Page 6 of Solid as Steele
She stood and moved closer to him. “We might get a better match if you smile.”
He smiled, but the lines were tight and forced. She wished she could make him smile for real.
Why on earth was she trusting this stranger? Sure, he claimed to be a Christian, but people could claim anything.
Just get the work done. The sooner you know something about him, the better.
She snapped a few pics and stepped back.
“After I do the search, we should get you into town for medical attention.”
He lifted his hand to his head. “I’m fine.”
“You might feel fine, but you blacked out, right?”
“Yes.”
“Often a sign of concussion and a head injury’s not something to mess with.”
“I suppose not.”
“After that, we can stop at the OSP outpost in town to get your fingerprints taken.”
“Right.” He frowned. “I’m still not sure that’s a good idea.”
“You want to know who you are, right?”
“I do. But if they search my prints, won’t my ID only show up if I’m a criminal? I don’t think I want to hear that I’m a bad guy.”
He sounded sincere again, but she had to hold off on deciding how to deal with him. “The database also includes law enforcement officers. Federal applicants. Employees and military too.”
He let out a breath. “Okay, I’ll do it on one condition. Before we go to the police, I want to try to retrace my steps. See if I can figure out where I’ve been and what happened.”
She didn’t ever like conditions placed on her actions and wasn’t keen on this one. “Are you up to doing that? Physically, I mean.”
“Not sure.”
“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow. Let you get a good night’s sleep first.”
“And where do I sleep? No money. No credit cards. Means a hotel is out. No car.” He tilted his head. “I don’t suppose you’d let me sleep out here again.”
“With as cold as it gets at night that’s not a good idea.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so. Maybe the hospital staff can help me find a shelter.”
“There’s a guest house out back,” she said before thinking it through. “You can stay there.”
His eyes flashed wide. “You sure? I mean, I don’t plan to hurt you, but…”
“But you don’t know who you are or what you’re capable of.”
“Exactly.”
She knew that to be true. Just like she knew she probably shouldn’t let him stay on the property or even go out into the wilderness alone with him. But he shouldn’t be hiking alone for who knows how many miles in his condition.
She needed help.But who?
She thought about the trek through the desert. About how they might follow his trail. They needed help. “We should have a guide for the morning. Someone who knows how to follow your trail.”
