Page 14 of Break Away
“It’s hard to say no to Eva, as I’m sureyou’re aware.” She looked down as she stroked Lucy’s head. “I mighthave gone a little overboard yesterday about the hit-and-run.”
“A little?”
“Yes, a little. I like to be up front withpeople, so I’ll tell you I have an inclination to resist authorityif I think that authority is being heavy-handed.”
“In what way have the Loss police, or me forthat matter, been heavy-handed?”
“You haven’t been, hence the apology.”
“What apology?”
“The one where I said I might have gone alittle overboard yesterday.”
“See, I was a detective in Oakland. I heardthat part, but somehow did not detect an apology.”
She gave a throaty little laugh. “It wasimplied.”
“Ah.”
“Did you know Diego when we were in highschool? He’d have been a freshman when you were a junior.”
“No. There’s a lot of my junior year that’s ablur.”
“Oh, jeez, that’s right. Your dad died thatyear.”
“He did.” The warm glow from the globe lightsreflected the closed expression on his face that didn’t inviteadditional comment.
“Anyway, I’m glad you joined us, Levi.”
“Me too.” He seemed to make an effort toshake off the mood brought on by her careless comment. “I have acouple of questions about the hit-and-run.”
Not what she wanted to talk about, but Zoeyguessed she wasn’t going to be able to put him off. She nodded andreturned to the loveseat, pulling her feet up onto the cushion andcovering her legs with her skirt. Lucy sat on the floor and restedher head on the cushion of the little sofa.
“I heard you when you said that you’re notinterested in pursuing prosecution if hitting you was an accident.”Levi took the wingback chair and turned it so he was facing her. “Idon’t agree, but I understand. Kind of. But what if it wasintentional?” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to speak.“Hear me out. I’m pursuing the investigation and I’d like yourcooperation. Main reason is because if it was intentional, youcould be targeted again. If it was an accident, then there’s aseriously deficient driver out there who shouldn’t be on the road.The next person might not be as lucky as you. This isn’t policeheavy-handedness, Zoey, it’s public safety.”
She pulled a scrunchie out of her pocket andwrangled her hair back into a ponytail. He had a point, and shereally didn’t want to get into another argument with him. “Okay,but if it turns out that it was accidental, my cooperationends.”
She nudged her dog. “C’mon, Lucy. It’s toocold to stay out here.” She rose to her feet and held the door openfor the dog before directing her next comment to Levi. “I need toclean the kitchen. You can ask your questions inside.”
Chapter Five
Levi followed the irascible woman andlumbering dog into the cottage. Zoey switched on a lamp that cast acheery light over the living room. She’d used lots of textures andcolors in the rugs, furniture, and knickknacks, giving the room awelcoming feel. His family owned this cottage, and as a teenagerhe’d spent too many hours painting and doing repairs. He rememberedcomplaining and swearing about having to spend what had seemed likehis entire summer after graduating high school painting every damnroom in the place, only to have Brad chew his ass while doingit.
Levi stopped at the bar separating thekitchen from the living room. All available counter space wascovered with cutting boards, dirty dishes, food scraps, and pans inneed of scrubbing. “Holy crap.”
There was that laugh again. “Don’t judge.Every time I start making something I tell myself to clean as I go,but I get too busy and then my kitchen ends up looking likethis.”
“Is there any dish you didn’t use?”
She took off her many bracelets and set themon the windowsill above the sink. With the water running, she beganrinsing dishes and stacking them on the tile counter. “I’m pleadingthe fifth on that question.” She gave him that side look that hewas starting to think was downright sexy. “Make yourself useful.You can feed Lucy.”
He followed her instructions, scooping whatseemed like an enormous quantity of kibble into a large metalbowl.
“There are some carrots in the fridge. Throwa couple in with the kibble.”
“You give your dog carrots?” He opened thefridge and found the bag. Lucy’s gaze tracked his movements, droolwetting the rug where she sat.
“Carrots are good for dogs. They’ve gotvitamins A and K, and help keep her teeth clean.”
