Sorry for the wait guys! It's a lot harder to write a mystery than I thought. I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Reviews are GREATLY appreciated!

Coincidences – Part Two

Alexx Woods looked down at the body of the beautiful young girl with the same sad look she often had. "Poor baby," she murmured.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of Calleigh Duquesne. "Hey," Calleigh drawled. She stepped around the autopsy table so she was facing Alexx. She looked down at the body with heaviness. "She's a pretty girl."

"Poor Ryan," Alexx said with a shake of her head. "What are the chances that his best friend shows up dead in Miami?"

"Something tells me it may not be coincidence," Calleigh remarked. "Oddly enough, this does come with an advantage. Ryan's been able to provide us with plenty of information about her."

Alexx was still shaken. "Have you seen Ryan? He must be taking this pretty hard."

"I haven't seen him, but Eric said he's not in good shape. I wouldn't be either. I guess they were pretty close growing up."

Alexx put her hand on the head of the girl, stroking her cold face. "What's her story, Calleigh?"

Calleigh opened a file. "Her name is Madison Beller. Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She attended Boston University and had a job as an investigative journalist with the Boston Globe. Unmarried, no children."

Alexx raised her eyebrows. "That's quite a prestigious position for someone so young. Also a dangerous one. Maybe she had the scoop on someone that they didn't like?"

"That's what I was thinking. We haven't interviewed anyone yet though. What do you have for me?"

Alexx got right down to business. "I only have preliminary. I haven't done the autopsy yet. I did notice a few things though." She lifted the girl's arm. "We've got scratches here—most likely defensive. Also, there are bruises on her chest. Their fist shaped, so we can assume that baby girl was beaten by someone."

"Do we have cause of death?"

"As a matter of fact, we do. See here," She pointed to the girl's neck where there was bruising, "These are ligature marks. She was strangled."

Calleigh looked surprised. "That's odd. We didn't find anything at the scene that could have been used for strangulation."

Alexx gave a small smile. "Now baby, that's your department, not mine."

Horatio Caine cocked his head as he surveyed his youngest CSI. He cared for everyone on his team, but he was especially fond of Ryan Wolfe. Some people went as far to say that he had a "soft spot" for the young man. Horatio let out a small smile. Many times Ryan reminded him of himself in his younger years. Such as now, he thought.

Ryan Wolfe was leaning against a wall in the lab, his face that of total devastation—though he was obviously trying to hide it. He seemed oblivious to the older man's watchful eye. Horatio approached Ryan slowly, as if trying to sense his thoughts.

"Mr. Wolfe…"

Ryan gazed at his boss with a forced strength that Horatio admired. "Don't worry about it H," He said. "I know you have to pull me. I'm a suspect too, right?"

Horatio smiled to the floor. "Only for the time being, Mr. Wolfe."

Ryan nodded and pulled his gun and badge out of his belt. "Here—I'll go wait in the questioning room." He started to walk off, and then turned back to Horatio. "Madison was the closest friend I ever had. You can't let the person who did this to her roam free."

Horatio looked at Ryan with a silent dignity. "Mr. Wolfe—not a chance." He put on his sunglasses. "Not a chance."

Eric met Calleigh in the hall. "What did Alexx find?"

"She said the vic had defensive marks and bruises." She handed Eric an evidence bag. "The vic's clothes. She wants you to process them."

"Can do. Do we have a cause of death?"

"Strangulation."

Eric reacted to the news much the way Calleigh had. "Strangulation? We're missing a murder weapon then."

Calleigh nodded. "You know what I think?"

"What's that?"

"I think it's time to talk to our coffee shop owner."

Ryan Wolfe was sitting in the questioning room with his head in his hands. How could Madison be dead? He thought. So many things were swimming through his mind that his head hurt. He knew life was about to get very complicated for him.

He tried to push away memories of the girl who had been such a big part of his life. It was impossible though. Even though they had not talked since high school, he thought about her often. She had been his first friend, his first crush, his first---NO! He told himself. Don't go there. Let the past be the past. But even as he thought it he realized how futile that statement was. He felt himself slipping into old memories….

FLASHBACK

Thirteen-year-old Ryan Wolfe sat in the front row, his foot tapping along to the music. She's good, thought. He watches as Madison Beller, along with three other girls, danced and sang on stage. It surprised him a little that he had never actually seen Madison sing or dance before. She had only recently started this hobby, and had forbidden him to watch her until her big day at the junior high talent show.

Now he was rather glad he had waited. He did not want to be alone with her when she was dancing like that…it was having a strange effect on him. He felt suddenly very hot and had swooping sensation in his stomach. He tried to shake it off, but it only grew stronger as he watched her. She was a very beautiful girl—her hair was always shining, and her face was practically glowing on stage. He had never really noticed the way her hips created an hour glass figure, or the way her body moved when she jumped….

Before he knew it the performance had ended and she was jumping his way. "How was I?" she asked, beaming.

His throat seemed to have closed up. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse. "You were really good."

She scowled. It was not the praise she was looking for. Ryan finally regained his composure. "You were great! Absolutely terrific."

She glowed. "Thanks! I—" But her next words were cut off. Her father was hollering at her from the entrance to the school. She grimaced. "I've got to go. See you later?"

He nodded and guiltily watched her walk away.

Several moments later he walked out of the school, intending to walk home. What he saw made his jaw drop. Madison was in tears on the ground. Her father stood over her, his face full of anger. "Don't let me ever catch you doing something like this again!" He growled. She only sobbed harder.

Ryan hid behind a pillar, but his blood was boiling. How could she have not told him?

FLASHFORWARD

"Mr. Wolfe? I need to ask you a few questions."