warehouse to collect the evidence in the new nylon bags so that he could take them to Shamika. He then ran a quick internet search on Harper Walsh, confirming that she did indeed work for Eastern Mutual Insurance Company, was a certified Evidence Collection Technician, and was enrolled in the Certified Fire Investigator program with the IAAI. They were legitimate, considering he had been a guest speaker at several of their programs the previous year. He had even managed to drop the sausage biscuits off at the fire station, barely having time to say hello to Rory.
Driving back to the hospital, he had called Jonas. “I got the new evidence, and it’s in Shamika’s hands now.”
“What took you so long? Hell, if you got lunch, are you bringing me some?”
“I ran into the insurance company’s evidence collector while at the warehouse, and she had a little accident. I drove her to the ER, and since her vehicle is still at the site, I’m taking her back to her car.”
There were a few seconds of silence before Jonas had asked, “Ah, hell… an accident? God, don’t tell me part of the building fell on someone.”
Sean sighed. “No, no. I came up behind her and barked at her, not knowing why she was there. She tripped and fell onto her arm.”
“Shit, man, you broke the insurer’s arm?”
“I didn’t break it! Harper fell.”
“Harper?”
He met Jonas’ inquisitive nature with silence but heard chuckling over the phone.
“Pretty name, Sean. Pretty woman as well? Jesus, Sean, first date you’ve had in months, and you break her arm, then take her to the ER.”
“Oh, hell. You know what? Fuck off, Jonas.” He disconnected with a growl, the image of her pained expression when she looked up at him still in his mind. Jonas was right... Harper was pretty, and the image of taking her out for a real first date hit him in the chest.
He squeezed the back of his neck and sighed. He had just enough time to get back to the ER to meet Harper, assuming she would be ready to go home and would make arrangements with someone to bring her car back to wherever she lived. But her insistence on finishing her job was not what he expected.
Having parked next to her vehicle, she looked out the front windshield at the destroyed building.
“Remnants of fire always look like death.”
“You’re right, it does.”
She jerked her head around, a deep rose blush covering her face. “I didn’t mean to say that aloud.”
Fighting the urge to reach out and offer comfort, he remained still. She fiddled awkwardly with the seatbelt. He was trying to ignore how pretty she was, but with her delicate scent filling his vehicle, it was hard not to notice. He glanced at her splinted wrist and stared at the scars that covered her hand. He had noticed them when he first held her left hand to check for a break. Reddened, wrinkled, burn scars that appeared to be years old. She continued to fumble with the seat belt, the buckle proving difficult. “Need help?”
She nodded, and he noticed the tight lines around her mouth as she moved her arm. He reached over to assist. “Hang on.” He alighted from his SUV and jogged around the front to open her door.
Once her feet were on the ground, he made sure she was steady. Care or interest, doesn’t fuckin’ matter. I don’t want to leave her. “I’m coming with you. I don’t know how good the samples will be, but I’d like to hear your impressions of the burn site.” He grabbed her evidence kit from his back seat, slung it over his shoulder, and they walked side-by-side past the policeman who did nothing more than offer a chin lift as they walked under the yellow tape again. The temperature had dropped during the day, and the wind blew briskly. I wonder if she’s dressed warmly enough. She stood for a few seconds, her face toward the breeze, and inhaled deeply.
“Are you okay?” He stepped closer wanting to block the wind.
Nodding, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Yeah, the cold air feels good. It helps clear my head.” They walked around to the back of the building. “I started on the inside and was almost finished back here when you arrived earlier. I was letting the remains speak to me when you startled me.”
He cocked his head to the side, uncertain he had heard her correctly. She blushed, but he pressed,