I just read about Lee Thompson Young's suicide and… I hope nobody feels offended by this story. I don't mean to make fun of such a horrible thing, I can't understand it – can't understand how your life can be such a burden to you that you decide to end it yourself. I am very sorry for him, and for his family, and for everyone who ever stood at the point of killing oneself… again, please don't be mad at me for writing about it. If you are, though, tell me, and I will delete it. For now I just couldn't not write it, because writing was always my way to cope with things.

"He's late." Jane paced the bureau like a tiger in the cage, "he's late, Korsak!"
"What you don't say." The older detective leaned at his desk calmly. "Give him a moment of humanity, Jane. Maybe he just woke up at the other end of the city, a stranger in his arms and thunder in his head. It's Monday morning."
"Exactly!", Jane exclaimed, "it's Monday morning, Frost's never late, never, and especially not on Mondays!"

"Especially not on Mondays?" Maura peeked into the room, curious about her friend's bad mood twenty-seven minutes on duty. "What's wrong with Monday mornings?"
"Everybody hates them" Frankie commented, walking past the doctor. Searchingly he looked around in the room. "Where is –"
"He's not there yet!" Jane snapped, more annoyed than worried at the moment, "Frost is late, and he is never late, and Maura, he is never late especially not on Mondays, so whatever holds him up is something bad, don't you get it?"

Confused looks from the others were answer enough.

Jane sighed. "Alright. I give him five more minutes to call me back. And then I'm gonna kill him." Again she checked her cell. Nothing. Frost still had his switched off, and he didn't answer to his phone at home, either. Something wasn't right. Jane remembered the only other time her colleague hadn't come in time. He had been caught in a broken garage together with Tommy. She just hoped it really was only a girl from somewhere at the end of the world that stopped him this time.
But why on earth should he switch off his phone? He was ambitious, yes, and would never admit a piece of human weakness to his superiors, but wasn't excusing yourself for coming late better than coming late unmentioned? What did he think? That they wouldn't notice him missing?

"I've had enough" the detective declared, "Korsak, call me if he gets here, I'm gonna check his home."
"Jane…"
"Do we have another case at the moment?" Jane didn't wait for an answer as she rushed out of the department. There was nothing else to do. Of course, there was always something to do, but nothing that couldn't wait for the moment. On her way to the car she took one second to look around. Everything was green. It was a wonderful morning, even though it was Monday. Boston at its best.

"Jane!" Maura had followed the detective. "Should I come with you?"
"You? What… no!" Jane backed away in shock. "Why on earth should I take a forensic doctor with me?"

Maura swallowed. "I thought as a friend" she said coolly, "but if you can't see me different now that it…"
"No, no, sorry, I…" Jane closed her eyes. She was getting paranoid. Maybe she needed holidays, she was doing this job too long without a break. Not everything was bad.
"I'm sorry, Maura" she said, calmer now. "I didn't want to hurt you. But this… I want to check up on him alone, if it's okay, let's just make it no big deal, just kick him out of the sheets and drag him here. I'll be here soon, alright?"
"Okay." Maura nodded, though still confused, and Jane opened the door.

"You are worried about him. Why?"
Jane sighed. Without looking back she shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe it's stupid, god, I hope it's stupid. I need a break." She chuckled. "Did I just say that aloud?"
"You did" Maura said thoughtfully, "and though from the medical side I totally understand and agree I think it gets me worried about you."
"It gets you worried that I start to be rational?" Jane finally turned around and tried to smile – failing miserably.
Maura returned the look seriously. "You're playing for time. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"Yes. Yes, I'm sure." Another try, and this time the corners of Jane's mouth did what they should. "It's enough to have one of us going crazy. See you!"
She stepped in and started the engine so fast that Maura wouldn't get the chance to say something.

Truth be told, Jane was worried. And she wished Maura to be with her, or Korsak, or even Frankie. Most of all she wished Frost to call her back and say he was sorry but would be here any minute.
But the minutes passed by, and still there was no news from her colleague, and after a too short drive there was nothing more to do than get out of the car and knock on the door to Barold Frost's apartment.