[A/N: Wow! Thank you so much for the reads, follows and the review! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to read this piece. Here's another chapter…..]

Chapter 2

Despite the puzzles' inherent demands for attention, New York traffic snarled on Ninth Avenue slowing traffic to a crawl. Drivers honked their horns and yelled at each other. Pedestrians hurried across the streets even with the walk lights' assistance.

The time however gave Henry more time to reflect…more time to remember….

[New York—May 1946]

The sun shone warmly on the Brooklyn flats on that late spring day. People moved about on their errands, picnicking with their families or perhaps in solitary thought.

In a flat two blocks west of Flatbush Avenue, Henry cut through a ham and cheese omelet with his fork and raised it enthusiastically to his mouth. He savored the firework of flavors exploding therein, down his throat and to his stomach. His eyes sparkled at the blonde woman who still toiled at the stove for his benefit. "This is delicious. You never cease to amaze, Abigail."

The former nurse chuckled knowingly to herself. "Why thank you, Henry. It's nice to know a lady's cooking skill is appreciated." She cut the gas to that part of the stove she'd been working on and walked over with the frying pan. "I have your hash brown precisely as you like them." She doled out servings for him and her both before returning the pan to the stove. Then she glanced toward the crib in the corner. "Abraham's still sound asleep."

"He does seem to do that a lot," he noted with a sip of coffee.

"Babies do that, Henry. I wouldn't be overly concerned. Dr. Mathers said he's in perfect health despite that ordeal in the concentration camp." She took a draught from her own cup and read his face. Perhaps they hadn't been married all that long but she knew when something weighed on him. She allowed him his secrets even if some of them were unusual to say the least….

…secrets for instance as to why he'd been seen swimming al natural in the river periodically….

"Henry, are you sure you're all right?" she pressed gently.

He quirked an eyebrow and stuffed a forkful in his mouth. After swallowing, he queried, "Why would I not be? It's just work."

"Are you sure? The precinct seems to be sending you on some long cases. Make sure you watch out for yourself," she requested.

"Of course." He took the last forkful of his meal and set his fork down. Then he brushed the cloth napkin gently across his lips before setting it beside the plate. "Exquisite as always! I thank you."

As he said the words, the phone rang.

"Allo?" he greeted.

"Officer Morgan, this is Inspector Mills. Sorry to catch you at home but there's a case at the Ralston Warehouse on 53rd. Proceed there at once. I'll punch you in," his superior instructed.

"Yes sir. I shall endeavor to be there with all speed. Thank you," Henry concluded before hanging up the phone. His mind wondered why Mills would've called him at home over this matter. What's going on that they need me directly over there, I wonder? Curious…. He inspected his patrolman's uniform and made sure that everything was in order.

"That was Inspector Mills? Everything all right?" she inquired.

"Yes of course. He needs me to check on something a few blocks over on the way to work. Nothing to trouble yourself over," he assured her. His lips brushed her cheek affectionately. "Be home by 4. You keep the light on for me, all right?"

"Always." She pecked him on the cheek as well. "You take care. Remember, Henry, I can deal with important things too. It's all right. I am your wife after all."

"Of course you can. Why?" he wondered trying to understand her gist.

"Nothing. You have a great day and be careful," she declared while handing him his bagged lunch.

He walked out the door and toward the next case at hand. His mind focused on the inherent details to come.

Yet she watched him get into their car and drive away. She shook her head. Whatever you're hiding, Henry, we can deal with it. Have faith in us…..

[Modern Day—Jo's Car]

Jo shot Henry a quick glance to see the now-familiar far-away stare in his eyes. Where is his mind going now? She knew that he often rattled off esoteric and frankly obscure references almost breezily. For a few blocks, she allowed him his space. Then she tapped him on the arm. "Henry?"

"Hmmm?" His mind snapped back to the present. "Sorry. I was thinking of my last trip up here."

She sighed. "This warehouse has been closed for at least thirty years."

He caught himself and forced a sudden correction in his explanation. "I meant my last trip to the neighborhood. It has been a while."

"Uh huh," she supposed. Such as their visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art and the New York Public Library, she really needed to jab him to get his mind back on track. "Well we're focusing on a murder today. Are you all right, Henry?"

"Yes. Terribly sorry. This warehouse reminds me of something between…well…Abigail and me. You might say we really…got to know each other around there," he revealed with surprising truthfulness. His mouth suddenly felt dry. He went silent not knowing if he had given away far too much or not.

"Oh." She shot him a contrite expression knowing full well the pain of such reminders. "Henry, I'm sorry. I really…."

"No. It is quite all right, Jo. I do understand. I do need to do my duty. She would want me to do that," he assured her. "Thank you though." He took a deep breath and offered her a helpful smile. "See? All set and ready to confront our puzzle."

She turned into the parking lot by the cordoned off building and parked about ten feet from where Detective Hanson and about a dozen uniforms kept the onlookers away from the crime scene. She returned the smile with one of her own. "Good to know. Thanks." She got out of the car and checked her service revolver. Satisfied with what she had for rounds therein, she returned it to her side holster under her blazer and shut the door. "Shall we?"

"Yes we should." He followed her toward the other detective. His eyes surveyed the entire area around them. He noted the deteriorating office buildings and tenement housing around the neighborhood…

…including several such buildings that Abigail had loved to study while they were walking Abe in his stroller later….

Still he pressed on. After another minute and a half, he reached the two detectives who were talking and observing the building themselves. "Good afternoon, Detective Hanson. How are we faring in there?"

"Hey, Morgan," Hanson greeted half-heartedly. Unlike Jo and Lieutenant Reece, he had little patience for Henry's out of the ballpark observations. At times the coroner infuriated the detective to say the least. Still he had to go along with the ME's practices. "Victim's lying in the basement but we haven't vetted the body yet. We've swept most of the building but it seems deserted. Reece wants this wrapped up ASAP."

"We're on it. Just handle things out here, Hanson," she assured him. "Come on, Henry."

Henry looked about the building as they headed for the structure.

Hanson shook his head. While he did want the whole thing wrapped up, watching Jo and Henry walk into a partially-swept building was not part of his personal plan. Not by a long shot. He rolled his eyes and relayed instructions to the officers around him by way of his walkie talkie. Don't blank out on us, Morgan, and take Jo with you. Please….