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something?”
    â€œPossibly.”
    Mike handed him a card. “I have eleven years’ experience as a police officer, including five years as a detective, plus a master’s degree in criminal science.”
    â€œDo you handle security?” Alec asked.
    What was going on? Patty wasn’t sure she liked the idea of having Alec as a client. If she were assigned to guard him, she might have a little trouble keeping her mind on her work. Anyway, why would he need guarding?
    Mike was forging ahead smoothly. “We’re a small agency, but we are licensed to do bodyguard and security work. I can make a referral if you need crowd control.”
    â€œIt’s more in the nature of…” Alec glanced around. “We should talk privately.”
    â€œI’d be happy to meet with you later,” Mike said.
    â€œFor this job, I’d need Patty.”
    What? She struggled to keep her tone level. “Detectives aren’t supposed to get personally involved in cases.” To Mike, she explained, “We used to date.”
    â€œOh, I’m not the one who needs protecting,” Alec assured her.
    Then who? But this wasn’t the time or place to go into details, she supposed.
    â€œI’m confident we can work this out, Dr. Denny,” Mike assured him. “Give me a call and we’ll set up an appointment. The three of us.”
    Alec tucked the card in his pocket. “I’d be glad to. But I have a PhD, not an MD. Whenever someone calls me doctor, I’m always afraid they’re going to keel over and expect me to save their life.”
    â€œPatty and I are both trained in CPR. We’ll handle the lifesaving part,” Mike replied drily.
    Patty wished she knew more about what was going on. Why would Alec be hiring a guard for someone else? If there was a threat against the lab, surely the hospital would call on its own security staff.
    All the same, she was glad for an excuse to see him again, in a professional setting. In this small town, they could hardly avoid running into each other, and she’d like to reestablishtheir relationship on a platonic basic. That way, maybe she’d stop fantasizing about ruffling his hair and slipping her arms around his chest. And tilting her mouth up to his, and… Now cut that out!
    People were beginning to line up at the buffet. The delicious scents of roast beef and salmon wafted over, reminding Patty that she’d missed lunch.
    â€œIf we’re done here, I’ll catch you later,” she told Alec and Bailey.
    â€œIt’s great to see you again.” The nurse gave Patty a hug. “I hope Nora won’t mind me breaking the news about my pregnancy at her wedding. I’m not trying to be the center of attention. She already knows, and when I saw you, I just had to tell you.”
    â€œI’m sure Nora won’t mind.” In Patty’s opinion, the bride’s state of euphoria should obliterate any such petty concerns.
    She and Mike joined the line. “Good work,” he murmured. “You brought in a client.”
    â€œHe’s my old boyfriend,” Patty retorted. “You can’t expect me to guard his body. Or…whoever.”
    â€œIf he likes our work, the whole medical center will hear about it.” Mike stepped aside to let a guest with a plate of food pass through the line. His path brought him into a collision course with a tall, red-haired woman Patty recognized from the bridal shower. “Sorry,” he murmured.
    â€œNo problem.” Despite the polite words, she sounded irritated.
    As she moved away, Mike turned to Patty. “Who’s the Amazon?”
    The redhead swung toward him with a fierce expression. “That’s a rude way to refer to me.”
    â€œMy apologies,” Mike said swiftly. “Actually, I like tall women.”
    Her lips tightened and she marched off without anotherword. He ducked his head and waited a moment