Page 16 of Death of a Grill Master

Sergio’s voice was calm. “Could he have taken a boat out to the Slaughterhouse, shot Hank, dumped the body, and gotten back in time?”

Liddy’s face crumpled. “No! That’s insane. He was just making a call.”

Sergio nodded to Donnie.

“Wait, you’re not seriously—” Doug started.

“We have enough to take you in for questioning,” Sergio said.

“What? No! I’m not going anywhere. We’re enjoying a pleasant night out.”

Sergio sighed. “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”

Donnie pulled out a pair of cuffs.

“This is insane,” Doug snapped. “I didn’t kill anyone!”

Liddy stood. “Don’t do this. He didn’t—he couldn’t—”

Doug turned to her, panicked. “Liddy, please …”

Donnie dangled the duffs in front of him. “You can explain everything at the station. Please don’t make me use these.”

The bar fell into stunned silence as the two officers led Doug out the front door.

Liddy scrambled after them, yelling his name.

Hayley stood up, but Bruce caught her hand. “Don’t.”

“But—”

“Don’t.”

The door slammed shut behind them.

A beat passed. The room remained still.

Hayley moved toward the bar again. Randy was wiping down the same spot with increasing aggression.

“Hey,” she said.

“Can’t talk right now, Hayley.”

“I just—”

“I said I’m busy.”

He disappeared into the back again.

The door banged open.

In walked Earl, beaming, with Mona trailing behind, arms crossed.

“Holy hell,” Earl said, seeing the looks on everyone’s faces. “We miss something?”

“You just missed Doug Marsh getting arrested for murder,” Bruce said.

Mona’s eyes widened. “What?”