DISCLAIMER: I do not own Don Flack (though I wish I do… sigh) or anything related to CSI: NY. I also do not own the lyrics to Michelle Branch's Everywhere.
NOTES: Decided to turn this whole mysterious-admirer thing into a series. I won't update much though as I need time to come up with ideas and stuff. Many thanks to my friend, Aina, for helping me with the song choice! Thanks also to those who reviewed Flack's Secret Valentine! I appreciate it!
It's been less than two months since Don Flack got his "surprise Valentine" gift. As time passed by, he has forgotten about the balloons (which has since then deflated) and the cards. Crime has always managed to get hold of his attention.
It was a nice day in New York city. Except for the view of a man who appears to be dead in a rubbish bin in a quiet neighborhood. Flack arrived there as soon as he got the call. Notebook in his right hand a pen in another, he begun to question the old lady who discovered the body.
"At what time did you find the body, ma'am?" he asked.
"Around twelve noon today. When I was taking out the trash. Opened the lid and saw the body in there."
"Did you touch or move the body from its original position?"
"No, detective. Went straight back to my house and called the police."
Flack wrote this all down in his notebook. "I have just one more question: do you recognize this man?"
The old lady sighed. "Yes, that's Sam Kliwt."
"Where did he lived?"
"He's homeless. Didn't have a home. Roamed around the neighborhood. Sometimes I let him sleep on my front lawn. He's not dangerous, really."
"Alright. Thank you, ma'am."
The old lady nodded and left. Flack stood there for a moment, writing in his notebook. He heard a car door close and heard several footsteps. He turned and saw Crime Scene Investigators Stella Bonasera and Danny Messer walking towards him, a crime scene kit in each of their hands.
"Alright," said Stella. "What have we got?"
"Homeless guy named Sam Kliwt," said Flack, reading from his notebook. "Was found dead by an old lady at around noon today when she was taking out the trash."
Danny peered into the rubbish bin. "Respect for the dead and all, but you could have known that he would have at least shaved and changed his clothes."
"He was a homeless guy, Danny," said Stella.
Flack watched as Stella and Danny both slipped on a pair of latex gloves each and begun processing the crime scene. While waiting for them, he interviewed the other neighbors.
After a while, Stella and Danny were done and so was Flack.
"What have you two got?" asked Flack.
"Trash," said Danny. "The guy was found in a rubbish bin."
"We're having the coroners to move the body and the bin back to the lab," said Stella. "How about you?"
"Most of the neighbors said that Sam was a nice guy. Didn't hurt anyone. Occasionally, the neighbors would give him some food and let him stay on their front lawns."
"Who would wanna murder a homeless guy?" wondered Danny out loud.
"That's your job to figure that out," said Flack.
BACK AT THE LAB
"I see no trauma or any form of abuse on this man's body. No wounds, except for old scars which looks as if it was there for a couple of weeks. No blood wound either," the coroner told Stella and Danny. "In fact, Sam Kliwt was in good shape."
"Then what killed him?" said Stella.
"Hunger," answered the coroner. "Plain and simple."
"The guy starved to death?" said Danny, adjusting his glasses.
"What did you expect?" said Stella. "Homeless guy with no money to buy anything and relies heavily on good neighbors to give food."
BACK AT NYPD
Flack closed his drawer shut. Another case done. This time; the victim died of natural causes. His stomach rumbled. He hadn't had lunch yet. Was too busy working on the Sam Kliwt case. He felt the craving for Japanese food; sushi to be more specific. He decided to get one.
Flack was about to walk out from the building when Sheldon Hawkes called out to him.
"Lunch," said Flack. "Wanna join me?"
Sheldon thought about it for awhile. "Sure. I'm on my lunch break anyway."
They got into Flack's car and drove off to Flack's favorite sushi restaurant.
MEANWHILE
She put a strand of blonde hair behind her ears. She just finished an article for the next edition of Chic magazine, a popular women's magazine. She was working on an article titled Relationships: Is Yours Going To Have A Happy Ending?. After checking through it, she was satisfied and leaned back on her chair, sipping her coffee. She turned on the radio to her favorite station.
"Call us now if you want to dedicate a song to loved ones or friends," said the DJ. "Our number is…"
She thought about what happened a few weeks ago. She smiled to herself. She knew exactly what song to dedicate to a certain detective. She dialed the station's number and waited for them to pick up.
IN FLACK'S CAR
Flack switched on the radio in his car. He was in relaxed mode and that rarely happens. During that time, he likes to just listen to the radio. He especially likes listening to the dedications.
"…from New York," said the DJ. Damn, I missed the introduction, thought Flack. He liked listening to callers introducing themselves. For some reason, he likes knowing people's names. Must be the detective in him.
"Hi," said the caller who was a female.
"She sounds pretty," said Sheldon.
Flack laughed. "How could you tell if someone is good looking from their voice?"
"I don't know. I just do."
"And what song would you like to dedicate and to whom?" said the DJ.
"I would like to dedicate Everywhere by Michelle Branch to Detective Don Flack."
BEEEP
Flack accidentally pressed the horn on his car, causing several people to look at him. He gave an apologetic look and stared at the radio. Sheldon wanted to say a few things but decided to keep his mouth shut anyway.
"Ah, an NYPD detective?" said the DJ.
"Yes, as a matter of fact."
"What would you like to say to this Detective Flack? What if he's on right now listening to this station?"
"Then I would like to tell him this: We've met before," she said. "At a crime scene."
"A crime scene?" laughed the DJ. "Of all places to meet?"
The female caller laughed. "Yes, as weird as it sounds. We met at a crime scene."
"Just a few weeks ago was Valentine's day. Did you do anything special for or with him?"
"Ummm… I bought him balloons. That's it."
The DJ laughed. "Wanna add in anything else?"
"Nope, that's it. Thanks and bye!"
"Thank you for calling."
She hanged up. "Alrighty, here's Everywhere by Michelle Branch dedicated to Detective Flack. Enjoy a break from crime fighting, detective!" said the DJ. As the intro started, Sheldon turned to look at Flack.
"That was the girl who bought you the balloons?" he said.
"Yeah I guess so," said Flack.
Sheldon leaned back. He seems to be in deep thought. He was quiet for a few minutes.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" said Flack. "I can almost hear the gears turning in there!"
"Have you ever tried to find out who that girl is?"
"No. I'm too busy with what's happening to others. Besides, it's not that urgent to me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Now you're confusing me."
Sheldon laughed. "Just listen to the ending of this song," he said, nodding towards the radio. Flack listened to it.
Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
that makes me believe
I'm not alone
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath
it's you I breathe
You're everything I know
that makes me believe
I'm not alone
You're in everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?
Flack couldn't help feeling flattered and happy towards the woman who dedicated the song to him.
"It's a good ending, no?" said Sheldon, smiling smugly.
Flack smiled and nodded. All of a sudden he wasn't hungry for sushi anymore.
To be continued…
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So what do you guys think of this? I thought it was ok. Didn't really have time to plan everything since my exams are coming in a few days. Just typed it all on my computer in case I'll forget the story ideas. If this isn't good, I promise I'll try my best to write a better chapter once my exams are over.