Awkwardness diffused, and I smiled. “May I ask your opinion about something?”
“Of course,” he said. “Would you like to shut the door?”
“Sure, that’d be best.” I clicked it closed and perched on a chair. “Aram, I was just wondering, and I don’t mean to be out of line, but I’d like to ask you something about Dr. Fulthorpe.”
“Oh, yes, Stan Fulthorpe. But I don’t know how much help I’ll be. What would you like to know?”
“From the circles you run in, have you, by any chance, heard if he’s back in town?”
“I have no idea. Why do you ask?”
“Police have confirmed his rental house burned down last night.”
“That’s horrible,” Aram said. “Did anyone get injured?”
“No. It was vacant at the time.”
“That’s good. I hope Stan’s insurance policy is up to date.”
“Right,” I said. “I never thought of that, but yes, for his sake I hope it is.” I wondered if Dr. Fulthorpe could have been capable of arson for an insurance payout. There were so many variables to consider. “Sorry to have bothered you, Aram.” I turned to leave.
“June.”
I stopped.
“Would you like to tell me what you’re not saying?”
His aqua eyes probed like a mesmerizing laser. “Am I that transparent?” My voice was almost a whisper. “Even after all this time?”
“I’ve studied everything about you, June, that is, when we were together. I haven’t forgotten. Your forehead is creased, ever so slightly, but I notice it. And when you bit your bottom lip, I sensed there was something troubling you.”
My frame became less stable.
“Did I just creep you out? You know I’ve done that before. Like the time I showed up when you were out with your friends.”
I winced. “Oh, you definitely creeped me out when I saw you across the street. But now I know you’re harmless. I mean, you wouldn’t do me harm, intentionally.” I had to stop reminiscing. We needed to focus on the reason I had come here. “You are right, Aram. There is something else I wanted to tell you. I think it’d be okay legally if I did.”
“It’ll go no further.”
I didn’t doubt he’d keep things silent.
“Here it goes,” I said. “The house fire I just told you about. You’ve been there.”
“I have?” He squinted. “Where was that?”
“The crime scene we examined with Officer Verbeek.”
“That murder had occurred on Stan Fulthorpe’s property?” Aram’s demeanor darkened like a brewing storm. “How the hell did that happen?”
I shrugged.
“Let’s see what Stan has to say.” Aram picked up the phone and dialed. “Hematology clinic.”
My mouth fell open, and I snapped it shut.
“Hello, it’s Dr. Hamid calling from forensics. I’d like to speak with Dr. Fulthorpe.”
I dared not move while eavesdropping.
