Page 54 of Codi
“She’s not holding me captive,” Codi says calmly, addressing Washington, but his attention quickly rests on Ezra. “I’m here of my own free will.”
Washington blinks at Codi in astonishment for a moment, then throws his head back and laughs, holding his belt. Ezra isn’t laughing. His eyes narrow as he studies Codi with a furrowed brow, his mouth a narrow line.
“Guess you’re not the only one with an attitude, Ezra.” Washington rubs his face and composes himself. “All right, I can empathize, but I have to uphold the law. You’ve gotta go home, Ethan, Codi, whatever your name is. That’s the way of it.”
“I am home,” Codi replied. “I belong here.”
Ezra isn’t threatened or amused. “I can—and will—force you to return. If I have to.”
Codi stares defiantly back at him before he looks at Washington. “Has Mrs. Walter provided anyrealevidence of ownership?”
“You’re registered to me,” she says, glaring at me with vitriol. I glare right back. “BioNex will confirm it.”
“BioNex can’t confirm anything,” Codi replies. “The detective can verify. I’m not registered under an owner.”
“I have a bionic locator app on my phone,” Reagan snaps, whipping it out like a pistol from a holster, manicured nails fervently tapping her screen. She balks, blinking. “Wh— It’s gone, I—”
She looks up at Washington and Ezra. They don’t appear impressed. Ezra seems highly annoyed.
“It was here,” she insists. “It’s how I found him in the first place.” She turns on me, looking about ready to launch at my throat, glaring daggers and spewing venom. “I’m gonna sue you for everything you’ve got.”
“Do it,” I retort. “I don’t care.”
“You lying slut!”
“What did I say about keeping quiet?” Ezra’s voice booms, turning and shooting her a sharp look.
She fumes, bristling at me.
“Detective, if I may,” Codi continues. “In the event of this woman pursuing legal action against my rightful owner”—he motions to me—“is it likely my visual feeds and memory banks will be used as evidence, submitted before a judge?”
Washington ponders this. “I can’t really say. I’m not a lawyer. But we gather any and all evidence we can for an open investigation.”
“Any and all visual feeds I provide that show illegal activity within the Walter’ home would be considered evidence correct?”
“Yes.” Ezra’s voice is flat and impatient. “Obviously.”
Behind them, Reagan’s eyes widen, and her face turns white as a sheet as Codi extends his hand to Ezra. “I would like to provide all recorded evidence now, if I may.”
Ezra frowns and reaches for his hand, shuttering pupils dilating as he focuses on Codi’s eyes.
“Wait!” Reagan shrieks in horror, lurching forward. Ezra pulls his hand away, and both police officers turn to look at her, incredulous. “Never mind.”
“What?”
“I said, never mind, she can keep him. I don’t want him,” Reagan insists, in a borderline panic. “She can have him. I don’t care. I’m in the middle of a divorce. The last thing I need is more lawyer fees. Forget it.”
Washington looks highly skeptical and exchanges glances with Ezra. “Just like that?”
“Yes. Just like that.” Reagan huffs. “I’ll sign whatever fucking statement you want.”
My jaw falls as she storms away toward her sparking silver sports car. She yanks the door open and slams it shut after she slips inside. She fumbles her phone to her ear, and though I can’t hear it, I can tell she’s screaming and on the verge of crying. Then she tosses her phone into the passenger seat, sobbing. For a brief moment, she casts a long, aching look at Codi with an expression that makes her seem smaller, younger. Maybe she did love him, in her own way. She wanted him back badly enough to come here, fight for him, and lose.
My victory doesn’t make me heartless. A part of me feels sorry for her.
“Well, then.” Washington shrugs, sighing and motioning to Ezra. “Guess that’s handled.” He saunters toward the patrol car in the driveway behind my sedan, muttering about wasting time.
Ezra lingers on the porch with us, glancing to Codi. “You’ll keep that footage filed away?”
