October 30
Gemstone Funeral Home - Manhattan, New York
The funeral home was quiet and for once, Carlos felt grateful for the quiet because he alone had snuck off in the early hours after buying a fresh dress uniform for Doc since the old one was in the NYPD evidence locker. It had been a long walk from his apartment to the mortuary using his walker, but he had done it and he was now slowly dressing Doc's body. It was a process because it put a strain on his back to lift Doc as he needed to, but the letter that had been written had given Carlos strength to do it.
Carlos sighed; in the letter, Doc had said that he had always seen Carlos as the son he had never had himself and that he was very proud of him. He had read that letter over and over since he had gotten it and that's what prompted him to do this. He and his family had only been in the new apartment a week, but it already felt comfortable and his family, of course, had supported his decision to move there.
As Carlos leaned against his walker for a break, the door to the dressing room opened and Kim, who had gotten calls from both Danielle and Holly that Carlos had walked to the mortuary himself early that morning, came in wearing her dress uniform, "You're up early," Kim commented quietly.
"This had to get done," Carlos replied in a quiet voice. "I left a note telling Holly I'd be here."
Kim nodded, "Holly called both Danielle and I because she was worried that you might overexert yourself walking here and doing this," she explained softly. "Jimmy's coming on his truck with the rest of the guys and he's actually talking about going back to work because Doc…Doc inspired him a lot."
"I don't know if I can," Carlos replied quietly. "Go back to work, that is. My injuries are pretty severe."
Kim sighed and looked at Doc's body, "You did a good job," she said softly. "Is that new?"
"His old one's in the NYPD evidence locker, remember?" Carlos asked quietly. "Steeper?"
Kim nodded, "I should go tell them that he's dressed," Carlos spoke in a pained voice.
"I'll do it," Kim spoke softly, seeing that Carlos was in pain. "Grace got us permission to borrow Doc's old rig for the service and you can ride with me to the cemetery. Have a rest for a minute, all right?"
Nodding, Carlos continued to lean on his walker as Kim patted his shoulder and left the room.
NYPD Headquarters
"…Yes, I got to New York safely, Tim," Emily said in a calm voice as she stood in the break room of the NYPD Headquarters in her old NYPD dress uniform with her phone to her ear. "Yes, I ate breakfast…"
Emily suddenly smiled as Bosco came into the break room wearing his dress uniform and gave her a strange look, "Honey, they're getting ready to start," she said softly. "I love you too, baby. Bye."
"Why's your hand on your stomach?" Bosco asked in a confused voice, eyeing Emily suspiciously.
Emily sighed, "I'm pregnant, but this day is not about me," she replied firmly. "It's about Doc."
"Are you sure you're well enough to march?" Bosco asked in a concerned voice. "You don't have to."
Emily gave Bosco a look, "It's half a mile and I had a good breakfast," she replied. "You saw me eat."
"I'm glad you accepted Danielle's offer to stay with us," Bosco replied calmly. "Are you thirsty?"
Emily chuckled, "If I get tired or whatever, I'll let you know," she replied as the door opened.
"…Bobby, you didn't have to come up," Flack's voice filled the air. "Everyone would have…"
Bosco froze as he heard a familiar sigh, "I've been in counseling for a while now and I'm still on medical leave, Donny, so I can do what I feel like doing," he heard his former partner say. "My uncle's staying at my house to look after my brother-in-law and the kids. BJ and Adam wanted to come, but I told them no because they've got school and I'm going back tonight. They want me back in time for Halloween."
Unable to believe what he was hearing, Bosco went around the lockers and his eyes widened when he saw Bobby standing there in his old NYPD dress blues with a cane in hand with Flack, who was also in dress blues, "Hey there, Bosco," Bobby replied calmly, giving his former partner a warm hug.
"You look good," Bosco replied in a happy voice. "Isn't it hard for you to be here, though?"
Robert sighed softly, "I won't lie to you about that, but I did some floater shifts in other neighborhoods and Doc was BJ's hero, so I promised my oldest boy I'd come and march," he replied softly. "He's 11 now."
"I wasn't sure if you'd come," Emily said in a quiet voice as she came around the lockers.
Robert nodded, "Donny, Bosco, this is the MDPD psychologist," he said in a kind voice. "I decided on it two days ago and Donny let me stay at his place when I got in last night. We visited Maggie this…"
Swallowing hard, Robert fixed his collar and moved off to look in the mirror, shaken by memories.
"Um, we should gather at the muster point," Emily spoke softly. "Sully's probably waiting."
Just then, Grissom, who had elected to wear a completely black suit because he wasn't a fan of dress uniforms and had never bothered to get one, came in, "Everyone's gathering," he said calmly.
Flack, Emily, and Bosco filed silently out of the locker room, but Robert remained at the mirror for an extra minute before coming over to Grissom, nodding silently, and leaving with his older friend.
John sighed as he leaned against the door of his father's squad car, watching as his mother buckled a tired David into the backseat beside Ellie, both of whom were wearing nice clothes, "You both could have stayed at home in bed and nobody would have been mad," Danielle said in a kind voice.
"I have to give a speech at the service, Mom," John replied quietly. "You asked me to, remember?"
Danielle sighed, "Mommy, I wanna say bye to Doc," David said in a tired voice. "I'll be okay."
Kissing David's cheek, Danielle closed the back door, "In the front," she said, gazing at John, who was wearing an old suit that looked too big on him. "You can't be up on that ankle for very long."
"Your mother's right, kiddo," Bosco said as he approached the car. "Bobby showed up."
Danielle looked surprised, "I'm gonna have him drive the squad since I gotta march," Bosco spoke as Robert walked over to the car and looked at Bosco questioningly. "Drive my squad to the cemetery."
"Sure," Robert replied, sighing as Bosco handed him the keys. "I'm not strong enough to march."
Bosco nodded and went off to join the other police officers who were marching while Danielle went over to where Jimmy's fire truck and Doc's old ambulance were parked, "…I don't need any drugs," she heard Carlos protest in a tired voice. "I overdid it this morning and I acknowledge that…"
Danielle sighed as she saw Carlos sitting on the back of the ambulance looking pained with his dress jacket off and his dress shirt untucked and slightly unbuttoned while Kim and Jimmy lingered nearby looking worried while Holly lingered in the back of the rig, "What's the problem?" Danielle asked gently.
"Carlos can't even stand up now because he walked to the mortuary and dressed Doc's body by himself," Kim replied in an irritated voice. "He won't take any meds because he says they'll…"
Carlos sighed, "I'm not going to be doped up for Doc's service," he replied in an angry voice.
Danielle was silent for a moment and then looked at Holly, "Hey, Holly, does the rig have any cortisone stocked?" she asked in a calm voice. "Carlos needs enough to get through the service."
"Cortisone's a stopgap measure," Kim protested as Holly looked through the supplies.
Danielle nodded, "He can take some of his prescriptions when he gets home," she replied.
Holly emerged from the back of the rig with some syringes and silently lifted the back of Carlos's dress shirt, "Oh, he's going to bed when we can finally go home," she said in a kind voice. "Breathe, honey."
Carlos exhaled as he was given several cortisone shots and felt the pain disappear, "Thanks, darling," he replied as Holly tucked his shirt in and fixed his tie before putting his jacket on over his dress shirt.
"The casket's going on top of the truck," Jimmy said calmly, watching as Carlos and Holly kissed.
Carlos nodded and slowly stood up, "I'm going to be in another rig," Holly said. "Love you."
"Love you too," Carlos replied in a kind voice, smiling as Holly moved off. "Kim, are we ready?"
Kim nodded and helped Carlos walk to the front of the rig, "Jimmy, don't even," Danielle said as she saw Jimmy wanting to say something. "This is a hard day for a lot of people, especially Carlos."
"I know that, but Carlos should have called for help dressing the body," Jimmy replied anxiously.
Danielle sighed softly, "I know that and you know that, Jimmy, but I also know that Carlos is stubborn and wanted to honor Doc somehow since he hasn't been able to work at his job," she said gently.
"I'm thinking of going back to work," Jimmy said calmly. "Did Kim tell you that?"
Danielle shook her head, "I'm not sure if I'll be on a truck or in an office, but the whole thing with Doc made me realize that I can't just sit on the sidelines," Jimmy replied in a somber voice.
"You're as crazy as Bobby," Danielle replied in an amused voice. "Did you know he flew up from Miami?"
Jimmy looked surprised, "Get into position!" Sully's voice suddenly boomed over a megaphone.
Miami-Dade Police Department/Crime Lab
"Officer Wolfe, this is interesting evidence," Chief Burton said as he and Horatio sat at a desk with Ryan, who had analyzed Stetler's mail and brought it to be discussed. "You've checked for authenticity?"
Ryan nodded, "The letters were written by who they say they were written by," he replied quietly.
Horatio sighed, clearly angry beyond belief that members of the department and the Crime Lab would participate in such behavior, "Rick didn't mention any bullying," he commented in a quiet voice.
"There was a confrontation at the IAB hearing according to Delko when Rick talked about some undercover crap he did and then it just went south from there," Ryan replied worriedly.
Chief Burton scowled, "Horatio, I'm placing your entire lab and the department under review and those who sent the letters will be suspended pending further investigation," he said sharply. "You'll suspend the ones from the lab and I'll suspend the ones from the department personally. I don't blame you personally, of course, but you do understand that I simply can't let this go. You'll be working on a skeleton staff until the investigation's over and you can even use that Vegas CSI who's working that unsolved case."
"So, I'll have Delko, Greg, Wolfe, Calliegh, Natalia, Alexx, Jesse, and Speed," Horatio mused quietly.
Chief Burton sighed, "Maxine Valera's a good person, but she did write a letter and I have to investigate her too," he spoke calmly. "Emily Speedle and your nephew are also trained for lab and field work, so I want them both under your supervision if you choose to use them. They're both out of town, right?"
"Only until tomorrow," Horatio replied calmly. "Monte Parker's funeral services are today."
Chief Burton nodded, "Check on Stetler before you go back to the lab," he said calmly. "He insisted on being allowed to work the hours that his kid is in school, but I think he's looking for distractions."
"I did before I came in here and he's doing paperwork," Ryan said calmly.
Chief Burton sighed, "I'll send some uniforms over to escort the suspended ones from the building and Wolfe, be sure to collect their badges and lanyards," he said in a calm voice. "Meeting's adjourned."
Horatio and Ryan left the office in silence and were quickly joined by a small group of uniforms including Jessop and Tripp. The group went over to the lab and saw that every employee was standing in the hallway looking confused about why they had all been ordered to show up even if they were off.
"It's been brought to my attention that a number of you sent Sergeant Stetler of IAB threatening letters demanding his resignation from the department," Horatio said in a stern voice. "Chief Burton has the letters in his possession and has decided to suspend everyone who wrote a letter indefinitely pending investigation. As I read your name off of this list, please turn your lanyard and lab pass into Ryan. The uniforms are here to escort you to the locker room to get your things and also off of the premises."
Anxious whispering filled the air, "If everyone could please be silent," Horatio spoke firmly.
Everyone fell silent and Horatio calmly began to rattle names off, watching closely as each suspended employee walked over to Ryan and turned in their pass and lanyard before moving off with an officer, nobody daring to speak as they did so. Valera's name was finally called and Ryan flinched as she walked over to him looking shaken and crying softly. Ryan silently took her things and she walked off crying.
Soon enough, the only ones left were Eric, Greg, Calliegh, Natalia, Alexx, Jesse, and Tim along with a few people from night shift who hadn't harbored any hate against Stetler, "The investigation will be very thorough and could last until the new year," Horatio said firmly. "Threatening a police officer in any way is a very, very serious offense and the department is not taking this lightly. Mister Sanders, a word?"
Ryan sighed and walked over to the group as Greg silently moved over to Horatio, "Sir?" Greg asked.
"It's come to my attention that your return to the Las Vegas Crime Lab is on hold because a petition was started by some of your less understanding colleagues that feel uncomfortable working with someone who has a hearing impairment," Horatio spoke quietly. "I visited with CSI Stokes at the hospital…"
Greg sighed, "Nick's talking about going back to Texas for the rest of the year once he's well enough to be out of the hospital and he's the only one I told when I got the email from Ecklie," he replied quietly, a sigh in his voice. "Grissom went to the funeral in New York and doesn't know that Sara started it…"
"Well, if you would like to work here until the mess in Vegas is settled, you may," Horatio said in a low, but clear voice as he gave Greg a look. "I've already put you on the payroll and I will get you a pass."
Deeply surprised, Greg nodded and Horatio smiled, "I'll talk to Grissom myself," Horatio said calmly.
"Thank you," Greg said in a happy voice, pleased that he was seen as valuable by these CSI's.
Horatio nodded and walked Greg over to the group, "Everyone, this is Greg Sanders, a Crime Scene Investigator from Las Vegas who will be on staff here for a little while," he explained in a calm, clear voice. "Greg lost some of his hearing when the Las Vegas Crime Lab was shot up and does wear hearing aids, so please be considerate of that when you talk to or around him. I hope you will all get along."
Calleigh was the first to hug Greg, "You said something," Greg mused quietly. "Didn't you?"
"I did," Callieigh replied in a kind, pleased voice. "I think you did a good job at the shooting scene."
Horatio smiled as Greg got to know everyone, knowing that unity was even more important now that the PD and Crime Lab would be understaffed. Maybe this incident would create a stronger team.
Manhattan, New York
The streets were silent and members of the public were gathered on the sidewalks, all of them watching as the fire truck from Bed-Stuy slowly drove down the street with a closed casket on top of it that had an American flag draped on top of it and held there by small weights while Jimmy sat behind the wheel and many firefighters in dress uniform clung to various parts of the truck.
Behind the fire truck were a couple of ambulances, a couple of police cars, and hundreds of NYPD and FDNY officers, all of them clad in dress uniforms, marching slowly behind the vehicles along with city officials, CSI's, and civilians who had asked to march. All of Manhattan had shut down for the funeral procession because everyone knew who Doc was and that his last act had been to save a young life.
Media were also lined along the streets and would also be at the funeral, but Sully had reluctantly allowed it because he knew people had followed John's abduction obsessively and that Doc was the only reason John didn't die at Edward's hand. Despite being pregnant and not knowing Doc at all, Yelina walked alongside Sully in the uniform that Bobby had brought up with her things from Miami.
Yelina was grateful that Bobby had come and wanted him to stay for the wedding, which would be in the morning, and Bobby had promised to consider it. She had loved Miami for many years, but with the way Ray had abused her and with Ray Jr. missing, it was too painful for her to be there anymore.
Behind them, Bosco marched alongside Flack, Emily Speedle, Ty, Brendan, Sergeant Christopher, Swersky, Sasha, and many other officers who had come to pay tribute to Doc. He thought he could see Faith in another row and it angered him, as he had asked Faith not to come because her daughter was involved in an active investigation, in the media, and he didn't want the attention taken from Doc.
Silence fell over the procession as the vehicles suddenly came to a stop outside of the cemetery where Carlos had chosen to have Doc buried. Thousands of chairs had been set up in neat rows and the foot procession slowly broke up, most of them taking seats so they could look at the pictures of Doc that had been set up on stands on either side of the podium. Bosco, Jimmy, Sully, DK, Stu, Ty, Brendan, Walsh, and Sergeant Christopher, however, got the casket down from the top of the truck with great care.
Kim got out of the ambulance and got Carlos's walker out of the back before helping him out of the ambulance. Even though he didn't want to use the walker, Carlos knew he needed it and silently made his way up to his seat on the stage, quickly sitting because he knew he was tired. He watched as Robert got out of Bosco's squad car, helped John out and then put David on his back while Ellie got out.
Danielle silently went over to John and helped him up to his seat on the stage before sitting next to him, as she was also set to speak. She watched as Mac, Flack, Danny, Lindsay, Stella, Adam, Hawkes, and Dr. Hammerback all took the row behind a mixed group of officers, firefighters, and paramedics.
She had pulled Ellie from school that day because Ellie had wanted to come, but Kylie and Tommy were at school because Carlos had firmly insisted that his kids needed to enjoy their innocence just a little longer, especially after what had happened to Kylie the year before. Carlos had barely slept the night before, but Danielle knew that he would put up a fight if anyone tried to send him home to sleep.
Yelina silently took a seat next to Robert, who had David on his lap and Ellie beside him, relieved that her younger relative was looking well despite what had happened to him. The two adults watched as the chairs quickly filled up, indicating that the service was going to get underway very, very soon. Emily and Holly silently joined them and Ellie quickly scrambled into Holly's lap, as she needed the comfort.
Silence filled the air as Bosco, Jimmy, Sully, DK, Stu, Ty, Brendan, Walsh, and Sergeant Christopher carried the casket down the aisle and carefully set it on a stand that was above an open plot. As the pallbearers each saluted to take their seats, Carlos suddenly noticed Tommy, who had blown off school that morning because he had heard his father wake up sobbing about the funeral that day, slip into the cemetery wearing nice pants, a sweater, his winter jacket, and boots. He watched Tommy scan the crowd briefly and take a seat at the back near a group of firefighters, setting his backpack on his lap.
Sully silently gave Carlos a look and Carlos slowly got up using his walker for support, making his way to the podium as all of the pallbearers sat down, "Today, we are all gathered to honor the life and legacy of Monte Parker, otherwise known as Doc," Carlos said in a quiet voice. "Even though he was killed a year ago while saving an innocent life, the time is finally right to actually pay tribute to him as we are now on this lovely October morning. When I first joined FDNY, Doc and I butted heads a lot, but we eventually became close and he sacrificed for me because he believed in me. When Doc was no longer on the street, I did my best to carry on as he would want me to using everything he taught me to get through each day. The last time I visited him was on my wedding day and he told me to love my wife every day because I wasn't sure if I'd be a good husband or a good father. Now, here I stand one year later with an understanding of what Doc's last moments must have felt like as he gave his life for another because I too was at death's door twice and Doc…he pulled me out of it and said life was a choice and I chose it."
Emotionally drained, Carlos stepped away from the podium and retook his seat, staying quiet as John got up, "Um, I had written a speech, but I threw it out in the car," John said in a quiet voice. "Doc's been a hero to me ever since I was little and he helped me tell my mom that Edward Addison molested me and then he and my mom took me to the hospital. Doc helped me go to court and deal with it. When we came back to New York when I was a little older, my mom would take me to Bellevue every Sunday and Doc and I would play checkers and do crossword puzzles and stuff while David and Ellie watched. When I was kidnapped last year and Doc was snatched to keep me quiet, I can remember Doc just reassuring me and telling me that everything was going to be okay. I thought I was going to die, but Doc refused to let me give up. I'm standing here today because I listened to Doc…I listened to his loving advice."
His eyes filled with tears, John silently hobbled back to his seat and listened to his mother's speech, which was very brief and full of loving praise for her trainer and mentor, "…If anyone has anything else to say about Doc, you are now welcome to come forward and give brief remarks," Danielle said softly.
Most members of the NYPD and FDNY then got up and each said something brief, but meaningful about what Doc meant to them. Robert then gently set David in his chair and silently went up to the podium.
"I didn't know Doc very well, but I do know that he would want us to celebrate his life and living life in general," Robert said in a kind voice, a faint smile on his lips. "That being said, anyone who wishes to come and celebrate Doc's life is invited to attend a luncheon at the Legend Meeting Suite at the Plaza Hotel. It was arranged by myself, John Sullivan Senior, Donald Flack Junior, and James Doherty."
Carlos looked surprised, as he had considered doing the same thing, but he didn't have the money and was pleased that people had taken that burden off him. It had been hard enough planning the service.
The pallbearers all rose as Robert got off the stage and retook his seat, "HONOR GUARD!" Sully shouted.
Bosco, Jimmy, DK, Stu, Ty, Brendan, Walsh, and Sergeant Christopher all rose and surrounded the casket while Sully stood at the head of the casket. Carlos had decided that the 21 Gun salute would be left out of the service, as the sound of gunshots still made him jumpy and he didn't want to make a scene.
All nine carefully removed the tiny weights from the flag and folded it repeatedly in the air until it was very, very small. Sully then took the folded flag, ascended the stage, and handed the flag to Carlos before leaving the stage. Taken aback, Carlos held the flag close, wondering why it was given to him.
Each member of the honor guard withdrew a long-stemmed rose from a white bucket, turned to face Doc's coffin, gave a salute to the coffin, and then laid the rose on top before moving back to their spot.
Once the honor guard was done, they stepped away and people began to get up from their seats and everyone left roses all over the casket. Crying, sniffling, and quiet talking filled the cold morning air.
Speedle Family Restaurant - Calle Ocho – Miami, Florida
Tony Speedle sighed softly as he came into his father's restaurant and saw Jason and Jenny preparing the tables for the noon service, "Hey, is my dad here?" he asked in a tired voice. "Need to talk to him."
Jenny frowned at how shaky Tony seemed and noticed that he was holding his ribs, "Are you hurt, babe?" she asked in a concerned voice, her eyes wide as she saw bruising on his face. "Mister Speedle!"
Footsteps filled the air as Anthony Speedle hurried into the dining room and his eyes went wide as he saw that his youngest was obviously injured, "I got mugged on my way here," Tony said softly. "They took my wallet and the backpack that Timmy gave me to stash my diabetes stuff and snacks…"
"Jenny, go call Timothy at the Crime Lab," Anthony said in a calm voice. "Jason, finish prepping."
Tony sighed as his father led him into his office and sat him down in a soft chair before quickly getting him a chocolate bar out of a drawer, "It was some guy with a bracelet on his ankle," he said anxiously.
"Eat before you pass out, Tony," Anthony said calmly. "Timothy will come and talk to you soon."
Tony obeyed and sighed anxiously, "I was just at interviews at the community center and the library," he spoke anxiously, stressed and hurting beyond belief, trembling as he started to cry quietly. "I…"
"It's okay, Tony," Anthony replied in a soothing voice, shaken for his son. "Breathe, my little one."
Plaza Hotel – Manhattan, New York
As Grissom stepped out of the squad car that had given him a ride to the Plaza for the memorial luncheon, his cell-phone rang and he quickly answered it as he entered the hotel, "Yes?" he asked.
"Grissom, this is Brass," Brass's voice spoke. "I just got a fax from Lieutenant Caine at the Miami-Dade Crime Lab and it says that Greg Sanders has signed a temporary contract of employment with his lab."
Grissom frowned, "Greg's going back on shift as soon as we're done with helping Nick," he replied. "Why would he sign a temporary contract with another crime lab?"
"Ecklie put Greg's employment status on hold because it seems that a petition circulated through the Crime Lab ranks stating that there is a high level of discomfort among the employees about having to work with a hearing impaired person," Brass replied quietly. "No, I didn't tell them that it was Greg and no, I didn't sign the petition."
Grissom's eyes widened in shock and anger, "Ecklie's supporting this?" he asked in an angry voice.
"Unfortunately, people have a right to protest stuff like this," Brass replied. "Sanders knows…"
Grissom sighed heavily, disgusted by the fact that this prejudiced behavior was coming from his lab despite the fact that they knew he himself knew sign language.
"How'd you manage to arrange all this without telling anyone, Bobby?" Bosco asked quietly as he sat at a table with Danielle, Emily, Sully, Yelina, John, David, Ellie, and Bobby. "We could have helped…"
Bobby sighed calmly, "I do have a good deal of money and I asked Jimmy if I could do anything to honor Doc even though I didn't live here anymore," he replied calmly. "I keep in touch with a few of you…"
"It was really nice of you to do this for Doc, Uncle Bobby," John spoke quietly. "Really nice."
Bobby smiled at John, "I heard from Detective Flack that you're at NYU studying Criminalistics and also doing a co-op with the New York Crime Lab," he replied kindly. "Doc would be very proud of you."
Across the room, Carlos sat with Holly, Lombardo, Jimmy, Kim, Grace, Brendan, Walsh, DK, and Stu, watching as Tommy got food from the buffet line, "How loaded is LaRusso, exactly?" Walsh asked in a surprised voice. "There's talk that he paid for everything here and this place ain't cheap."
"I don't think that's anyone's business," Carlos replied calmly. "This was very kind of him."
Jimmy sighed, "I thought you made your kids go to school today, Carlos?" he asked, eyeing Tommy.
Carlos sighed and placed a hand on his head, exhausted beyond belief, "Hey, Dad, maybe some food will help," Tommy said as he came over to the table and set plates of food down in front of his parents.
"Thank you, son," Carlos replied calmly, deciding to let the hooky thing go. "I'm sure it will."
Smiling, Tommy returned to the buffet to get himself some food, "Jimmy, honestly, I'm not the type to freak out over the fact that my son came to Doc's funeral to support his mother and I," Carlos said, gazing at Jimmy through tired eyes. "And Walsh, making idiotic comments about Bobby's wealth isn't appropriate given that we just buried Doc. This is a day designed to honor a very, very brave…."
Carlos suddenly trailed off as he saw Faith come into the room in her dress uniform looking tired and stressed. He watched as Bosco, who looked irritated, get up and walk over to her without hesitation.
"I asked you not to come because I didn't want people talking about Emily," Bosco said quietly.
Faith scoffed, "Bosco, I knew Doc too," she replied quietly. "Why can't I come and remember him?"
"You were looking at the cameras as you marched this morning," Bosco replied coldly. "Why?"
Faith sighed, but didn't say anything, "You're hoping that people will look at you grieving for Doc and see that Emily is an innocent victim in the whole Derek Stokes thing," Bosco said quietly, quickly putting the pieces together in his mind. "CSI already said she was at that warehouse when Nick Stokes was and she didn't stop his being beaten within an inch of death. She also asked some Russian groupies to beat up John for whatever reason…"
"Is there a problem here, Officer Boscorelli, Detective Miller?" Grissom, who had finally found the luncheon after much confusion, asked as he came into the room. "I overheard your little spat."
Faith scoffed, "You're right, Bos," she replied coldly. "Emily's pregnant and scared and I…"
"Go tell that to Nick Stokes and his family," Bosco seethed. "Derek is Nick's brother and sold him out to die for drugs and women. I know I don't come from the best family, but Mikey never did that to me."
Shaking her head, Faith silently left and Grissom followed Bosco into the room, deeply shocked about what he had just witnessed. To him, it seemed like anyone was willing to sell integrity these days.
Miami-Dade Police Department/Crime Lab
"I brought you lunch," Ryan said as he entered Rick's office carrying a fast food bag and found Rick silently working on the computer with a stack of completed paperwork in his work outbox.
Rick sighed, "Hospital called an hour ago and Catherine's still critical," he replied tonelessly, giving Ryan a look. "I hear Horatio hired some seasonal help to make up for the sudden shortage of lab personnel."
"You knew I wasn't going to let the bullying slide," Ryan replied calmly. "So don't even start."
Rick nodded, "I appreciate it," he replied softly. "You've learned too much from me, you know."
Ryan smirked and set the bag on the desk, "Burgers and onion rings," he said calmly. "Lunchtime."
Sighing, Rick saved his work and pushed his laptop to the side as Ryan took a seat, "Everyone else is busy showing Greg around, so I'll join you," Ryan said in a pleasant voice as he opened the bag of food.
Speedle Family Restaurant - Calle Ocho – Miami, Florida
"I'd appreciate you keeping this on the down low, guys," Tim spoke softly as he and Horatio entered the restaurant with a CSI kit between them and Tripp as backup. "I'm not exactly sure what happened…"
Horatio sighed patiently as Jenny Wolfe came out of the kitchen wearing kitchen gloves and holding a plastic bag containing a bloodstained shirt, "Mister Speedle's in the kitchen with Tony," she explained.
"…Jen, is Timmy outside?" Horatio, Tim, and Tripp suddenly heard a quiet voice ask. "I hear footsteps."
There was a silence and the kitchen door opened, revealing Anthony trying to help a shirtless Tony walk steadily, "Your ribs look broken, bro," Tim said in a quiet, worried voice. "What happened to you?"
"Some guy with a funny bracelet on his ankle and some guy with a funny voice mugged me when I was walking over here after my interviews at the library and the community center," Tony explained as he promptly sank into the chair closest to him. "They took my wallet and all my stuff I use for my health…"
Horatio frowned, "A guy with a funny bracelet on his ankle?" he repeated. "Like a monitoring device?"
Tripp suddenly cursed, "I tried to get Cooper held, but they released him on bail and put an ankle bracelet on him," he said in an apologetic voice. "I guess he's flown the coop, but Price is in jail…"
"I tried to keep my stuff because I need my insulin and snacks to keep me from passing out, but the guy with the bracelet said I would end up like Nick Stokes if I didn't give it up," Tony explained shakily. "The guy with the bracelet…the guy with the funny voice called him Cooper and ordered him to take me."
Tim frowned, "Take you?" he asked in a confused, concerned voice. "Like…kidnap you or…"
"That Cooper guy kicked me hard and threw me to the road and then he started yelling for the guy with the funny voice to hurry up," Tony stuttered anxiously. "I managed to get up and get out of there."
Tim looked upset, "Okay, Tony, Horatio here is going to take pictures of your bruises and I'm going to check your hair and skin to see if Cooper or the other guy left any of themselves on you," he said. "After we're done, I'm going to run you to the hospital so you can get your ribs and blood sugar checked."
As Tim searched his brother for trace and Horatio took photos, they wondered if Cooper's escape had been timed so that it would happen when the weaknesses in the MDPD were brought to light. Both of them knew that less manpower meant a higher chance of problems.
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