’ve learned to recognize the fan mobs. You up for this? Or should we bail?”
“Great,” she mumbled. “No, I really need to show up after missing Tuesday.”
Someone in the group shouted Fin’s name, followed by several high-pitched squeals. A mob of people rushed toward them.
“You go ahead,” Fin told her, “I’ll follow shortly.”
“You sure?”
“Aye, let’s keep this,” he gestured to the approaching crowd, “out here in the car park.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
Alex left Fin signing autographs and walked inside.
The bar area was more full tonight, and only one of the giant garage doors was open. October signaled the coming of the cold season, and this was the last league until the weather warmed up again.
Alex supposed the drop in the temperature was what had driven everyone inside. She looked for her tribe and spotted a few of them at a corner table by the dartboard. As she walked their direction, Alex noticed a woman approaching. Her skinny jeans, silk blouse, and stylish heels marked her as not a regular. The woman was older than Alex and had anhaute couturelook about her that highlighted how out of place she was amongst the casual crowd.
“Yes? Can I help you?” Alex asked as the stranger stopped before her.
The woman pointed her phone at Alex, a large red button and the word “recording” on the screen. “Ms. Tanner, my name is Miranda Cole and I’m doing a story on Finley McAlister for the…”
Shit, shit, shit,Alex thought as the woman’s words faded into the background.Why didn’t I wait for Fin?
“I’m sorry, who did you say you were?” Alex stalled for time to think.
“Miranda Cole withCelebrity News. You’ve heard of the show?”
Alex studied the woman. She was cool and confident. Her mouth displayed a pleasant smile, but her eyes held a gleam in them that didn’t match the friendly vibe she attempted to project.
“Yes, I know of it.”
Alex returned the woman’s stare as the reporter sized her up. Before she could ask another question, someone from the table shouted, “Alex! Come on, we’re up and we need to warm up.”
“Be right there, Jules,” Alex shouted over her shoulder while maintaining eye contact with the woman. “Sorry, I need to go. Catch you later?”
Alex walked away before she could respond. She threw her stuff on the table and unlocked her phone to text Fin.Miranda Cole inside. Can avoid via side gate. Goes straight to courts.
She locked her phone and tucked it away into her bag before moving it next to Melissa. “Hey, can you keep an eye on this? There’s a reporter here and from what I’ve heard, she wouldn’t be above going through my stuff or trying to look through my phone.”
Melissa’s eyes opened wide. “Sure, I’ll throw your stuff back here with mine and Scott’s.”
“Thanks. Gotta run, we’re up.”
Alex ran off to join her team on court five. At some point during the match, Fin appeared on the sidelines and cheered her on. She noticed he still had his bag, so he must have taken her advice to avoid the bar area.
After Rick spiked the winning point on the last game, the team congratulated each other as they headed back to the seating area. Her teammates chattered comfortably with Fin, and Alex appreciated how easily they had accepted him into their inner circle.
She asked Fin if he had seen the reporter yet and he shook his head no. “Okay then. Looks like we’ll face that beast together. Do we need a strategy?”
“No. Just answer as you wish. I find brief answers with no details work best. And a simple yes or no works nicely as well.”
As they neared the building, Fin took her hand in his.He’s making a statement,Alex thought.
More people had packed into their corner. Melissa waved to them, revealing the seats she saved. Alex was relieved they were on the side near the wall, making access to Fin more difficult for the relentless reporter. She looked around and spotted the woman seated at the bar, watching them. How creepy was that?
