“And when you find her?”
“Have her arrested.” Her voice was even, certain. “This isn’t the first time. She stole from my aunt five years ago, got probation, and was told if she ever did it again she’d serve time. And crossing state lines has to make it worse.”
“You’d turn in your own sister?”
“Yes. Because if I don’t, she’ll do it again. Maybe not to me, but to someone.”
He nodded slowly. “How does your aunt feel about all this?”
“She told me to go for it and to call if I need money.” Aftyn smiled faintly. “I won’t call unless I have no other choice.”
“I get that.”
“She also suggested hiring a private investigator. That might actually help the local police here.” She glanced at him. “Is there a hospital nearby I could apply to? Montana and Colorado are both compact nursing states, so I wouldn’t need a new license.”
“I have no idea what that means, but I doubt anyone will hire you knowing you don’t plan to stay.”
“You’re probably right.” She exhaled. “I don’t knowwhat to do.”
“Find some kind of work until you can deal with the car. As for the hospital, I wouldn’t go that route if you’re planning to leave.” He sat up straighter. “There’s Chuck.” He pushed open his door and looked back at her. “Stay in here where it’s cool. I’ll handle it.”
Aftyn watched through the windshield as the tow truck pulled up beside her car. A man climbed down from the cab, and he and Cole talked for a few minutes. Cole opened the driver’s door, popped the hood, and walked around to the front where Chuck was already looking at the engine.
She couldn’t hear them. She watched the two men lean over the engine, straighten up, exchange a few words. Then the hood came down and Chuck shook his head.
Her heart dropped.
“Great,” she muttered. “Just great.”
****
Cole crossed his arms. “Just tow it to your garage, Chuck. I’ll let her know.”
“Cole, it belongs in a salvage yard.”
“I know. But she doesn’t have any money right now. Can you replace the motor?”
Chuck scratched the back of his neck. “I could, but I’m slammed. Car that age, we’re talking ten to twenty hours of labor. I’ll get to it, just not right away.”
Cole ran a hand over his mouth. “Alright. Tow it in for now and bill me.”
“You got it.” Chuck climbed back into the cab, pulled forward, then backed up to the front of her car.
Cole stood there a moment, hands on his hips, head down. Then he took a breath and walked back to the truck.
She was watching him through the windshield. Hehated this.
He climbed in and she looked at him. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“That’s putting it mildly. It needs a new motor. Chuck can find a good used one, but between the part and the labor you’re looking at real money, and he can’t get to it right away.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“What do I do?”
He could hear the catch in her voice, and it settled in his gut like a stone.
“Find work in Clifton. Stay until you’ve saved enough to fix the car or buy another one. Or call your aunt and have her bring you home.” He shook his head. “I don’t see another way.”
She nodded slowly. “Can you just drop me wherever Chuck’s taking it? I’ll call my aunt. I hate asking her, but I don’t see a choice.”
