Title: Fragile
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one

"In theory it clicks."Reece said quietly once Mike was finished.

"But..."Hanson prompted.

"We need connections."Reece continued."If Dr. Morgan left because he felt threatened, if the arson is related to Detective Martinez's stabbing..."

"Henry's the connection."Mike said pointing out the obvious.

"Yes, that's a given."Reece agreed thoughtfully. "But what do we know about him? Do we know where he's from orginally?"

Mike thought for a moment than shook his head grimly.

"I'll have someone bring you a laptop that's connected to the police database."Reece offered as she stood. "Start digging; we need evidence to prove your theory."

"Yes, Ma'am."Hanson acknowledged.

"I'll send a change of clothes too."Reece added as she left.

After Lt. Reece left Mike went in search of coffee. Finding a vending machine Mike dug for change in his pants pocket and his fingers closed around spare coins. As he drew the money out Mike saw the blood on his pants and the bottom of his shirt. He stared at it for a long moment not being able to look away. Jo's blood.

Swallowing hard Mike thought back to a few weeks ago. Remembering when he and Henry had arrived at the crash scene. When they'd first pulled up and seen the wrecked sports car. Even knowing Jo was safe with the paramedics it had still taken Mike's breath away. So many things could've gone wrong. Dunn could've tried to get control of the car, could've shot Jo and shoved her out...

Mike just couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that a man he had considered a friend Mike really didn't know that much about. That the same person who he and Jo had both trusted might now have put her in danger; unwittingly or not. Henry; what the hell is going on? Mike wondered silently as he finally shoved the coins into the vending machine.

The coffee had just finished dispensing when Mike heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see a young brown haired man in a NYPD uniform snow still on his sleeves.

"Detective Hanson."The officer began. "The nurse said you were here. I have the items from Lt. Reece."

Mike sat the paper coffee cup on the vending machine next to the coffee machine and took the two clothe bags from the younger man.

"Thank you, officer."Mike said with a brief smile. "Appreciate it."

The youth nodded and left. Mike took the coffee back to the waiting room and then found a bathroom to change clothes in. Once that was done he returned to the waitng room and plugged in the laptop. It was time to find some answers. Mike just hoped what he found would help Henry and bring him back. Jo had already had enough pain with losing Sean.


As much as Abe had tried he hadn't been completely able to disconnect from his old life in New York. His phone was still set up to receive news alerts from the city. When his phone beeped the next morning as he was getting ready for the day Abe glanced at the screen and froze.

"Henry!"Abe shouted.

The antique dealer grabbed the phone scrambling to get the device to pull up the full article. After what seemed like an eternity Abe got the news article to load and he read it with growing dread.

"Henry!"Abe yelled once more.

"What?"His father asked as he raced into Abe's bedroom only half dressed and hair still wet from the shower. "What's wrong?"

Wordlessly Abe handed Henry the phone before sinking heavily onto the bed.

"Oh God."Henry whispered.

"You thought leaving would protect them."Abe said hollowly. "Now we have to go back. You can't let him get away with this."

"No."Henry stated his voice icy calm his gaze fixed on the news story. "Adam wants a fight; he's got one. "

"So when do we leave?"Abe asked grimly.

"As soon as possible; within the hour."Henry replied.

Abe took the phone back from his father as Henry turned and left. Abe watched him go with a heavy heart. His father had suffered so much with the loss of Abigal and the last few years of their relationship. Whatever budding romance had started with Jo it hadn't had a chance before they'd had to leave. Now with Jo being injured Abe knew his father would blame himself and put up walls. As he quickly got ready and started to pack Abe just hoped that Jo would be stubborn enough to break down those walls.


It was after six pm the next day and Mike was no closer to answers than he had been the day before. He was back in the squad room alternating between reports, catch up paperwork on other cases and digging into Henry Morgan's background. Jo had gotten through surgery with positive reports from the doctors and was in ICU as a precaution. They had wanted to monitor her for any intenral bleeding. She hadn't been awake when Mike had left the hospital early that morning but he'd stopped by anyway needing to see her. The last update he'd had from the hospital was she'd waken briefly but was now lightly sedated. The doctors citing rest was the best medicine for her body to heal. His stomach rumbled reminding Mike he hadn't eaten much that day. He ignored it and continued with a report on Wilkins's arrest the day before. He was so involved that he didn't look up when a shadow fell across his computer monitor.

"How is she?"A quiet voice asked.

Mike jumped a mile the voice having been the last he expected to hear. He glanced up and saw Henry Morgan standing near his desk as if nothing had changed. As if he hadn't vanished from their lives for almost a month. The M.E looked like hell; face pale, day's growth of beard, dark circles under his eyes.

"Now you care?"Mike demanded. "You didn't give a damn when you left."

"Mike..."Henry began.

"In ICU being monitored for internal bleeding."Mike relented running a hand through his dark hair.

Henry closed his eyes briefly and then opened them.

"Her attacker?"Henry asked grimly. "One person?"

"As far as we can tell."Mike responded as he sat back down. "Might as well be trying to chase a damn ghost."

Henry nodded and turned to leave.

"You staying?"Mike asked halting the M.E."Or should I tell Jo you left again?"

"I'm staying."Henry replied tightly as he headed to the elevator. "I won't let anyone hurt her again."

Mike watched him leave. Then just as the doors closed he snatched up his jacket and cell phone and headed for the stairs. Henry wasn't escaping answers that easily.