Page 32 of Her Only Hero

Patrick crouched. “That’s exactly what it looks like. Forensics must have missed it.”

My jaw dropped. “That’s incredible.”

Aram shrugged. “Just a lucky glance.”

“I will have to get the team back here to extract it,” Patrick said and took out his phone.

“Umm, Patrick.” I moved closer to him, wishing I didn’t have to ask what I had to ask at this particular moment. “May I use the bathroom?”

He put the phone back into his pocket. “Sure. It’s this way.”

“We’ll be back in a minute, Doc. Look around and snap some pics.”

“Will do,” Aram said.

I followed Patrick down a carpeted hallway. He peered into each of the two bedrooms and then the bathroom. “All clear. You’re good to go.”

I snorted a laugh.

Unamused by his pun, Patrick shook his head. “I’ll wait for you right here.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ll be fine.” I pursed my lips in an air kiss and shut the door.

“All right.” He spoke loudly so I could hear him. “I’m going to make a call and check the basement.”

“Okay!” I said as I placed tissue on the toilet seat, even though it looked like a clean bowl.

When I was done, I peeked out, left and right. I turned toward the basement stairs. “Patrick?”

I descended the steps. The basement light was on.

“Down here, June.”

I stopped on the bottom stair. Debris from torn-down ceiling tiles covered the concrete floor. Areas of wood paneling had been broken in several areas. Along the back wall sat a dirty, ripped couch, which appeared to be more sliced than ripped.

“Looks like the renovations stopped here,” I said. “This place is trashed.”

“You noticed that, too?” Patrick said. “There may be asbestos down here. I prefer you don’t come down without a breathing barrier. Go join the doctor. I’ll be there in a moment.”

I didn’t move. I loved watching him in cop mode.

“Please go up, June,” he said in a softer tone.

I turned to head back upstairs.

Aram appeared to be deep in thought as I approached him in the family room. He smiled when he noticed me.

“Feel better?” he said.

“Much,” I said. “Find any more clues?”

“No. I’m just looking for more lodged bullets.”

“It’s amazing you found the one in the kitchen. You have eagle eyes.”

“I do my best,” he said.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a question popped into my head.

---