Page 10 of Break Away
“Your case, it’s mine now. Word is youhaven’t been particularly helpful with the investigation.”
“Oh geez. I haven’t been unhelpful.”
“You know that isn’t the same as helpful,right? Someone hit you, caused bodily injury, and left the scenewithout identifying him- or herself or rendering aid. That behaviorwould most likely be charged as a felony.”
“I told the police what I remembered. I’m notsure how I could be more helpful.”
“Did you lose consciousness?”
“Briefly.”
“See? That wasn’t in the report. CaptainMorgan asked for a copy of your medical report, which you didn’tgive him. Why is that?”
“I forgot. Look,” she blew out a breath, “itwas an accident. The person must not have seen me. They might nothave even noticed they hit someone. Or they could have been underthe influence, or in the country illegally, so they didn’t stop,and being charged could really mess up their life. I’m willing tolet it go.”
His voice snapped with sharp incredulity.“You’ve got to be kidding me. Whoever it was hurt you, badly, andyou don’t want tomess up their life? You know that soundscrazy, right?”
“It’s not crazy. I’ve seen what gettingcaught up in the justice system can do to people. They can losetheir jobs, marriages fall apart, and some become homeless. I don’twant that to happen to anyone because of a moment of distraction. Iwas hurt, but I’ll be fine.”
“What if it wasn’t an accident? Ever think ofthat?”
“Don’t be absurd. Of course it was anaccident.”
“You don’t know that. That’s why we doinvestigations, Zoey, to get information. Not to ruin lives.”
She nudged Lucy off her leg. “Investigate allyou want, but don’t expect me to help you.” She walked Lucy towardher cottage, all but burned by the irritation radiating fromLevi.
She was pretty sure whatever flicker ofinterest he’d felt for her was now cold.
Chapter Four
Zoey pulled the toasted baguette slices fromthe oven, arranged them on a platter, and began putting togetherthe crostini with various toppings—tomato and basil, goat cheesewith caramelized walnuts, warm Brie and cranberries. A knocksounded at the front door, followed by Lucy’s loud bark.
“Come in,” she called as she drizzled honeyover the walnuts and goat cheese.
The door opened, followed by kissy noises asZoey’s BFF Eva showered Lucy with love. Zoey and Eva had only knowneach other a year, and had become fast friends, which was new forZoey. She’d never had a best friend, or a group of friends like theone that came with Eva. She did now, and she intended to enjoythem.
Eva entered the kitchen, a bottle of winecradled in one arm. Two men followed her. Dark-haired and dimpledDiego held an aluminum baking tray covered by a checkered dishtowel, while Justin, a baseball cap over his red curls, brought aplastic dessert carrier.
“Diego said our pizza would be better if wecooked it here.” Eva dipped her head. “Is the oven free?”
“Sure is,” Zoey replied.
Diego turned on the oven and pulled off thetowel, holding out the pizza for Zoey to see. “Behold,perfection.”
Olives, mushrooms, peppers, and artichokehearts: absolute perfection. “You’re right. You should use my pizzastone. It’s on top of the fridge. You need to preheat it.”
“Hey, I brought something amazing, too.”Justin flipped up the lid of his dish.
“Crème brûlée. You made crème brûlée?” Zoeyreached out a finger, but Justin pulled it out of her reach.
“Don’t touch.”
“I want a taste.”
“You can have a taste later.”
“I love you, Justin. I might be willing togive sexual favors in return for an immediate taste of crèmebrûlée.”
