Lewis and Kellerman turned to look at the source of the voice. Mahoney wasn't on the floor, he was charging at them with a deranged look on his face.

Without hesitating for a second, Kellerman lifted his gun and shot Mahoney. He fell to the floor and didn't move.

"Is he dead?" Kellerman asked.

Stivers went over and checked for a pulse. She couldn't find one. "Yeah."

"I've never killed a man before," Kellerman said.

"That was a righteous shoot, Mikey. Did you see the way Mahoney was coming at us? I don't think a dozen bullets would've stopped him," Lewis said.

"I know," Kellerman said. "Meldrick, should I feel bad about this?"

"No, you shouldn't. Mahoney was scum of the earth. But unless you're not human, you probably will.

"I'm real sorry I wasn't there for you during the whole bribery thing. I regret that. But I'm here for you from now on, if you ever need me," Lewis said quietly.

Kellerman thought about Jessie Porter again. Hey, Jessie, wherever you are, maybe change doesn't come magically, but sometimes a bullet can work wonders.

FINIS