How long had she been staring?
She stepped forward, extending her hand. "I'm delighted to meet you, Detective..."
"Dave Hutchins, ma'am."
"Oh, please. Let's not be 'ma'am' and 'sir."
He cocked his head slightly to one side, studying her. "Well, then, please call me Dave."
She smiled. "And you may call me--" "Governor," he said gravely.
Of course. She put her hand up to her cheek where the chip of granite had hit after she'd dodged the bullet. The small bandage was her combat ribbon. She'd survived Day One.
"Are you all right?" Dave sat forward. "Maybe I should come back tomorrow."
"No, I'm fine. I'd like to know how the investigation is going." She studied him, weighing where to file Dave Hutchins in her memory bank.
The decision came quickly. She could count on him. File under dependable, but cross-reference under... intriguing.
