“There must be rules,” she whispered then. “Can you put work aside when you’re with me? I don’t want to wonder if you’re using me or if you have some hidden agenda.”
He offered a wry smile. “Like any other couple, you mean?”
“Something like that.”
“Very well. I promise.”
“Then you’re welcome to turn up at my place anytime you like. I’ll always get enough takeout for two.”
“God,” he breathed. “You have no idea how that makes me feel.”
In fact, she did. The comforting hug had shifted, and his erection pressed into her belly. Mia restrained the urge to touch him more intimately. There was no question they had great sex, but she was starting to want more. Once he settled the vendetta with Micor-and maybe she could help him do that-he might see he couldn’t spend the rest of his life alone. He wasn’t meant to. She’d never been more certain of anything.
This man ached to be needed, ached to be part of a whole. He wasn’t a lone wolf, regardless of what life had made of him.
“The idea someone’s waiting for you?”
“Not somebody. You.”
Oh, but he had a way about him. Mia took a deep breath and stepped away. “Let’s see what’s on TV.”
His expression was comical. “TV. Really?”
“What did you have in mind? Naked Twister?” She grinned over her shoulder as she headed for the living room.
“If only,” he said mournfully. “But I forgot the oil.”
Mia froze, hand on the remote, eyes wide. “Was that… a joke?”
“I’m rusty… and I might need to check Merriam-Webster to confirm, but… yes. I think it might’ve been.” He followed her, settling on the middle of the couch.
She dropped down on his right, turning on the TV with a flick of her thumb. “So Lifetime or Hallmark?”
“You’re a vicious, vicious woman.”
“You have no idea.”
That was true. It was funny how much she’d confided while still maintaining most of her secrets. He probably didn’t even think she had any.
While she was thinking, he plucked the remote away and wrapped an arm around her, tugging her close. “News first?”
The possessive move pleased her so much she’d have agreed to watch The Three Stooges. And she really hated the Stooges.
The local news had a perky blonde and a serious middle-aged man as anchors, giving out the bad tidings in digestible tidbits. Mia zoned through most of the gloom and doom. She had a pretty low tolerance for depressing information. Since she had family there-family who hated her, but family nonetheless-it was especially hard to hear about the Middle East. She was sorry the world was such a hellhole, but she didn’t see how becoming suicidal over it would help anyone.
So it was Søren’s tension that signaled her to pay attention more than the newscaster’s remarks. As if Mia had been chattering, he turned the TV up, his knuckles white on the remote.
“Police are puzzled by the discovery of the body of an unidentified female. Thus far, they have been unable to confirm her identity because of the severe burns, which doctors state are consistent with exposure to radiation.” The report cut smoothly to a canned interview of an elderly doctor, shaking his head in puzzlement. “The only time I’ve ever seen anything comparable was in pictures from Chernobyl.”
The perky blonde added, “Anyone who may have information regarding our Jane Doe is implored to come forward. Now for sports! Ted?”
“That means something to you.” She already knew it was true.
He sloughed relaxation and levity like a skin grown too small. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but I have to go.”
“Did you know her?”
“No, but I’m sure I know who killed her, and this is the first clue I’ve come across in months.” He hesitated as if he’d kiss her good-bye and then added unwillingly, “Fancy a trip to the morgue?”
Surprise spiked through her, but Mia pushed to her feet. “Oh, undoubtedly. You give great date.”
While she got ready, Søren borrowed her laptop to devise a plausible cover story.
Ten minutes later, they were out the door. He let her drive. This was unusual, to say the least, but Mia might come in handy.
The trip passed in relative silence. He guessed she knew the weight of his choice to take her along and didn’t want to give him second thoughts by chattering. She turned into the hospital lot, parked, and shifted to regard him. “Do you know where we’re going?”
“Down. The morgue is always in the basement.”
“Comforting,” she muttered, climbing out of the car.
“Isn’t it just? Let me do the talking.”
“Obviously. I’m new to this.”
Søren led the way to the doors, where he exchanged a few words with the woman at the information desk. She pointed them down a hall, offering directions and her condolences. He nodded and headed off. The corridors were quiet and smelled of antiseptic. Now and then, they passed someone in scrubs.
As promised, there was a lift nestled back there. They took it down to the lower levels, where the halls seemed darker, despite the fluorescent lights overhead. He sensed Mia staying closer at his back, responding to the chill.
After passing a set of double doors, they came to a desk, where a slight, blond man worked at a computer. His name tag read “Jeremy.” He glanced up, a little irritated to see them. “Can I help you?”
Doubtless he thought they were in the wrong department. The guy probably gave directions a lot.
“We saw on the news that you have a Jane Doe. I came to see if it’s my sister.” He felt no shame in the lie, using false grief as grease to get what he wanted.
Sympathy softened the impatience in the man’s expression. “Oh, I’m sorry. When did she go missing?”
“About three months ago.” He hesitated and then added, “Jennifer had a history of mental illness.”
“I’m afraid you can’t ID her on sight. She’s in pretty bad shape.” The attendant was trying to spare him pain.
Fortunately, he was prepared for that. “Yes, I gathered as much from the broadcast. Perhaps I could look at her personal effects? She always wore our mother’s ring.”
“I don’t see why not. I have it bagged up and waiting to be claimed by the next of kin. Come to think of it, she did have a ring… and a pendant. I can’t remember what else.”
Silently, Mia took Søren’s hand, which was a nice touch. They waited at the desk until Jeremy returned, but he was frowning.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s the weirdest thing. Her stuff is gone.”
“Did the police take it as evidence?” Søren asked.
The other man shrugged. “Could be, I guess, but there should be a record. Maybe the day guy didn’t log it properly. I’m really sorry you came all this way for nothing. If you leave your name and number, I can have someone call you in the morning.”
That would be risky. Søren wondered if the payoff would be worth it. Still, it would raise red flags if he declined. “I’m Jason Markham,” he said, deciding swiftly. “I’ll write down my cell number for you. Call me if you find anything out.”
Before he could say farewell, Mia spoke. “Could we see her? Just for a moment. It would give Jase some comfort that he did everything he could.”
Jeremy hesitated. “I don’t think it’ll help, but I can give you five minutes. I need you both to sign in and I need to see some ID.”
She squeezed Søren’s hand in alarm, but he merely smiled and handed over his driver’s license. The attendant expected it to say Jason Markham, and so it did-for him. He read it, handed it back, and Søren slid it back in his wallet.
See, he told Mia silently. Easy.
Within thirty seconds, they were escorted into the morgue proper, a cold room with metal exam tables and a honeycomb of silver doors. Søren realized he was still holding Mia’s hand, and he didn’t let go. The worker popped open a compartment and slid the tray out. He uncovered the body with subtle reverence.