Miranda called Chief Johnson after she hung up with Cole.
He answered on the first ring. "Miranda, you are calling early."
"I know, but I was out doing my job this morning."
"What happened?"
"I went to the chop shop, and the guy told me I could work for him if I stole a car for him."
"And did you?"
"I did," she said.
"But?" he asked, he could hear the hesitation.
"It was the mayor's car."
"What? Miranda, really?" he chuckled.
She laughed. "I didn't know it was his car, really Chief. The man that took me to steal the car pointed at a BMW sitting in a driveway. He told me to steal that one, and that is what I did."
The Chief chuckled again. "Great, now you are going to have the whole police department looking out for you."
"I know, and I am sure they are."
"Look, let me call Chief Stratton, he's the chief there, and explain the situation."
"Thanks, boss." He hung up, chuckling. What was Chief Stratton going to say about that one?
He dialed his number and he answered on the first ring. "Chief Stratton."
"Stratton, it's Johnson."
"Hey Johnson, I'm a bit busy right now. The mayor's car was just stolen and probably on its way to a chopshop."
"Yeah, it's already there."
"Johnson, do you know something about this?"
"Well," Johnson cleared his throat. "My detective kind of stole his car so she could get in with the chop shop guys."
"What?" Stratton roared.
Cole, who was in his office next door to the Chief's, heard him yell and hopping to his feet he walked into the chief's office. Stratton's face was red, and he was not happy.
"Do you know what damage this could do, Johnson?"
"She apologized. She didn't know it was his car. She was taken to a house and told to steal it, so she did, and now she is in with the group."
Stratton sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily. "He is going to be extremely ticked off about this one."
"I know, and I am sorry, she really had no idea."
"Fine, I will call him and explain the situation."
"Thanks, Stratton. I'll tell her to try and keep it low key next time."
"She had better," he growled and hung up.
He looked at Cole and sighed. "Call off the officers searching for the mayor's car."
"Sir?" Cole asked in confusion.
"Apparently there is a detective here undercover who is trying to bust that chop shop. She was told to steal the car to get hired on at the chopshop."
"Oh," he said. "But why the mayor's car?"
"Apparently she didn't know it was his. She was just told to steal a car, and his car was sitting right there."
"So, what are we doing about it?"
"I'm calling the mayor to let him know."
Cole chuckled and sat down. "I want to hear this one."
The Chief shook his head. "Yeah, hear me get my ass chewed."
He dialed the mayor's home.
"Weston household."
"This is Chief Stratton, can I talk to the mayor please?"
"Yes sir," came the response.
The Chief hit the speakerphone button so Cole could hear.
"Stratton, you had better be telling me some good news about my car."
"Actually sir, there is something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Your car was stolen by an undercover officer posing as a car thief. She's trying to bring down that chop shop we have been after forever."
The Mayor growled. "And so she took my car?"
"I am sorry sir, she didn't know. She was told to steal a car, and yours was right there."
He sighed. "Am I going to get my car back?"
"More than likely not. But you will get a new car sir, I will make sure you have one on your doorstep this afternoon."
"Who is this detective? I want her name."
"Miranda Dylan, sir."
Cole raised an eyebrow. That was the same detective he had been trying to get hold of a week or so ago.
"Miranda Dylan?" the mayor blew out a deep breath. "Okay."
"Sir?"
"I know her, she is a really good cop, and if she is after these guys, she will catch them. As for my car, let it go. I've got two more, but tell her, if you see her, to leave my other ones alone?" he chuckled.
"I will sir."
"And tell her hello. She'll remember me."
"Sir?"
"She saved my ass two years ago. I was running for mayor and was at a rally. She was there as guard detail, but one of my guards turned on me and put a gun to my head. How she was able to shoot him and not harm me was beyond me, but she did, and I still owe her, so I'll let her get away with this, especially if she can bring them down."
Stratton was in shock. The mayor never caved.
"Yes sir, if I see her, I will let her know."
"She's not working through you?"
"No sir, she is working through the FBI. It's a federal case now."
"No surprise. Well, Stratton, call me if you do hear from her."
"I will sir."
"Good man," he said, then hung up.
Stratton let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Wow," Cole muttered.
The Chief nodded. "My admiration for her just went up a notch."
"Mine also sir, but how come we didn't know she was here?"
"I did," the Chief admitted.
Cole frowned. "You did?"
"Just since last night, her chief called me to tell me."
"So where is she?"
"He wouldn't say, but he told me not to worry about her, that she would bring down this car theft ring and chop shop."
"Do you think she is the one who stopped the bank robbery yesterday?"
Stratton nodded. "I am sure she is, and the museum heist."
"That makes sense I suppose."
"Well, at least that is taken care of. Now, what are you going to do?" Stratton asked Cole.
" Actually, I have a date, sir."
"With that young lady?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, try and keep her out of trouble? We don't need her hurt again."
"I know sir, believe me, I know," Cole chuckled, and standing up, he left the room.
He dialed Miranda's number, but it was busy. He wondered who she was talking to.
Miranda had just hung up from talking with her chief, but he called back a few minutes later.
"Miranda," he said. He didn't sound happy.
"Yes, sir?"
"I just got off the phone with the FBI. They just found out that the owner of the chop shop is a known drug lord."
"Yikes, so are they pulling me?"
"No, I explained that you were in, so they decided to leave you in, they just want to be there in case something happens. They are sending in two men, some guys I know. They will stay in the room next to you."
"Won't that be a bit suspicious?"
"They are posing as your brothers who are driving through on different business, and stopped to say Hello."
"Oh, that's not good."
"Why?"
"The detective knows I am an only child."
"Well, cousins then. I'll let them know."
"Thanks, sir, what time will they be here?"
"Sometime this evening."
"Uh oh."
"What?"
"The chop shop guy wants me back there tonight, he wants me to lift another car."
"Okay, I'll let them know, and call me later okay? Plus make sure that the next car you steal is not someone important?"
"Yes, sir," she laughed. "What are my supposed cousins' names?"
"Chad and Tyler Wilkinson."
"Okay, sir sounds good."
"And Miranda, like I already told you, please be careful. I do not want to lose you, you are my best detective. You are irreplaceable."
"Thanks, boss, I will remember that."
"Good, talk to you later then," and he hung up. Miranda sighed, she was getting in deeper than she thought. Oh well, she was always one for adventure.