“I was waiting for you. Then I got a little worried because things seemed all intense down here…then I got curious…”
She eased off her tiptoes. “I was merely talking to my new partner.”
“Right. That’s exactly what you were doing. Talking closely. Very, very closely.”
She smoothed her hair back and waved her hand between the two men. “Dr. Ruben Minote, this is my partner—”
“Joel,” he inserted. “Just Joel.”
“Hello, Joel.” Ruben’s dark brows climbed. “Please, you must call me Ruben.” His gaze slid over Joel. Warmed. “Hmm. All right, Chloe. I can see why you were distracted.” He glanced back at her. “Probably are a little annoyed with me for interrupting, aren’t you? My bad. How about I promise to buy you a Hurricane the next time we go to the Square to make up for things?”
“You the coroner?” Joel wanted to know.
“I’m the chief medical examiner,” Ruben replied as he straightened. “The parish coroner is a whole political thing. I don’t get involved in politics.” He looked expectantly between them. Then sighed. “You should know, Agent Richardson called me a few minutes ago. He’ll be coming over soon, and he expressly said for me not to share any data with you two. So, you know what that means…” He began strolling back toward the thick, squat building that waited. He dramatically announced, “It means I will be sharing every single bit of data that I have with you.”
Chloe immediately fell into step behind him.
Joel curled his hand around her shoulder. “Is he breaking rules for you?”
She slanted a glance at Joel. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he likes me?” That could be the reason. Or maybe because she was usually the one who bribed him with Hurricanes. Hard to know for sure.
Joel’s lips thinned. The little scar tightened. “You’re involved with the ME?”
She looked heavenward. “We are going to work very, very hard on your observational skills. I promise, we will. By the time I’m done with you, you will notice everything.” Not wanting to delay any longer, she slipped from beneath his hold and hurried after Ruben. Once inside the building, the scent of antiseptic and bleach hit her, making her nose scrunch. As they made their way back to the exam rooms, the temperature took a distinct dive. Ruben’s white lab coat flapped around him as he pulled out the first body.
“Donnie Adams.” A body bag covered him. Ruben’s gloved fingers fluttered over the zipper. “Are you squeamish, Joel? If so, then you should—”
“Don’t worry about that,” Chloe assured him. “Joel’s a doctor, too. He’s not the least bit squeamish.”
Ruben flashed a smile at Joel. “Another doctor. We will have to talk shop and—”
“I’m not a doctor any longer.” Joel’s voice was flat.
Ruben’s smile lost a little wattage. His gaze sharpened on Joel.
Time for her to get things moving. “Even though he’s not a practicing doctor right now, Joel is going to use his expertise to help me out a little. In other words, Joel would love to see the body. So if you could just pull that zipper down for us…” Chloe prompted.
Ruben frowned at her. “Are you going to faint on me again?”
That was insulting. “You had your hands on the woman’s heart. What did you expect me to do? Clap for you? My response was normal.”
He didn’t appear convinced. “Perhaps you should let Joel and I handle things in here? Isn’t that why you have a doctor as your partner?”
Ah, sneaky man. One of the reasons I enjoy Ruben.
Ruben’s gaze was knowing as he said, “Because we both know that you have many, many wonderful strengths, my lovely Chloe…”
Joel stiffened.
“But when it comes to examining actual human bodies, when it comes to slicing into the skin and muscle, you tend to…You know…” Ruben rolled his gloved hand.
She knew exactly what she did. The fact that Joel was a doctor had been one of the reasons for her excitement over their partnership. Getting up close and personal with dead bodies wasn’t her favorite thing in the entire world. They did make her…squeamish.
She knew why. Didn’t feel like discussing it with anyone.
“I need to see his hands.” She sniffed. The antiseptic smell seemed extra strong today. “Then the two of you can go over everything else.”
Ruben didn’t appear reassured by her response. “Okay. Joel, get close in case you have to catch Chloe. I wasn’t quick enough last time, and she slammed straight into the tile.”
Joel shuffled closer.
Ruben appeared to be enjoying this situation entirely too