Chapter 3 Photographs and Visions

Disclaimer: I do not lay claim to any of the characters as seen in CSI Miami, and my fic is written to be fun and enjoyable and not meant to offend the writers/creators of CSI Miami or the actors who play the different characters. I do ask that no one use my original character as she is my own creation. My fic is not to be posted anywhere else unless written permission is obtained from me.

"Alexx, what do you have for me?" the red haired Lieutenant asked.

"There's so much damage, Horatio. I think this man was alive when the gators got him. The torn flesh is just so gruesome."

"Gators are vicious eaters. I'll bet the smell of blood sent them into a feeding frenzy."

"Like a group of sharks."

"Yes. Alexx, what do you make of this?" he asked as he looked closer at the victim's torso.

Alexx probed and palpated the area finding what appeared to be a bullet hole. Taking a forceps, she felt around and came across a bullet – 9mm.

"Good eye, Horatio."

"Nine Mil – nice. I'll take this to Calleigh," he said while putting the bullet into an evidence bag.

"The vic's personal affects are on the table there. His name is Steven Caldwell according to his driver's license."

"I'm sure that isn't his real name."

"You think it's a fake?"

"When have you met someone like this that carried a driver's license that was legit?"

Alexx smiled. Horatio had been in the business way too long.

"I'll run the name and see if Mr. Caldwell has an alias. Thank you, Alexx."

"Anytime, sugar."

Horatio dropped off the bullet to Calleigh leaving her with instruction to do her usual magic on it and obtain any evidence she could from off it. He stopped by the computer lab asking Mr. Wolfe to begin searching for aliases for Mr. Caldwell. Then, he called Eric to meet him in the Audio/Visual lab.

"Mr. Cooper, were you able to retrieve anything?" Caine asked.

"Sorry, sir. Not yet. I'm about to try a new recovery program, though. I should be able to get something for you now."

Eric Delko entered the room as Horatio pulled up a chair to sit by Dan's side. Dan's fingers were moving so fast over the keyboard that they seemed a blur. Finally, images were beginning to show on the computer screen – birds and close ups of gators were the subjects of the first several hundred images.

"Wow, this gal has a great eye!" Eric said with enthusiasm. "These are National Geographic quality."

"Hum. Yes, indeed. I hope she had the same great eye when she witnessed the murder," Horatio replied.

"Talented, smart and beautiful. Phew, she's a prize," Delko said with a laugh.

"Mr. Delko, can we get back to the task at hand? Women are not prizes. They deserve more respect than that."

"Sure, H. I'm sorry." He looked oddly at his boss. "You going to tell me you didn't notice?"

"Eric, it's not the time for this discussion." he paused momentarily. "And, I did notice."

Eric smiled coyly knowing he had nailed his boss's interest in the new witness so very well. He had spent many years working with the Lieutenant and had gotten to know him very well – maybe too well, especially after Horatio's courtship and marriage to his late sister, Marisol. The fact was that Horatio couldn't get the vision of this woman out of his mind – those expressive golden brown eyes, the khaki shorts and camouflage tee shirt that adorned her petite but strong body, the dark red chestnut hair that was tied back in a ponytail, the round curve of her chin, the… he blinked his eyes several times trying to focus on what he was supposed to be doing.

"Here we go," Dan said. "There are at least thirty-five images. Based on the EXIF data, she shot them in blast mode – so we have at least three sequences of ten frames shot one second apart."

Horatio and Eric looked closely at those frames as they downloaded to the computer.

"Hey, look at that. She did get some really clear shots of the deed going down," Eric said happily.

"She's got one heck of a camera – Canon only makes the best," Cooper said as he glanced over the camera again.

"So, that's why we use Nikons? I thought we used only the best stuff," Eric jokingly said.

"Nikons are less expensive and on contract with the entire Crime Lab. The EXIF data lists the lens info as unknown. Wonder what she was using to get these close ups," Cooper replied.

"I don't know. This is all Horatio was given – a camera body with lens seat capped off."

"No wonder she wants this baby back. This had to cost her a pretty penny," Cooper mused.

"Gentlemen, we can discuss camera equipment – and our overextended budget - later. Eric, this guy looks like Julio Vargas, and I can't determine who the others are. What do you think?"

Eric stared at one frame in particular.

"No idea, H. Who is Julio Vargas?"

"He's a gun runner and a drug smuggler from Brazil. He did do some work for Antonio Riaz but his loyalties changed over the years. Obviously, he's still in the game."

"Well, I would love to take this guy down. Anyone who had anything to do with Riaz, I would love to have his ass on a platter."

"I agree with you."

"Sir, Antonio Riaz? Isn't he the one who…" Cooper was interrupted.

"He put the hit out on my sister," Eric jumped in.

"Let's have this frame enlarged and the faces enhanced. I'd like to know who Mr. Vargas is in cahoots with. Mr. Cooper, can you do that ASAP?"

"Anything you need, sir. These are high resolution images. It shouldn't take much effort now."

"Good work, Mr. Cooper. Eric, why don't you hang here and see what turns up."

Horatio looked at his watch – it was now 3 pm.

"Where are you going?"

"To visit our witness and check out her story."

Horatio's tone was steady and didn't falter. However, Eric couldn't help but taunt his boss.

"You going alone, H?" Eric's voice was tainted with sarcasm.

"On second thought, why don't you come with me."

"Sure. You want me to round up the rest of the team?"

"No. You and I can handle this for now. We can call the others later."

"Are you sure I'm not going to need help holding you down?" Eric whispered with a smile.

"Eric, I really don't understand what you are driving at."

"Yeah, you probably don't – not yet anyway."

Eric laughed. It would be out of character for Horatio to express any kind of outward interest or attraction to a woman.

TBC