Author's Note: I'd like to thank phnxgrl, KenH and Superlc529 for their reviews. Superlc529: Henry's interaction with the cross in 1860 won't have a huge influence on the case, it's more his interaction with it through time. There is a part of him that feels he needs to protect it because he knows it's history. KenH: Jo is not so much warming up to his tale as she is entertaining his fantasy to see how far he'll take it. In many ways, she's trying to see if he'll slip up on the details.

This chapter starts where the last one ended. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Henry rode in Jo's car to their victim's workplace. Hanson and a couple uniforms came along as well, bringing their own vehicles. On the way, Jo told Henry about taking Mrs. Crocetti home and how they found the door partially open when they walked up to the apartment. Mrs. Crocetti had been in shock when she saw what had happened in the hour or so she's been gone. Henry called Lucas to see how the tests were coming and was told they were almost done.

Jo put her phone back in her pocket. "So why don't you have a cell phone?"

"As you can imagine for someone like myself, technology has come quite a long way. Especially in the last 50 years. And, unfortunately, that technology can become very costly when you have to replace it every time you die."

"You would have to replace parts of your wardrobe every time. You also have to update your wardrobe as the years pass."

Henry smiled. "Yes on both counts, but some things never really go out of style, at least for men. My tailor is also willing to give discounts to his best customers. Cellular phones, however, are not cheap to buy, and then you have to pay for the plan. If you get one of those... unlimited plans, you have to get the higher end phone. In the long run, it's just not worth it to me."

Jo smiled. "Makes sense. But, you know, there are burner phones. Those aren't that expensive."

"Every time I lose one by dying, I'd have to change my number. That might get suspicious after a while."

"I guess." She pulled the car into a space near the shop. "The door's cracked."

"Just like the apartment."

"Stay back." She got out of the car and met up with Hanson. "The door's open like the apartment."

"Someone's already been here. You guys take the back. We got the front. Doc..."

"Already been told."

"Good. Let's go." Hanson took the lead, Jo covering his back.

The detectives disappeared inside the building, Hanson yelling "NYPD" as they did. Henry walked up to the door and looked inside. It was dark inside, but Henry could tell the workshop had been searched as well. A few moments later, all four yelled "clear" and Henry walked inside. Tools were scattered across the floor and at least one table had been knocked over.

"They didn't find it here either, it would seem."

Hanson walked to the center of the room. "I guess not. Who is this guy?"

Jo shrugged. "I'm going to call CSU." While they waited, Henry wandered outside. He looked down the street and noticed a cathedral.

Vienna, Austria 1903...

Henry walked out of the medical building of the University of Vienna and looked up the street. It was the same bustling scene he saw every day and he loved it. He walked down the street at the edge of the crowd. This reminded him of the London of his childhood. So did the weather this time of year. Out of seemingly nowhere, the rain began to sprinkle and within a minute, it was falling in sheets. He looked up the street and noticed a cathedral. He hurried to the door and quickly went inside.

Inside, Henry took off his hat and coat, hanging them in the coat closet beside the front door. He then walked deeper into the chapel. He hadn't noticed in his hurry to escape the rain, but this cathedral was an Eastern Orthodox Church building. People wandered around, talking amongst themselves. He was reminded of the time he'd gone to a service in Russia. It appeared that things weren't all that different here.

Henry enjoyed observing humanity. Being immortal meant that he'd seen a lot over the past ninety years. Architectural achievements and works of art are just some of the things he'd had the pleasure to witness. And this cathedral was no exception. The immigrant populations who had brought this religion with them were not a rich people, yet they had done their best to ensure the building they worshipped in was as beautiful as some of the Catholic ones.

Henry neared the altar and noticed a familiar cross. "We meet again."

A priest greeted him. "Привет, незнакомец. (Privet, neznakomets. Hello, stranger.)"

"Hello, father. I was just trying to escape the rain. This is a beautiful building. Very impressive."

"You are English. Welcome to our house of God. Have you attended a Liturgy before?"

"Yes. Many years ago." Henry smiled, remembering his first attendance forty years ago. "I've passed this building many times, but I never knew the faith of this congregation."

"Perhaps you should come to Liturgy on Sunday. Remind yourself of our beliefs."

"I do believe I might." Henry turned to the cross. "I was admiring the artwork here and noticed this exquisite piece. Might I inquire of its origin?"

"It was made by Vladimir Kuznetsov some 300 years ago upon his conversion. For most of its life, it resided at Church of Saint Ambrose of Milan in Moscow, Russia, but it came to us as a gift when this building was completed. We cherish such a magnificent piece gracing our church and blessing the lives of our congregation."

Present...

"Henry?" Jo had come outside. "Henry?"

"Yes? Oh, sorry. I sometimes lose myself in memories."

"Where was this one?"

"A church in Austria. I was reminded of it by that building there." Henry headed toward the church. "I wonder..."

"Henry." Jo followed the medical examiner. "What is it?"

"This church is Eastern Orthodox, just like the cross. I wonder if the victim hid the cross there."

The two went inside. Fewer people were here than Henry had experienced in the past, but there was a priest up toward the altar. Henry quickly whispered to Jo the proper protocol for interacting with the priest as they made their way towards him. Greetings went smoothly and the priest led them to a place where the group could talk in private.

Jo started the conversation. "We were wondering if you knew Mr. Crocetti." She showed a picture of the victim.

"We met once. A couple weeks ago."

"Did he give you this cross to safeguard?" Henry showed the picture of the cross.

The priest hesitated. "He... He asked me to not say anything. Someone dangerous is looking for it."

Jo had shown the priest her badge earlier, but she made sure it was visible now. "That dangerous person killed him. And now they're going wherever they think that cross might be hidden and ransacking it. If you are in possession of it, we need you to give it to us so we can protect it and return it to the rightful owner."

The priest nodded. "I know it was stolen. Ezio told me a little about what had happened when he left it here."

"He was being forced to make a replica, wasn't he?"

The priest turned to Henry. "Yes. Ezio didn't want to. The man threatened to kill his wife if he refused. Has she been...?"

"No, she's fine." Henry turned to Jo. "I have an idea for how we can catch this guy. We'll need that cross though, Reverend Father."

The priest nodded and pulled it from his pocket. "Here. Please make sure it is returned to the State Historical Museum in Moscow."

"We will." Henry carefully took the cross from the priest. "Thank you for protecting this."

"It was an honor." The priest turned to Jo. "Find the man who stole it. He must be stopped."

"I will. Thanks for your help."

Henry put the cross in his inside coat pocket and followed Jo to the door. He held it open for her and they returned to the car. Hanson was waiting for them. "Where'd you guys go?"

"To that church building. Our victim entrusted the cross to a priest there. We've retrieved it."

Hanson's eyebrows raised and his voice lowered. "You have it?"

Henry patted his coat. "I have it here."

"You need to get that back to the precinct." Hanson glanced back at the workshop. "I'll stay here with the uniforms. You guys head back."

Henry turned to Jo. "Might I use your phone again?"

"Sure." She handed it over. "What's up?"

"I feel as though we are being watched. The cross may be safer in numbers here than with just Jo and myself."

"I think you might be a bit paranoid, Doc."

"He might be right. This workshop makes the second location to be ransacked for it."

A shout was heard inside the workshop. "Detectives!"

The three went inside, Henry on the phone with Lucas. "No, not that. I just need you to come down here with the crime scene technicians. I have an important task for you."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. As quick as you can."

Hanson spoke to the uniform. "What is it?"

Henry hung up the phone and noticed what the uniform was holding in a gloved hand. "Ezio was making a replica." He gloved up. "May I?"

The uniform handed it over. "Sure."

"He was good. This metalwork is beautiful." Henry looked at Jo. "We can use this as a decoy."

Jo took an evidence bag out of her pocket. "What are you thinking?"

"I called Lucas. He's coming with the crime scene technicians. I would like the cross to return to the precinct with him in the crime scene van. I'll hold onto the decoy, just in case." Henry slipped the real cross in the evidence bag Jo was holding out toward him.

Jo sealed the bag. "Sure."

Hanson flashed a thumbs up at Henry behind Jo's back. Henry shook his head. Jo handed the bagged cross to Henry and looked at him quizzically. He smiled and said, "I'll tell you later."

Eventually the crime scene crew came in, and Lucas headed right over to Henry. "What do you need?"

"Do you have an evidence bag?"

"Yeah." Lucas quickly pulled on a pair of gloves and grabbed a bag.

Henry pulled the bagged cross out of his coat pocket. "I'm entrusting this to you."

"You found it."

"Yes. Pay attention. Take this with you." Henry handed Lucas the bagged cross and took the empty evidence bag from him. "Put it in the box with the rest of the collected evidence. Make sure it gets to the lab. And most importantly, don't draw attention to it."

"Got it." He turned for the door.

"Lucas."

"Yeah, boss." Lucas turned back around.

"Where are you going?"

"The... lab?"

Henry shook his head. "No, you're staying with the crime scene technicians. When they leave, that's when you will leave too."

"Oh. Got it."

Henry bagged the decoy and tucked it in his coat pocket. "Shall we, Jo?"

"Let's go." They got into the car and pulled away from the curb. "What were you shaking your head about earlier?"

"You and I were getting along and Hanson noticed. He gave me a thumbs up."

"Oh." There was silence between them for a few blocks. "So, do you really think someone's going to try something crazy to get the cross?"

"I think the thief is getting desperate to locate it. So, yes. I think some..."

There was the deafening sound of metal on metal and breaking glass as Jo's car was hit on her side. The other car had hit them between her engine and front door, pushing the police car into scaffolding on a nearby building. The airbags had deployed and Jo's face was pressed into one with the force of the crash. As they hit the scaffolding, Jo heard the sounds of something awful to her right and Henry groaned in pain.

A/N: Stay tuned!