"You have got to be kidding me…"
Steve bit his lip before a well-placed expletive could escape and wiggled on the closed door to the coroner's office once more, as if to double check that it was indeed locked.
"I bet he got a call about an hour ago.", Mike grunted and leaned forward to read the handwritten note taped to the inside of the door, that the office was closed due to a "Family Emergency".
Looking through the glass to see the coffee machine behind the front desk eagerly brewing away on a fresh pot was enough of a reassurance that they were indeed being set up.
Next to him, Steve pulled back from the building and took a couple steps toward the Galaxy, before interlacing his hands behind his head and sighing theatrically.
"You know this is the epitome of childish, right?"
"Well, thankfully Ed gave us our answer before we got here."
Trying to keep his own frustration from showing, Mike joined his partner by the unmarked police car, as they both enjoyed the warm sun rays and slight breeze on this unusually nice winter day.
Taking in the damp air coming off Clear Lake, Mike glanced east, where the secrets hidden behind the scenic rolling mountains tempted him relentlessly.
"We've got three hours to kill. How about we make use of it?"
Reaching over to tap his partner's chest in the middle of Steve arching his back; Mike couldn't help but smile at the pained grimace he received as the sole response.
"Aw, come on now. It'll do your senses some good. Get away from all that highway driving and enjoy the scenery of the park. Get some fresh air, hear the birds chirp, let the trees calm your mind, look for Homicide clues…what do you say, Smiley?"
Shaking his head and unable to hide the world-renowned Stephen Keller grin, the young Inspector chuckled.
"Who could resist a tempting invitation like that, eh?"
"I was hoping you'd say that…"
Patting Steve on the shoulder as he walked past toward the waiting Galaxy, Mike released a long-held breath; part of him curious of what they would find. And somewhere deep within, another part dreaded it; knowing full well what the implications of several missing people in an organ trading ring could be.
Hearing Steve clear his throat from behind made Mike take his eyes off the mountains and turn around.
Across from him by the driver's side, the young Inspector was resting his arms on the roof of the Galaxy, nervously playing with the ignition keys in his hand.
"You know, I was thinking, Mike.", he said, as the wind blew his hair all over the place once again, "We do need some gas. Wanne do some role play and pretend to be a broken-down motorist?"
Pursing his lips as he mirrored his partner's posture against the tan sedan, Mike thought about it for a minute, then shook his head.
"Let's wait on that until we see that campsite, all the escape routes, and even get a better idea of the inner workings of this city. I want to know my playing field, before I start throwing the ball."