"Now I'm requesting one."
His expression darkened.
"You just made this a problem."
Hannah looked at him.
"No, Derek. I'm trying to prevent it from getting worse."
She returned to her SUV and contacted dispatch.
Malloy stood alone beside his cruiser.
For the first time that afternoon, he looked uncertain about what would happen next.
The tow truck arrived twenty minutes later.
Its driver was a heavyset man in his fifties wearing a faded blue work shirt.
A white company name was printed across the door.
Cedar Valley Recovery.
Naomi noticed the name immediately.
She had seen it in one of the photographs her father sent.
Leonard Price's vehicle had been towed by the same company.
The driver climbed down from the cab.
He looked toward Malloy.
"Got another one?"
Malloy nodded.
"Gray sedan."
The driver whistled.
"Nice car."
He glanced toward Naomi.
"Expensive storage on one of those."
Naomi stepped forward.
"Has a lawful impoundment been authorized?"
Malloy pointed at her.
"Stay back."
The tow driver looked surprised.
"What's going on?"
Hannah approached.
"The vehicle is not being loaded until the supervisor reviews the tow request."
Malloy spun toward her.
"Who told you that?"
"I did," Hannah answered.
The driver looked between them.
He was clearly uncomfortable.
"Look, I don't want to get in the middle of anything."
"Then wait in your truck," Hannah said.
The man hesitated.
Then climbed back into the cab.
Naomi watched the company logo.
Something about the driver's casual phrase stayed with her.
Got another one?
It sounded familiar.
Too familiar.
She looked toward Malloy.
"How often does that company respond to your stops?"
His jaw tightened.
"That's none of your business."
Naomi kept her tone even.
"I'm asking because the tow driver seemed to recognize your call."
Malloy stepped closer.
"You need to stop asking questions."
Hannah moved into view.
"Derek."
He looked at her.
"Enough."
For a moment, the air seemed to tighten.