Of course, she wasnt calling him to berate him for not getting that paper notarized. She was calling to check on him. Word got around the administrative offices fast. Shed clearly heard about his leave of absence. Shed been right to leave him. She was too good for him.

Ive been better. He took another sip of the Scotch.

I heard that youve taken a leave of absence. Whats going on?

Did you hear about Lexa?

There was a pause. I did. Tragic. She was your resident?

He set down the Scotch and pushed back in the recliner. Maybe the best Id ever seen. Nearly as smart as Fiona.

He heard Ashleys little intake of breath. Fiona might be on his mind nearly constantly, but he almost never uttered her name.

Morgan, are you sure youre all right?

What good would it do to tell Ashley the truth? No. He wasnt all right. All right wasnt even visible in his rearview mirror. He poured another finger or two of Scotch. Im fine, Ash. I just needed some time to process it all and I didnt want my patients to suffer while I was distracted.

Youre sure?

When have I ever been anything less than 100% sure? He tried to inject his words with his usual cockiness. It rang hollow to his ears.

She laughed. So true. You have always had the courage of your convictions.

He smiled and then felt it crumble from his face. Hadnt he told Lexa that was what she needed? And now shed never get a chance to develop that.

Thanks for calling, Ashley, but Ill be fine.

Okay. Another pause. Call if you need anything?

Of course. He hung up and dropped his head in his hands. What would happen if he called her back right now and said the one thing he needed was her? He needed her supple lavender-scented arms and her smooth skin. He needed her soft, almost shy kiss. He needed the oblivion he knew he could find when she held him.

It wasnt fair, though. He couldnt lay that on her. Not now. If he was honest with himself, not ever.

A sharp three knocks sounded on his door. He frowned at it. He wasnt expecting anyone. It must be a mistake.

Three knocks again. This time louder.

Probably a pizza delivery for someone down the hall. Damn kids were generally so high they couldnt read the apartment numbers. He got up to answer the door and send whoever it was on their merry way.

But it wasnt a pizza delivery person. It was Special Agent Danielle Hernandez, looking every bit as cool and neat as she had when hed seen her this morning in the police station and later at the hospital. It didnt even look like there was a hair escaping her ponytail.

Special Agent Hernandez. How did you get into the building? If you didnt have a key, you had to be buzzed in.