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If she could’ve used that zip line to get down here, she would have.
The thieves had escaped in a vehicle.
She turned back to the African American officer behind her. His nameplate saidReed.“Did you get a license plate on the getaway vehicle?”
He blinked. “You were inside the van…ma’am?”
“It’s Clare. You’ve heard of Vanguard Investigations?”
“Sure.” He nodded. “Who hasn’t?”
This guy was the king of not giving anything away. An asset in his job, but not helpful for her trying to gauge how he—and his team—felt about her. “Is Gage Deluca your boss?”
Reed nodded. “You know the lieutenant?”
“A long time ago, I did.”
“I see.”
She had no idea what he saw. Clare couldn’t even begin to guess.
“Ma’am, you’ll need to provide a statement to the police since you were in the bank.”
“I’ll have to walk back to the building.” The way Gage seemed to have. Walking off steam? She could do that, but it would hurt. She winced again at the thought of that many steps in these shoes.
“Come on.” Reed motioned to the SWAT van. “I’ll drive you.”
He probably thought she was a flight risk he shouldn’t let out of his sight. Still, she really didn’t want to walk and had no phone because the thieves had taken it.
His colleague with the sergeant stripes on the shoulders of his bulletproof vest came over. “Reed, you stick here. Keep the scene secure. I’ll take her back to the bank.”
“Sure, Lee.” Reed whirled around, back to the wrecked car.
The sergeant held the front passenger door for her and held one elbow to help her up.
“Thanks.” After all, her mother had always taught her to be polite. Even when the reception she got was Juneau frosty.
The minute she sank into the seat it hit her. Cinnamon.
Clare closed her eyes as her mind jumped back to days—and nights—that summer before senior year. Trips to the lake. Camping. A hundred things they shouldn’t have done, and all the consequences that came with it.
Heartbreak not the worst among them, but high on the list.
He chewed cinnamon gum still.
Clare didn’t want to think about how it hit her that she knew it about him and it’d been true all these years. She’d traveled the world, seen unspeakable things. Witnessed hope and determination firsthand. Started a business. So many other things, and he’d been here all this time. Steadfast. Immovable.
“Clare Juarez.” The sergeant gripped the wheel and turned the van in the middle of the street to head back to the bank.
“What’s your name, Sergeant?”
“Liam O’Connell.”
She didn’t want to repeat the question she’d asked Officer Reed, so she kept her mouth closed. The team would stand by their lieutenant, but there was more that was personal between Gage and this Liam guy. He’d be the one Clare would have to win over.
If that was even on the table.
Which it most decidedly was not.
