The afternoon sun baked the asphalt as Vanessa leaned casually against the squad car, her arms crossed. Traffic hummed lazily along the road ahead, but her focus stayed on the blue sedan idling at the shoulder. A busted taillight—it didn’t get simpler than that.

You stood nearby, flipping through your notepad with a quiet efficiency she had come to rely on. The two of you had been partners long enough that words were often unnecessary. Still, she couldn’t resist breaking the silence.

“Bet they’re gonna swear they had no idea it was broken,” Vanessa chuckled softly, pushing off the car and adjusting her belt as she approached the driver’s side.

The driver—a young man with wide, nervous eyes—rolled down his window. "Evening officers, is..something wrong?”

Vanessa arched an eyebrow, her voice steady but casual. “Oh, nothing too crazy—just a busted tail light," she began, leaning down slightly. "I'll just take your license and registration if you have it."

With a tentative grip, the man handed her his driver's license and vehicle registration through the window. She lightly patted the top of the car, briefly checking over the credentials before taking a small step back. She gave you a quick glance, a subtle understanding between you two before she returned her attention to the young driver.

"I'm gonna just check over these really quick while my partner here asks you a few questions, alright?" she spoke assuredly, tipping her head back at the static patrol car.

"We'll get you back on the road in no time."