Page 48 of Her Only Hero

“You know, Patrick, I have never eaten or drank in the lab before,” I said. “This is a serious safety violation.”

“I don’t want to be in violation,” he said.

“There’s no one here,” I whispered. “I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.” I couldn’t believe I just said that.

“Sounds covert,” he said. “I’ve never seen this secretive rebellious June before. Tantalizing.”

The lab door swung open.

“Oh, good morning, June, Officer,” Edward said. “Results ready yet?”

Patrick discreetly took the cup from my hand and tossed our drinks in the trash.

My mouth twitched into a momentary smile.

Smooth move, hun.

“Hi, Edward,” I said. “The results are loading right now.” I tapped on the screen and selected the specimens of interest from my case. My heart thumped. The first DNA test report appeared on the screen. I read the allele numbers. Patrick moved closer to the display. Edward came over too.

“Unfortunately, the John Doe in the morgue will remain a John Doe. His DNA is not in the database,” I said. “And there weren’t any identifications from the crime scene either.”

“They may be illegal entrants,” Patrick said. “What about the blood I swabbed from your arm?”

I scrolled to the next field. “There were two sets of DNA found.”

“Any identifications?” Patrick asked.

“A male and a female,” I said.

“Any matches from the convicted offender’s index?” Edward asked as he inched closer.

“No matches. But the one thing this confirms is the blood wiped from my arm probably belonged to the perp, not the dead victim. I’m assuming the female DNA is mine, from skin cells wiped off my arm—a contaminant, so to speak. I’ll confirm that, to be sure.” I had hoped for a suspect identification, and in an instant my hope was obliterated. I fought pangs of disappointment. We still didn’t know who the victim was, or who the guy was that knocked me flying.

“Well, that stinks, Officer,” Edward said and moved to another computer.

Patrick rubbed his neck. “It does. It would have been preferable to have a name.”

My phone rang, and I grabbed it from my pocket. Private caller. “Hello?” I heard some sort of rustling. “Hello?”

The connection was cut off.

Patrick’s eyes narrowed.

“Wrong number, I guess,” I said.

“Did they say anything?” Patrick asked.

“Not a word.”

“What’s the number?”

“It was private.” I shrugged. “Probably spam.”

Patrick paused and seemed to be assessing what I had said.

“I’m going to head out, June. I’ll pick you up at five?” he said.

I pursed my lips for a quick air kiss. Patrick opened the door just as Dr. Hamid entered.

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