Elijah smiled and laughed weakly.

Her next question seemed to suck the small joy in the conversation out of the room. His eyes widened as he looked at her. There was a shame and a helplessness. "I.. I mean.. " He looked around as if to find an answer then back at her. 'I'm a constable. Sometimes women break the law and can be violent. I don't like it.. and I know that sounds like an e-excuse. But.. what else am I supposed to do when they are aggressive? I try so hard to do things peacefully."