. B O N E S . S H A T T E R . ;; Cryssie

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Leo looked over at her and smiled faintly. "What?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix shrugged, but leaned up and kissed his cheek, "You're not alone in dealing with things, Leo."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I know," Leo replied. "But sometimes it still feels like I am."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"I'm right here for you," Phoenix smiled gently.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Leo turned and pulled her into a hug. "I know," he whispered. "I know."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix smiled and nuzzled her face into his shoulder, "We should get going."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Leo cleared his throat. "Right. Let's get to work." He took her hand and headed toward the door, flashing her a quick smile before stepping out into the hallway.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix smiled, trying to remain bright even though the situation seemed helpless.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Leo reached into his pocket as they stepped outside and pulled out the list. "Ready?" he asked.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"As I'll ever be," Phoenix replied, keeping her tone light and happy.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Leo smiled, but it slipped off his face as one of his guards ran up to him. They were panting and looked incredibly pale. "What's wrong?" he demanded.

"They found another body," the guard said.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix's breath hitched and she looked to Leo.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Leo's face turned hard. Blank. "Where?"

The guard waved for them to follow and then started down the street at a jog.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix took a deep breath and followed after the guard.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Soon, a gathering of guards and officials came into view, gathered around a house. Leo pushed through the crowd when they got there and entered the house. More people bustled around inside, doing their best to avoid the body and the puddle of blood on the floor.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"When did this happen?" Phoenix asked the guard, her gaze lingering on the body.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"They placed the death at 4:00 this morning," he answered. "It was discovered about an hour ago."

Leo's eyes snapped to him. "An hour? Why wasn't I notified sooner?"

The guard practically cringed under his gaze. "We checked your house first, but you weren't there. I found you as fast as I could."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix nibbled on her bottom lip, "And has the cause of death been determined?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"You'll have to talk with one of the examiners," the guard said. "They haven't told me anything else."

Leo nodded. "Thank you, soldier. That will be all." The man saluted him and then hurried outside to join the rest of the guards stationed around the house.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Phoenix glanced at Leo, "I want to talk with the examiners."