MS Chapter 1

The elevator doors opened and Horatio stepped out to be greeted by Frank.
"Morning H."
"Morning Frank, what have you got for me today?"
"Double homicide in the Glades. Dispatch just called, Alexx and Calleigh are already there. You ready?"
At the mention of Calleigh's name made Horatio smile.
"Of course, as always."
The two men got into the elevator and left for the Everglades.

At the Everglades, Alexx was just finishing the first body. Horatio and Frank pulled up just next to the scene. They got out of the vehicle and entered the scene. There were one male and one female lying on the floor next to the road, in a pool of blood.
"Alexx."
"Horatio," Alexx greeted him with her usual smile.
"Any ID's?"
"Yes, the male is Craig Dreyfus and the female Kate Grace. They're both nineteen years old. They're just babies Horatio, with their whole lives ahead of them."
Horatio knew that Alexx always had compassion for the younger victims; he thought maybe that was her mother instinct showing through. He knelt down to take a closer look.
"They've been dead probably about three to four hours."
"Looks like they were shot."
Alexx nodded, "baby boy's was a through and through," she said as she looked at the victim, "baby girls still got hers inside her. I will retrieve it at the post so Calleigh can have a look at it."
"Where is Calleigh?" pondered Horatio.
"Oh she's out there with a metal detector trying to find the through and through. Horatio, you two have been back a week now and Calleigh seems to be acting very strange. What went on in London?"
"She discovered salsa dancing. I'll go see how she's getting on," Horatio said with a smile.
"Mhm, well she's just over there behind me."
Horatio thanked Alexx and stood up and looked behind her. There was Calleigh trudging through the Glades with her metal detector. As he approached her, Calleigh bent down and picked up a mangled bullet.
"Found anything interesting?"
Calleigh nearly jumped out of her skin. She knew that voice, she turned round with a smile across her face.
"Well good morning, sexy."
Horatio blushed.
"I think I've found the bullet. I've just got to take it back to the lab and work my magic." Calleigh was as cheerful as ever.
"Well let me know what you find. I think Alexx suspects something."
"I know, she's watching us. We'll just have to be careful." Calleigh loved this sneaking around, it was great fun, "I had a lovely time last night, thank you."
Horatio tilted his head slightly and smiled sweetly, "so did I, thanks to you."
Calleigh smiled back and Horatio turned round to trudge back as Calleigh bagged and tagged her evidence. When he got back to the scene, Eric arrived.
"You're running late again I see Eric."
"Sorry H, had a few things to take care of."
Horatio looked at the road next to the bodies.
"What do they look like to you Eric?"
Eric took a closer look at the road.
"Tyre tracks. I will get on to that right now."
"You do that, and can you see where they lead to please?"
Eric nodded, it's the least he could do considering that he was late, again.
"I'll be at the lab to find out more about our victims if anyone needs me. I'm sure the families will want to know."
With that, Horatio and Frank left the scene.
"Good morning Eric," came a cheery voice.
Eric looked up to see Calleigh hovering over him.
"Hey Cal, you okay?"
"I'm great. I've got a bullet to work on so I'll see you later."
Eric stood up, "okay."
As Calleigh drove off, Eric walked towards Alexx.
"Have you noticed how Calleigh has been on cloud nine since she got back from London?"
Alexx stood up to face Eric, "mhm, I have. I asked Horatio if he knew why she's been so happy since she got back. All he told me is that she 'discovered salsa dancing' but I don't buy that. I think Calleigh's seeing someone and isn't telling and I think Horatio knows who it is but isn't letting on."
Eric felt a bit disappointed as he'd always liked Calleigh.
"That would explain why she's extra happy all of the time."
"Yeah, and I'm going to find out who it is and why she hasn't said anything to us."
Eric laughed, "good luck with that one. She's very stubborn and won't let on, you know that."
"Baby, I love a challenge."
Eric shook his head in disbelief and went back to his tyre tracks to keep his mind off Calleigh and Alexx got the bodies' bagged up and loaded up to take to the morgue.
Before Alexx left, she crouched down next to Eric.
"Eric honey, I know you like Calleigh but if she does have a new man in her life, just be happy for her. I know you'll be concerned about her welfare with another man but she's a big girl, she can sort things out herself."
"I know Alexx; I just wished her feeling were mutual."
"I know honey, it hurts but you there's nothing else for you do but be happy for her. I know she'd respect you for that."
Alexx gave Eric a hug.
"Thank you Alexx."
"Anytime baby."