Then he looked at her and saw the corner of her mouth move.
“That a joke?”
“Maybe.”
He let out a breath. “Good. I was starting to think nobody was allowed to make one around you.”
Emma picked up a sealed bandage pack.
“Bad jokes are still allowed.”
“That is generous.”
They worked in silence for a minute.
Then Ruiz said, “I am sorry.”
Emma knew exactly what he meant.
“You already gave a statement.”
“That is not the same thing.”
He set down the kit.
“When Cole asked if I had something to say, I did. I just decided my career mattered more than saying it.”
Emma looked at him.
“Your career does matter.”
“So did what he was doing.”
“Both can be true.”
Ruiz frowned. “That does not make me feel better.”
“It is not supposed to.”
He almost laughed.
Emma leaned against the workbench.
“You spoke when Bennett asked. You also spoke before Parker did. Next time, maybe you speak sooner. That is how people change.”
Ruiz nodded.
“What about Parker?”
“What about him?”
“He has been avoiding you for four days.”
Emma sighed. “Then apparently I have another conversation.”
Parker was easier.
He admitted that he had laughed when Mason first pushed the tray back at her because he panicked.
