Page 14 of Her Only Hero

Heavy police boots walked across the room toward me. My heart skipped.

“Good morning. I’m here to speak with June,” Patrick said in the strong, deep voice that struck a tender part inside of me, especially when he uttered my name. He stood an arm’s length away, clean shaven and dapper in his crisp uniform.

I angled away from Patrick, then glanced at my co-workers. All eyes were on us. Lara cracked a smile, and Edward gave me a thumbs-up behind Patrick’s back.

My cheeks burned, and I inwardly groaned. I tried to act nonchalant so the others wouldn’t figure out Patrick and I werea thing. But I had a feeling they’d already figured out our secret. No one could hide anything from this team of experts.

“Good morning, Officer Verbeek,” I said, keeping it formal. But Patrick’s knowing gaze and his hand on my lower back showed our relationship had evolved into something much less formal.

“You look hot as hell,” he whispered.

I tried not to smile. Everyone’s attention was still on us. All they needed was movie popcorn and a fountain drink to make their viewing experience more enjoyable.

“How’s everyone?” Patrick said, glancing around, facing their stares full on. I wished I could be as cool and calm as Patrick appeared to be. No doubt my blushing cheeks were turning shades of red.

“Is that a rhetorical question, Officer?” Vinny said. “Cause if you really want to know how we’re doing, you better have a seat.”

Patrick chuckled and sat on a stool. “Still a huge backlog?”

I couldn’t help smiling. Patrick’s personable gesture showed he cared about everyone.

“Oh, yes. Weeks' worth of backlog,” Lara said. “So don’t bring us any more. Not to mention our genetic analyzer is almost caput, and reagents are on back order. Which wouldn’t have been so bad if somebody hadn’t knocked over a bottle of gel-loading solution.” She gave Vinny the evil eye.

“It’s not my intention to increase your workload, trust me,” Patrick said. “But I have a murder victim slated for an autopsy. What’s the probability of that being done today?”

“You mean the probability of it being done this month, don’t you?” Edward said. “And that’s only if the new pathologist shows up.”

“We’re getting a new pathologist?” I said, louder than I intended. Everyone looked over, and I shrugged in the awkward moment. “Sorry, I didn’t know we got approval.”

“Well, that’s great news, right?” Patrick said.

“It is,” Vinny said. “But we also need to hire a new lab tech. June thrives on the overtime, but I personally don’t want any extra hours.”

I shrugged again. “I wouldn’t exactly say I thrive on it.”

Patrick winked at me. “Have you begun analysis of the most recent items I brought in?”

I shook my head, then blew at the insistent hair falling in my eyes. “No, actually, I just got in.”

Vinny laughed in the background, most certainly about my “lateness.”

“June, may I speak with you in private for a moment?” Patrick asked.

“Of course.” I followed him out of the lab and into the hallway, away from all the inquisitive ears.

He looked at me intensely. “Are you all right?” he said. “Are you feeling any post-traumatic stress?”

I rubbed my forehead. “I don’t think so. Maybe. Maybe not.” I leaned against the wall. “I think you’ve affected me more than the guy who body checked me into the dumpster.”

Patrick moved closer, but then stepped back when a door slammed down the hall. Footsteps and the sound of jingling keys approached. It was Charlie, the security guard.

“Good morning,” he said. He held his stocky form in straight posture. It was obvious he hit the gym regularly—a deterrent to mess with him right off the bat.

Patrick and I greeted him.

Charlie walked past us and then turned. “June, do you need a temporary badge ’til you find yours?”

“Yeah, that’d be great. I can stop by security later to pick it up.”

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