Page 12 of Manner of Death
“You’d better be,” Kurt said, but he was already turning toward the coffee pot. “We’ve got a metric ton of shit to shovel through today, and we’re not going to get through any of it sitting around in the Corpse Café.”
Honestly, it was a miracle that Detective McKay had lasted three decades in a public-facing job given how little he thought of, well, pretty much everyone and everything. Sawyer half wished he was still producing shows, just so he could have his partner written into a screenplay. “You’re so rude.”
“I’m old. I’m entitled to be rude.” Kurt took a sip of the coffee he’d just poured and made a face. “Go, go, I’ll be doctoring this into something drinkable until you get back.”
Sawyer took the out he’d gone to the trouble of setting up and headed back down the hall toward the morgue where they’d left the unfortunate Mr. Upworth and the handsome Dr. Bashir Ramin.
As soon as he stepped through the morgue’s double doors, the chill of the room hit Sawyer.
Dr. Ramin appeared, poking his head into the vestibule. “Was there something else, detective?”
Sawyer smiled. It was a smile he’d worked hard on, charming yet serious with a soupcon of flirtation around the edges. “I’m afraid I left my phone. Do you mind if I…”
“Of course not.” Dr. Ramin stepped aside and motioned for Sawyer to come all the way into the morgue.
Sawyer walked over to the table where he’d left his phone partially hidden behind a kidney-shaped metal bowl, picked it up, then turned back to the medical examiner. “Dr. Ramin—actually, do you mind if I call you Bashir?”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t. It’s not very professional.” Dr. Ramin leaned against a desk and crossed his arms. Oof, body language was starting to shift into something negative; it was time to take his chance before the other man was completely closed off.
“I was wondering if you’d care to get dinner with me tonight.”
Sawyer was treated to the sight of Dr. Ramin’s very attractive mouth dropping open. His body language went from I’m-not-inclined-to-be-patient to what-was-that?, which was an improvement. “I’m sorry?”
“I’d like to take you to dinner.” Sawyer let his smile shift into something more genuine. “Tonight. If, uh, if there’s enough of a lull in the action that we can both get away. Maybe at Misoni if you like fusion food?” That was the place Huerta had mentioned, and if the upward flick of the doctor’s eyebrow was any indication, his interest was piqued.
“To discuss the case?” Dr. Ramin asked.
“I don’t think there’s much about the case that requires further discussion between us for the moment. No, I’d like to take you to dinner because I want to get to know you better.”
It took another few seconds before Dr. Ramin shook his head. “Ah, then no. I’m sorry, it’s not…” He looked at Sawyer for a moment, eyes lingering on his chest before shifting back up to his face. “It’s not personal. I just make it a point not to date people I work with.”
“We don’t work together,” Sawyer pointed out.
“We do right now.”
“I don’t think that’s quite the same.”
Dr. Ramin sighed. “I’ll be more clear. I don’t date cops.”
Well, that was…disheartening. “Not ever?”
“No.” Dr. Ramin’s body language was closing off again. Damn it. Pushing right now would only result in escalation, which was the last thing Sawyer wanted. He wanted Dr. Ramin to be relaxed around him—to welcome his presence and to look forward to his company.
Clearly that was going to take some time, but the man’s refusal to date cops notwithstanding, Sawyer was hopeful that it wasn’t a completely lost cause yet. Dr. Ramin was just the third person who had ever interested him enough to make a move, and the first to catch his eye since he’d come to this city.
Patience, grasshopper.
“I understand.” Sawyer ducked his chin for a second, enough to break the intense eye contact, before glancing up again. “I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”
“Oh, I wasn’t—you didn’t make me uncomfortable.” Dr. Ramin shook his head. “I’m just not…interested.”
Sawyer wasn’t willing to bet on that fact. However, he’d already lost this hand—it was better to fold now and save some of the doctor’s goodwill for another day. “No, I get it. Thanks for letting me down gently.” He nodded toward the door. “I’d better get out to Kurt before he decides to drive off without me.”
“Right. Um, goodbye.”
“Bye.” Sawyer left the morgue but almost ran right into a woman he recognized as one of Dr. Ramin’s associates. The short blonde bob and dark eyeliner were definitely familiar.
“Ooh, Detective Cologne!” she said with a knowing grin. “You are the cologne guy, right? The one who hit on Bash at the scene?”