He is! Not another one. Not another one where they got so close and then had to let him get away. Morgan pounded his fists on the table and then pointed at Fugate who shrunk away from him. Did you kill her because she wouldnt give you drugs? Because she knew you were trying to play the system? Did you figure out where she lived? Maybe followed her after shed spent a long day saving lives at the hospital? Is that what you did?

Fugate shook his head. No, man. I swear. I didnt touch that chick.

STOP CALLING HER THAT!! Her name was Lexa Windham. Morgan felt the tears clog in his throat and then Danielle was in his face.

Out, she whispered at him. Now.

Chastened, he got up and walked out of the room, but not without a backwards glare at Fugate. What? he said as they got outside.

Go home, Morgan. Youre overwrought.

He leaned back against the wall and consciously relaxed his shoulders. She had a point. He hadnt kept his cool. Fine. Ill go. What time should I meet you tomorrow?

You shouldnt. I . . . I was wrong. You dont belong in an investigation like this. You were too close to Lexa. I cant have you jeopardizing my case like this. She looked down at the floor and then back up at him. Im sorry.

He couldnt believe what he was hearing. Jeopardizing? I helped you catch both Fugate and Dolan, remember? Not to mention finding the names in the first place.

At what cost, Morgan? I need you off this case before you hurt yourself or someone else. Youre breaking rules left and right. What good will it be to catch the person actually responsible if I cant put them away? She shook her head. Were done. Youre done. Its been nice knowing you. She turned on her heel and went back into the interrogation room.

Morgan stood in the hallway, staring after her.

Danielle might be done with him, but he was far from done with this case.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Morgan got on the Metro to go home. It wasnt rush hour yet, but the trains were still crowded with people. He grabbed a strap and braced himself for the jolting ride.

People were all around him. Women in business suits carrying attaché cases, men in khakis and button-downs, young moms with little kids to corral. Noise and movement surrounded him, yet he felt curiously separate from it all.

None of it touched him. None of it connected with him. Hed never felt this alone. Not after Fiona died. Not after his parents died, one after the other. Not even when Ashley asked him to move out. He hadnt fully realized how much hed been leaning on this investigation to get him through the day. Without it, everything rushed in. All the doubts and fears and fatigue swamped him.