“You know exactly what I mean.”
“No.”
Elena’s voice became softer.
“That sentence seems popular with people who don't want to explain themselves.”
Daniel stepped nearer.
“Ma’am, I suggest you stop trying to make this something it isn't.”
“What is it?”
“I’m verifying ownership.”
“You verified it.”
“I haven't finished.”
“What remains?”
Daniel looked toward the Lamborghini.
Then registration.
Then Elena.
“You could be holding this for somebody.”
“It has my name.”
“You could be financing it through someone else.”
“It would still have my name.”
“You could—”
Elena interrupted.
“Sheriff.”
Daniel stopped.
“Read the owner’s name.”
Another pause.
“I’ll wait.”
His hand tightened around the leather folder.
Claire saw it.
“Daniel.”
Not Sheriff.
Daniel turned toward her.
Wrong choice.
She corrected.
“Sheriff.”
He stared.
Claire continued carefully.
“The plate check already confirmed Ms. Vance.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“You finished?”
Claire swallowed.
“Yes.”
He reached toward his radio.
Elena saw.
“What are you doing?”
“Requesting a tow.”
Claire’s head snapped toward him.
“What?”
Daniel ignored her.
Elena’s calm finally cracked by one degree.
“For what legal reason?”
“Until ownership can be independently verified.”
“It has been.”
“I’m not satisfied.”
“That is not a legal standard.”
“I decide what happens at a roadside investigation.”
Elena looked around deliberately.
“We are at a gas pump.”
“Not a roadside stop.”
“Your car is on public-access property.”
“My car is parked legally.”
“For now.”
Elena stared.
The sheriff lifted his radio.
“Dispatch, Sheriff One.”
Static.
“Go ahead.”
“Start me a tow unit to Mountain Crest Fuel, Highway 9.”
Claire stepped closer.
“Sheriff.”
Daniel held up one finger.
Elena looked at his camera.
Then at his hand.
“What suspected offense are you documenting?”
He ignored her.
“Expedited if available.”
Dispatch replied.
“Copy.”
Elena pulled out her phone.
Daniel immediately said:
“Put that down.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“Don't start calling people while I’m investigating.”
Elena stared at him.
“Am I detained?”
“Yes.”
That surprised Claire.
Elena’s face became completely expressionless.
“State the basis.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Possible vehicle fraud.”
“Based on what evidence?”
“Ownership inconsistencies.”
“What inconsistency?”
Daniel did not answer.
Elena looked toward Claire.
“Deputy, did the registration return the same name as my license?”
Claire hesitated.
Daniel snapped:
“Do not involve my deputy.”
Elena looked back.
“I asked a factual question.”
“I’m the sheriff.”
“Then answer it yourself.”
Daniel took a breath.
Elena continued:
“You now have my valid license.”