Title: CSI Miami - Eye On Crime
Author: Celtic Lady
Genre: Humor
Pairing(s): None
Characters: General cast plus an other character named Jade Reno
Rating: T (age 13+)
Summary: In an effort to improve public relations, between the Police and the public, the Miami Mayor agreed to let TV reality show "Eye On Crime" do a ride-along with the crime lab for a couple of days and film them in action much to Horatio's dismay.
Author's Notes: This is my first CSI: Miami fan fiction and because I had so many ideas swirling around in my brain, I made this one of a three story arc. This particular story introduces my other character, Jade Reno which will be used in the next two stories (The Rape of Horatio Caine and Jaded). No bunnies were harmed in the writing of this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters so please don't sue. If the real owners want to use anything from my story (yeah, wishful thinking), go ahead, you can have it for free. :-)
"Let's get this dog and pony show on the road," Frank Tripp stated as he struggled to get the camera crew loaded into his car. He checked the pocket of his jacket, yep, he had his Rolaids and some Tylenol. He figured both would be needed before the day was over - he expected the worst and was rarely disappointed.
Horatio walked over with a mischievous grin on his face. He could tell Frank was already irritated and it was early in the morning. - the day wasn't likely to get any better. It was obvious to Frank that his friend was gloating. "Just wait until it's your turn Horatio. Sure you don't want to come along?"
Horatio tried hard to contain his smile as he looked down to the ground. He had Calleigh and Natalia lined up to cover for him, an option Frank didn't have available. Maybe he'd hold off telling Frank just yet. The second camera crew were going to be following Natalia around all day allowing Horatio to stay out of the limelight.
"Better you than me Frank." Horatio started to put on his sunglasses. "Better you--." He stopped suddenly in mid sentence as one of the lenses fell to the ground. As he looked down at the lens, from the corner of his eye, Horatio could see a satisfied smile come over Frank's face.
Play "Won't Get Fooled Again" here and pretend the credits are running by. :-)
Calleigh sat in the front passenger seat after the film crew suggested a "pretty face" might play better to the camera. Frank didn't mind at all. Calleigh knew her stuff and her eternally happy state of mind might cover his frustration at being given this assignment. Neither he nor Caine were looking forward to this as both wondered what they had ever done to deserve it. In fact, he was sure he saw Horatio's lower jaw drop and his eyes widened when they both were told.
Calleigh was the first to speak up, "Hi I'm Calleigh Duquesne and this is Detective Frank Tripp. And you are?"
The camera crew had been divided into two crews with the first consisting of Peter Wilkins and Steve Rowland and the second crew including their leader, Troy Maxwell, and his assistant, Malinda Armstrong. Steve, the outgoing one of the pair, immediately introduced himself and his partner.
After handshakes were finished, Calleigh eagerly spoke up, "so what exactly do you want us to do?" She turned around in her seat to look at them.
Steve flashed his pearly whites and explained, "Just tell the camera where we are going and explain what you're doing like you were giving a tour."
"Are we rolling?" she asked tentatively. Steve nodded yes as Calleigh brushed her blonde hair behind her ear and began, "we're on our way to investigate a missing person and make sure no foul play was involved." She smiled pleasantly to the camera. "We'll find out more when we arrive on the scene."
They finally pulled onto a rural road and eventually into a gravel driveway where Betty Adams, the sister of the missing man, was patiently waiting.
"I'm so glad you're here," she pleaded. "I've looked everywhere and Arnold is no where to be found."
Betty was a small framed woman of small statue with graying reddish-brown hair. Her despair was noticeable in her cracking voice every time she spoke.
"Mam, when did you last see you brother?" Calleigh asked as the camera man, Peter Wilkins, focused on a close-up of both ladies.
'Well," she drawled out as she thought for a moment and rubbed her chin. "I saw him day before yesterday when he told me he was gonna spread some manure on the fields." She continued, "then I called him that night and told him to stop by my place for lunch. I baked a Dutch apple pie, which is his favorite. He'd never miss a chance to have some of my apple pie," she smiled. "But when he never showed yesterday, I got worried and called him . . . no answer. I've been trying all night with no luck so I drove over early this morning and there's no sign of him."
Frank, who had been looking around the property, walked over to Calleigh. "His truck is still here and there is no sign of a struggle inside."
"The doors were all unlocked when I got here and he always locks his doors when he leaves," Betty added.
"Do you know if he's been having any trouble with anyone or is there anyone who'd want to hurt him?" asked Frank.
Betty suddenly remembered, "he's been arguing a lot with Green McCallister lately over a property line. Arnold is making Green move a shed three feet off his property."
Frank took down the name while Calleigh assured Mrs. Adams that they'd do all that they could to find her brother.
--OO--
Horatio was sitting in his office working on paperwork when a familiar face appeared in his doorway followed by a special red haired little girl.
"Susie? Is there anything wrong?" Horatio always worried about Susie and Madison as their visits always seemed to coincide with an emergency.
"No, not really." She nervously paused, then continued, "well, I guess I do have a favor to ask." She quickly added, "you can say no if you want -- don't feel like you have to say yes."
"I have a new job and I have to go to Orlando for two days of training, so I need someone to take care of Madison until I get back." Upon hearing her name, Madison looked up from playing with her doll and gave a big grin to Horatio. "She goes to child care during the day so it's not full-time or anything."
Horatio was pleasantly surprised. "Are you wanting me to take her?"
"Only if you don't mind," Susie quickly replied.
A big smile came over Horatio's face. "I'd love to."
Although Madison was actually his niece, the resemblance between the two was uncanny. Every time he looked at Madison, he saw what his own daughter might look like if he had one. Needless to say, Madison had a very special place in his heart.
Susie was so relieved. "I've been trying to find someone else in case you wasn't interested but couldn't come up with anyone." She then continued, "I've kind of waited till the last minute. I'm suppose to ride up with another girl this afternoon. Is this too short of notice?" She cringed hoping he wouldn't change his mind.
The smile never left his face as he told her, "no, not at all."
"Great!" She was elated as she handed him a paper with all the addresses and phone numbers he'd need. "I'll drop her off at day care and let them know you'll be taking care of her for a few days starting tonight."
After several hugs and thank you's, they both let Horatio return to his work. Somehow the day seemed brighter now that Horatio would have a little guest staying at his house. But it wasn't long before a cloud appeared as Horatio received a phone call from Frank Tripp. "Horatio, I've got bad news. My car has been stolen and the camera crew had all their equipment in the trunk."
"I'm on my way Frank." Horatio grabbed his jacket and hurried down the hallway towards the elevator just as Malinda Armstrong was coming around the corner with a cup of coffee in each hand. Bamm!! Horatio found himself drenched in hot coffee that covered all of the front of his suit.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed in shock, "I'm so sorry! I . . ." She brought her hands up as though to wipe the mess from his jacket but then thought otherwise. "I . . . I didn't see you."
If Horatio was angry, he didn't show it as he looked down at his soaked suit in dismay. Without missing a beat, he grabbed his cell and called Eric Delko and Ryan Wolfe sending them to investigate the stolen car instead. "I'll meet you both there after I run home and change," Horatio explained after filling his two CSI's in on his misfortune.
--OO--
"Oh great, just what I need . . . more cameras." Frank was clearly frustrated as Eric and Ryan arrived with the second camera crew in tow.
"Where's Horatio?" asked Frank irritably.
Ryan and Eric both snickered as Ryan explained, "he had a head-on with two cups of coffee compliments of the female camera lady." Eric continued, "he'll be here as soon as he changes clothes."
Frank just walked back over to Calleigh while rubbing his brow. "I knew this TV show was going to be trouble . . . I just knew it."
Troy Maxwell, the lead cameraman, approached Frank. "How could you let this happen! Do you know how much that equipment cost?"
"Hey, do you know how much my car cost?" demanded Frank at Troy's accusations. "A hell of a lot more than your damn cameras!"
Frank and Troy were about to go at it full throttle when Horatio finally arrived and broke it up. "Frank, I need to see you over here," demanded Horatio. Troy started to follow but Horatio stopped him. "Sir, I need you to wait over there while I talk to the detective."
Eric began interviewing the two cameramen who were with Frank and Calleigh. "Do either of you want to tell me what happened?"
Steve and Peter looked at each other dumbfounded before Peter finally spoke, "we just went inside to buy some snacks while the cop ... I mean officer was fueling up." Steve joined in, "yeah, we came out just in time to see Frank chasing the car on foot as it sped away." He ran his fingers through his blonde hair in frustration.
Horatio was basically getting the same story from Frank.
"Horatio, I just turned my back for a minute to dump some trash and the next thing I hear is my car peeling out of the parking lot."
"Was there anyone hanging around close by?" inquired Horatio.
"No! No one." Frank thought for a moment and then realized, "but there was another car here fueling up." Frank continued, "I have some units looking for my car using the GPS."
Suddenly, Horatio's phone rang and he excused himself. "This is Horatio Caine." After several seconds he asked, "is she okay?" He motioned for Eric to join him as he continued, "okay, I'll be right there."
Eric noticed Horatio's concern as he walked over and inquired, "what's up?"
"I need to take care of some personal business. Do you want to take the lead on this case?"
"Sure H, no problem. Everything okay?"
"I just need to go pick up a sick little girl that I'm babysitting." Horatio smiled at the thought of him being a babysitter.
Eric was relieved that it wasn't anything really bad and smiled in acknowledgement.
After picking up Madison at day care, Horatio had no choice but to take her to work with him. As he walked down the hallway carrying her, he tried to comfort the whimpering child with little success when IAB Rick Stetler approached him. "Horatio." Before he continued, he looked at the red headed little girl and asked, "she yours?" Rick knew quite well that this was Raymond's child but couldn't help taking a jab at his nemesis.
Horatio was not amused and testily asked Stetler what he wanted.
"I want to know what is going on with Tripp's stolen car. Has it been recovered yet?"
"We're working on it Rick," stated Horatio.
"Well that's not good enough," Stetler demanded. "We have a camera crew filming your team's screw-ups! You know this makes the entire department look bad don't you?"
Before Horatio could respond, little Madison threw up all over the front of Stetler's suit and then began crying loudly when she saw what she had done.
"I have to go Rick. I have a sick kid here." With that said, Horatio walked away quickly but he couldn't help smiling at Madison's good timing as he patted her back. "It's okay Madison, he deserved it."