The call came over the radio just as Dov and Gail were settling into their early morning shift. "All available units in the vicinity of Jarvis and Carlton please respond to 1140 Carlton for a confirmed 10-45."

"It's too early for dead people." Gail growled shoving a bite of the chocolate iced donut in her mouth. She chewed vigorously wondering if Holly would be at the scene, of course she would be at the scene, it's a dead person, that's kinda her thing. Tossing the sticky donut remains into the white paper bag she sadly thought to herself, "We used to be a thing."

Dov nervously looks over at Gail, "You okay with this? I mean Holly is probably going to be at the scene when we arrive and well, you haven't really said much about what is happening with her… and you…and uh, things seem like they are not in a good…" cutting him off before he can even finish the sentence Gail's words rapid fire toward him with a bit more force than she intended. "Less thinking, much less talking and more driving Dr. Phil" as she flips the lights and sirens on in the squad car.

Dov focuses straight ahead, "Right."

Gail leans her head against the icy window of the cruiser. She had been dreading this day, knowing she could possibly run into Holly on scene at some point. Things had spun out of control so fast, Gail felt like all she could do was gawk at the wreckage of a scene she was responsible for creating. "You're an ass" she muttered to herself. Holly had called, a few times and then after a few days sent a text asking Gail if she would "just meet for five minutes and hear me out. I miss you." Staring at those words on the screen, as the numbers hastily flashed on her phone's display each time Holly called, desperate for Gail to pick up, she watched the screen unable to see anything but her failed past relationships blocking the view. The truth was she felt miserable, missing Holly was the only constant thing in her life these days but putting up the walls is what she knew to do when things got hard, when life got hard, flight always seemed to win over fight.

Pulling up to the scene Gail felt a little nauseous and it had nothing to do with the three donuts she had already managed to choke down in the short time she had been on duty. Her heart raced as she anticipated seeing Holly with her perfect hair and crooked smile, spewing all the words Gail loved to hear her say though she had no idea what most of them meant. Gail reminded herself she was still mad, still hurt for what boobjob said about her at the Penny. Yes, you are MAD so act like it!

Swaggering over to the scene past the cop cars, under the police tape Gail was ready for battle. Her inside voice of stubbornness that seemed to be the Peck trademark reaffirmed her position, "You don't need Holly, or her 'out of your league' friends in your life. Gail Peck was fine before Holly and she will be just fine after Holly."

Nash appeared as an unfamiliar man approached them both. "Gail, this is Harvey Tinkler, one of the new forensic pathologists on staff." Gail just stared at the portly man who kinda reminded her of a chia pet, then immediately began looking around for her lunchbox wondering where the hell was Holly? "Earth to GAIL! Can you say hello to Dr. Tinkler?"

"What? Oh sure, um sorry. Hi."

With that she walked away asking herself who named this clown Harvey Tinkler? She went to find Sam among the other officers and crew processing the crime scene, the body was already bagged and it looked like they were getting ready for transport to the morgue. Gail assumed Holly would be there to receive the body and begin the grueling task of performing the autopsy. For a split second she wondered if Traci or Sam would ask her to get a report, or check on any information for them. She had done her best to avoid all circumstances involving Holly for the past several weeks, but the truth remained, she was having a very hard time trying to let go. Gail knew herself well enough to recognize that on some level this was different for her, not being able to just let go and move on this time like she always had. She was different, maybe better she thought. Try as she may old Gail seemed to slowly be losing this battle.

"Hey Peck, I need you to Grab Epstein and track down this lead." as Swarek shoves a wrinkled piece of baby blue paper toward her with a name scribbled on it. "Last known address is in Downsview, find out what you can and if it's possible grab him, transport to the station and then text me. Oh, and be careful this guy is no joke, he is wanted as part of a drug smuggling ring but seems to have branched out and now has gotten a taste for trafficking young girls."

Looking down, kicking at rocks on the ground Gail finally blurts out the sole purpose of wanting to talk with Sam, "Have you seen Holly at all?" Tapping away vigorously on his phone, not even bothering to look up the brief response made Gail's heart strain.

"Nope, sorry Peck. Not my turn to watch her."

"Gee, thanks DETECTIVE, how very helpful." Gail rolls her eyes before heading to find Dov.

Traci is signing paperwork releasing the body to the morgue when Dr. Tinkler mentions how it is a real shame to lose Dr. Stewart. "Excuse me, what did you just say?" Traci blurts out. The doctor seems surprised no one has heard this news at the station he begins to elaborate "Yes, she turned in her resignation last week, heading to Vancouver next Friday didn't say what she had lined up out there though. What a brilliant young woman, huge loss to our department if you ask me. I really thought she was happy here, it was a surprise to everyone at our office."

"I'll say" Tracy felt a little sick thinking about Gail, knowing she had to find Holly and talk to her before she left Toronto. This might just be the straw that breaks Gail Peck's shell...

Okay, let me know your feedback and if you're interested in reading more. I really appreciate you taking the time to read. Thanks!