Got done with this early and decided to post it today. Happy reading!
By the time Henry finally reached the lab he had received enough hostile looks and even a harsh bump or two to make it very clear something was wrong. It was the pugio, of course. His mind had been so fixed on Adam that he had forgotten to go back and get it. He hadn't really been thinking at all. Henry had the grace at least to be troubled by that. When he saw Lucas cleaning out his desk that troubled feeling grew into alarm.
"Lucas! What are you doing?"
"I'm cleaning out my desk, Dr. Morgan. Jo warned me that I'd be fired if I helped you, but I knew you needed my help. How could I refuse a friend?"
Henry was speechless. He stood next to Lucas' desk and fumbled for words; at the very least Lucas deserved an apology. "I'm sorry Lucas," he managed at last and left it at that.
"Don't worry about me Dr. Morgan. I'll manage. Did you get your man at least?"
"Beg pardon?"
"I assumed your stalker was back. Several days back someone called your office and I took it. He sounded creepy. I didn't want to worry you, so I kept it to myself."
"He was very good at instilling terror," Henry admitted, "but he's been dealt with."
"Not dead?" Lucas looked alarmed, or perhaps shocked.
"I never could willingly kill. No he's ... contained."
Henry wasn't comfortable discussing the matter so Lucas changed the subject. "I'm opening a brew pub with some friends. It'll give me something to do while Internal Affairs conducts their investigation." He handed Henry a business card. "I'd be honored if you'd drop by sometime."
Henry took the card and offered his hand, "I'm proud of you Lucas."
Lucas smiled as he shook hands, "Just one thing Doc, the next time you're in trouble, please don't hesitate to ask for help. You have more friends than you think." Without waiting for an answer, Lucas took his things and left.
A much sadder Henry stepped into his office. His desk was just as he had left it - overflowing with paperwork. With a sigh he sat down and began organizing and completing the mind numbing forms. By the time Mike Hanson came down the desk was half cleared again.
"What's going on between you and Jo?" Mike snapped without preamble, "and don't tell me 'nothing', because it's obviously not."
"I'm afraid I gave her a nasty shock," which was true, "I was going to apologize this morning, but she's not ready for that I guess."
"What did you do?" Mike insisted, leaning over Henry's desk.
Henry leaned back in his chair, restoring the distance between them and grimacing when he realized it looked like a retreat. "I'm very sorry Detective Hanson, but I'm not at liberty to say. It's a very personal matter and if Jo wants you to know she'll tell you herself."
"If you've hurt her..." Mike growled.
"I would never," Henry snapped.
Mike stuck a finger in his face, "But you did when you took the pugio! That was her case, and you did your level best to sink it. Why doc? Why'd you try to wreck her case? Why couldn't you just trust her?"
Henry appeared to shrink before Mike's assault, avoiding his eyes and nervously picking at the hem of his lab coat. Henry suddenly felt like a weary old man. Mike's eyes narrowed as he noticed the grey in Henry's beard. Looking confused, Mike dropped his hand and straightened. "You have a funny way of treating your friends."
Henry reacted as if he had been slapped. "I was trying to protect her!" he shouted, then abruptly snapped his mouth shut and fell silent, shocked by how close he came to blurting the whole thing out.
"Protect her from what?" Mike pressed, never one to give up an advantage.
Henry stared right back, weighing options. Mike leaned forward over the desk, his face just inches from Henry's, "From what doctor?"
"He would have killed her; he had threatened to kill anyone who got in his way."
"Who?" Mike snarled, not giving an inch.
"I never learned his name - not his real one at any rate. He was there at Zander's murder scene."
Mike abruptly sat back on his heels, "So that's why you flipped out." Mike shoved his hands in his pockets and paced. "Anything else?" he said after a moment.
"Nothing that I am at liberty to discuss." Henry rubbed his face feeling a headache coming on. "If you don't mind..." Henry began gently and waited for Mike to stop pacing. "I really have to get back to work."
"Oh," Mike looked sheepish now that his temper had faded. "I'll let you get back to it then." he said while heading for the door where he paused again, watching Henry lean over his papers. "You know doc." Mike paused, considering his words. "She really cares about you. I'd wager she's more hurt by your lack of trust than anything you said to her last night."
"What do you know about last night?" Henry snapped, feeling the old paranoia coming back.
Mike held up his hands, "Nothing, other than her reaction this morning." Mike stood in the doorway, hoping Henry would elaborate. Henry just glared at him until the detective took the hint and left.
Henry rubbed his face and for the first time in months seriously considered running away again.