Page 4 of Close Quarters

“Iced tea, please.”

She nodded, then looked at Katie.

“The same, please.”

“Do you two know what you want to eat?”

Alex looked across the table at Katie in question.

“I just want a burger and fries. And a chocolate milkshake.”

He smiled at her. “That sounds really good, actually.” He looked up at the girl. “I’ll have the same, except make my shake strawberry.”

The girl scribbled their order on her notepad. “Okay. I’ll be back in a few with your drinks.”

Katie put her menu away and sat back, then gazed out the window, drumming her fingers on the table.

“You know, we’ve worked together for over four years now, and I think this is the first time we’ve done anything together outside of work. Even in little get-togethers with other lab employees, we’ve never hung out,” Alex said, leaning back.

She shrugged. “Technically, you’re my boss.”

He rolled his eyes. “Like that matters to you.”

She giggled. “Well, if you did things my way, we wouldn’t have any problems.”

“Probably not,” he chuckled. “But I also wouldn’t have a job.”

She narrowed her eyes, a teasing glint entering them. “Are you saying I’m not enough of a brown-noser?”

He laughed. “Yes. Very much.”

“What can I say?” She leaned forward and crossed her arms on top of the table. “Politics were never my thing. Or people, for that matter. There’s a reason I like working in a lab.”

“I hear that. The dead don’t talk back.”

“Did you ever try to be a regular doctor?”

Alex nodded. “In med school. I went in with the full intention of becoming a surgeon. It didn’t take me long to not only realize I didn’t have the patience for, well, patients, but that I found forensics riveting. It was like a puzzle. Medicine is in general, really, but forensic pathology is one of those five-thousand-piece ones that are all black. There aren’t many clues; just your own ability to identify patterns and things that aren’t right.”

“Yes!” She lifted a hand to point a finger at him. “Exactly. Being a criminalist is the same way. That’s the best part of the job. Figuring out what’s not right and why.”

“Precisely.”

“So, how did you end up here? You were in Salt Lake City. Why choose itty-bitty Silver Gap?”

“I’m from a small town in Oregon. I missed the atmosphere. Plus, I get to be my own boss for the most part. Though, that does mean I have to deal with you.”

She grinned. “Aren’t you special?”

Becca walked up with their drinks and shakes, interrupting them. “Can I get you anything else right now?”

They both shook their heads, tearing open straws. Alex plunked one in his shake and took a deep draw.

“Cool. Your food should be up soon.”

“Thanks, Becca,” Katie said, putting a straw in her shake too. The girl smiled and walked away.

Alex swallowed another mouthful of his drink, curiosity getting the better of him as he watched the woman across from him. “So, are you from here? I inherited you when I took over, and I don’t think I’ve ever asked if you’re a native.”

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