Page 35 of Her Only Hero

“Yes,” I said. “Maybe it’s a clue. Right?”

“It very well could be. You’ve had this card for how many days, and you’re only telling me now?”

“I’ve been meaning to show it to you. At first, I didn’t think it could be related to the case.”

“June, next time, if there’s a next time, please tell me what you find as soon as possible. No matter how insignificant you think it may be. Deal?”

He was right.

“I’m sorry. I should have. I just—.” I sniffed and fought tears in a wave of oversensitivity that was probably hormonal. Patrick wrapped an arm around me.

“Hey, don’t apologize,” he said quietly. “You did great finding that card, June. I’ll pay a visit to Dr. Fulthorpe in the morning.”

I breathed in his subtle bergamot aftershave. I closed my eyes and leaned into him.

“June?”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you come with me tomorrow to see Dr. Fulthorpe? Before you start work? It’d be an asset having you there to help me with medical lingo.”

“I’d love to go. And I’m sure Dr. Fulthorpe will be very helpful. Aram says he is a kind, very well-respected man.”

“Aram Hamid?” he said.

“Yes. I asked him if he knew Dr. Fulthorpe.”

Patrick rubbed his brow with his fingers. “You told Dr. Hamid about who was on the business card before mentioning it to me?”

“Yes, but it’s not like that. Aram and I were just talking at the crime scene while you were in the basement.”

“Right,” Patrick said. “But which is it, June? Aram or Dr. Hamid? How well do you know this guy, anyway?”

“Pretty well. We used to work together.” I bit my inner cheek. Omitting the truth was the same as a lie, and that meant I had just lied. I would tell Patrick the truth about Aram and me. But not tonight.

The opening door startled me. Charlie, the security guard, walked in, sporting a newly cropped brush cut.

“Hello, Officer. June. How are things?” He adjusted the two-way speaker on the left upper area of his safety vest.

A tad awkward, I thought. “We’re just getting ready to leave for the night.”

“Well, I won’t keep you two. Just doing my rounds. Have a good night, folks,” Charlie said and walked back out.

Patrick looked at me. “Ready to go?”

“Am I ever.” I stood and adjusted my top.

The side of Patrick’s mouth curled as he looked at the top button of my blouse. It was possible we were going to skip dinner and go straight to dessert. I was more than fine with that. And I was glad we dodged any further conversations about Aram’s and my past.

For now, anyway.

Chapter Eighteen

Patrick and I grabbed takeout burgers and fries for dinner on the way home. Once inside the kitchen, I put the paper food bags onto the table, and Patrick set down the drink tray. He removed his gun and utility belt and deposited them into a cabinet drawer.

“I’m just going to get out of these clothes,” he said.

That was an attractive picture. I beamed ear to ear.

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