Page 19 of Fearless Encounter

“We found something,” Gabriel said, then told her about the discovery of the syringe.

“Did you have it tested?”

“Yes, and it checks out,” Gabriel said. “This is the first clue we’ve had. When can you leave today?”

Brooke glanced back at her station and sighed. Her creation had been ruined by all the interruptions. “Well, my chocolate is getting too warm, so I have to start over on my pastry of the day.”

“I’ll leave you to it. Text when you’re done.”

She’d tell him about the new Zagat rating when she saw him. Maybe by then her shock would have worn off—but she didn’t think so.

After the call, Brooke pulled Lisle aside to update her on what Gabriel found.

“The police can test that fast?”

“I guess it only takes minutes, if they test for a specific drug they suspect.” Brooke glanced at Jasper. “I think I’ll wait to tell the boss until I know more.” Jasper was a good friend, and he was fatherly toward her. He was like family, since he’d known her parents well through the restaurant business. It was better to wait to tell him, so he wouldn’t worry.

Meanwhile, that didn’t mean that Brooke wasn’t worried herself. She had more questions than answers and couldn’t wait to talk with Gabriel. Just because a syringe was found didn’t mean it was related to the abduction. During carnival season, drug use was rampant. They’d need more information. She was starting to think like a detective—not what she wanted to be. Her talent was creating sweet treats, not tracking down criminals.

It was late in the afternoon before Brooke finished preparing the pastries. She planned to take a couple of days off, so made enough to last until she returned. If Jasper needed more, he could get some from the freezer. She kept a supply in there for when they ran short.

*****

Gabriel arrived soon after she texted. He entered the restaurant looking especially handsome. He was in jeans and a jacket that seemed suited to him. As he walked over, Brooke couldn’t help admiring his build. His strong thighs filled out the jeans in a tantalizing fashion. She smiled, looking into his deep brown eyes, which didn’t calm her emotions at all.

“Are you okay?” he said, warming her heart.

Brooke nodded. “We can go. I’ve let Jasper know.” Then she instinctively linked arms with him and headed for the door. His cologne wafted around her, tempting her in a way that it shouldn’t have.

When they were outside, Gabriel said, “You’re sure you’re okay? Maybe I should have waited to tell you in person about the syringe.”

“No, of course not.” She didn’t want him to think that she was a wimp. Certainly, she wanted him to share things as they happened. “But I could use a drink.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Gabriel helped her into the car then went to a local place and seated her at an available table. When he took off his jacket, Brooke tried not to stare. His cotton shirt hugged his bulging biceps and stretched across his broad chest.

While waiting for the drinks, Brooke had more opportunity to gaze across the table, trying not to be obvious. Images of running her hands over his short hair and brushing against his neatly trimmed beard were unwelcome. That wasn’t what she should be thinking of. It made her wonder what the stress of witnessing a crime did to a person—but that was only an excuse. She would have drooled over Gabriel under any circumstances.

The server came by with drinks. Brooke took a couple of sips to chill out.

Gabriel gulped his beer. “You seem different. Is there anything I missed?”

Brooke glanced away. “No, I’m just curious. Finding a syringe doesn’t tell us a lot, does it?”

“It’s a start,” Gabriel said. “We need to connect it to the crime. The police were able to lift a partial print, but no match yet. That may take a while.”

“I didn’t know you could get prints from something that small.”

“It’s more difficult,” Gabriel said. “Prints are left behind by substances that stick to the fingers, like dirt or blood.” He rested his forearms on the table and leaned closer. “Most of the prints were degraded or contaminated. And analyzing prints isn’t always conclusive. But more important is whether we can identify the victim. If the lab gets a good enough sample of her blood or other biological material, they can run DNA tests.”

“How would that work, since we don’t know who she is?”

“Good question.” Gabriel gulped his beer. “If the police get a sample, the lab will run a DNA analysis and create a profile. That would be compared to other DNA profiles in the database.”

“Not everyone is in the DNA database, though.”

“True, so there are no guarantees,” Gabriel said. “Let’s hope they get something we can use.”

Brooke sipped her wine and nibbled at a few nuts from a dish. “Meanwhile, we haven’t helped the woman.”