With a lift of my hand, I wave to him and then firmly shut the door. I do my best to put Bart out of my mind. I need to focus on Katie and everything else now. I definitely don’t have time for old crushes to resurface, even though it’s so tempting.
8
Bart
Driving through Forest Grove, I can’t get my mind off of Chrissy and Katie. Pulling away from their house was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a while. There was definitely a vulnerability with Chrissy when I was talking to her.
When I walked into Chrissy’s house, for just an instant I saw true fear in her eyes as she stood there with Katie on her hip. She was literally frightened of David, and it instantly pissed me off. No woman should ever fear a man, especially when he is the father of her child. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t walked in.
But I had to leave. I know there is work to be done. And I know the sooner that I get David put behind bars, the better it’s going to be for everyone.
I go to the car dealership where David bought the car. I noticed the sticker on the back when I walked by it, and it’s a car lot at the edge of town.
I no sooner get out of my car than a salesperson approaches me. “How can I help you?”
I hold up my badge. “I need to see the owner.”
He points inside the building. “Rex is inside. First office on your right.”
The salesperson walks away before I can thank him, and I walk inside to search for Rex.
“Hi. I’m detective Bart Baker.” I hold up my badge. “I’m inquiring about a silver Dodge Charger that was purchased here either late last night or today.”
Rex sorts through his papers on his desk and pulls one out. “Yep, sold it this morning. Sold to a David Kline, and he paid cash.”
“Can I see the paperwork and the cash he used?”
Rex stands up from behind his desk. “What’s this about?”
“I can’t really tell you that.” I reach for the paperwork, and Rex jerks it behind him.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to come back with a warrant.”
“I just need…”
“I know what you need, and then something’s going to happen and my cash is going to be held up in the courts as some kind of evidence. I’m not turning anything over without a warrant.”
I shake my head. “It really doesn’t work like that.”
“It does, and I know it does.” He points to the exit sign. “Now, you can see yourself out, and you’re welcome to come back when you have a warrant.”
I nod my head and leave. I can’t say I blame the man. There’s not a lot of people that are going to want to hand over cash to someone, even if it is a detective.
I pull into the Forest Grove Courthouse, and after finding where I need to go, I walk to the window and am surprised when I see Leah. I want to smack myself. She told me she worked at the courthouse when I saw her this morning, but it didn’t really register until I see her standing in front of me.
“Hey Bart, you here to take me up on my offer? It’s almost closing time, we can have dinner.”
This morning was awkward when I had to avoid her advances, but now it’s even worse. I wish I could have just avoided her, but that’s obviously not going to happen. “Thanks for the invite, Leah, but I’m actually here on business. I need a warrant.”
After giving her all the information, I can’t help but hope that Leah can keep everything on the downlow. Chrissy doesn’t need more unwanted attention in the form of gossip. I think she and Katie have been through enough.
She walks back to where I’m assuming she can talk to a judge, and I stand in the hallway waiting for her return. Minutes go by before she’s back, but she’s not handing me the paperwork. “So does this have to do with all the commotion at the gym this morning?”
“Well, you know as well as I do that I’m not able to discuss that. Just like you’re not able to discuss matters that come through your office either,” I hint to her, wanting her to know that I won’t appreciate her sharing anything she thinks she’s got figured out.
She tilts her chin up stubbornly and hands me the paperwork. “Sure.”
I thank her and head back over to the car lot. Rex is pulling back into the lot just as I get parked.
“Hey, Rex. Here’s the paperwork. Now can I see the cash and the paperwork, please?”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry. We’ve already done our drop today. The money just got deposited into the bank. You’ll have to go through them to see it. I have the paperwork in my office, though. Let me go get it for you.”