“So, the cabin? It was everything you remembered?” he asked.
“Better, actually. It’s rugged but definitely livable. Everyone I’ve met so far has been so nice. I think it’ll be a good place to live, and I have a lead on a job already.”
He shifted his glance to the papers on his desk, or was he avoiding eye contact with her?
She tried to fill the hanging silence. “It’s a nice little town.”
“So you’re going to stay up there?”
“That’s the plan.” She sucked in a breath. “Can’t mooch off my friends forever. It’s my first step to moving on.” She lifted her chin, hoping she looked more confident than she felt right now.
His lips pressed into a thin line, then he placed both hands on the top of his desk and stood. “Well, then I guess we’d better go get your truck.” He gathered the papers and gestured to the door. “After you.”
She hopped to her feet and went down the hall, self-conscious of him being behind her. She slowed to force him to walk next to her instead. “I used to bellyache every time my husband made me drive his truck. Now, I’m just thankful to have it.”
“A little practice, and you’ll be fine,” he reassured her. “I can help you practice in a parking lot until you get comfortable.”
“I know you’re joking, but it’s not a bad idea. I might take you up on that.”
He slowed, looking down across his shoulder at her. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“Thanks.” They walked out, and Randy held the door on his unmarked navy-blue sedan for her.
She slid into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt.
When he got behind the wheel, he said, “Impound lot is just on the other side of town. Shouldn’t be much traffic this time of day.”
Her mind raced as they drove through the city. This seemed above the call of duty, but she really appreciated it. Ubering around town to get this done would’ve been a pain.
When they finally pulled into the impound lot, there were hundreds of cars lined up behind the tall chain-link fence. “This is not what I expected. It looks like an auction. This many cars get stolen?”
“Not all of these were stolen. Some were impounded for being used in the process of committing crimes, or abandoned, illegally parked, or someone was driving on a suspended license or under the influence.”
“Apparently, there’s more of that going on in this city than I ever realized.”
Randy pulled his car into a spot right by the door, marked for police. An hour later, she had possession of Jeremy’s truck again.
When the clerk at the impound lot handed her the papers, she cried, and the tears wouldn’t stop.
“I’m so sorry.” She swept them from beneath her eyes, black mascara smearing on her fingers. “I don’t know why this is hitting me so hard.”
“It’s okay.” Randy led her outside. “Take a breath. Look, you’ve been through a lot. You’re the victim of a crime. You don’t have to apologize for experiencing emotion about this. It’s justified.”
“Thank you.” She sniffled, trying to pull herself together. “You’ve been so nice to me. Patient. Kind. Accommodating. I know I’ve been a pain in your—”
“No. Really. I’ve enjoyed your company. I almost hope I never solve the whole case.”
She laughed. “Better not let your boss hear that.”
“I don’t really mean it. I’d love to recover every last thing that man took from you. Nothing would make me happier.”
“You’re a good cop.”
“I try to be, but in this case it’s because I’d like to think I helped you. That would make me happy.”
“You and me both.” She swallowed back the last of the tears. “I’m so thankful you were the one assigned to my case that day. I have a feeling I’d be on the back burner by now for most overworked detectives. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He spread his feet apart and folded his arms. “So, it’s lunchtime.”
