Val peered into the shower. The chair that he used to stand on was kicked away inside the large walk-in stall and a suicide note was laid on the counter. No signs of foul play were found in the room and the surveillance camera showed no one other than this man going into the room. Open and shut, just how Val had liked them.

Val took photographs and thought if this guy were a couple of inches taller, he’d have had to find another way to do this. He only cleared the floor by that much. She then got on a chair herself and with the help of two officers, cut the man loose. There was no way she was untying the tightly wound sheet. She did a preliminary exam, reviewed lividity and rigor, then got a liver temperature. She estimated he had died between 2 and 4am.

“We can bag him to go,” she told one officer. Her cell phone chimed. She knew the sound. It was Detective Gavin. His text read:

Can you meet for lunch?

Val was a little stunned. This was the first time she’d heard from him since their dinner at The Chop House. And, as with all of her past experiences with Gavin, any negative feeling she’d had towards him that night had dissolved and she looked forward to seeing him again. God, I’m a glutton for punishment, Val thought.

She checked the time and then quickly reviewed the paperwork for the body she was transporting before texting Gavin to agree with his suggestion of noon at the Anchor Bar.

Gavin texted back:

Got the police and autopsy report from Gabrielle’s twin brother and sister, the ones who drowned in the family pool. We’ll discuss when we meet.

When Val walked into the Anchor Bar she couldn’t help but feel déjà vu. It was the Anchor Bar where she had had her first meeting with Gavin to talk about a case. That night, back then, was also the first time she realized her feelings for him.

Val had to push past the crowd of people waiting to be seated. Jesus, it’s going to take forever to get food, she thought. Gavin was waving at her from a table. “What time did you get here?” she asked as she sat.

“About twenty minutes ago, otherwise we’d have never gotten a seat.”

“Smart move.” Val laughed. Menus were already on the table and an almost empty glass of what looked like Coke sat in front of Gavin. She was happy when the waitress came right over for her drink order. She asked for an iced tea and then said, “I’m ready to order if you are, Mitch.”

“Go for it.”