Chapter Two: I Know What Makes You Tick Mr. Wolfe
(I Don't own anything, true story…)
"There's something I should mention before we get to the department…" Melissa mumbled, almost inaudible. Curious, Ryan looked over to her briefly, "Oh," He started, "like what?"
"My Dad works with the Miami Dade Police." She motioned to her purse, "In my wallet, there's a picture." Ryan pulled into the parking lot of the department and put the Hummer in park.
Melissa was expecting him to rummage through her purse in front of her, instead he undid he cuffs and let her look through the bag herself. "I though you would have taken this for evidence…" She sighed.
"Should we?" Ryan questioned, glancing inside the small brown bag. "If you must, the most interesting thing you're going to find though is a stick of gum and a tampon. Last time I checked those things can't kill people…" She was feeling spiteful again. Every time Wolfe questioned her innocence it brought out a new side to her that she knew she should be controlling.
"Right. So, who is your father?" Wolfe tried to get them back on track. "Frank Tripp. I changed my last name when my parents divorced. I took my mother's maiden name." She explained as she pulled out the photo from her wallet, handing it over to Ryan. He just chuckled to himself, "Your dad is Frank? That's hilarious. I thought his ex wife was Melissa."
"Well, she is. I'm named after her. So if he does talk about me, or her, You sometimes need to ask him to clarify who." Melissa joined in on the laugh. Ryan handed her back the photo, "We should probably go inside now. I have to handcuff you again, I'll wait until you're out of the Hummer though." He turned off the car and exited the vehicle waiting for Melissa to come around to the other side. "I need to check for any weapons so face the car and put your hands on it." He instructed.
Melissa did as she was told as she felt a bizarre emotion sweep over her body, something she wasn't familiar with. As Ryan's hands searched and patted her body from head to toe, the feeling was growing in the pit of her stomach, it could have been described as a long and dull ache in her bones, like a fire within her. Ryan moved directly behind her and grabbed her hands brining them behind her back. He could smell her sweet, almost floral scent from her hair and skin. He clasped them in place, Melissa winced, "Sorry." he uttered. The two started walking towards the entrance when Frank came running out, "Mel, sweetie! Are you okay?" He noticed the handcuffs on her, he glared at Ryan, "Why are these one her!" He shouted, "Take them off now!" he further demanded.
"Dad, its procedure. I'm being questioned." Her breath hitched, Am I starting to take the fall for this? She questioned herself. Frank shook his head, "No, no. You-you would never, never, never, ever do something like this." He could feel tears swelling up behind his eyes. In 8 years he hasn't had any contact with his youngest daughter and here she is, in handcuffs, being questioned for God knows what.
"Im sorry Daddy." a few tears fell from her eyes as Ryan pushed her past her father forcibly. "You're apologizing?" Wolfe questioned, confused.
"Not because you think I did this, but… I haven't seen him in eight years, and this is how he see's me? It's a let down…" She felt the tears fall again, "I've always just wanted to make him proud." Ryan held back wanting to hug her, It was his job to prove her guilty but right now he wanted to prove her innocence. He escorted her to a holding cell where 3 prostitutes sat bored out of their minds, waiting for their pimps to come bail them out. "Hey baby, when I get out we should grab a drink." The one called at Ryan.
"You'll be in here until we come to question you more." He explained sternly, putting up his C.S.I front. No special privileges He reminded himself. "Ryan, don't leave me in her." Melissa begged quietly, not wanting the other ladies to overhear. "Should be too much longer." He walked away as Melissa backed slowly against the cold wall of the prison cell. "You get caught selling yourself too?" The one questioned, "I bet she did." the other laughed.
"No…" Melissa trailed off, "I'm being questioned for double homicide." The two prostitutes backed away as the other one stood beside her, "Innocent?" She whispered to Melissa. She nodded her head, "Here," the tall, lean woman handed Melissa a small white pill, "it'll take the edge off." This was a huge no-no, but she couldn't help herself, if she was going down for double homicide what harm could drug possession do? She popped the small pill into her mouth and took a drink from the fountain. Within moments her body was weak and she fell to the ground softly. She felt her eyes closing and passed out.
SLAM!
Melissa jerked up in a chair ankles and wrists cuffed and saw Ryan and a new face sitting in front of her. "Clonazepam? Really?" He questioned her.
"What was I suppose to do? You left me alone with three hookers. What did you think we were going to brush each others hair and talk about boys?" Melissa retorted, the man beside Wolfe laughed and shook his head, "This one really hates you Ryan."
"Shut up Delko. Melissa, remember the personality test we were going to give you?" She nodded her head, "Well that's now."
Delko held up a card, "What do you see?" Melissa looked at it for a brief second, "a fox."
"How about this one?"
"George Washington."
Ryan rolled his eyes, he knew she was just being a smart ass now.
Another card, "A panda wearing a hat."
"Alright, this is going no where. What happened to the cooperative Melissa I was with earlier?" Wolfe looked at her sternly. "What happened to the nice Ryan?" She returned the question. The two sat their in silence and stared deeply at one another.
Horatio entered the room slowly and smiled at Melissa. "Melissa Tripp. You're clear for now.."
Delko asked for an explanation, one Horatio was more than glad to give. "There was a message on your friends phone. She tried to text you during her attack. So we know it wasn't you. We know it was her because only her epithirials were on the phone. The text was M3N5A5 ily. Do you have any idea what that means?" Melissa started crying, "We have a code. The number represents the number of letters in the word. So the letter M is comprised of 3 letters, including the M. Ily means I love you." She sobbed and put her head down on the table.
"We also examined your phone, while you were on with the 911 operator, you're friend was calling you…she left this voice mail…" Caine placed the phone on the table.
Melly? MEL PICK UP! Where the fuck are you? One second, someones at the door. Y-Ahhh Sara's voice screamed for a sold minute and a half before the recording finished. "Then there was this one…" Caine paused waiting for the next to play. It sounded like footsteps walking around the phone. "Yeah, same room as before bro, that's where that other bitch is. Don't do anything until I get there just go up the fire escape and in the balcony doors." a male voiced boomed and the sound of a body dragging filled the room. "Yeah bro, I have to dispose of this whore first and I'll be there. Lets have some fun." He chuckled. The message ended.
"Calleigh always knows." Delko said quietly to himself. "Hold up though," Ryan stopped everyone, "what about the lady in the room? Maybe she's working with these guys?"
Horatio looked at Wolfe, "Maybe she is…" he took a second to put on his sunglasses, "Maybe she's not." He exited the room. Delko and Ryan stared at a sobbing Melissa.
Frank walked into the room as well, "Let get your things, you can stay with me." Melissa shook her head as Ryan undid her cuffs, "No, I don't want to be around anyone right now." As soon as they were loose she bolted out of the room into the hallway, speedily walking towards the doors. "Melissa…"Ryan called after her, trying to keep up with her long strides. "Mel!" He shouted, she whipped around once outdoors, "What?" She shouted back. Her mascara had been running down her face, her brown hair was a mess. "It's not safe for you, you should really stay with someone. You can't leave Miami until the case is closed."
"Why because I'm some sort of psychopathic killer! Because I might go rape and kill some other woman!" She shouted loudly, Ryan tried to get in a few words but found it difficult. "I know what you're thinking! Maybe she didn't kill her best friend, but yeah she totally looks like someone who would brutally attack someone she doesn't know, who probably lives in fucking Connecticut or something. I know how you C.S.I and police train, the person who has no immediate connection to the victim is likely the killer because they show no remorse. But don't put the scientific crap on me!" She continued her rant.
Ryan placed her hand over her mouth and pushed her against the wall, "Do you want to get arrested again!" He whispered harshly. She boldly removed his hand, "Maybe. I really liked those hookers you left me with." He rolled his eyes, "You… Are fucking impossible. It-its like I'm on some rollarcoaster with you. One minute your a sweet, beautiful, cooperative woman-"
"Who killed two people." She injected with much wit. Ryan rolled his eyes again, "And then you turn into this witty, disastrous girl…" he paused and looked around to see if anyone was around him, "Who is seriously turning me on."
"Yeah well - wait…what?" Melissa stopped in shock and looked up at him, he grinned. "Glad you finally shut up."
A smouldering look washed over her face as she looked into his eyes, "Well played Wolfe. But, you have no idea how well I can play this game." She leaned forward, pressing her body into his, leaving no space between them, "I bet…" She said coyly as she pressed her lips close to his ear, "I know," he gulped audibly, "What really makes you tick…" Melissa laughed and pushed away, "I'll stay at dear old Daddy's. You win…for now."
Ryan stood in his place, unaware of what exactly just went down, he watched her walk over to her father and saw them embrace in a very tight hug. He felt a burning sensation in his stomach, Did she really know what made him tick? Was he actually becoming infatuated with the idea of taking a possible murderer home with him? He shook it off and walked back inside. To further examine the evidence.
A/N: Oh my God! Im alive! Haha, sorry it's been so long, lost my muse ;) But its all coming back to me now. So Read and review. Also thanks to everyone who has made this story a favourite :)
