Page 28 of Her Only Hero

I stiffened and didn’t blink, afraid of the next words that would come out of his mouth.

“Would you be willing to assist me during the autopsy? Nothing heavy or too involved, just help with paperwork and collecting samples. And it would give us a chance to talk further about the case.”

I signed in relief. Naturally, his request was work related. Even though his request pertained to the case, I wanted to say no.

“I don’t have experience working down here, but sure, I’ll try to help in any way I can.”

“Wonderful. How about we meet back here in an hour?”

“Okay. One hour,” I said.

I burst into the stairwell and cringed.

Sure, Aram, I’ll help in any way I can?

Was today opposite day? I bound upstairs and went into an empty office beside the lab. If I was going to do this, I’d try to do it right.

I logged onto the computer and typed in “autopsy procedure.” I clicked on the images tab. Row upon row, photos popped up of bodies in various stages of dissection. My stomach twisted, and I clicked out of the screen. I chose an article on procedural steps.

Autopsy, also called postmortem or necropsy, is the examination of a deceased body’s anatomy and its organs…

The body is laid out on the examination table, appearance is noted…

Photographs and x-rays may be taken…

The pathologist makes a Y-shaped cut, from the shoulders, down the abdomen. Rib cage plate is removed. Organs are removed and sampled…

I clicked on images again. Never a fan of gore, these shots sickened my stomach. I logged off, seeing all I wanted to. I checked my watch and headed down to change into scrubs.

When I walked out of the ladies’ locker room, Aram exited the men’s at the same time. We both halted. Aram raised his brows and laughed.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said.

“Yes, what are the odds?”

His smile diminished, and he scanned the hallway in each direction. “June, earlier you had asked a question in the elevator, and I never answered.”

I reached behind me to brace myself against the wall.

“Remember, you asked why I had returned from Scranton?”

I shrugged. “I was curious why you came back. It sounded like you enjoyed your new job.”

“I did. It was an excellent facility.”

Ever so slightly, he moved closer.

“But,” he said in a quieter voice, “I thought it would be best to return here after my divorce.”

Chapter Fifteen

Aram opened the door for me to the dark autopsy suite. I was still stunned at the news of his divorce. The smell of stale disinfectant steeped the air and reminded me of the imminent task at hand. He flicked on wall switches, and the ceiling exhaust fan roared. There was nothing inviting about the blue-white artificially lit room, gray nonslip floor, and stainless-steel autopsy table, sink, and shelves. Cool air chilled my arms, and I vigorously rubbed them.

Like in the photos, I imagined a body on the pedestal autopsy table, with a giant Y incision.

I swallowed a lump in my throat.

“June?” Aram said in a soft tone, frowning. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you to assist me, especially after what you’ve been through.”

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