"I got a match off a fingerprint from that glass you sent me."

Valera held out a brown paper file tentatively.

"That was quick." Horatio took the file.

"Yes." Valera looked at the floor. "That's because it's-"

"-Ryan's."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Mr Wolfe."

"H." The letter came out forced and croaky. Wolfe fidgeted in his chair, his gaze flitting around the room and every few seconds lingering a moment on Horatio's face. Each time a little spasm of dread would spark in his eyes.

"We have a problem, don't we, Mr Wolfe?"

Wolfe gave a jerky little nod. "H, I don't… I don't know what to say."

"You've said that to me once before, haven't you, Mr Wolfe? An explanation might be a good start."

Wolfe stared at him, round-eyed, his face a mask of uncharacteristic bewilderment. "I just don't know, H," he said.

Stetler threw the print match down on the table before Wolfe, who stared at the single square of colour proclaiming his guilt. "I think it's quite simple, Wolfe. Your fingerprint is a match to one found at a crime scene. Our investigations have confirmed that you were unconnected to the case- so what did you do? Forget to wear gloves?"

Wolfe didn't look up. "I always wear gloves."

Stetler shook his head. "That's not good enough. We're done here." Stetler leaned over Wolfe and scooped up the fingerprint report. Pushing open Horatio's office door, he paused. "With your record, Wolfe, I doubt you'll last long."

Wolfe and Horatio were left in silence.

"Mr Wolfe, I gave you another chance when I reinstated you."

"H, I wore gloves, I swear. I followed protocol."

"Well, Mr Wolfe, clearly you didn't."

There was a pause. Then Wolfe spoke, hesitant and stifled, as if he hardly dared to allow himself to say it. "Will I lose my job?"

"Mr Wolfe, you contaminated evidence. This is outside my control."

"I see." Wolfe stood up. He nodded slowly at Horatio, and left.OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo"Frank. What's this about?"

The sergeant threw Horatio a thoughtful look. "Wolfe. I spoke to my old lieutenant."

Horatio took his sunglasses off pensively. "Yes?"

"He was also Wolfe's old lieutenant. They want him back in uniform."

There was a pause.

Frank spoke again. "Think he'll take it?"

"That, Frank," said Horatio. "Is up to him."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Why did you think I should speak to him?"

"He'll listen to you, Calleigh."

Calleigh's face broke into a radiant smile. Horatio was happy to see it back.

"He looks up to you," she said.

"Calleigh… I don't want him to throw away his career. He was a good cop and you'll be able to persuade him to take the patrol job."

The smile faded. "He was a good CSI, Horatio."

"One of the best. Only I can't risk one of my CSIs contaminating evidence.""It was a mistake, Horatio. We've all made them. I've made them and believe you me so have you."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Give him another chance."

"He's had his share of chances."

"So give him another.""You and me both know that's not going to happen."

There was a silence. Horatio watched Calleigh reach a conclusion, and then she looked at him. Serious. Accusing. Disappointed.

"I'll talk to him," she said. The glass door of Horatio's office swung shut behind her.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Hello?"

"Ryan?"

There was a long silence, and then, "Calleigh."

"You recognised my voice?"

Another long pause, and then Ryan spoke again, brusquely. "Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Calleigh, listen. I can't really talk right now."

"Ryan I- I can understand if you're annoyed but I really need to talk to you. How about I drop by later-"

"-Don't come round, Calleigh."

"Why?"

"Just don't, Calleigh. Please. Okay?"

"Ryan, I just want to talk."

Again, it was a long time before Ryan answered. "Calleigh, forget it. Just leave me alone. Don't come by the house. Alright?"

"Ryan…"

The stony silence at the other end spoke for itself. Calleigh frowned at the phone.

"You alright, Calleigh?"

Calleigh looked up at Eric.

"I think so," she said.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"You have something to tell me, Mr Stetler?"

Rick Stetler glared at Horatio. "I've heard that your CSI is trying to get himself a cushy job in uniform."

Horatio looked at Stetler. He smelled of pistachio nuts and cheap aftershave. "That …may be true."

Stetler grinned at his shoes.

"Well I assure you he's not going to get the job."