There was a bang on the door, and Aram straightened up. “Come in.”
The door cracked open, and Patrick stepped in. “Hello?”
“Patrick.” I didn’t know if I was more happy or more surprised to see him.
“Vinny told me you were down here. How are things going?”
“We were about to start the autopsy,” I said and left out the details.
The men looked at each other, and I almost groaned at my predicament. “Uh, Dr. Hamid, this is Officer Verbeek. He’s the officer that came upon the crime scene.”
“It’s good to meet you, Officer.”
“Likewise,” Patrick said. “Thank you for giving this case priority.”
“Once I found out June was personally involved, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
“I appreciate that, Doctor. Taking care of our own,” Patrick said.
Aram crooked a brow. “Yes, but there’s more to it than that.”
A noise escaped from my mouth. This scenario was getting a little too uncomfortable. I didn’t want any personal issues to surface. There was no need to go there.
“Officer,” I said quickly, to change the topic. “Dr. Hamid was just asking if there are pictures of the crime scene.”
I could tell Patrick was suppressing a smile. I assumed he found my addressing him professionally amusing.
“Yes, there are several photos, but I don’t have hard copies with me.”
“Great,” Aram said. “I’d like to see the shots. Vinny will probably contact your department about them.”
“That won’t be a problem. I can do you one better. The crime scene is still taped off. Would you like to visit the area yourself?”
Aram’s eyes widened. “Yes, absolutely. That would be ideal. Is later this afternoon a possibility?”
I listened to the guys make a “date.” Awkward didn’t begin to describe this triangle.
Then they looked at me. Were they going to include me on their field trip?
“Count me in,” I said. “I’m fully invested in this case, and you gentlemen are not going without me.”
Besides, guys talked. I couldn’t let my past relationship with Aram come up in conversation. When the time was right, I wanted to tell Patrick myself.
Chapter Sixteen
After work, Patrick, Aram, and I bustled through the drizzling rain to the police cruiser. I grasped the back door handle.
“Have a seat up front, June,” Aram said. “I always wanted to sit in the back of a squad car. It’s my first time. Honest.” Aram’s chuckle was contagious, and we all laughed.
Aram leaned forward and spoke through the cage. “This ride will definitely be memorable.”
“Hopefully not as memorable as the last time June and I headed to this address.”
In the side mirror, I caught a glimpse of Aram’s raised brows. “I’m wondering, why was June out patrolling with you?”
I bit my bottom lip. Aram’s voice sounded casual, but I detected intense curiosity. I jumped in to answer his question. “I had missed my bus that day, and Patrick offered me a ride.”
“I still regret putting her in harm’s way.” Patrick put a hand on mine.
