“If it produces any helpful information, I’ll submit a bill for reimbursement.”

“We need to discuss this.”

“After you’re back on your feet.”

“I’m standing as we speak—and I’m planning to go back to work tomorrow.”

“Don’t rush the healing process.” She glanced in her rearview mirror as another car pulled up behind her.

“Eleanor is threatening to cancel her trip if I’m out of commission for too long.”

“She is one dedicated employee.”

“I think our county lucked out on the dedication front. We have a very committed forensic pathologist too.”

Warmth filled her at his praise. “I’m just doing my job.”

“Above and beyond.”

“It takes one to know one.”

“Let’s switch gears.”

A man who was more comfortable giving than receiving compliments and didn’t require ego-stroking.

Nice.

“Okay.” The train continued to rumble by. “I have nowhere to go and nothing else to do at the moment. My time is yours.”

“I hope that will be true on Saturday night too.”

Her pulse picked up. “You want to reschedule our dinner date?”

“Did you think I was going to forget about it?”

“No.” Maybe. Until a date was on the calendar, it wasn’t a date. “Do you think you’ll be up to it?”

“It may not be a late night, but I’m game to give it a go if you are.”

“Count me in.” The end of the train came into sight in the distance. Thank goodness it had been a short one.

“I’ll touch base with you to discuss details later in the week. Back to business for a minute. How soon do you expect to hear from the botanist?”

“Best case, end of week. After I told her how many people had died, she promised to bump my testing higher up in the queue and expedite the process as much as possible.”

“So we may have answers by our date.”

“About how the deed was done. The who remains a mystery.”

“It won’t forever. When BK calls Mullins with the next victim, I intend to have a serious conversation with said victim on the q.t. to see who they’ve talked with in the past few weeks. It’s possible this BK has been in direct contact with them. All of the other victims were dead before we got to them.”

“Excellent point.” The gates began to rise, and she turned on the engine. “Gotta run. The train has passed. I’ll have to pull out all the stops as it is to get to my autopsy.”

“Understood, but drive safe. Expect to hear from me in a day or two.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“That’s the plan.”

As they said their goodbyes, she put the car in gear and rattled over the bone-jarring railroad tracks. Once clear of them, she pressed on the accelerator, sped toward the next county—and prayed the botany screen would provide answers.

Because if it didn’t, they were at a stalemate.

Meaning someone could end up getting away with multiple murders.

25

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, ELEANOR.” Instead of passing by the woman’s desk, Nate detoured her direction and set a lidded cardboard cup and the empty soup container in front of her.