“Okay, sounds good.” Alex hangs up the mic and focuses out the front window.
It’s not the right time to tell her I admired her taking the call. Right now we’ve got to focus on whatever’s happening off Main.
We turn into the narrow, snow-lined alley, our headlights sweeping over a figure dragging a nearly full-sized Santa alongside a dumpster.
“Is that Pax?” Alex asks.
“It is.” We exchange a look that says maybe we’ve been too hasty dismissing the teens as suspects.
It’s possible not all of them were involved, or maybe they were.
Alex steps out of the patrol car quickly, authoritatively. I follow at a less commanding pace.
Alex crosses her arms and widens her stance just the slightest. “What were you doing in the dumpster?”
Pax shrugs. “Lookin’ for stuff. People toss good things.”
I believe him. He’s obviously freaked out. Though, that could be a sign of guilt. In this case it seems like Pax is just disturbed we caught him rummaging.
Alex doesn’t seem as convinced. “It’s late on a school night, Pax.” Her arms are still crossed. “Do your parents know you’re out here?”
“Not exactly.”
She waits for him to elaborate.
“I told them I was going to Braxton’s.”
“And then you came out dumpster diving?” Alex asks.
“Which technically isn’t a crime,” I say, looking at Pax, but trying to send my partner a message. “That Santa doesn’t look brand new.”
Alex eyes me, but then she exhales, visibly softening. “You’re right.”
When our eyes meet, we’re in agreement.
Pax offers an explanation now that Alex isn’t on the offensive. Her arms have dropped and her whole demeanor is more approachable. The shift hits me low in the chest—like watching frost melt off glass. Only, it’s her, softening because she trusts my judgement. She’s following my lead.
“I thought I’d clean this up and give it to my mom when I restore it.” Pax dips his head. “That’s why I didn’t tell my parents where I was going. I saw a guy toss it out the back door of the movie theater this afternoon, and I thought if it was still here I’dcome find it. I’ve got a workshop in the garage. I like fixin’ stuff up.”
At this, Alex smiles. “That’s great, Pax. Sorry if I came across harsh. We’ve had a lot of theft going on. I shouldn’t have assumed the worst.”
“I understand,” he says. “Can I go now?”
We let him go and then Alex and I walk side by side back to the car.
I glance down at Alex. “You listened to me back there.” The acknowledgment is almost more for my benefit than hers.
“Of course, I listened to you. I should have followed your lead in the first place. It was just awfully fishy. What kid is out in the alley digging through trash on a school night, then dragging a life-sized Santa behind himself?”
“No. You were right to be suspicious. We make a good team.”
“Good cop, bad cop?” she asks.
“Nah. Just two good cops,” I smile over at her.
My chest feels tight with emotion. Alexlistened.She didn’t dismiss me. She acts like it was no big deal. To me, it was everything.
We stand in front of the cruiser, neither of us making a move to get into the car quite yet. Pax is out of sight, having rounded the corner on his way home. It’s just the two of us and the golden light of the headlamps. She’s not like anyone else I’ve worked with—or known. Our breath rises in puffs, mingling in the air overhead. Alex is staring at me, not saying anything. Only a few feet separate us.
