I found her. Morgan shut his eyes as if that would block out the mental image of Lexas bloodied body. It . . it really threw me for a loop, Monte. I couldnt seem to concentrate so I decided to take some time off.

Smart. Monte nodded. We need to be focused when were on duty. We owe that to our patients.

He knew Monte would understand. Then the FBI agent working the case

FBI? Monte cut him off. Why is the FBI involved?

There have now been three murders that she thinks are linked. Morgan let that information sink in. Anyway, she asked me to consult on the case. Since I wasnt doing anything else, well, it seemed like a good idea. Plus I had a different way of looking at things than the FBI did. Ive come up with three different suspects, but none of them have panned out. Each time, I get more frustrated and apparently overstep my boundaries. Now she wants me off the case. I dont know how I can step away, though.

Monte scratched the back of his head and made a humming noise for a second. So this FBI agent asks you to help and out of the goodness of your heart you say yes.

Morgan made a little noise. He wasnt sure the goodness of his heart had anything to do with it, but that really wasnt the point and he knew it.

Monte smiled. Bear with me. Then the FBI agent says your help is no longer required. It seems like that lets you off the hook.

Morgan shook his head. I dont want to be off the hook. I want to find this guy and put a stop to whatever is happening here. Its bad enough to have lost Lexa. Who might be next?

Thats a reasonable question. Im just not sure its yours to answer. Monte took a bite of a cookie. Why do you think it is?

Why did he feel so responsible? Of course some of it had to do with feeling responsible for Lexa, in general. Shed been his resident, his student to guide. Had he guided her to something that had taken her life? Finding whoever killed her wouldnt bring her back. He knew that. Finding out who and why might bring him some modicum of peace, though.

There was more to it than that, though. He couldnt completely discount the fact that Lexa had reminded him so much of Fiona. He shut his eyes. Another young woman he should have protected, but hadnt. Because I should have been able to stop it from happening. I should have protected her.

Monte made a show of sniffing Morgans coffee mug. What have you been drinking, son? How on earth could you have stopped this?