Page 27 of Her Only Hero

“Immensely.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and fought for composure. “Since you’re here, Vin, I’ll let you take over. I have to head back upstairs.”

“Wait, June,” Vinny said and held up the file. “Did you fill Dr. Hamid in about the case you’re involved in?”

“Um, no, I didn’t,” I said. “It’s not really relevant.”

“It sounds extremely relevant,” Aram said. “Please, enlighten me.”

“Okay.” I swallowed. “Well, long story short, last week I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was assaulted in front of a house in which a body was found.”

“Assaulted? How? Were you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” I said.

Aram’s eyes narrowed.

“No, really, I’m okay. I was just shoved to the ground.”

Aram pressed his lips in a tight line. He looked worried, or angry, or both. Did he still care?

“June, tell him how you’re connected to the victim in there,” Vinny said and pointed to the cooler.

“Yes, please tell me,” Aram said.

“After my spill I got up and noticed I had a few cuts, scratches, and Officer Verbeek took me to the hospital. As a precaution.”

“He did the right thing,” Aram said.

If Aram only knew. I tried to continue to focus on my explanation instead of him. “As it turned out, I had blood on my arm, but no injury. We figured out the blood wasn’t mine.”

“Then whose was it?”

“We’re performing DNA analysis on it, but we’re assuming it was the perp’s blood, or the victim’s,” Vinny said. “And the perp’s still on the loose.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Aram said. “Are those documents from the case?”

“Yes.” Vinny handed him the folder. “Mr. John Doe.”

Aram flipped through the paperwork. “Are there any photos?”

“They’re not in there?”

“No, none here.”

“I’ll have to check with the crime scene photographer about that.”

“Thank you, Vinny. If possible, I’d like to get started on this autopsy today.”

“That would help move the investigation along,” I said, feeling more excited than I let on.

“June, I’d like to ask you more questions about this case. It’d be highly beneficial because I think there’s more going on here than I know.”

“Sure, but I don’t know how much help I’ll be.” I backed up a step. “I really should return to the lab.”

“Tell Dr. Hamid what he needs to know, June. It’s all good. I’ll keep covering for you.” Vinny turned, and the steel door slammed behind him.

Aram and I were alone again. He rubbed the back of his neck. “June, I have a request, but feel free to refuse if it makes you uncomfortable.”

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