Chapter 2

Bystanders murmured, most eyes on the gleaming Shelby and the furious young man beside it.

The old Chevelle looked shabby in comparison, its power hidden beneath a deliberately understated exterior.

"Yeah, that old car probably ain't worth much," someone muttered.

Kyle heard it, his smirk widening.

"See? Everyone knows it. You hit a hundred-thousand-dollar car with your trash heap."

He strutted, full of himself. "My girl is rich, powerful! You wouldn't believe who she is."

Ethan just looked at him.

"This 'piece of junk' might be older," Ethan said, his voice still quiet, "but let's see what the damage report says about your 'gift'."

He glanced at the street corner. "The police will be here soon. I've already called my insurance too."

Kyle scoffed. "Insurance? My girl's got the best insurance money can buy! They'll eat your little policy for breakfast."

He pulled out his phone, speed-dialing.

"Baby, you won't believe this! Some old geezer in a rust bucket just rear-ended your Shelby! Yeah, the one you got me!"

His voice was loud, whining, making sure everyone heard.

"He's trying to say it's my fault! Can you believe it?"

Ethan listened, his expression unreadable. So, "baby" was it now.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer.

Two police cruisers pulled up. Officer Miller, a man Ethan knew by sight, stepped out of the first.

Chief Miller, actually. He' d been a captain when Ethan' s anonymous tech tip had helped his department crack a major cold case years ago.

Miller took in the scene: the expensive Shelby, the classic Chevelle, the furious young man, and the calm older one.

"What's going on here?" Miller asked, his voice authoritative.

Kyle immediately launched into his tirade. "Officer, thank God! This maniac just rammed into my car! He was driving like a grandpa, then just hit me!"

Ethan simply said, "He cut me off multiple times, brake-checked me repeatedly, then stopped short at the light. I have it on my dashcam."

He gestured to the small camera on his windshield.

Kyle's face paled slightly. "Dashcam? That's... that's an invasion of privacy!"

Miller ignored him, turning to his partner. "Get statements. Check the dashcam footage."

The other officer nodded, approaching Ethan.

Kyle wasn't done. "My girlfriend, she's a very important person. She owns a huge company. She'll have your badge for this if you don't arrest him!"

Chief Miller looked at Kyle, unimpressed. "Son, we'll determine fault based on evidence, not threats."

He recognized Ethan then, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "Mr. Cole? Didn't expect to see you in a fender bender."

"Chief Miller," Ethan nodded. "Just trying to get to a meeting."