Marius almost laughed. The idea was preposterous. "The technologist is a group of scientists. They would never do this. They are not a violent group."

Captain Lombard said, "Marius look over at that wall over here."

His gyro glasses picked out the guts and blood splatter. Yet, he saw something curious. Words were smeared with the gore. It read in sloppy writing, "Techies kill all magics."

Marius was stunned. He said, "Doctor Perry did you get any finger prints?"

He shook his solemn head. "No, not yet. It will take some time to process all this mess."

"We need to confirm this is Professor Julius," a woman said from the doorway.

Captain Lombard said, "Ah, Marius, your new partner is here."

"Wait," the lady said, "I don't need a new partner."

"This is Detective Elsa."

"Lieutenant Detective Elsa. You are Detective Marius from Robbery. Why are you here?"

Captain Lombard said, "Elsa, he is helping you investigate this case."

She was about to say something, but Marius interjected, "Hey, I don't want a new partner. I already have one and since this is not a robbery case. I shall go."

Captain Lombard stood before him. "Wait. These are orders from the Chief Commissioner and me. You both will work this case or you shall give me your badge."

Detective Elsa stared at him and at the Captain. She threw up her hands. "Come on. Detective Marius let's leave while the coroner processes the crime scene."

Marius move toward the door with Captain Lombard following behind. They walked downstairs to the bottom.

Captain Lombard said, "I already have my officers question the lady who found the Professor. You will have a report on your desk tomorrow. You two have dinner on me." He pulled out fifty dollars and gave it to Marius. He was reluctant to take the money. He felt like a kid receiving money from his dad. He grabbed it and placed it in his pocket.

Detective Elsa nodded and they both walked out into the night. They stood in front of the townhouse. Marius said, "I need a ride to the hospital. My hansom automobile is parked there."

"Sure," she said, "I'm sorry to hear about your partner."

He didn't ask her how she knew. Bad news always travels fast. "Thanks. I was going to check on him but they hoodwink me to go to this crime scene." They walked down a path. Dylithic gas lamps lighted their way.

He said, "Look, before, we have dinner can we visit my partner?"

"Yes, you don't have to ask." Her hansom mobile was parked on a long cobblestone street. Her nondescript car was dark gray like his own. She unlocked the doors and they entered.

Marius said, "Did you smell dylithic stones at the crime scene?"

She drove forward toward the direction of the hospital. "Yes. Wizards and magic users don't use dylithic stones in their experiments."

He nodded. "What makes you think the professor was experimenting?"

She sighed. "The room was covered with broken magical equipment. He was definitely doing something."

"This could all just be an experiment gone wrong."

She turned at the corner and several automobiles were in front of them. Their headlights flooded over the squat two-story apartment buildings. The fog still hung on their path.

"We still need to investigate."

Marius said, "I'm not going to take the case."

"You heard the Captain. You have to take it or get fired."

Marius smirked. "I know."

He stared out the window watching people roaming along the pavement. His mind was thinking about the botched stake-out that happened earlier tonight. She pulled her car into the parking lot of the hospital. He got out of the hansom and walked up the steps to the front entrance. He heard her following him.

He said, "You can wait in the car, if you want."

"No, I will follow you."

He gazed at the nurse behind the oak partition. He made sure there were no other police officers hanging around the desk. "I'm looking for Detective Kelsey."

The nurse glanced at him. "Are you Detective Marius?"

He nodded.

"The doctor wants to speak to you."

"Ok, but I want to see my partner first." Marius made a move down the hallway. If he had to find his partner by himself, so be it. A tall man in a white doctor's coat walked toward him. He was moving fast. Marius saw the man's brown tweed suit under the coat and a stethoscope hung around his neck.

"Detective," the man said. "I'm Doctor Smithwell."

The doctor had a youthful face but gray mark his hair.

"What is wrong with Kelsey?" he said.

"As you know, Detective, your partner was struck by a blast of a magical weapon but this injury was not something we have seen before. In many ways, this blast was not magical. We cannot understand it."

"So, how is he?"

"He is conscious and in a lot of pain. We have him on drugs. He should not feel anything."

"Is his wife here?"

The doctor nodded his head. "She is in the room with him."

They followed him along the hallway and took a left down a connecting hallway. He stopped at the second door on the left. Marius heard gentle sobbing coming from inside.

The doctor said, "Your partner needs time to heal. So don't try to ask him any questions."

Marius moved into the room. Detective Elsa stood by the doorway.

He said, "Kathryn, I am so sorry." Her eyes were red.

Marius had met Kathryn several times during the years and barely talked to her. Yet, he came closer and gave her a hug. She welcomed the embrace. They disengaged and he looked over at Kelsey. His stomach jumped. His partner's torso and left leg was covered in a white cast. His eyes looked upwards and then at him. A film of sweat beaded Kelsey's forehead. Marius walked toward the bed. He grasped Kelsey's hand. His partner whispered something.

"What?" he said. Marius placed his ear closer to Kelsey's lips.

"Malovorian, Malovorian."

Nothing else was said. His partner closed his eyes. Marius stepped back and almost called the doctor. Kelsey was breathing normally.

Kathryn said, "He had been asking for you for nearly an hour." Her accusing eyes dared him to tell her why he took so long to get to the hospital, but with any cop wives. She knew when not to ask. Yet, her eyes told it all.

Marius said, "Kathryn, do you need anything before I go?"

"No." Her pupils shot hot daggers into his face.

"Please leave me a message at my precinct, when he is conscious."

"Yes, sure." She sat back at the chair close to the bed and stared at her husband.