Not a wide smile.
Just enough to be noticed.
Walter looked beyond him toward Harris.
The second officer was still beside the cruiser.
Still watching.
Still silent.
Cole let Walter’s wallet fall onto the pavement.
It struck the road close to Walter’s boot.
Cole lifted the cash slightly.
“Fifteen hundred says the birthday doesn’t match.”
Walter remained silent.
Cole put the money away.
“Get lost.”
Then he turned and started walking back toward the cruiser.
For several seconds, Walter didn’t move.
His wallet was still lying on the pavement.
He didn’t reach down to retrieve it.
Instead, he simply watched Cole walk away.
There was no anger left on Walter’s face.
And that was what made the moment feel strange.
He looked almost certain now.
As though something Cole didn’t understand had just confirmed exactly what Walter needed to know.
Walter slipped one hand inside his brown work jacket.
His fingers found his phone.
He pulled it out, brought it to his ear, and waited until it was pressed firmly against the side of his head.
Then he spoke.
“It’s me.”
Cole continued walking.
Walter never took his eyes off him.
“Pull the other record.”
The line was silent for less than a second.
Then the person on the other end asked Walter a question that changed his expression.
Walter looked toward the police cruiser again.
Toward Cole.
Toward Harris.