“Are you still naming everything?” She chose to ignore Alex’s question.
“The car is Felicity?” Colin questioned.
“She names everything. She once named her hairbrush.”
“Yes, the car’s name is Felicity,” she hissed, irritated at Alex but taking it out on Colin. “And I did not name my hairbrush.” She wasn’t that pathetic. So what, she named her car. Lots of people did that.
“Did too.”
“Why Felicity?”
“She used to like that show.” Colin just blinked. “The college one where one dude was in love with the girl, but she had the hots for the other.” How did he remember that? She did love the show when she was a teenager, but she’d watched it with her girlfriends, not with him.
“Wait a minute. Is this the same car you’ve had since high school?” Colin looked at it as if seeing it for the first time.
“Yes, I love this car,” she snapped, feeling defensive over her now mutilated car.
“I think the right word is loved, sweetheart. She’s a goner.” Colin looked over her car and gave a low whistle.
Payton’s eyes widened in horror. “Don’t say that.” She leaned over her car as if she could protect it from him. “A new coat of paint, windows and tires, and she’ll be good as new.”
Colin didn’t look convinced. “Honey, nothing can save this car. She’s as good as scrap metal now.”
It was a long shot, but she was willing to try. She loved her car.
“So what happened?” Alex said, taking the focus off her car.
“They were following me, so I led them outside of residential areas so I could confront them.”
“Good thinking.” Colin clasped her on the shoulder and grinned. Payton returned it even if she felt a pinch of guilt for omitting the truth from him. Colin was great, and she knew he’d help her if she asked, but she wasn’t going to have him test the bounds of friendship.
“Thanks.” She beamed under his praise, her grin broadening at Alex’s scowl. It was too much fun to irk him sometimes, even if it hurt that he didn’t like her.
“Like she needs an ego boost,” Alex murmured turning away from them.
“Don’t listen to him,” Colin whispered low enough for only the two of them to hear.
“Why does he hate me so much?” She hadn’t meant to ask the question out loud. It just popped out.
“He doesn’t hate you,” Colin tried assuring her, but there was doubt in his eyes. She didn’t bother calling him out on it. It wasn’t worth it.
She was putting her rifle away when they were surrounded by the police. Payton stepped away from her bag so they didn’t take it as a sign of aggression and just waited.
“Police, put your hands up,” the leader in front said.
“I’ll handle this,” Alex said, taking charge.
Payton rolled her eyes. “I’ll handle this,” she corrected and stepped forward with her hands raised. “I’m Detective Payton Weber with the Colorado Springs PD. These two men are my associates,” she said with authority and nodded toward Alex and Colin. She didn’t want them getting accidentally shot.
One of the men recognized Payton. “Lower your weapons. She is who she says she is.”
“Good to see you, Hank.” Payton nodded at him. They’d gone to the academy together and had worked a few cases together as well.
“What did you get yourself involved with now?” He tried to give her a stern look but failed. Payton had to laugh at that. She did get herself into hot water a lot.
“Well—”
Chapter 9