"Headquarters to Inspectors 8-1, come in please."

They had barely made it halfway down Hyde Street, still several blocks north of the busy Mission Street corridor, when the radio sprung to life again, causing the two Homicide detectives to share a foreboding glance as Mike reached for the receiver.

"This is Inspectors 8-1, go ahead, Headquarters."

"Inspectors 8-1, the Homicide Department requests your ETA for returning to the office. Non-Emergency request."

Frowning at the cryptic message, Mike glanced over at his partner, then raised his eyebrows as he quietly mouthed "non-emergency request" as if to convince himself he'd heard correctly.

Checking his wristwatch and gauging the traffic ahead, he brought the receiver close to his mouth again, before pushing the transmit button.

"10-4 Headquarters, we're about fifteen minutes out, give or take."

"10-4, Inspectors 8-1!"

Unable to wipe the frown off his face, Mike returned the receiver back to its cradle, then turned toward his partner.

"How is it I have a bad feeling about this strange non-emergency request?"

Shrugging nervously, Steve had a hard time disguising his own concerns, his troubled green eyes staring straight ahead.

"I guess we're going to find out in about fifteen minutes, give or take."