Page 62 of Truth, Lies, and Second Dates
Tom laughed. “It would depend on the dog, I think.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love my job. Except for, y’know, the daily contact with people.
“So anyway, my crew knew CPR and how to use the defib, so they did their best while I landed. We had to stop on the runway so the ambulance had a clear path to the plane; the paramedics boarded, did their best, whisked him away; and the other passengers were really nice about it. There were a lot of ‘wow, that puts being mad about my layover in perspective’ observations. He was pronounced at the hospital, but to be honest, given that three billion people are in the air every year, I’m amazed it doesn’t happen more often. Yes!”
This to the waitress who was laden with clams and salmon. Delighted, Ava put the sexy plastic bib around her neck, the better to avoid clam spatter as the waitress set down the bucket of steamers. “Ohhhhhh, I love these little buggers so much. What? It’s not wet bread.”
“Bottom feeder.”
“That doesn’t mean they only eat bottoms, just that they eatnearthe bottom. And back off with the judgment.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. My focus is keeping you safe and remaining in your good graces. Everything else pales.”
She stripped three steamers out of their shells, rinsed them, dipped them, ate them. “You’re not fooling me. I can tell you’re dying to comment. So go ahead and criticize these delightful little fruits of the sea.”
“Clams are mud dwellers that will eat anything, including particles of deceased animals.” He sighed and slumped back. “Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.”
“If you’re angling to get me to share some, you’re going about it the wrong way.”
She almost laughed to see him visibly shudder. “I’m not angling for that at all. At. All.”
“Sure. So, what? You’re here for MAGE but wanted to bodyguard on the side?”
“That’s exactly right. I’m officially on vacation for the next few days, so this won’t cut into my other duties.”
“You’re kidding!” She stared at him. “That’s so great. Above and beyond, Tom. Truly.”
He shrugged, but she had the impression he was pleased. “I’m fortunate that my supervisor allowed me access to the relevant files, given that Danielle’s is a cold case and that my investigation isn’t necessarily in an official capacity.”
“Right. I mean—you’re not exactly Kay Scarpetta.”
“Pardon?” He’d begun to eat his salmon and paused to swallow. “Who?”
“The heroine of all those Patricia Cornwell novels? She’s an ME who teams up with the cops and solves murders while being a great cook and a supportive aunt. The books always hit the bestseller list. You’re an ME who has never heard of Kay Scarpetta?”
“It’s possible to be one,” he pointed out dryly.
“Right. Well, in the books and movies, coroners always team up with cops and catch killers—”
“Like inBones! It inspired me to study forensics.”
“Wait, you’ve heard ofBonesbut not Cornwell?”
“Yes, David Boreanaz is my favorite actor.”
“David Boreanaz is your favorite actor,” she parroted. “You must have lovedBuffy the Vampire Slayer.AndAngel, though I’ve gotta say,Buffywas the superior show.”
“Mmmmm… I don’t believe so. I don’t care for paranormal shows.”
“David Boreanaz is your favorite actor but only because he played a cop inBones, which made you want to be a medical examiner?”
“Now that I hear it out loud, I understand your surprise. Itdoesseem odd.”
“Yeah, just a smidge. Hey, do you mind? Because it smells incredible.” He nodded at once and let her stab a chunk of salmon with her fork. “Great, thanks—anyway, my point is, in the real world, to the best of my knowledge—MEs don’t actually—”
“I see your point. I spend ninety-five percent of my time in a lab, which I imagine could make for dull television.”
“Good call.”
