He looked at Avery.
“You first.”
Vanessa’s mouth tightened.
Avery told him.
Brief.
She had learned long ago that when facts were strong, they did not need decoration.
She had parked.
Went inside.
Returned.
Vanessa accused her of hitting the SUV.
Demanded twenty-five thousand dollars privately.
Knocked Avery’s keys away.
Shoved her.
Kicked the car tire.
Then the clerk produced footage showing Vanessa’s SUV causing the damage.
Daniel listened without interruption.
Then looked toward Vanessa.
“I’ll hear you next.”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“That’s not how it happened.”
Daniel nodded.
“Tell me.”
“I arrived after her.”
Avery glanced at Rachel.
Rachel noticed.
Vanessa continued.
“I was maneuvering.”
“There may have been slight contact.”
“I thought she had already hit me before I adjusted.”
Daniel frowned.
“You thought she hit you before you arrived?”
Vanessa froze.
“No.”
“I mean…”
She looked at Avery.
“She may have hit me elsewhere.”
Avery laughed once.
Daniel’s eyes moved toward her.
Avery stopped.
Vanessa continued.
“I had existing damage.”
Daniel waited.
“So which damage were you asking her to pay for?”
Vanessa’s face flushed.
“The new damage.”
“Created when you backed into her?”
“I didn’t know that at the time.”
The clerk stepped forward.
“That’s not true.”
Daniel turned.
“Name?”
“Noah Warren.”
“You work here?”
“Yes.”
“What did you see?”
“Not live.”
“I checked the camera after they started arguing.”
“Do you still have footage?”
“Yes.”
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
Then Noah.
“Show me.”
They gathered around the tablet.
The video played.
Daniel said nothing.
Rachel watched over his shoulder.
When the footage ended, Daniel tapped.
“Back up.”
Noah rewound.
Daniel watched Vanessa get out after the impact.
Walk around.
Inspect both vehicles.
Get back inside.
Move the SUV.
Then wait.
He looked toward Vanessa.
“Ms…?”
“Carlisle.”
“Ms. Carlisle.”
“Yes.”
“You inspected the damage immediately after hitting her.”
Vanessa’s face tightened.
“I checked what happened.”
“And then accused her.”
“I was confused.”
Daniel’s tone remained neutral.
“Did you request twenty-five thousand dollars?”
Vanessa glanced toward Avery.
“I suggested a private settlement.”
“For damage you caused.”
“I hadn’t established that.”
Daniel looked at the video again.
“You watched yourself back into the vehicle.”
“I felt contact.”
“So you knew contact occurred while you were driving.”
Vanessa said nothing.
Rachel walked toward both vehicles.
She crouched.
Photographed damage.