Marius sat across from Detective Elsa in a leather booth. He ate in this Italian restaurant several times with Kelsey, his old partner. It was close to the precinct, just walking distance. He guessed Elsa would have been here before with her own detective partners. His hat hung on a hook rack close by them. The walls were white wood paneling and the glass windows had filigree metal adornments. The prices were inexpensive and reasonable. Yet, the real reason why the cops hung out here were the waitresses. A pixy brunette in a low dress that accentuated her bosom served them food.

When the waitress left, Elsa said, "You have not told me what Kelsey said."

Marius considered this and he knew there was no reason not to tell her. He was not sure what it was he was taking about. "He said 'Malovorian.' I have never heard of that word before."

Elsa took a forkful of her eggplant parmesan and chewed it. He could tell she recognized it. He knew by questioning countless of witnesses that sometimes waiting would bring wealth of information.

She said, "I know that word." She looked through her pockets. They had their guns and wands hidden under their jackets. People around them would get scared if their weapons were shown in plain sight. Elsa took out a piece of paper. She handed it to him. The paper was folded twice into a small square.

He said, "What is this?"

"I have this hobby."

Marius opened the sheet. It was a seminar announcement printed in black ink. On the top was a round logo in a depiction of a sprocket. He saw the main speaker was a Dr. Malovorain.

"Do you know who this Dr. Malovorian?"

"I like to tinker in things, tech things. Except, it is only a hobby. Dr. Malovorian is different. She is the head tinker. She is a technologist extraordinaire. She invented most of everything we use from the hansom auto to the ovens in this restaurant."

"You admire her."

"Yes."

Marius started eating his pasta, thinking about his next option. He would have to speak to Dr. Malovorian. And he had to be careful. The top brass wanted him to investigate the Professor Julian murder. He would do it and also investigate his partner's shooting.

As if anticipating him, Elsa said, "I think both cases are connected."

He nodded thinking the same thing. He let her speak.

"If both cases are connected, how can the killer of Professor Julius also shoot your partner?"

"I don't know. It could be just a coïncidence. Both cases have a technologist involved."

She looked through the grimy window and stared at the rolling fog outside. "I don't believe in coincidence."

He started to like this detective. "We should question Dr. Malovorian tomorrow. I have some paperwork to finish at the precinct. You can drop me off at my automobile."

• • •

Detective Marius drove his hansom car upon the street. He lied to Elsa. His paperwork could wait until later tonight. He had an errand he had to do. The cobblestone street drummed against his tires. The fog changed into a slight drizzle and he used his wipers to clean the windows. The moon hung along the clouds. He did not know it was a full moon. The mist was so thick he did not see the luminescence, even when he was riding the balloon plane. He shuddered. He hated that experience.

Marius moved his automobile into the parking spot in the empty lot next to the plain brick building. A sign in the front read, "Please sign in at the desk." He pressed a button. A small grated opening slid from the middle of the door.

"Who are you here to see?"

"Catherine Rollins."

The entry opened and a bright light blinded him a second.

"Hello Detective Marius, you are late. But you can come inside."

He walked inside a white room and moved to the desk. He signed a visitor's sheet. The male nurse waited for him.

Marius said, "Hello, Davidson. How is she doing tonight?"

"She is the same."

The nurse started walking briskly down a hallway. Marius followed. The distance was not far. Her room was second from the right. Davidson opened the door and he walked in.

Catherine was lying on the bed. Her eyes found his and held it. She was so weak she could not say anything. Marius came close to her and held her hand. He felt her hot touch and knew the sickness she had was eating her from within. There was no cure to her sickness. It was called the Draining disease because the sickness drains a person's energy until the person merely lay there. Soon enough, Marius knew his wife's internal organs were going to shut down. He had been to countless of doctor's and specialist and their prognosis was grim.

"Hello dear." He placed the wooden chair close to her bed. "I miss you."

Her eyes greeted him. She tried to open her mouth.

"Don't say anything. I want you to rest."

Her eyes drooped a little then closed. He stayed sitting next to her for several hours. She did not awake.

• • •

The next day Marius arrived at the police precinct promptly at 8:00 am as his usual routine. He walked up the precinct's steps. Detective Elsa opened the front door for him. She had a cup in her hand. He said, "Hi, I thought you would not be in."

"Here is your coffee. You like it with some milk and a little sugar."

"No black is fine."

"I already logged you in. Are you ready to question Dr. Malovorian?"

He took the cup. "Are you driving?"

"Yes."

Marius hoped Elsa's excitement would not cloud her judgement. "Wait. I have not read the coroner's report."

"You can read it later. I already read it and read about the raid of the shipping warehouse. The coroner confirmed the blood type and traces of fabric were Professor Julius."

"So, it is conclusive it was him. Did we get the report from the eyewitness who found the Professor?"

"Yes, it was another teacher." She opened her small leather notebook. "Yes, it was a Professor Laurie. She said she heard a big explosion. She had his key."

They stepped into her automobile. He placed his cup on the holder on the front of the dash board.

He said, "Detective Elsa, when we question, Dr. Malovorian be professional."

She started the hansom automobile and placed her hand on the steering wheel. It was in a shape of a large round clock gear with big spokes. He did not notice it last night. He stared outside. The sun burned away the fog from last night. People walked on the streets, going toward their business and jobs. The men wore long coats and the women wore dresses with bodices. Everybody wore hats.

"I'm professional."

"She could be a suspect in my partner's shooting."

"Ok."

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