Callie hadn't realized that she had fallen asleep until she heard Jim's alarm clock go off in his office, and the significant time jump. The sun outside his window has begun to rise. She hopes that it's all just a bad dream, and Jim will soon walk in, laughing at some un-funny joke he had just made up. But he doesn't, and he probably won't. It isn't like her to think negatively, but with all that has gone on, she cannot help doing so. She hadn't even thought about Jeff, how was she going to tell him? He thought the world of Jim, and Jim respected him in return. She loves him, but what can she do? So far, she had received nothing, nor word nor hair of him…it just wasn't like him to just disappear, well like this anyway. She can still feel his presence in his office, the smell of his aftershave and his shampoo, whatever happens, good or bad… she will not give up on him. With that, she rises, determined to do her best, she remembers the first place they shared a non-professional meeting, the bar. That is where she'll start.
In her office, Manus rolls a coin over and over again through her fingers. She was at a crossroads, as soon as Daniel had mentioned the word 'paperwork', she knew what he was up to, and it was nothing to done with his upcoming nuptial. He had been on assignment, with another precinct, something undercover, need to know, on the hush hush, but however she put it, it may have been the reason he is possibly the body in the morgue. She hadn't been in touch with Captain Martin Burbeck in a while as he had been following another case and his precinct was unreachable, and secret. Even she hadn't been aware of it until a month ago, and as Longworth was her best detective, she had sent him over, although not 100% sure about his discretion on the case. The details were sketchy, and she is convinced that the fire had destroyed all the files; the fire could have been a threat to stay away or to destroy evidence and ultimately killing the lead detective. There aren't many convicted arsonists in the area, and none of them have been involved in anything to do with Longworth lately. Her previous requests for a copy of the file had been denied, every time by Burbeck. Maybe this time he'll listen, she thinks as she picks up her phone. She starts to feel the pangs of guilt, if it is the case that has got him killed, it's on her.
There is a knock on the door at the morgue, Carlos looks up to see the Fire Chief standing outside. With his hands deep in the burns victim, he signals with his head to invite him in. The Chief, who was used to the smell of burned flesh, gladly walks in a paper file in his hand.
"I have the report for you, I pushed it through, knowing the circumstances, " he smiles, his moustache rising with his upper lip.
"Thank you, errm, sorry I didn't catch your name," Carlos replies.
"Chief Simon Weir," he introduces himself, "have you had any luck identifying the victim?"
"No, not yet, just waiting for results from the crime lab, we appreciate you pushing the report through."
"Anything to help," he replies.
"So, did you find what the cause of the fire was?"
"In fact, we did," Weir opens the file, "we found traces of petroleum beside the front window, so we predict that the assailant poured it through the open window and lit a match. Besides that, we can trace the formula make-up of the petroleum to find out where it came from, hopefully narrowing down your pool of suspects."
"Thanks Simon, we'd really appreciate that," Daniel interjects, before yawning.
The pair had been working all night, wishing for that one piece of evidence to let them know that Jim is alive, however, this evidence is proving to be very elusive. Simon places the file on the side and leaves.
"Can he really trace the petroleum?" Daniel asks.
"Let's hope so," Carlos replies, "have the lab finished with any of their tests yet?"
"In fact," Daniel opens up an email, "yes, they have found traces of an expensive type of gravel near both the front and rear of the house."
"What is it?"
"It's been identified as Sonoma Gold, fancy," Daniel reads, "They didn't put 'fancy', but I…" he trailed off as he reads Carlos's face, "anyway, that should narrow it down."
There is another knock at the door, and this time, it's Manus.
"The other officers have returned," she informs them, we're having another meeting in 5."
The pair nod, and update their captain on their findings. She's pleased with their work and their commitment, but she cannot tell them about her phone call with Burbeck, not yet anyway. Knowing what is best, she leaves. Carlos has done all he can for now, all samples have been collected and all X-Rays have been taken, all they can do now is wait, the most painful process in the entire world.
"You think Callie should come to this meeting?" Daniel asks.
"She should know what we do," Carlos agrees, "she should be in Jim's office, I'll go and see."
Entering the bar, a whole load of emotions and memories flood back to Callie, like a dam has been opened. The bar quiet with a low hum of people eating breakfast, she didn't feeling like eating, and she knows she should, but she can't face it. The table that they sat at is free, so she makes her way over. She remembers his words, his tone of voice, his cheeky smile, everything that she loves about him. A waiter approaches, but she kindly declines his services, she was only there for one thing. Answers.
"So far, we have had no sightings of Jim," Manus speaks clearly but coldly, the room is silent, "none of the bars that have been visited had seen Jim last night. Unfortunately, we have resorted to sending Jim's photo and information to Palm Glade's hospitals and morgues. I don't want to say this, but if nothing comes up by the end of the day, we have to assume that the body found at the house is Detective Longworth. Until then, we have a duty to find him, I know you are all tired, so the officers on the day shift will take over, and the rest of you can go home for a well-earned rest."
The weary officer mumble a range of compliments and 'thank you's to their captain, before returning to their desks, walking single file out of the room.
"Carlos, Daniel, can you wait a moment please?" Manus stops them, "We need to talk."
"Of course," the pair chorus in reply.
The three sit down at the table, leaning back in their chairs, not in comfort but in exhaustion.
"Have you spoken to Callie yet?" Manus begins.
"Not since the fire," Carlos replies.
"Okay, well what I am about to tell you cannot leave this room."
The medical examiner and intern nod.
"Jim was on a special assignment, for another precinct," she admits, "I don't know the full details, but he may have been targeted because of the nature of the case."
Carlos and Daniel both lean forward in interest, their exhaustion leaving them.
"Before you interrupt," she can see the anticipation on their faces, "I have contacted the captain of said precinct, and he had declined to release this information as we have, and I quote, 'have no proof of Detective Longworth's whereabouts or evidence that his disappearance is anything to do with the case'."
"The b…" Carlos begins.
"Don't, Dr Sanchez, I tried to reason with him, but he wasn't interested."
"So what do we do now?" Daniel asks.
"We carry on," Manus replies simply, "The lab will soon be finished with their tests and will be sending us the results soon. So let's keep going."
A/N: Many thanks to those who have got this far. I will try and update the story as quick as I can, however much schoolwork will try to intervene.