Paul Lovette, the night shift supervisor of a New York crime lab, slowed his pace a bit. He hadn't turned, and he didn't plan on it.

He had just clocked in no less then two minutes ago, and he already had a busy night ahead of him.

"Paul Lovette, God damn you!" Her cold voice made him freeze, and he turned around after composing a 'not-so-pleased-with-you' face.

"What?" An attempt to match her cold tone that failed more then it succeeded judging from the look on her face.

"Paulie, I need your help." She stopped about a foot from him and locked his gaze. From the way she stared at him it was obvious she was worried about something.

"With what?" Diverting his eyes from her stare, Paul looked down at his watch. He had a meeting to get to in 10 minutes, and he didn't want to be late.

"Ty never showed up for work." She needed someone to tell her what to do. Someone to give an assurance or order. And since her current boss wasn't there, her old one would have to do.

"So he got sick, Caroline. It happens." He really didn't want this to make him late. It wasn't important enough.

"He was with me last night. He was gone when I woke up." She paused before speaking quickly. "And he wasn't sick."

Sighing slightly, Paul looked back up. "Caroline, maybe he just didn't want to come to work today. That happens."
"Ty's not one to not call." Crossing her arms, Caroline tapped her foot impatiently.

"So he forgot"

"That is not the point! He hasn't called me or anyone else. He hasn't emailed, he hasn't shown up. He's not at home, and I tried his cell. No answer. Do you get it? I'm worried about him." Defeat replaced the desperation.

"Alright. I got it. Where do we start?" Sighing, Paul Lovette glanced down the hall, half expecting his team to come charging for his tardiness.

"Does it look like I know? I was hoping you would." Caroline sounded smaller and weaker then normal, something that didn't happen often.

"Carrie, us criminologists are only human. I don't know everything and I can't survive lightning."

"That's what I'm worried about, Paul... Ty's the same as the rest of us. And I think something bad is going to happen." Her voice died down and her thoughts ran wild.

God was she scared