Page 33 of Her Only Hero

“Aram, I was wondering about something.”

“What’s that?” His eyes brightened.

“Would you by any chance know a Dr. Fulthorpe?”

“I know a Stan Fulthorpe.”

“Really?”

“They awarded us our fellowships the same year. But he received his in hematology, if this is the Dr. Fulthorpe you’re referring to.”

“I believe it is.” My heart played hopscotch.

“Why do you ask?”

“I came across his name.” I didn’t want to explain about finding the business card until I spoke with Patrick.

“Stan works at St. Eugene’s, and I know he has a long wait list of patients. Excellent doctor. And a true gentleman. Not a rogue like me,” Aram said with a slight smile.

I coughed and glanced behind me to see if Patrick was in earshot.

“It’s none of my business, June, but are you and the officer seeing each other?”

He had seen Patrick’s hand on mine in the car.

I nodded. “Yes. We are.”

“Lucky man,” Aram said. His eyes glistened.

Approaching footsteps startled me to silence.

“How is it going?” Patrick said.

Aram’s gaze lingered on me for a second longer. “I think I’ve seen all I need from here,” he said. “Thank you for the excursion, Officer.”

I too was ready to be gone from this place and the dynamics of the situation. There were too many emotions and secrets at play. And I couldn’t shake the dark suppressive energy of the crime scene.

I noticed the snap was open in Patrick’s holster. He had been ready to protect. And then I noticed him holding a plastic ziplock bag with something white in it. “What do you have?”

Patrick lifted the bag. “This is a piece of ceiling tile I found on the basement floor. It has a stain.”

I took the bag from Patrick and then showed Aram.

“If I were a gambling man, and I am,” Aram said, “I’d wager that is blood.”

Chapter Seventeen

Patrick parked in the Police and Forensic Complex lot.

“Thank you for the outing, Officer,” Aram said, as we traipsed up the concrete stairs to the building’s entrance.

“You’re welcome. But it’s me who has to thank you for finding that slug,” Patrick said.

“I’m glad I happened to be looking down,” Aram said and scanned his badge. The door unlocked with a click.

I always liked Aram’s humility. If anyone had reason to boast, it was him, but he didn’t. He downplayed his intelligence and achievements.

“Thanks again, Officer,” Aram said. “June, I guess I will see you tomorrow?”

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