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THE SUN WAS HIGH IN THE AIR, casting a soft golden light over the parking lot, as Odelia and the team from the 118 worked around the scene. The quiet buzz of the city evening was interrupted only by the hum of the ambulance and the sound of tools clattering as they pulled a woman out from under a car. Odelia's sharp eyes caught something familiar as she glanced at the woman.
"Wait, don't we know you?" Odelia asked, her voice slicing through the fading daylight.
The woman, her clothes dusty from being under the vehicle, looked up, her face paling at the recognition in Odelia's voice. She stuttered, trying to keep her composure, but the nervous edge was unmistakable. "Uh, no, I don't... I don't think so." Her eyes shifted uneasily, landing briefly on Odelia before darting away.
Hen, standing nearby, narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms. "Last year, Hancock Park," she added, the pieces falling into place for her too.
A smirk tugged at Chimney's lips as he joined in. "That's right. I never forget a femur." His playful jab was cut short as Athena arrived, her presence authoritative as always, towering over the group with a knowing look in her eye.
The realization hit Athena in an instant, and she shook her head with a deep, exasperated sigh. "It's the damned Porch Pirate," she said, her voice a mixture of disbelief and irritation. She stepped closer, watching the woman closely. "Guess you moved up from porches to parking lots, huh, Lorraine? What's your scam this time?"
Lorraine, clearly cornered, tried to put on her best innocent face as Odelia checked her pulse, her movements quick but careful. "I don't know what you're talking about," Lorraine stammered defensively, her voice rising slightly. "I went to my court-mandated treatment. I'm completely cured. Haven't stolen a package in months."
Athena raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Mm-hmm," she hummed, unconvinced. "I heard you settled with that homeowner."
Odelia, still feeling the nagging familiarity about the woman, looked up, her confusion clear. "The house she fell in front of when she was stealing packages?" she asked, glancing between Hen and Chimney.
"Yep," Athena confirmed with a bitter chuckle.
Chim shook his head in disbelief, throwing in a comment that was half sarcastic and half amazed. "I didn't realize you could sue someone for being injured during the commission of a felony."
Lorraine, sensing the doubt creeping through the air, pressed on, her tone sharpening. "Pled down to a misdemeanour," she said quickly as if that somehow cleared her of guilt. As they began loading her onto the stretcher, she continued with a touch of self-righteousness. "Insurance companies are happy to settle instead of going to court."
Odelia shook her head in disbelief, exchanging a look with Hen. Athena's voice cut through again, cool and steady. "Insurance companies are less happy about fraud. And I've got three witnesses who claim you intentionally stepped out behind that poor woman's car." Her tone was razor-sharp as she leaned in closer. "Makes me wonder what I might find when I pull the security footage from this parking lot."
