Page 37 of Flashback

“Okay, so where do we go?”

They walked back to her SUV. Dakota directed her as she pulled back into the street. “What’s the plan? You’re justgonna walk into the medical examiner’s office and start asking questions?”

“It’s worth a shot. And I happen to know the ME.”

Oh, well, if he knew the guy, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Her phone rang again. This time her father. Probably trying to redouble the effort to guilt her into coming home.

“Do you need to get that?” Dakota asked her.

She silenced the call and stuffed the phone in her pocket. “It’s just my dad. He’ll leave a message.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup. We have more important things going on right now.”

After a quick stop at a convenience store, she drove a few blocks to the heart of Ember and parked outside a brick building between the hospital and county courthouse.

At the reception area desk, Dakota asked to see Dr. Evans.

“It’s kind of late, don’t ya think?” Behind the counter, the stocky woman in a security uniform studied them.

“I know the doc isn’t expecting us, but we met at a conference a few years ago out in Washington, where I’m from. I’m here for work though. Thought I’d stop by. And I happen to know Dr. Evans has a particular weakness for potato chips with cookie dough ice cream.”

The woman smiled warmly as Dakota held up both items. “That’s Dr. Evans all right. Okay, I’ll take you back.” She probably didn’t get many visitors this time of day. And Allie could admit it—Dakota could be rather charming. Still, she shouldn’t read much into his warm hand on her back as they followed the woman.

She led them down a hallway. “Why don’t you wait in the office. I’ll let the doctor know you’re here.”

They waited in a small room. One wall was a bookcase, the chairs were cheap plastic, and the carpet had seen better days but had recently been vacuumed, lines still running through it.Certificates with various colors of ink and fancy fonts hung on another wall. But it was the big picture window that captured her gaze. The gold sunlight of evening hit the mountains, turning them lavender, pink, and apricot. If not for the plumes of thick smoke rising from the forest, it would’ve been idyllic.

Lord, keep Scout safe out there. And I’d be just fine to never see another fire again.

The door opened and Dakota stopped pacing. Allie shouldn’t judge someone based on their profession, but she had already conjured up a picture of this medical examiner. But instead of a middle-aged graying man with glasses and pasty white skin, a tall, gorgeous brunette wearing high heels walked in. Her darker skin and fabulous cheek bones hinted at Native American heritage.

This was the medical examiner? No wonder Dakota had wanted to “stop in.”

Allie was still picking her jaw up off the ground when the woman walked up to Dakota and kissed him on the cheek. Her nails were glossy blue, her teeth bright white, and the lipstick could only be described as bombshell red. Well, wasn’t that patriotic.

And here Allie sat in sweaty trail pants, a stained T-shirt, and clunky hiking boots.

“Dakota Masterson.” Even the doctor’s voice was sultry and sweet. “What are you doing in my neck of the woods? It’s been a couple years since that conference in Seattle. I thought you’d forgotten all about me.” She tossed a couple of the perfect beach waves over her shoulder, sending a whiff of strong perfume.

“Brought you a little something.” Dakota held up the potato chips and pint of ice cream.

“Oh, you are an angel! I’ve got a late night ahead of me, and this will be just the thing to get me through.” She took hisofferings and put the ice cream in a tiny fridge hidden in one of the cabinets. “And who is this?” She smiled at Allie.

“Felicia, this is Allie Monroe.”

Allie stuck out a hand and tried not to cringe when she noticed the dirt and ash still under her fingernails. But the beautiful doctor had perfect manners and didn’t seem to notice as she shook hands.

“You’ll have to excuse my appearance. I’m not usually dressed so fussy for work, but I had a court appearance earlier today and then meeting after meeting.” She sat behind her desk. “I can’t wait to get back into scrubs.”

Movement from underneath the desk caught Allie’s eye. The doctor quietly kicked off the high heels. Maybe she wasn’t so bad.

“So, what can I do for you? Did you want a tour or?—”

“I was hoping you could help us. We heard there was a body found a while back, shot and then burned. We ran across a couple of witnesses, so I was hoping to get a picture to confirm that they saw the same person.”

“Are you on that case? All the way out in Benson?”

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