As he made his way along the path, Hathaway peered ahead into the darkness. He could hear a woman's voice, but could not understand the words. But when he clearly heard her say, I hate you, Robert Lewis, he broke into a run.

There were two figures just off the path ahead of him, one prone on the ground and the other crouching over the first. He saw a glint of something flash in the hand of the second.

Hathaway added a burst of speed and careered into the one crouching, bowling the person over. The momentum rolled them over on the ground, and Hathaway heard a sharp gasp. He recognized Ginny Harris as he pinned her to the ground, but she did not acknowledge him. She had a knife stuck in her heart and, as he watched, the life went out of her eyes.

Lewis slowly opened his eyes. The room was filled with light and it took him a while to ascertain that he was in hospital, rather than Heaven. His hand was heavily bandaged and he couldn't move much. In fact, a lot of him was heavily bandaged. He felt numb, physically and mentally.

He tried to sit up, but had no strength. His movement caught the attention of another person in the room, and James Hathaway appeared first in his peripheral view, and then directly in front of him.

"Inspector Lewis, Sir? You awake?"

God, it was good to hear his voice! Lewis stared at the younger man, hoping he would speak again. After several moments, he realized it might help if he answered.

"She ruined my new suit, didn't she?"

Hathaway snorted a little, and a small grin played on his lips. "Yes, Sir, your suit is in worse shape than you, I'd say."

"What happened, Hathaway? I thought . . ." He couldn't finish it. I thought I died.

"Ginny attacked you with a knife. She cut you up quite a bit, but never managed to hit anything vital. Still, you lost a lot of blood. Or, I should say, you lost a lot of the blood-alcohol blend that was running through your veins at the time."

"What happened to Ginny?"

Hathaway was silent a moment. "She's dead. Fell on her own knife."

"So, justice was done in the end."

Neither man spoke for some time.

"Hathaway, I messed up. I forgot the basics, got too smug about solving a tough case. Innocent will probably have me hide. And I'll deserve it."

A voice came from a corner of the room. "I think you've been punished enough, Inspector. After all, I was there at the time, as well. I can hardly avoid sharing in the blame for what happened."

"Ma'am?" Lewis could not believe she was being so generous.

"You've been harder on yourself for this than I would ever be." She neared the bed, her eyes filled with such concern as he would not have anticipated.

"I'm just grateful we didn't lose you last night, Lewis. It was a very close call." She bent forward and kissed him on the forehead, then swiftly straightened and left the room.

Lewis glanced at Hathaway, puzzled. But his sergeant looked equally at sea. At last, Hathaway volunteered, "I think she feels guilty about trying to fix you up with Ginny. Or at least, she should do."

Despite the seriousness of Hathaway's expression, Lewis chuckled at that. Then he held his ribs. "Ow. Don't make me laugh anymore, alright, Hathaway? If you can control it, that is?"

"Sorry, Sir. I can't." And he smiled.

"Fine. Make me laugh, then. I could use it. And as soon as I get out of here, you're helping me buy a new suit."