I am trying to put out a few extra chapters today for those of us, including me, worried about the current situation all over this world. Sometimes it's nice to get away for a few precious moments.

"Really?"

Mike Stone looked up at him with a mixture of puzzlement and irritation, as Steve handed the paranormal science magazine over, smiling at his partner's grouchy attitude that morning.

"Well, I am not saying it's legit, but that's a hell of a coincidence on the name of our Missing Persons victim and her last known location…just saying…"

Mike's eyes narrowed to tight slats as he grabbed the magazine, scanning through the pages until he reached the one marked with a gold paperclip. With his partner waiting patiently, the Lieutenant read through some of the text, small creases appearing on his forehead the deeper he dug into the article.

Finally, with a sigh and a discrediting frown, he put the magazine back down.

"We better call Gerry…and get a warrant to bring this…this Chupacabra in for questioning. See if he folds during the interview…"

"Aw, come on, Mike…", raising his hands defensively, Steve rolled his eyes before gesturing to the Telex machine sitting outside the office by Art's desk, "I'm not going to believe every word they're saying, but I will still give this Julie Holstein a call. She claims to have been her best friend, and if I recall, I saw her name in the Missing Persons file. Plus, I want to dig into the story of that body they supposedly found. Something strange is going on…I want to know why that report didn't pop up on our research yesterday…"

Mike smiled at him sympathetically, before resting his hands behind his head.

"You're really worked up about this case, aren't you?"

Returning the smile, Steve sat down on the corner of Mike's desk before crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Let's just say that I signed up to be an organ donor a long time ago in case…you know…if…if and when the inevitable happens. And I would want my organs to be donated in a fair matter, not according to who pays the most, but according to whoever is on top of the list. I am getting really sick and tired of people thinking they can buy their way into health, happiness…or heaven for that matter…"

Freezing in his tracks when the young Inspector said those words, Mike glanced down, and then shook his head with a broad grin.

"You really are something, you know that? You pretend to be the Grinch for Christmas, hating everything that has to do with gifts and family, complaining for hours on end about the hypocrisy of expressing kindness during the holidays, and then you turn into the world's most selfless guy, willing to give the gift of life in the face of your own death. You sure know how to make life confusing, don't you?"

Steve pursed his lips and fell silent, unsure of whether the remark was a compliment or a complaint. In the end, it was the Lieutenant who raised his voice, his bright blue eyes turning a shade warmer.

"Tell you what…I've got to meet with Roy and Rudy on this situation for the next hour or so…how about you give that…that Miss Holstein a call? See what you can dig up. Maybe even call this magazine up and see where they got their info from. Let me know what you found out when I get back…"

Nodding with a broad grin, Steve reached for the paper on Mike's desk, never losing eye contact with his best friend along the way.

"Thanks, Mike"

The Lieutenant cocked his head, trying to hide the pride in his features to no avail.

"Don't worry about it.", he said before getting up and readying himself for the briefing, "Good hunting, my friend, good hunting…"