Page 102 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“You can make this easy or we can wait for the judge.”

Elliot watched them. For the first time that morning, anxiety arrived. Real. Small. Cold. Not because of Lucas. Because Elliot disliked variables he didn't understand. Material. What material? Fiber? Soil? Blood? Hair? Something from the river? Something transferred? He ran through possibilities quickly. Vance watched him think. That was dangerous. Elliot forced himself to stop. Bell leaned toward him.

“Do you consent?”

Elliot looked at him. Then Vance. If he refused, suspicion increased. If he agreed, uncertainty remained. He knew his car. He knew what should be inside it. Should.

“Yes.”

Bell's expression changed slightly.

“Elliot.”

“It's fine.”

Vance stood.

“We'll document consent.” Bell looked irritated.

Ronan would be worse. Elliot almost smiled again. Didn't. The search lasted forty-three minutes. Ronan spent thirty-eight of them pacing. Elliot sat in the waiting area beside Bell while officers moved around his car outside. Through the glass doors, he could see trunks opened. Seats photographed. Floor mats removed. An evidence technician crouched near the rear passenger door. Elliot watched. Bell noticed.

“You're allowed to be nervous.”

Elliot looked at him.

“I'm not.”

“That wasn't an accusation.”

Elliot returned his gaze to the parking lot. Bell spoke again.

“You understand police don't need to believe you're guilty to investigate you.”

“I know.”

“And cooperation doesn't guarantee they'll stop.”

“I know.”

“Then why did you consent?”

“Because there's nothing in my car.”

Bell studied him. Elliot smiled faintly.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Elliot laughed.

“You people love that word.”

Bell didn't ask who you people meant. At 11:18, the technician closed Elliot's trunk. Vance returned.

“You're free to go.”

Ronan approached immediately.