Page 38 of Seizing Mack
He caught up to it right before it left the limits of the town proper. Itwashis baby, he was sure of it. But it definitely wasn’t Liz driving it.
Nick flipped the switch on his dash, turning his Charger into an identifiable police vehicle. Alternately flashing headlights and blue flashers hidden discreetly behind the front grill came to life. The Shelby’s blinkers went on in acknowledgement, and the driver pulled off to the side of the road when the shoulder was wide enough to safely do so.
Nick parked behind the car, verifying the license number. Then he exited the vehicle and walked up to where the driver had rolled down the window. It was a kid! Male Caucasian, clean-cut. Early twenties. Dark hair, blue eyes that held confusion.
“Driver’s license and registration, please,” Nick demanded, producing his badge. “And keep your hands where I can see them.”
The kid’s eyes widened. “My wallet’s in my back pocket. The registration is in the glove compartment. I need to reach for both.”
Smart kid. Nick nodded in acknowledgement. “Slowly, please.”
“Can I ask what this is about, Officer?”
Nick didn’t answer him right away. He waited until he had the kid’s license in hand. “Are you aware of the penalty for stealing a car —” Nick looked at the license “— Brandon?”
“You think Istolethis car?”
The kid handed over the registration. Nick’s eyes narrowed. The registration had the kid’s name on it. So did the insurance. Both were up to date and looked legit.
“Where did you get this vehicle?”
“It was a graduation present.”
“From?”
“Liz. I mean Elizabeth. Elizabeth Benning. I mean, Elizabeth Grayson.”
“ElizabethGrayson?”
“Yeah, my father’s wife.”
Liz wasmarried?
Nick tried to keep the shock from his face. “She will verify this?”
“Yeah, of course. We can call her right now if you want, but I’m not sure she’ll answer. They’re on their honeymoon, kind of an around the world thing. I think they’re in Tokyo this week.”
Well, that explained why Liz hadn’t been answering her phone or her door. Nick didn’t know what surprised him more: the fact that Liz gave his car away or that she was married and on her honeymoon.
“Officer? Are you okay?”
“Detective,” Nick answered automatically. “Detective Nick Benning.”
“Benning? Are you related to Liz? Holy sh—. You’re her brother, aren’t you?”
Nick nodded.
“You didn’t know.”
“No.” But heshouldhave. A brother should definitely know when his only sister getsmarried. “You wouldn’t happen to know when Liz is getting back, would you?”
“Not until the end of the summer.”
It was awkward, standing there beside his prized Shelby with someone else behind the wheel. Curious motorists were slowing down, rubbernecking to see what was going on. No doubt a few were capturing the moment on their smart phones, too. Even shaken as he was, he knew the side of the road was no place for this conversation.
“Thanks, Brandon. Sorry about the misunderstanding.”
“No problem. This must be pretty weird for you, huh?”
