Her Only Hero by Judy Malcolm

Author:Judy Malcolm [Malcolm, Judy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: 2024-08-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

I startled awake and checked my cell phone on the night table. The alarm wasn’t set to go off for another half an hour. I turned to see if Patrick was still sleeping. He wasn’t. He was on his back with an arm above his head.

“You’re awake, too?” I said.

“Yeah. Bad dream, babe?”

“I think so. Can’t remember. It looks like you’re contemplating something.”

“I am.”

“What?”

“I’m thinking about the pending DNA results. And The Espresso Bar and Eatery.”

“Oh, yum. Is that where you bought those breakfast sandwiches before?”

“Yes.”

“Well, the run comes off the analyzer in about an hour. Think we can make it to the Eatery before work?”

A smile curled on his lips, and a devilish glint flashed in his eyes.

As if a track official had shot a gun to start a race, Patrick and I kicked off the sheets and scrambled out of bed. We moved around each other, getting showered and dressed, adding a kiss here, or a loving touch there.

Along the way, we drove to the takeout window for his coffee and sausage breakfast sandwich, and my tea and a morning glory muffin.

“Yum,” I said as I took a bite of the warm muffin top, wishing I had ordered two of them.

Patrick slipped his hand to my knee.

In what seemed like no time, we were at the police complex and parked near the lab entrance. We carried our beverages, and I scanned my new ID badge to get into the building.

The first to arrive in the lab, I flicked on the lights and headed straight to the genetic analyzer. Patrick trotted close behind. I tapped the instrument’s screen to initialize the warmup. We took sips from our cups while waiting in anticipation.

“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.

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