I explained that a salute did not give me authority over an investigation
It only reminded people of something I had done long ago
Martin studied me for a moment and then put his phone away
He said he would make the call himself
That afternoon I drove to the county evidence facility to inspect the Mustang with the vehicle examiner
The car stood beneath bright lights with its front wheels removed
Seeing it there hurt more than I expected
A white evidence label hung from the steering wheel where Laura had once tied a red ribbon
The examiner introduced herself as Dana Cross and showed me the photographs taken before disassembly
She had documented the missing master cylinder and the disconnected lines
She had also photographed the warning tag recovered from my gutter
The tag was torn at the corner but the warning remained legible
Dana explained that the steering and transmission had not caused the crash
The car had rolled down the Stanhope driveway after Tyler started it and released the parking brake
He had tried to stop with the pedal and found no hydraulic pressure
The vehicle had crossed the lawn and struck the low stone wall near the front steps
Tyler had injured his wrist while trying to brace himself
I asked whether he could have known about the missing brakes
Dana said that question depended on witness testimony and what he had been told
Her examination could establish the condition of the car not what someone understood
I appreciated the distinction because it was the difference between evidence and accusation
Before leaving I walked around the Mustang and touched the edge of the driver s door
The paint bore a new scratch beneath the handle
I remembered Laura polishing that exact panel on a warm Sunday years earlier
She had stood back with a rag in her hand and announced that the car was finally beginning to look alive
I asked Dana whether the scratch could be repaired after the case
She said the damage was cosmetic and that a good paint specialist could restore it
I thanked her and left without asking when the car would come home
The waiting became its own kind of work
I continued repairing engines for customers and tried to maintain my ordinary routine
People who had never spoken to me began stopping by the shop to ask about Meredith
Some wanted details of the fraud investigation
