Josh's throat closed up as what the cop was saying
started to sink in. He reached back for the wall he knew was behind him
somewhere.

"Donna's not dead."Lyman stated firmly as he some how
managed to keep his voice from shaking.

The two cops exchanged a sympathic look, they had seen
this too many times before.

"Mr. Lyman, we're going to need you to come down to
the station to do some identification."Nagy replied
quietly as he started to lead Josh away from the
apartment.

Josh nodded mutely it took all his will power to keep
one foot in front of the other.

This couldn't be happening.....Donna wasn't dead.....

She couldn't have been murdered....not his Donna....

******

Sam Seaborn scanned the squad room as he stepped
through the door. He finally spotted Josh slumped in a
chair at a desk two rows back, his head buried in his
hands.

"Josh?"Sam asked as he knelt next to his friend. "What
the hell happened?"

Lyman raised his head slowly eyes bright with unshed
tears. "I-I stopped by Donna's apartment on my way
home. I remembered she had a file I needed for the meeting with Senator Benton. When I got
there the street was blocked off with squad
cars.....the cops think she's dead, Sam."

Sam dropped his head for a moment struggling to
control his own emotions. "How?"

Josh leaned back in the chair. "They think she walked
in on a robbery.....and...they....shot....her."His
voice trembled and broke on the last word.

Sam stood as a red haired detective approached Josh
carrying a small plastic bag.

"I'm sorry it took so long, Mr. Lyman."Nagy commented
as he empted the bag in front of Josh. "These are the
items we need you to identify."

Josh swallowed hard as he tenderly fingered a simple
gold chain bracelet that he'd seen Donna where several
times. He gently replaced the bracelet and picked up
the next item which was a small cameo pin.

The detective glanced at Sam as if noticing him for
the first time. "Who are you?"

Sam cleared his throat. "Sam Seaborn, deputy
communications director."

Nagy nodded and returned his attention to Josh. "Mr.
Lyman?"

Josh stared at the small pin barely able to breath let
alone grasp a coherent thought. Maybe if he had been
here..... If he'd given her that raise she could've afforded a
safer apartment....

"Mr. Lyman?"Nagy asked gently as he leaned on the
desk. "Do those belong to Ms. Moss?"

"Yes."Josh replied in a tortured whisper.