"Elvis, I am so very sorry about your loss."
Reaching forward and resting a warm hand on the older man's arm, Mike waited patiently, glancing over the huddled figure weeping in the guest chair, before moving his eyes back up to his partner. Standing quietly in the corner by the door, Steve held their case file close to his chest, his solemn expression mirroring that of his partner.
"How could…how could anybody do such a thing, Michael?"
Seeing the older man's heart break not once, but for the second time since he'd known him, began to tear on Mike's heartstrings and he squeezed the outstretched arm tighter.
"That's what we're trying to figure out my friend…maybe you can help us…"
Behind them, Steve walked over to the opposite corner to reach for a box of Kleenex and handed it over to Elvis, the only source of comfort he could offer in such an inconsolable situation.
"I honestly don't know if I can…", the older man sobbed before blowing his nose, "Lew and I had a great relationship, don't misunderstand, but he didn't talk much about that trip at all. Everything he said to me I told your partner already…"
Leaning back, Mike swallowed hard, once again meeting Steve's eyes, preparing the young Inspector for what he was about to say.
"Elvis…we have evidence that suggests that Lew's murder is not an isolated case. As a matter of fact, there are at least four other Missing Person's cases that tie directly into yours. Somebody out there is hunting people down and killing them. If there's anything you can think of, any little detail, a change in Lew's behavior, something he said that seemed odd, anything at all, it would be extremely helpful if you'd let me know."
A faint knock disrupted their conversation and Steve quickly rushed to the door of the interrogation room to meet Sekulovich. Mike was close enough to hear him talk about a call on the line from the Lucerne Sheriff's Department. Glancing back at the Lieutenant as if to seek permission, Mike nodded at his partner and watched him leave the room to head over to his desk.
"Michael, I can't even think straight right now...after Dylan was killed, I was in such a sad state of mind for so long. And I was so excited when I became friends with Lew, it really rejuvenated my senses, you know? He was my best friend. I never wanted for anything to happen to him. What do you do if your best friend is killed Michael, what do you do?"
Swallowing the tears and biting his quivering lip, Mike didn't have the strength to answer.
For once, all he could do was shrug.