“What do you mean?” He stopped walking abruptly. “Why was Chief Walcott at Olivia’s place?”
“He wasn’t,” Brody replied. “He was at the station.”
“Why didn’t you just take her car straight back to her place if it was clear it hadn’t been in an accident?” Jake asked.
“Sorry, Jake.” Brody sighed. “My brother called and said the chief wanted it towed to the station to be checked for forensics.”
“Shit,” Jake hissed.
“I’m sorry, man.” Brody winced.
“It’s not your fault, Brody. Thanks anyway.”
“Look, as soon as they’re done with it, I’ll pick it up and drop it back to her free of charge,” he offered.
“Appreciate it,” Jake muttered as he hung up the phone.
Chief Walcott stood silently with his arms crossed, his lips pursed pensively as the pale blue Camaro was scrutinized by one of the crime lab techs.
The tech looked up from his crouched position in by the front fender. “Gotta say, Chief, I agree with Brody. There’s no damage or evidence to suggest any impact with the victim.”
“Check the whole car,” Chief Walcott growled. “Inside and out.”
The tech blinked. “What for? The report said it was a suspected front impact, so what are you trying to find?”
“I want you to check for any physical evidence. Blood, DNA…”
“Chief!” Jake’s voice echoed across the bay.
“Do your job,” Chief Walcott instructed the tech, “and keep your mouth shut. You report only to me.”
“Yes, sir.” He swallowed, turning back to the car as the chief moved to intercept Jake.
“Jake.” The chief nodded, noting the way his deputy’s gaze darted toward Olivia’s car, causing Jake’s jaw to tense angrily.
“A word, if you don’t mind.” Jake forced the words out between clenched teeth.
“My office,” he snapped as he turned.
Jake followed the chief as they made their way back through the building to his office. Once the door had clicked closed behind them, the chief had sat down at his cluttered desk, propping his elbows on the surface and lacing his fingers together as he regarded Jake with an assessing gaze.
“Is there a problem, Deputy?” he asked.
“Yeah, there’s a problem.” Jake bit out. “You had no right to keep Olivia’s car. She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“That remains to be seen,” the chief murmured. “And I have every right. The car was involved in an accident. I am simply being thorough.”
“You’re not going to find what you’re looking for,” Jake snapped.
“And what exactly is that?” he countered.
“You’re looking for evidence that Adam Miller was in that car.”
“Am I?” the chief replied.
“Olivia had nothing to do with his death,” Jake stated.
“You’re so sure of that, are you?” His brow rose as he studied Jake. “I appreciate loyalty, no matter how misguided, but, by your own admission, you haven’t seen her in over twenty years. Do you really think you know her? Know what she’s capable of?”
