Calligan sat sullenly on the front steps of the precinct staring glassily into the distance. People rushed quickly around him in their early morning to rush to get to work, only hesitating, out of brief curiosity, at the cordoned-off wreck in the street. Most people had heard of the events of the night before, but to them it was just another crime scene. It didn’t matter that the victim was one of their own, and they weren’t there when it happened.

Not like Calligan, who had heard the gunshots and came rushing to help.

He was too late, just like everyone else; and that ate him up inside.

So Calligan sat there, frozen in place and lost in his own grim thoughts, until he heard another person take a seat next him. He didn’t look at them; he wasn’t in the mood for socializing. Instead, he opted to continue gazing pensively off into nothing.

“It’s not your fault, you know.” The person whispered softly, gently touching his arm. They had a soothing voice that was both feminine and instantly recognizable.

“I know, Crystal.” Calligan responded somberly. “I did what I could, and that’s the most that can be asked of anyone.”

“Then why do you look like you’re blaming yourself?” She responded, a concerned expression was etched across her face.

“I’m not. Or at least, I’m not trying to. I’m just thinking.” Calligan replied. “The Doc was rough around the edges, for sure, but. . . I liked him. And I know, there aren’t many people who would admit that. He worked hard to make sure everyone disliked him. I think it was all part of his plan, so he could be left in peace. But with all of his hostility and anger, I respected him. No one worked harder than he did, and no one was better with a scalpel. To say that his work was invaluable would be an understatement. Say what you want about his character, the man was probably the most ethical person in this entire precinct.”

Crystal cocked her head at that, a puzzled expression etched across her face. “Why do you say that?” She inquired.

“Not everyone here is as they seem.” Calligan sighed. “There are a lot of people with a lot of interests, and many of them conflict with each other. The Doc ran into that head on, but the Doc doesn’t yield to anyone. Or rather, he didn’t. You can see where that’s gotten him now.”

“People were trying to get him to do something wrong?” Crystal asked, concerned. “That’s why they did this?”

“Maybe.” Calligan replied. “Maybe not. It might not have been them at all. The Doc might have been stubborn, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew who he was dealing with, so I have a hard time believing he just walked into this, this could have been a random hit.”

“I talked to him before it all happened, you know.” Crystal Murmured in response. “He seemed so tired, but also friendly. He was really nice.”

“Did he seem like someone who knew he was about to die?”

“No.”

Calligan sat silently for a moment before suddenly raising himself from his perch on the steps. Reaching out he gently grasped Crystal’s hand, raising her steadily to her feet. He then solemnly led her to the door of the precinct and escorted her inside.

“Is that it?” Crystal asked as they entered.

“What do you mean?” Calligan replied.

“Do you know who did it?” She returned. “It seemed like you were trying to figure out who killed the doctor, then you just stopped.”

“I have some ideas, but I’m still trying to piece everything together. A lot’s happened that plays into this. It’s going to take time for me to fully figure things out.”

Crystal smiled. “Well, if you ever need anyone to talk to, you know how to reach me. Though I know there are some things you can’t say. Still, even a man needs to grieve, and talking can help with that.”

Calligan grinned. Leaning in, he planted a kiss on her cheek. “And thank you for talking to me now. You’ve been a big help.”

He threw his arm over her, and they both made their way to the front desk. The world didn’t stop for their grief, and it was time for them to return to it.

Just before they reached it, however, Calligan stopped.

“Say,” Calligan stated thoughtfully. “Has anyone seen Mac since last night?”

Crystal shook her head.

“You mean you haven’t seen him?” She asked.

“No.” Calligan responded. “I’ve been too focused on what happened to keep track of anyone.”

“Should we be worried?” Crystal inquired, seeing the serious look on Calligan’s face.

“Maybe.” He returned. “Mac loved to get on the Doc’s nerves, but that’s what he does to anyone he likes. Even if there aren’t a lot of people who are taking his death very hard, he’s one of the few who is.”

“Harder than you?”

“Much harder than me.”

“So what should we do?” Crystal asked.

“Pray he doesn’t do something too stupid. Other than that, there’s not much we can do. He’s the type of person who has to get the rage out of his system, and there’s nothing we can do to stop him. Let’s hope that means that he’s just going to get into some fights until he calms down and not do what I’m afraid of.

“What are you afraid he’ll do?”

“Mac’s a man of extremes in normal cases. I’ve never seen it, but I’m afraid that if he’s angry enough, he’ll be driven to kill.”

“But who would he kill? He doesn’t know who’s responsible.”

“He knows about as much as I know, and that might be enough for him. After all, if I found who I thought was responsible, I might do it too.”

Crystal shook her head vigorously, gripping Calligan’s arm. “No you wouldn’t. You’re too goodhearted for that.”

“Maybe you’re right, maybe you’re not.” He replied. “Either way, Mac’s not me. If he finds who did it, he’ll pull the trigger. And it’s like I said, there’s nothing we can do to stop him.”