"I didn't see him," Henry whispered into his coffee.
No one heard him.
Around him, the station was buzzing with frantic activity. Phones were ringing off the hook, and at the center of it all was the Chief, directing traffic.
"Douglas! Get the press out of here! Vick! Get down to the scene and light a fire under the investigation! NOW!"
"Yes, sir!" Karen called, immediately taking off for the door.
She saw Henry, sitting alone. Pale. Staring blankly into his coffee.
She glanced back to make sure the Chief wasn't watching, then sat down next to him.
"Hi, Henry."
"Hi," he barely mumbled, not even looking up at her.
"How are you holding up?"
He didn't respond.
"It wasn't your fault."
Finally, his eyes met hers.
"Yes. It was. I didn't see him."
"Of course you didn't. He jumped you both from behind and got off a lucky shot. One lucky shot."
"That's all it takes. Jim…"
"He'll pull through. The paramedics said the bullet missed all the vital organs."
"I should have seen him."
"Henry…"
Henry shook his head and drained the rest of the coffee. Finally, he stood up.
"I should've seen him, Karen. I should've seen him."