Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of CSI: Miami only the original characters Rebecca Castillo and others that may be introduced later in the story. I make no money from this weird hobby and am poor full time students so don't sue.
Chapter One: The Miami Connection
A few months before graduation is when the job search begins to intensify. All my classmates, including myself began to scramble to find permanent jobs in our field. Since I chose to double major in both Computer Forensics and Biology I thought this was going to be a piece of cake. I had already completed the internship program and was currently working part time at the BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) crime lab so I was under the impression that they were going to hire me on full time. Unfortunately they did not have the budget to hire me even though my supervisor wanted to keep me on very badly. However forensics can be a small world. My boss knew experts all over the country and he suggested to me that I would need to consider relocating if I wanted to land a good position and gain more experience. When we talked about it I told him relocating, although it was a pain in the ass, would be considered seriously for the right job. He then told me he would see what he could do.
Two weeks later he told me about a position at the Miami Dade crime lab in Florida. They needed a Computer Forensics Examiner who also had a biology background. Since I had double majored in both fields he referred me. My boss also emailed to the head of the Miami Dade crime lab my resume so they were willing to talk to me. I have only been to Miami once. It was when I took this cruise back in '91. At that time I was not impressed with Miami and never considered visiting much less to live there. However, I wanted to keep an open mind so I agreed to the interview. The interview consisted of the BCA and Miami Dade setting up a videoconference. The time and date were set so I made sure I wore something professional that day when I reported in. I believe this interview had to be one of the most intense ones I have ever experienced. It was because of who did the interviewing.
I arrive to the conference room; take a seat in the needed chair so they would send the video feed down to Miami. I made sure I had paper so I could take any needed notes. My boss then gets the video feed up and running and before I knew it I see a very pale, red headed man dressed in a dark suit who looked between 45 to 50 years old. The feed was very clear and I could not help but notice how blue his eyes were. They were very bright and very intense. I began to feel nervous right away after the video of my interviewer popped up. Bless my boss; he made sure I had water to help with the dry throat problem one gets when nervous. My boss then came around and sat right next to me so he could be in the feed to talk to my interviewer. I move over out of the shot so he can speak.
"Hey Horatio, how's it going down there in ole Miami Dade?" He asks. The other man smiles but he showed no teeth.
"John," He paused. "Busy as usual, the crime never stops in Miami and we never close." John chuckles and shakes his head.
"Its been nuts here too. We're running a huge case involving the MS13 so everyone has been pulling a lot of overtime. I am really gonna be sorry to loose Rebecca after she graduates." Lieutenant Caine tilts his head and asks. His eyes were looking out of the monitor intensely.
"Tell me more about your prize intern." My boss responded to his request.
"Well Horatio I gotta tell ya, I fought like hell to be able to keep her here but the money is just not in the budget and as I told you over the phone since I can't keep her I wanted her to end up where she would get the right training and exposure. I also want to get her into a lab that would help advance her career. You were the first crime lab I could think of because I know you would bring her up right and take proper care of her." Personally I thought what he said was a little weird. It was kind of too personal sounding. Lieutenant Caine then replies.
"We do need a Computer Forensics specialist and I appreciate you thinking of us here at Miami Dade. Let me talk to her John." My boss then nods his head.
"Sure thing Horatio, but be gentle with her okay? Rebecca will be worth adding to your team and the expense of relocating her." Although it was good to hear nice things about you, John's words just made me more nervous. My boss then motions for me to slide my chair into the path of the video feed. I get my chair into position and I sit ramrod straight in the chair as I look at the monitor. My image was being transmitted down to Miami as his was being transmitted to me. I attempt to smile but I knew it probably looked like a nervous smile. The Lieutenant speaks first.
"Good morning, thank you for agreeing to the interview." He hesitates just a bit.
"I'm Lieutenant Horatio Caine and I head the Miami Dade crime lab." I nod my head acknowledging his introduction.
"Hello Lieutenant Caine, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. I'm Rebecca Castillo, its nice to meet you." Oh that sounded kind of stupid. I look down at my paper wishing I could calm my nerves. As he spoke I looked back up at the screen.
"Ms Castillo your Hispanic?" I nod my head yes. "Do you happen to be fluent in Spanish?" Again I nod my head yes and answer.
"I have studied the language academically for the past four years. This is because I needed to gain command of Spanish so I could communicate with my friends and colleagues in Juarez Mexico. I visit the area every two years." Lieutenant Caine tilts his head with a look of concentration on his face.
"John tells me that you worked with Homicide in Juarez in a somewhat unofficial capacity. He pauses. "Ms Castillo, please tell me about that."
So he wants to hear about my adventures in Juarez. I quickly concentrate of how I wanted to word the information.
"Um." I begin. "Through Marco, a good friend of mine, I met his girlfriend Carla De La Vega who is a CSI supervisor for the Homicide division of the Juarez police department. We became close friends so she extended professional courtesy of allowing me to job shadow their process of handling the homicides. I was able to experience how they process the evidence and decedent from the field to autopsy along with assessing their computer network, equipment and software. Fortunately I was able to use my computer experience and expertise to help advise the update of their computer equipment and I provided training for the use of it after they updated their equipment. At this time I am also involved with setting up a crime database between El Paso Texas and Juarez so they can access vehicle information, CODIS and AFIS type databases. Both departments are unable to gain the needed information from the other."
I take a moment to gather my thoughts. "For example, if a citizen of El Paso using an vehicle with American license plates commits a crime in Juarez the Juarez officials have no way of gathering information about the El Paso criminal and vehicle, in retrospect El Paso cannot access any history of Juarez criminals. I was able to help both departments start communicating and set up the system. At this time they are almost done with the project and it should be online soon" My mouth was so dry that I had to reach for the water and take a drink. As I took a drink I waited for Lieutenant Caine to comment.
"Ms Castillo." He exhibits another pause. He really likes to use my name a lot and pause in the middle of a sentence. "So you have some field experience not only with the BCA." Another of his freak pauses. "But in Juarez." I acknowledge the information.
"That is correct." I then add. "But my field experience is very limited. I work mostly in the lab with computer forensics." Lieutenant Caine then looks down at a piece of paper to make some notes. After he is done writing he looks back up at me.
"Although the position that I need filled is Computer Forensics Specialist I will need the person to cross train in the field as a CSI Level I." He pauses yet again. "Ms Castillo, since you have studied Biology and have worked at the BCA in both trace and DNA you're a good candidate for the cross training."
My stomach drops. I have never been a big fan of fieldwork because I prefer to work in the lab. I love all the technology that I get to play with. Fieldwork is very different than straight lab work and it could be dangerous. I am not thrilled with that. I could feel my nervousness leave me as I prepare to ask him my question. I place my forearms on the table, leaning forward, with my fingers interlaced. I attempted to relax my posture but was still very much engaged in the conversation.
"Lieutenant Caine, can you please tell me how much of this job would involve fieldwork and why is it required for the Computer Forensics Specialist to be cross trained as a CSI?" Tilting his head again he takes his hand and caresses his thumb across his lower lip. He concentrates for a few moments then informs me.
"Ms Castillo, the plan is to have 50 percent of their time spent in the field and 50 percent spent in the lab." He pauses. "My crime lab now requires that all the lab employees also qualify as CSI's." I digest this information. He stares at me with that intimidating look of his waiting for an answer. I then realize the huge opportunity that the cross training would provide. I lock my gaze with the one coming from the monitor.
"I like the fact that I would gain even more experience with the cross training." I could live with it because I would not be strictly doing fieldwork. "With the extended opportunities of this position I would consider it seriously if I were offered it." The Lieutenant smiles but it looked more like a smirk to me.
"I'll have the contract offer faxed to you so you can take a look at it." He pauses. "Ms Castillo, I am seriously considering you for this position and if you are serious as well I can arrange for the county to fly you down here so you can meet with the team and see the facility." He writes another note on his paper. "If it seems to be a good fit then we can negotiate with you about the position and get started on the hiring process." He got serious real fast. My head was swimming.
"That would be fine Lieutenant Caine. Please let me know as soon as you can the dates you would like for me to come to Miami so I can coordinate it with my class schedule and work schedule."
The Lieutenant then gives me his cell number and stated I was to call him if I had any questions or concerns. It occurred to me later that it was odd that he gave me his cell number instead of his office number. I admit not much concentration went into the discrepancy and I did not comment on it. The interview then ended for me as I promise to call if I need to. John and Lieutenant Caine then take a few moments to catch up on personal talk as I walk out of the conference room to give them some privacy.
A few minuets later my boss walks out of the conference room to talk to me.
"Horatio was pretty interested in you for the job but now he is serious about getting you down there." He smiles. "Good job on the interview. I know Horatio can be kind of intimidating but you handled it well."
As I replayed the interview in my mind I noticed that the Lieutenant had some strange quirks and yes, he was intimidating but not in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. It was also not the first time I have had to deal with intimidating people.
"I admit I was very nervous but after a while I was able to relax a bit. I guess he has that affect on people huh?" John chuckles.
"Yep, that's for sure. You should see him interrogate a suspect. Horatio may have some strange habits but they work for him real well. He is the most dedicated man I know. Horatio is a good man and he will take good care of you."
I liked my boss's vote of confidence about his colleague and obvious friend. His words made me feel a little more at ease about the strange Lieutenant with the unusual first name and whose physical attributes looked so out of place for sunny Miami. I trusted my boss referred me to someone whom he trusted himself so I took his referral of me to his colleague in Miami as serious.
As I waited for the next step in the Miami adventure I thought long and hard about relocating there. If it were to happen would I actually want to do this? I would be leaving behind my family and friends but the opportunity was too good to pass up. Maybe it would not be worth it. There was no way of truly knowing until I went down there and got a feel for the people that I would be working with. It would only take me about a day of interacting with Lieutenant Caine's team for me to know if this was a good move for me. Being able to understand a person, of what they are about, is an ability I inherited from my mother. I am able to read people accurately in a small amount of time. This will help me out immensely when I meet the Miami team. I already knew instinctively that working for the red headed Lieutenant was going to be a challenge but a challenge that was going to be good for me.
Several weeks later while running analysis on a DNA sample the lab phone rings. I answer it.
"Castillo here." The receptionist tells me.
"Hi Rebecca, I have a Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the line for you." I let her know.
"Thanks Shelly, go ahead and put him through please." I hear the click of the line being put though.
"Lieutenant Caine, this is Rebecca Castillo." I made sure the transfer took.
"Ms Castillo," He pauses "I have the dates set up in which you can come down to Miami. I have arranged it to happen during your semester break and also have cleared it though John. The dates seem okay with him."
He gives me the dates in which he had arranged for me to come down there. While he was talking I was scrambling at my workstation to find my date book. Without it I am lost as to what is happening when. I find it and start flipping pages to the month he wants me to visit Miami.
"Um." I finally find the month and see that the dates he requested my presence has no conflict with anything else. "Those dates would be fine. I have no other conflicts." He confers.
"Good, I am glad to hear the dates work for you. I will overnight the plane tickets and hotel reservations today." Nice that they would put me up somewhere and pay for it. I wonder where the hotel was as I have been doing a lot of research on Miami and there are some nasty parts of the city for sure. It also occurred to me that he did not mention a rental car. How was I to get around without a vehicle? So I asked him.
"Should I take care of a rental car myself?"
"No, that will not be necessary." The pause. "I don't expect you to be able to get around a city you don't know. Use the cab service to the hotel and you will be reimbursed later okay?" I answer.
"That's fine." He continues.
"Call me after you arrive at the hotel and we can work out the details of getting you over to the lab."
I agree to the plan and the conversation ends. All business he was but that was to be expected. After I hung up the phone and thought about the conversation I noticed that the Lieutenant had a very nice voice. For some reason it was easier to listen to him than to have to look at him. I had to admit to myself that his voice just did not match how I remembered he looked.
Now that it was confirmed that I would 'visit' Miami for the next stage of the hiring process I had to remind everyone that this was not a done deal yet. There was a lot to consider and I was in no way ready to accept the position. That did not stop my co-workers from calling me Miss Miami. They had already written me off as moving down there. It was probably because of lot of Minnesotans dream about moving somewhere sunny and warm. My boss prepared me that they would probably make me an offer while I was down there. Apparently he had been talking to Lieutenant Caine about my visit and it would seem that they are very serious about hiring me. I guess my visit down there is to help me feel more comfortable with what I was getting into. I vowed to myself I was not going to let anyone browbeat me into a decision. If the situation did not feel right I was on the first plane back to Minnesota. My boss understood this and told me not to worry that what ever I decided was fine. I appreciated all the effort he did with finding me the job and giving me such a good reference I just wanted to make sure that if it did not work out that it would not be held against me. John made sure I understood that whatever I decided to do in Miami it was okay with him. He also requested that if I needed to talk that I should call him. My boss has always been very supportive of me and he is a wonderful mentor. I learned a lot from him. Knowledge I will end up bringing with me to Miami.
Miami international was a zoo. Busy as ever and I was somewhat intimidated by the large crowds of people. It also occurred to me it was spring break making the airport even busier. All nationalities were milling about, truly making Miami an international city. Before I came down here I purchased a map of the city and studied it. I compared the hotel address with the address of the crime lab and found them not to be too far apart. As I walked out of the airport to hail a cab the first thing I noticed was how hot and humid the weather was. My chest felt tight because breathing was a little bit hard for me with my asthma. For a few moments I fretted about the climate being bad for my asthma. I remembered how hard it is for me to breathe when the weather in Minnesota would go hot and humid. The air not moving and heavy with moisture was hard on my asthma. I stood for a few more moments taking in some deep breaths trying to calm myself down. My breathing got easier as I took time to calm myself.
I then hailed a cab and gave the driver the address to the hotel. The hotel, although modest, was clean and practical. There will be no spa treatments to be had here. After I checked in I freshened up attempting to control the sweating that began right after I stepped out of the air-conditioned airport. Not use to the hot humid weather I knew that I would have to deal with the climate change. I changed into a pair of black slacks and light green short sleeve blouse. Professional looking but comfortable enough for me to deal with the weather issue and still look good was what I was after. I then called Lieutenant Caine letting him know I had arrived in Miami and now was at the hotel. He relayed to me that he would meet me in the lobby in about 15 minutes. Gathering my purse I made sure I had not only my ID and money but that I included my inhaler, which contains albuterol. I did not want to have an asthma attack and not have it available. Before putting it in my purse I took two hits hoping the medicine would keep my airway open. I was nervous enough I did not need my emotions hindering my breathing. I immediately felt relief after I breathed in the albuterol.
15 minutes later I walked down to the lobby area and entered it. Lieutenant Caine was a very easy man to spot in a crowd because of his vivid red hair. He looked taller than I expected him to be and I am not sure what gave me the impression that he would be smaller. It was a weird thought that I put out of my mind right away as I walked up to him.
"Good Afternoon Lieutenant Caine." I greeted him. He extended his hand for a handshake. I extend my hand for him to shake and his hand engulfed mine. His hand was pale with a light dusting of freckles and red hair. Typical complexion of a red head I surmised.
"Welcome to Miami Ms Castillo." He responded. He dropped the handshake and gestured to the front doorway. I nod my head in acknowledgement keeping eye contact with his.
"Thank you Lieutenant." I then begin moving toward the front doors. With him a few steps behind me.
As I approached the door he stepped in front of me and opened the door for me. I guess chivalry is not dead in Miami. As I step out into the hot humidness of Miami I immediately felt that blanket of heavy moisture bear down on me. Instinctively I took in a deeper breath to compensate. Lieutenant Caine points to a large gray Hummer.
"My vehicle is over there." I rose an eyebrow not expecting to see such an elaborate car, truck or whatever that thing was. I looked at him with the surprise still registered on my face.
"A Hummer?" I smile slightly not believing what I was seeing. "Isn't that, um, rather," What was I trying to say anyway? "Rather, um, large?" He chuckles.
"My CSI's need an all terrain vehicle to be able to travel out to the glades if need be. The department has four of them for our use." I shake my head in wonderment.
"All the BCA has are Ford vans and trucks and a rather large RV. But then we don't have to travel to an out of the way place. The Bemidji BCA probably has jeeps for when they have to go way up north crime scenes." I began walking toward the monster vehicle and I then noticed the Miami Dade Crime Scene Investigation logo on the side door of the Hummer.
Lieutenant Caine then unlocks the door with the fob; I open the door and commence to climb up into it. I noticed that he had no trouble getting in where I had to use the handrail to pull myself up into the cab. It was kind of awkward for me to get into the cab because I am a short person, only five foot three inches tall. He looked to be almost 6 feet so of course he would have no trouble getting into the Hummer. He starts up the vehicle immediately putting on the air conditioner. Sweet relief was felt as the cool air washed over me. I closed my eyes and had a small smile on my face as the powerful air conditioner cooled me down.
"The weather will take some getting use to." The Lieutenant informs me. I open my eyes and look at him.
"That it will. I went to boot camp in Orlando and was stationed in Hawaii for 4 years. So I am no stranger to the tropics." He nods his head then puts the Hummer in gear and backs out of the parking spot. I clipped the seatbelt into place.
It was a short drive back to the crime lab. He drove smoothly and precisely moving the huge Hummer though traffic easily. Pulling into a parking space in front of the most unique building I had ever seen he puts the Hummer in park and shuts off the engine.
"You ready to meet the team?" He asks me.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I replied. He opens his door to get out of the Hummer and I do the same. When I got closer to the door again, he steps in front of me to open the huge glass door for me. I heard about the southern charm manners thing but I place the Lieutenant's accent from the northeast. I bet my townhouse that he is originally from New York so I was a bit confused with his obvious out of date manners. Maybe it's a generation thing with him. He would probably be old enough to be included of the generation that would still hold a door open for a lady.
We stop at the reception desk and he arranges for me to get a visitors badge. I was to wear it clipped to my lapel so people can identify me not as an employee. As I watched people moving about I noticed they had ID badges clipped either to their belts or lapels. It would make sense that everyone has to have ID displayed for security proposes. I noticed right away that the building architecture was very uniquely designed. Almost like art deco period of the 20's. All angles with lots of steel and glass the Miami sun would shine though brightly making the areas appear larger. The floor was glossy and dark which was a contrast to all the glass and light. Since I am a big fan of different and unique architecture I looked around in awe suddenly wanting to take the time to explore this unique building. Lieutenant Caine taps me on the shoulder. I quickly look in his direction.
"Come on this way. I got the team waiting in the conference room." He then began to lead me down the hallway.
I followed him to a conference room that was surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows and a glass door. As we got nearer to the conference room I saw several people seated around an oblong table. Everyone at the table except for the beautiful black woman looked younger than me. The table was glass and the chairs were these ergonomic high tech things. People were talking and relaxing as they waited for us. Suddenly getting nervous I hesitate as the Lieutenant reaches in front of me to open the door. I walk in as he follows me.
"I won't take too much of your time as I know you are all busy." Several people laugh lightly knowing what he stated was true. He gestured for me to take a seat in the nearest ergonomic chair so I take it.
"This is Rebecca Castillo; she is my top candidate for the Computer Forensics Specialist position." Everybody looks at my direction. Some just looked at me, a few people attempted to smile my way.
"Starting tomorrow I will have Ms Castillo take turns shadowing each of you for the next three days." He pauses
"I would appreciate it if you would show her the nuances of your jobs and answer any and all questions she may have."
Lieutenant Caine then began to introduce everyone. He points at the first person to his right who had medium length brown hair and warm brown eyes.
"This is CSI Ryan Wolf. He is the newest member of our team." He then points to a blond woman sitting next to him.
"CSI Calleigh Duquesne, my ballistics expert." The blond gives me a warm smile. My impression was that she was the friendly sort. The Lieutenant then points to a Hispanic looking man sitting at the end of the table.
"CSI Eric Delko, my underwater recovery expert along with DNA and trace." Delko nods his head in acknowledgement and smiles showing perfect white teeth. Next was a beautiful Hispanic woman with light brown hair and dark kind brown eyes.
"CSI Natalia Boa Vista just transferred in from working with the Feds." Sitting between Natalia and me was a beautiful black woman with exotic looking eyes.
"And this is Dr Alexx Woods our ME." She reaches out and shakes my hand and says to me.
"Nice to meet you Rebecca." I nod my head in agreement and smile. I was too overwhelmed to answer her.
Lieutenant Caine continues as he passes to Ryan a stack of papers. He takes one then passes it on to Calleigh and eventually the last paper makes it to me.
"What I handed out is Ms Castillo's schedule of who she will be working with and when." He pauses. "I took in account of the recent cases being worked on in the attempt to give her the most variety. I also want her to get a feel for working with each of you and vise versa for all of you." I was looking down at the schedule and noticed that it was packed with assignments and divided out in time intervals. It was one of the most anal schedules I have ever seen created. I also noticed that he had me scheduled in for fieldwork. I was not aware that going out to a crime scene could be scheduled. I told myself "Just roll with it Rebecca." The Lieutenant speaks so I look up from reading the schedule.
"Anyone have any questions or conflicts with the schedule?" Calleigh speaks up.
"Horatio, I am due in court on Thursday when I am scheduled to have Rebecca in Ballistics." Lieutenant Caine sucks his teeth lightly in concentration tucking in his chin.
"Not a problem Calleigh. If need be I will take that time slot." He pauses. "Keep me posted if the case does indeed go to court that day." Calleigh answers in her southern drawl.
"Sure thing handsome." I quickly look back down at my paper because I could not believe what I just heard. Never in a million years would I say that to my boss. It was just too familiar and bordered the line of inappropriate. Actually back home it would probably be considered an inappropriate response but since I do not know the culture here or how these people interact I could not judge. No one seemed to react what she said anyway.
"Does anyone else have any questions or conflicts?" He addressed the rest. No one else spoke up so he continued. "Remember people the schedule is not cut in stone and can be adjusted if need be okay?" People agreed by nodding their heads or murmuring a response. "Alright then," He stated. "Were done here for now." The CSI's and ME then began to file out of the room.
Some shook my hand in welcome saying things like "Look forward to working with you." All in all they seem to be a nice group of people and I could tell they were very intelligent.
Lieutenant Caine escorts me to his office. I felt like I was in a huge glass cage. I could see a stairway leading down to a lower level. On that lower level I could see several labs with all sorts of equipment. He sits behind his desk and gestures for me to take a seat across from him. He had me fill out paperwork signing forms to exclude Miami Dade of any liability in case I get hurt during my 'job interview'. Geeze, I hope I don't get shot while I am at a crime scene.
Then I was given the full tour of the CSI Miami Dade labs and facility. It was impressive. Loaded with state of the art equipment I realized that I would have to learn how to use several that did not look familiar to me. The BCA also has some awesome equipment and seemed to technically up to date with Miami Dade. The technical part of my brain cried out with the want to use and experiment with the equipment. I probably looked star struck to the Lieutenant as he showed me around. It was embarrassing enough he had to get my attention back to him as my mind wandered off somewhere else in techno land. I could not wait to see what software and databases were used here. That would come soon enough. Since the workday was coming to a close there was not enough time to show me Ballistics or the morgue. I was sure these would present themselves in time. After all I was scheduled time to be with the people that worked in these areas anyway.
Tomorrow would start the real job interview. Of course I would be evaluating this whole situation as much as they will be evaluating me. My decision not only involved the offer being actually made but I wanted my decision to be made with an informed mind. The more information about what it would be like to work here at CSI Miami Dade then the more comfortable I would be in making my decision if I was to accept an offer or not. I have to admit I have never had a job interview where I actually would be job shadowing a team for three days. I looked forward to the challenge and opened myself up for the unknown. The Lieutenant then drove me back to my hotel and stated he would pick me up at 8am. After spending most of my day with Lieutenant Caine I knew that he was a man I could respect. I also knew that if I worked for him he would get more than 100 percent from me.