He didn't see her until it was too late.
He was talking on the phone, talking to Lindsay who had woken up with an odd, but possibly brilliant, theory about the homeless guy found under the pier at Coney Island.
The next few seconds were like slow motion. He started around the corner, heading for the evidence lock up to pull out the guy's clothes so he and Lindsay could test her idea as soon as she got there. He saw the girl the split second before he stepped right in front of her.
"Shit." He hissed as he slammed into her. He tried to grab her, stop her from falling, but only succeeded in knocking a paper cup of coffee all over her. And then tripping her, causing the papers in her other hand to scatter all over the floor .
"I am so sorry." He bent down to scoop up the papers at his feet. "Are you alright?"
The girl laughed. "Nothing worse than four brothers have ever dished out." She looked up with a grin. "Detective Messer, right?"
"Yeah. And it's Danny."
"Fourth year third grade, on the list for the promotion exam next month."
"You stalking me or something?"
"No. But there's a betting pool in the lab about whether you'll pass the test."
"A betting pool?" Danny stood, straightening the papers he'd gathered. "How are the odds?"
"Consensus seems to be that it's a suckers bet. You're a guarantee to score."
"Good to know." Danny nodded with a laugh. He took a moment to size up the girl. She was a bit short, couldn't be more than 5 foot 4 inches. Thin but not one of those never eat anorexics. Dirty blonde hair, hazel brown eyes. Tiny dent in her nose, probably from wearing glasses. She didn't have them on so they were likely just for reading. Staring at computer screens all day was killer on the eyes.
"Can I have those?" The girl held out her hand.
"Oh, sure." Danny handed her the pages. He glanced at her shirt, which was splattered with coffee stains. "I'm really sorry about that."
"It happens." She smiled again. She smiled a lot. "See you around Detective." She turned to go. I didn't catch your name."
The girl stopped mid hall and turned back. "Sam."
"The newbie in the DNA lab Sam?"
"The one and same."
"I thought you were a guy."
"I get that a lot." Sam jumped. She pulled out a phone. "Gotta go. Later."
"Yeah, later."