Page 36 of A Deeper Darkness

He turned and limped off. Finally, it was her turn at the sink. She got the water a little hotter and felt the warm, calming liquid spill over her hands, almost as soothing as a deep-tissue massage of her neck after a long day. Her shoulders relaxed. Her hands tingled from the heat. She did her best not to think about lungs, the water rushing into the airway, a dead-end street.

Sam took an extra second under the water, ostensibly getting one last bit of soap out from under her nails. It felt so good. So clean. Her eyes closed involuntarily, then flicked back open. Jesus, Sam. Watch yourself. You’re not alone.

The second she realized Fletcher was scrutinizing her curiously, she pulled her hands from the water.

“We need to get in touch with the remainder of Donovan’s unit.” She ripped off a towel and blotted her palms with it. “They may be in danger.”

“You think?” Fletcher was getting his color back.

“I do. Two murders in three days with the same gun?”

“They may be finished. These two may have been the target. Why else ditch the gun?”

Sam thought about that for a second.

“Perhaps Donovan and Croswell are the only two members of the unit living locally. Maybe the killer needs to go to another state. If he’s flying, he can’t take the gun with him.”

“A good thought.” Fletcher stuck out his hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Dr. Owens. Are you really tied up this evening? I’d be happy to show you around town. Personally, after this day, I could really use a drink.”

Unlike the innocent offer from Nocek, Fletcher’s was tinged with expectation. He was a decent-looking man, not gorgeous, but handsome, in a weary kind of way. He had a square face, with dark, keen eyes. If Nocek looked like an oversize fly, Fletcher reminded her of a crow. One who was looking at her a little too familiarly right now.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid Iamalready committed. Besides, there’s a great deal of work to be done on this case.”

“Still gotta eat. You don’t look like you do enough of that.”

“Excuse me?” Sam forced her mouth closed, felt her teeth click together. How dare he?

“Relax. I’m just saying you could use a cheeseburger. You’re a little thin.”

“Thank you, Detective Fletcher. I do so appreciate the observation.”

“What? I thought all women like to be told they’re skinny.”

What was it with men? Cops, especially? Sam would never get used to the ogling, the innuendo, the inappropriate language and actions. She could be bawdy with the best of them if needed, had a decent sense of humor, but she was a lady, and by damn, she expected to be treated that way.

But when things went too far, or she was feeling frachetty and sick of it, she would lash out. Like now.

“Yes, of course we do. All women love their bodies to be the focus of a stranger’s attention. Now, if you’ll excuse me? I have someplace to be.” She shouldered past him, knocking into his arm as she went.

Fletcher looked surprised by her reaction, and grabbed her wrist in an attempt to stop her flight.

“Jeez. Wait. I’m just trying to be nice. Come on, Dr. Owens. Lighten up. If you’re going to work with me, we can’t be at each other’s throats.”

She wrenched her hand from his.

“I don’t want your pity.” The words were out of her mouth before she even thought them. She heard them tumble from her lips and knew she couldn’t take them back. God damn it all.

Fletcher’s brow creased. “What are you talking about? Pity? I’m trying to buy you a drink and some dinner. That’s all.”

Oh, God. He didn’t know. She just assumed he did. The way he was looking at her, watching her… She had expected him to look her up, and if he did, it would be hard to miss the news reports. Maybe he had and was simply good at charades. But no, he looked genuinely confused.

She swallowed. If he hadn’t checked her out thoroughly before, he would now.

“Never mind,” she said. “I need to meet Eleanor Donovan at five. I’m going to have to leave you here. Thank you for including me today. I’ll let you know what the reports say.”

She walked away at last, wrist tingling, embarrassment and dismay flooding her mind. How could she be so careless?

Chapter Nineteen