Morgan looked into the emergency room bay. Tyler Pickett lay handcuffed to a gurney. Hed need surgery, but hed live. Hed have to pay for the destruction that he caused eventually, but Danielle was right. At the moment, there was nothing more for Morgan here. He looked around the bustling department. Thered been a time when all hed needed was the energy of this place or one like it. The assemblage of symptoms and test results would dance in his head until they coalesced into a diagnosis, which he could then deliver. It had made everything he did seem worthwhile.

Not anymore. Now it all seemed empty. He knew it had started before Lexas murder, but that had sealed it all. He didnt belong here anymore.

Thanks, he said to Danielle. A ride home would be great.

Theyd been at the hospital getting checked over and answering questions all night. He was exhausted. They walked out into the pale spring sunlight of a new day.

You dont look happy, Danielle said. We caught the bad guy. Its over.

Morgan blew out a breath. It is definitely over.

Danielle squinted at him. You miss her, dont you? Lexa was more than just another resident to you, wasnt she?

He nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak. Working with her was changing things for me. I was starting to rediscover the joy of my job. Now . . . now, I dont know how Ill ever get that back. He kicked at the sidewalk. Im not sure I want to.

She stopped on the sidewalk. Her death really shook you.

It wasnt a question, but Morgan answered anyway. More than I can describe.

She frowned and rubbed her forehead. I should have realized. Its not like I havent been there myself.

Morgan looked up at her in surprise. You? You seem like youre always so focused.

Yep. Thats me. She laughed, but it didnt sound like she thought anything was funny. A little too focused. Otherwise I might have seen what getting you involved in this case was doing to you. I would never have dragged you into all this if Id realized what the impact would be. Im sorry.

Dont be. Morgan put a hand on her arm. Im not sure what I would have done if I hadnt been able to help you. I was headed to a pretty dark place already. Knowing that I could still have some positive impact was huge for me.

Its pretty much what keeps me going, too. She slipped on her sunglasses. Maybe we should do it again someday.

***

Morgan had just tied on his running shoes when the buzzer for the front door rang. Strange. He wasnt expecting anyone. The only person who had been by in ages was Danielle and he was fairly certain shed be busy writing reports about now. He hit the intercom button. Hello?

Morgan. Its Ashley. Can I come up?