Stuart turned to see a large man filling the living room doorway. He had a thick grey beard that reached down to his camouflage jacket. He looked like Thor, but a brute version, not just significant for show. His eyes were dark and fearsome. Thor looked aesthetically strong, but this man looked like his strength was often tested. "And why is she undressing him?” He scowled at Elle and Stuart. A thick silence broke over the room. Stuart was not smirking anymore, he was quivering.
The man held his stare for a few more moments before the corners of his lips began to rise. Then to Stuart's utmost surprise, the man burst into a fit of laughter. Every bit of intimidation was shattered. Elle joined in with the laughter causing Stuart to awkwardly chuckle along as if he was in on whatever was happening in front of him.
"But seriously. Why is your mother undressing him? I don't want a stepson." He tried to control his laughter but broke into another fit.
"She's not undressing him. She's getting him dry clothes. We found him lost and sick. She's doing her nurse thing again. He drank water from the lake."
"Well. You're brother's an idiot." He chuckled, "The name's Hunter." Hunter reached out his large hand. Stuart was surprised. He had never met anyone above the age of twenty-two named Hunter.
"Stuart." He reached out his hand and felt like a child as Hunter's swallowed it with a painfully firm grip. "We got lost on a hike and were lucky enough to find Elle and Clifford in the woods."
Hunter quickly shot an amused look at his daughter.
"Elle said you have a phone we could use? We were supposed to be picked up by our friend, but didn't have the reception to call and tell him we got turned around."
"It's in the kitchen," Hunter pointed.
“Thank you so much,” Stuart said. He fetched Michael’s phone form his bag then Elle showed him through the doorway. The kitchen was filled with pots and pans hanging from various racks. A large silver tub sat bubbling on the worn-down stove.
"Grandpa somehow convinced the county to build a phone line all the way out here," Elle said. She smiled as she used a ladle to scoop chili into a bowl. "You may want to dust it off. I don't think anyone's used it since he died ten years ago."
Stuart wasn't sure if he should comment on her grandfather's passing. He hadn't known her grandfather, and ten years seemed a long enough time that she didn't need his condolences. Stuart settled for, "Duly noted," and then lifted the phone from the latch. He flipped open Michael’s phone and dialed the only number in the contacts.
"Harvey Sinclair?" The voice on the line spoke before Stuart could say a word.
"Yes, I'm fine," Stuart spoke into the phone, trying to make it sound like he was having the conversation Elle thought he was having.
"What are you talking about? Who is this?" Gary was impatient. He hadn't heard from Michael in a few weeks.
"Michael almost died today! Kind of funny. But he's alright now. If you don't pick us up tomorrow, I think he will die." Stuart let out a playful laugh as if he were joking.
Elle gave a questioning look, "A little dramatic aren't we?" she smiled and looked back to the chili.
"Who is this?—"
"We've come across a lovely family. We're having dinner here, then they're going to drop us off in…" He moved the phone from his ear, "Ella, what town are you dropping us off at?"
"Moose Pass."
"They're going to drop us off in Moose Pass Alaska."
"I'm not the one that called a hit on you," Gary declared.
"Oh, you can't be here tonight? You're too far away? Well, I guess we'll wait for you in town until tomorrow. I just hope Harvey is still alive tomorrow. Be a shame if…you know." Stuart was not in the mood to have a conversation with Gary. He needed to send a message. Gary realized this and didn't speak. "Well, I'm glad we're ok too. We just got lost. Harvey wants out, so please get here as soon as the car's fixed. Please be there tomorrow. I don't want to take things into my own hands." Stuart waited for a moment. "See you tomorrow. Yes, we're safe, for now. See ya soon."
There was a moment of silence. "See you soon," Gary responded.
When Stuart hung up the phone, he felt his cheeks flush. He wasn't sure who Gary was or what he was capable of. The fact that The Company wanted Gary and was using him and Michael as bait suggested that Gary was not a typical person. He was a dangerous individual, probably with a screw or two loose. A precarious person that had won a hitman killing competition. At some point soon, it would be him, Michael and Gary, all face to face. Stuart just hoped, when that moment came, the panic button would work.