Page 39 of Her Only Hero

“No, June. You don’t need to tell me anything.”

“But I think it’d be best to get skeletons out of the closet now, before we get involved any further. Don’t you agree?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I’m usually non-reactionary, but if you tell me this person harmed you, I’d have to hurt him.”

His willingness to come to my aid without question soothed my heart. “I wasn’t hurt, physically. But in that relationship, I was to blame as well. I had behaved badly. I—”

“June, how about we leave it all in the past?” he said. “Is it all in the past?”

I nodded. “Yes. Completely.”

Tightness released from my chest, and his kindness filled my heart. I picked up my fork.

As we ate, Patrick opened his black notepad. “I’d like to quickly review our next steps with Dr. Fulthorpe, if you don’t mind shop talk for a minute.”

“Not at all,” I said lightly.

“Perfect,” he said. “I called the hematology clinic and found out Dr. Fulthorpe starts seeing patients at eight in the morning, so we’ll arrive before that time. We’ll begin by presenting him with the court order, which arrived via email sometime last night.” He glanced at me with a subtle smirk, most certainly caused by thoughts of us being too preoccupied the previous evening to check our emails.

He sobered his expression and continued speaking. “We’ll play it by ear. Ask questions and see how far we get. This may be a short meeting. He may not have a clue as to why his business card was found in that location.”

I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Perhaps when introducing yourself you can mention you’re a lab scientist and you are working with forensic pathologist, Dr. Hamid on this case. Then we can see how he reacts. Gauge how forthright he is about divulging personal information about being acquainted with Dr. Hamid.”

I wasn’t comfortable setting this doctor up to evaluate his reaction. But Patrick had his operating procedures and certainly knew what he was doing. “I’ll give it a go,” I said, trying to sound upbeat.

“Great. It’s a plan,” he said and finished his drink. “Try not to be nervous, babe. This could be a lead, and it’s all because of you.”

His empathy touched my heart. I cared for him. Loved him. So very much.

Suddenly, I had a fear of losing him.

Chapter Twenty

Patrick and I arrived a few minutes early at the hematology clinic at St. Eugene’s hospital. A blonde ponytailed receptionist arranged files on her desk.

“May I help you?” she said and batted her fake eyelashes at Patrick in police uniform.

“Ms. Harber and I would like to speak with Dr. Fulthorpe,” Patrick said in a clear, firm voice.

“He should be in soon,” she said. “You’re welcome to wait for him.”

“Thank you,” Patrick said. The waiting room was empty, and we sat in the chairs closest to the entrance.

I shifted on the hard, cold plastic seat. The magazines on the table beside us were in disarray, so I straightened them into a neat pile. I kept glancing down the hallway we had emerged from.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I just don’t know what to expect, I guess.”

“Neither do I,” he said with a wink.

And just like that, in three words, he brought a smile to my face.

“Before I forget, I want to tell you I have to work late tonight. I’ll give you my house key,” he said.

“You don’t have to. I can stay at my place.”

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