CHAPTER 1

Once More

Lisa Grady smiled at the receptionist. She had been waiting 10 minutes but she had used the opportunity to study her surroundings. It had been at least three years since she had been inside the lab. It had been remodeled and it was striking. She sighed and wished her office had been so lucky.

"Hey, there."

Lisa turned towards the voice. "Oh, hi, Ryan. Long time no see!" She gave him a quick hug. They had been at the same party just a few days before.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Waiting for Lt.Caine."

"He's in with a witness--is he expecting you?"

"I had an appointment. And your receptionist already called him."

"Okay, I'll see if he's done," he said. He disappeared down the hallway.

Lisa couldn't help but wonder if the lieutenant was deliberately keeping her waiting. Their last few encounters had been when she still worked for Steeple and Raskin. She had been warned about Horatio Caine but she hadn't let that get in the way of doing her best for her client. Caine hadn't like her client and by extension didn't like her. But she knew her client hadn't entirely deserved the trouble he found himself in and she really didn't care what Caine thought. She laughed at her musings--maybe the lieutenant wouldn't even remember her. She certainly remembered him though. Tall, red-hair, heart-stopping blue eyes.

She saw Caine approaching with Ryan and it was obvious he remembered her. To anyone else he might look disinterested but she knew better. Though they had only a handful of meetings she had quickly learned to sense his emotions though everyone else in the room except members of his team remained oblivious. That she was correct in her sensitivities were confirmed the day of trial when he had pulled her aside and she saw the light flash in his eyes as he talked about the victim. By then she respected him but she had remained steadfast.

"Horatio, this is Lissy. I mean Lisa Hamilton Grady." Ryan gave her arm a squeeze. "I wish I had time to talk but I've got to go pick up some results. I just wanted to ask you to have Doug call me." Ryan turned and started back down the hall.

"Oh, Ryan, I'm sorry. I know he said he'd call the next day. I guess he forgot. I'll mention it tonight." She glanced at Lt. Caine and smiled.

"It's been awhile," he said to her, studying her face.

She nodded. "It was just Lisa Hamilton then."

"Your client later killed someone and died in the process." He stared past her out the front doors.

"My client deserved my best efforts, Lieutenant. I'm not responsible for what he does afterwards."

"Yes, Mrs. Grady, I'm sure that is what helps you sleep at night."

"Actually, I don't worked at Steeple any more."

He glanced at her.

"I left the dark side." She let out a laugh. "I'm a court appointed advocate." She handed him her business card.

"Family Court Special Advocate. That's a volunteer position."

She shrugged. "Differences in opinion led to a career change."

"You were a partner so it must have been your choice?" He looked directly at her much more interested now.

Lisa had forgotten how blue his eyes were. She looked away.

"Someone once reminded me why I went into law." She glanced at him wondering if he remembered his parting words to her that day. The innocent need all the help they can get.

"How can I help you?"

"One of my kids--,"she paused. "One of my clients is a ten year old boy. His aunt is seeking guardianship. He doesn't want to be with her. And I have my reservations about her, too."

"Where are his parents?"

"His mother died years ago and the father is in jail waiting his trial. The boy wants to be with his brother."

Horatio nodded waiting for her to continue.

"The brother is eighteen and from what I gather he's been raising the boy while his father screwed up his life. The catch is the brother is in jail on the same charge as the dad."

"And he's likely to be convicted?

"I don't know. My client says there's no way his brother was involved. And the evidence connecting him is ambiguous at best."

"But the district attorney still brought charges?" he asked.

"The father is claiming the brother was with him. And parents don't usually claim--."

"--their children are guilty."

"The prosecutor was hoping that he'd plead out to a lesser charge but he's stubborn--and worried about his little brother."

Horatio turned his head away for a minute, thinking, then looked back at her.

"Have you talked to the older brother?"

"Briefly. I planned to call his attorney after we had talked."

"What would you like me to do?"

"Reexamine the evidence. See if there's any way the son was with the father."

He chuckled. "You want me to work for the defense?"

"Just follow the evidence." She gave him a little grin. "Heard someone say that once."

"While you follow your intuition?" He returned her smile.

"I think you know sometimes you need both, Lieutenant."

"I'll take a look."

"I appreciate it." She shook his hand, turned and started towards the doors.

"The innocent need all they help they can get, Mrs. Grady."

She paused then turned around but Lt Caine's expression revealed nothing. She continued on her way.

Horatio watched her as she went outside. He remembered that attorney who had dogged his team with endless questions. She looked the same--auburn hair, slender and almost as tall as he was. He noticed she wore a simple gold wedding band and he suspected she was pregnant--her silk blouse floating over a small round belly.

For some reason he was glad she had changed careers.

...to be continued...