Page 352 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

The dispatcher said, “A patrol car is on the way.”

“Great, thanks.” Addie hung up and told Jake, “They’re sending a black and white.” It was probably just to take her statement, except that meant they’d have her name on record. Her first case—and not because she’d reported for duty.

“Good.”

His tone jerked her from bemoaning the state of her life, and Addie surveyed his pinched expression. “Why don’t I believe that?”

“What?” He glanced once at that rust bucket he owned. Didn’t photography pay well? She didn’t want to be judgmental, considering she was currently living in her childhood bedroom, but whatever it was didn’t seem to bring that much income.

It wasn’t any of her business. Not just because she was deflecting so she didn’t have to think about her own issues.

“You have a beef with the local police?”

She didn’t even know who the chief was these days. Plenty of people had a low opinion of cops these days. She tried to do the best job she could—which had led her right to burnout. And reassignment.

“Who is the chief these days?”

His jaw flexed. “Alan Lachlan.”

“Wasn’t he the lieutenant when we…?”

“Yep.” Jake frowned. “He still thinks I had something to do with it.” Before she could ask him what on earth would cause Lachlan to think that, he shifted. “Want to get off the ground?”

Jake held her elbow so she could stand. She hobbled over and leaned her bruised pride against the hood of her car. He’d want to know why someone tried to run her over when it wouldn’t ever be his business. Not just because she had no idea.

“Was the car white?” It could’ve been the exact vehicle that followed her on the highway from Seattle. The same person making those harassing calls to her cell and work number. The figure outside her window this morning.

“It was.” He stood in front of her, irritated but not at her she didn’t think. “A white compact. Sure you don’t need an ambulance?”

Physically she was fine. The rest was up for debate, except that at least now she knew she didn’t need a psychiatrist.

In this light who knew what he saw in the shadows on her face.

“I’m not her. Not anymore.” The words were out before she could recall them.

Some part of her needed him to know she wasn’t anything like the girl he had known. Shecouldn’tbe that girl. Not anymore.

Tomorrow she was starting at the FBI office adjacent to the police department. She had to be the profiler and field agent who’d made a name for herself. Not someone struggling ordamaged. That wasn’t the way to garner respect in an exploding small town with an entrenched police department. Probably a bunch of good ole boys set in their ways who didn’t want a woman in their business.

“I’m not who I was either.” He settled on the hood beside her with a sigh. “So maybe we should get to know each other. The people we are now.”

He glanced over, but she didn’t meet his gaze. Across the lot, the cop car pulled in. Lights flashing. Addie lifted a hand to wave them over to her.

“I should go.” Jake practically jumped off the car, then hesitated like he didn’t know what to say. “I’ll come find you?”

It sounded more ominous than he probably intended, but she nodded anyway. Then watched him jog to his driver’s door and peel out in reverse.

The officer pulled the car right in front of her and climbed out, saying over the car roof, “Something I need to know about that?” He motioned toward the truck now halfway down the block.

Addie frowned. “Why would someone undertaking a hit-and-run then park and stick around to chat?”

“Oh, I assumed—” The cop had a tight haircut and no ring. He was young, maybe midtwenties. Blue eyes. She could make some assumptions but judging someone’s outward appearance wasn’t usually a quality assessment.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” Addie winced. Just the frustration and bruises talking.

She turned her phone over on the leg of her jeans. It would be easy enough to get the mayor on the phone and figure out if this was par for the course in Benson. Then again, she didn’t start until tomorrow. Maybe he had no clue who she was.

One could hope.

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