Maya turned her attention to the motorcycle. She first looked at the engine case, then the broken headlight, and the dented fuel tank. She did not ask Mercer to stop again, because the damage had already been done. Mercer noticed where she was looking. “You can keep staring at it, but it is not leaving with you.” Maya raised her eyes. “You are certain the motorcycle is being seized?” “Yes.” “Even though Deputy Alvarez confirmed the identification number was valid before you damaged the engine case.” Mercer stepped closer. “You should stop telling me how to conduct an investigation.” “I did not tell you how to conduct it. I asked you to confirm what you are doing.” “I already confirmed it.” Maya nodded. “All right.” Her calm response irritated him.
Mercer walked back to the Harley and examined the damage he had caused. He touched the edge of the broken headlight, then looked at the dent in the fuel tank. “This thing is in rough condition,” he said. Noah looked at him. “It wasn’t when we got here.” Mercer ignored the comment. Maya remained where she was. “You care about this bike?” Mercer asked. “Yes.” “Then maybe you should have cooperated.” “I have cooperated.” Mercer looked at her wrists. “You are in handcuffs.” “That does not change what happened before you put them on me.” Mercer stared at her for several seconds. Maya did not look away.
Noah returned to the cruiser and checked the computer again. The same information remained on the screen. He called out, “The return is still clean.” Mercer turned toward him. “I told you to stop running it.” “I wanted to make sure.” “You have already made sure.” Noah stepped away from the cruiser. “Then why are we still treating the motorcycle as if the number does not match?” Mercer pointed toward the damaged engine case. “Because the physical identification has been altered.” Noah looked directly at the area Mercer had struck. Maya spoke before he could answer. “And you are documenting that the damage existed before your contact with the motorcycle.” Mercer looked back at her. “I already answered that question.” “I know.” “Then stop asking it.” Maya said nothing more.
Mercer picked up his radio again and asked dispatch for the status of the tow request. The response came back that a truck was on the way. Maya turned slightly so she could see the patrol cruiser. The digital clock inside was visible through the windshield. She looked at it for only a moment. Mercer noticed. “Waiting for somebody?” “No.” “Lawyer?” “No.” “Someone who owns the bike?” Maya looked at him. “I own the motorcycle.” Mercer gave a short laugh. “We will see about that.” Maya did not argue. She looked at the Harley again and carefully studied the damage around the engine case. Her attention then moved to the broken headlight, and finally to the fuel tank. Noah watched her. There was something unusual about the way she looked at the motorcycle. She was upset, but she was not focused only on the damage. She seemed to be keeping track of what had happened, and in what order.