Danielle looked at the dashboard. The call timer was still running. Before the SUV entered the lot, she had answered a scheduled call through the car’s hands-free system. She had barely confirmed her location when she saw the flashing lights. Now, Agent Serrano’s voice filled the damaged cabin.
“Danielle, answer me.” “I’m here.” “Are you hurt?” “My shoulder. There’s glass.”
Kesler reached toward the console. “Do not touch her phone.” His hand stopped above the broken window. “This is FBI Special Agent Lena Serrano. I heard the collision and what you said about her testimony.”
“Identify yourselves.” The dark-haired officer stepped away from the hood. Kesler stared at the speaker grille. “There’s been a traffic accident.” “Then remain there. Medical assistance is being requested.”
His partner caught his sleeve. Kesler pulled free. “Who else is listening?” Serrano did not answer that. “Danielle, can you read their names?”
The younger officer turned his chest away. Kesler straightened. “We need to move the unit.” “Leave it where it is.” But his partner was already backing toward the SUV.
Danielle lifted her eyes to Kesler’s face. A moment earlier, he had leaned through her window as though nobody could stop him. Now he was watching the dashboard. “Kesler,” she said. He looked at her.
She repeated it louder. “His name is Kesler.”
Were convicted of witness intimidation and offenses arising from the deliberate collision. Both received prison sentences. Their dismissals from the department were already final. The manager’s separate case ended in a guilty plea for helping arrange the intimidation. Danielle received compensation through a later settlement for her injuries and vehicle loss.
The paperwork included a correction rejecting Kesler’s account that she had caused the collision. She read that sentence twice. Then she put the pages away. The department began requiring outside review when a collision complaint included an allegation of witness intimidation. Danielle received the notice by mail.
She placed it beside her settlement documents and went to her physical therapy appointment. Her shoulder still needed work. Weeks later, Ben saw her outside the business center. He stopped several feet away. “I gave them everything I remembered.”
“I know.” He glanced toward the space where his sedan had stood. “I believed the uniforms.” Danielle adjusted her handbag on her shoulder. “You stayed afterward.”
“I should have helped before.” She nodded. Neither tried to make that easier. Ruth waited beside Danielle’s replacement car holding two coffees. “Passenger seat?” Ruth asked.
Danielle looked at the wheel. “I’ll drive.” At the exit, a police SUV passed along the public road. Danielle’s foot remained on the brake after it cleared. Ruth set her coffee in the holder.
“We have time.” Danielle loosened her hands. The phone rang through the speakers. Serrano’s name appeared on the dashboard. Danielle answered.
“I wanted to check how you’re doing.” She looked at Ruth, then at the open road. “My sister’s making me take her to breakfast.” “Making you?” “She bought coffee. Apparently, that creates an obligation.”
Ruth smiled. Serrano laughed softly and let them go. Danielle waited for a safe gap, turned onto the road, and drove them toward breakfast.