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“And where would that be?” Amanda asked.
“I’m quite sure it was Eco-Friendly Auto Recyclers that compacted it.”
They had demolished her first jalopy, and her first case with Trent took them there. It was run by an ex-con named Simon Wheable. He was a shady character, and Amanda was starting to consider just how shady. Plates should be removed and returned to their owner or destroyed in this situation. In this case, they obviously hadn’t been. “When and where was the accident?” This could help them if they ended up going to Eco-Friendly.
“It was a year and a half ago, give or take.” Then she told them where the accident had happened.
License registrations were renewed yearly. The Elliotts must have just done that days prior to the accident for it to be expired for six months.
“Thank you for your help,” Trent told her.
The woman didn’t reply, and the door was slowly closed in their faces.
Trent put his tablet away, avoiding Amanda’s eyes. There was no missing that the air between them remained tense.
Back at the car, he shut the driver’s door hard, and the vehicle’s chassis rocked. “I didn’t need you to jump in back there.”
She closed her door, did up her belt, and turned to him. She didn’t even need to ask what he was referring to. His energy had changed when she inserted herself into the conversation, telling the woman she might be able to help them. “You had things under control, and I shouldn’t have stepped in. You’re right, and I’m sorry.”
He didn’t say anything in response.
“If this is also about… Well, you know what, then we need to talk and clear the air. If we can’t put what happened behind us, then we’ll need to talk to Malone.”
She counted off fifteen seconds before he spoke.
“That’s jumping the gun. It was only a few hours ago. Anyway, I can put it behind me. Can you?” He looked at her now, his gaze hardened over, and it delivered a punch to her gut.
“I can. The last thing I want is to jeopardize our relationship.”
“There is no relationship, Amanda.” He slowly turned his head toward her again. “Isn’t that what you told me right from the start? There is supposed to be a distinct line between our professional and personal lives.”
He was using her words against her. She told him this when they first became partners. At the time she was still very much reeling from the loss of her husband and daughter. She wasn’t interested in forming bonds with anyone, and she certainly hadn’t wanted a partner. “I was a different person then. You know that, and we’ve become good friends since.”
“Right. Friends. Foremost, coworkers. If we’re going to do this job effectively, we can’t—” He stopped talking as if mustering up the right words to continue.
“Can’t what?” she nudged him.
“Keep crossing the freaking line, Amanda,” he snapped. “We’re either friends and coworkers, or we put in for new partners and pursue whatever sparks are between us.”
Just that proposal had her heart fluttering against her ribcage. Logan. Zoe. She loved Logan, Zoe loved him, he was family to them. He moved in this past spring. They rearranged their lives to make them work.
When she didn’t respond, he said, “The woman I’m seeing is nice. We get along well.” He left the accolades there, but a flicker in his eyes exposed his vulnerability.
She sensed he would end this relationship if Amanda said there was a chance for them. That’s all she had to admit. Instead, she said, “I’m happy for you, Trent.” It was a challenge to get her voice to work.
He sank farther into his seat and made that face guys do when they’re absolutely pissed off. The cross between a scowl and the look of being constipated.
“I can’t keep apologizing,” she pleaded.
“And you shouldn’t have to. You’re not married, I’m not married. The way I see it, all that’s standing in the way is our partnership.”
The fact he seemed to minimize that and throw it away as if it were nothing got her back up. “You make it sound like that’s not a big deal on its own.” She wanted to point out how well they worked together but viewed it as volatile ground.
“That’s not how I meant it, but I have received your message loud and clear. We’re partners. We’re friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.”
“It’s how it needs to be.” As much as that pains me to say. She swore at the treacherous thought.
“Okay. Well, at least I know where you stand on the matter.” He put the car into gear, though she sensed a lot was going unsaid.
