The sirens of the approaching vehicles split the air with deafening noise. Before the lead vehicle had come to a full stop a figure sprang from the passenger seat. He raced to the scene that was cordoned off only to be stopped by a younger man who caught him and held him back from the body that lay a few meters away.
"H" Eric pleaded; he did not want his friend, his boss to see the state of the victim.
"Let go of me Eric…" Horatio said in a soft yet compelling voice.
Eric drew a deep breath and stepped back from Horatio. He looked at the older man, sorrow filled his eyes as he surveyed the man he idolized, he was not sure how Horatio would take the scene in front of him, how he would cope with yet another loss in his life. Horatio walked passed Eric and approached the broken body of the young boy who lay in a pool of his own blood. The boy was young, 16 years old; his face was contorted in a death mask of pain. He had been brutally beaten and then left to bleed to death. Horatio knelt next to the boy and touched his head lightly.
"I'm sorry son…"
Eric had followed him to the boys' side; he stood protectively behind his boss, ready to give any support needed. Horatio spent a few more minutes next to the boy, his head bowed as if in prayer. Calleigh approached Eric and stood by his side also watching the older man. Finally Horatio moved from the side of the boy. He turned towards Eric and softly almost inaudibly he asked the younger man to look after the body. Then without further word he walked to his Hummer and left the scene. Calleigh and Eric watched him go, tears brimming in their eyes. Horatio had lost so much in his life, now to loose his son in such a manner, they were not sure even a person as strong as Horatio could handle it.