From the Beginning
Rated T- Language and innuendoes of sex.
Chapter Three
New Orleans-2000
She watched him from the corner of her eye as the head of the patrol unit began the daily briefing, a small grin coming about her face. He noticed and grinned himself, leaning closer to her , running his eyes up and down the length of her body. Calleigh felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she detected his cologne, making her sigh with pleasure. Jake Berkeley had been a transplant into the academy, and from the beginning , she could see something she liked about him. Maybe it was the air of confidence that he held, the way he walked , the swagger saying that he owned the world, or maybe it was the sparkle in his brown eyes, a hint of mischievousness that dwelled deep within. Whatever it was, Calleigh Duquense was head over heels for him. The problem was, she didn't know how he felt about her. Sure, they fooled around, but she couldn't read him in the area where matters of the heart were concerned. For the moment, she had been content on their dual roles in this play, but now, out of the academy, she was seeking something more productive.
"You know, you forgot to get your earrings this morning," he whispered as the Sergeant continued with his briefing. Calleigh turned slightly to see the sly grin plastered on his face, "You can come by tonight to get them."
"Well," Calleigh drawled as she glanced towards the Sergeant, who in turned eyed them, "we can discuss this later, Jake, okay?"
"I think we are going to do more than just discuss," he responded, his words laced with the lust that fueled their relationship so well. Calleigh felt the heat rise in her collar this time and giggled slightly.
"I'm sure you have a way of making that a reality, but we have to pay attention now, Jake," she replied through a grin.
"Alright, but," Jake started as he leaned in further, whispering in her ear. Calleigh snickered loudly, the entire squad room shifting their focus to them.
"Ah, Officer Duquense, Officer Berkeley, you have something to add?" the Sergeant asked, directing a stern gaze towards them.
"Um, no," Jake responded , shooting a look to Calleigh, noticing as she turned beet red. "No, I think everything's under control."
The Sergeant shook his head and returned back to the board, continuing with his briefing. Calleigh reached out and slapped his arm, giving him a megawatt smile as he leaned back , partially returning his attention towards the front. Tonight was just too far away, as far as Calleigh was concerned.
/CSI/
She moaned as his hands traveled across her body, touching all the right places, melting her stress away. After a long day walking the streets of New Orleans, and then dealing with studying for her firearms proficiencies, Calleigh was sure that there was nothing left to do but fall into bed and sleep her concerns away. And she thought that was what she was going to do until she saw his vintage Shelby GT in her driveway. She wasn't quite prepared for the scene that she walked into; dinner waiting for her, candles lit in just about every corner. If she hadn't been dead on her feet, she would've wondered instantly what was going on. For the moment, she was content to let this play out. Now, in the confines of her room and him affording her the pleasure of his touch, her mind wandered slightly, realizing that he had never done anything like that before.
Great time to think about that , Cal, she chastised herself as he kissed her softly on her neck. A broad smile inched across her face as he moved lower, leaving a trail of fire where his lips had been. Being the center of Jake Berkeley's attention was a great place to be, but for the life of her, the nagging sensation that something was going on wouldn't let up, and she sighed heavily, prompting him to raise his head.
"Something the matter?" he inquired, an eye brow lifted, poised above her.
"Yes... I mean, no..." she stumbled as a frustrated sigh escaped. Jake removed himself from above her and came to rest beside her, propping his head on his hand, while his free hand caressed her stomach. His touch was doing nothing for her concentration, and she shifted slightly to face him head on. Green eyes met brown, and the fire still smoldered between them, but before Calleigh could let him continue , she had to know the truth. " As much as I have loved everything about this evening,...Jake, is there something going on?"
"Whatever do you mean, Miss Duquense?" he asked playfully as he lightly ran his fingers in circles on her stomach.
Calleigh frowned somewhat and sat up, propping herself on her hand, the seriousness coming to the surface, " Jake, I'm serious. In all the time we've been together, not once have you done this."
"Done what, please you?" Jake asked, narrowing his eyesight on her, "is that a crime?"
"No, far from it, but there's a motive behind this. You are butterin' me up for the kill. What's going on?"
"I can't believe that you think there's something more to this."
"Does this have something to do with the discussion you were having with the head of the undercover unit?"
"Cal, no. This has nothing to do with that. I just wanted to show you a good time after the day you've had."
Calleigh searched his eyes for the truth in his words, finding a hesitant gaze. Shaking her head, she sat up more and pulled the covers around her, the mood broken. Jake sat up as well, the obvious signs of his frustration mounting as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Jake, there's something up, I know it."
He stared at her for a minute before adverting his gaze to the opposite wall, " Okay, so I was talking to the UC division about maybe getting on with them. That is all."
"Jake, I thought you said you were thinking of Homicide? Why the sudden change?"
"What does it matter, Calleigh? It's all the same thing, protect and serve," Jake returned, the irritation riding in his voice.
"It matters a lot, Jake. Going UC means changes in your life. Nothing you had before stays the same. Or, is that the way you want it?" Calleigh asked, her own tone taking an icy turn.
"Cal, I'm not getting into this with you. If I said there's nothing, then there's nothing."
Silence encased the room and Calleigh got up quickly, taking with her the sheets. With every step, anger appeared , and Jake shook his head as he sat there, hearing her slam the door. So what, he was thinking of transferring to UC, that didn't mean that what they had would have to suffer. It was a chance of a lifetime, and he for one, was not going to let it slip.
Getting dressed, he started for the door, pausing at the bathroom door, his knuckle just a step from knocking. He froze for a moment, then turned to walk away, heading for the door. With his keys in hand, he opened the door and closed it softly. Inside the bathroom, Calleigh could hear the engine of his car as it started and closed her eyes against the disappointment rising inside of her. Just like that, Jake Berkeley was gone.
/CSI/
Miami
One year. That was all the time that had passed since Horatio had lost his brother. In the year since, he found himself spiraling down a crevice of self guilt and grief. If he had been more attentive to him, possibly listening to him more when it counted, then maybe he would've never made that rash decision to join Narcotics in the first place.
Horatio sighed heavily as he knelt down at the tombstone, seeing his name emblazoned across the granite. The sight of it saddened him, the cold stone being a symbol of the other person whom he fought to save but couldn't. Every since getting the call that night, Horatio had laden himself with the burden of Raymond, his misdeeds, his irrational decisions, and now his widow and son. Along side that came the revelation that his brother may have been a dirty cop and that legacy was not one that would die quietly with time. Even so, Horatio carried that load as well, rationalizing that it was the very least he could do. He had failed his mother, Yelina and Ray jr, himself, but what was more, he had failed Raymond. It was a penance he was sure that would follow him the rest of his days, and he chose to face it head on instead of shrinking away from it.
Horatio gazed out at the ocean in the distance, feeling the soft breeze that blew and then dropped his head. The dark sunglasses that had been perched upon his neck while he visited Raymond were now in his hand and he fumbled with them as he tried to find the words to convey what he was feeling. When his brother was alive, he never had a problem with telling him what he felt, but now, saying anything would just solidify his failure. Standing, he slipped the glasses on his face and adjusted his badge and gun as he placed his hands on his hips, taking a final glance down. Just as with his other visits, this one would be left with words unspoken, regrets realized.
Turning away, he felt the phone vibrate on his side and gracefully filled his hands with it, seeing the dispatch number. Answering it, he quickened his step and got in the departmental Hummer that awaited him on the side of the street. Before turning the ignition, Horatio slipped a glance to the spot where he had been and sighed heavily. Pushing all thoughts away, he focused on his task ahead of him. There would be plenty of time for his sorrow.
/CSI/
"God this is heavy," Tim said as he lifted the case onto the table, taking a breath and a glance at Megan who stood by with a smile on her face. "And you weren't going to help with that were you?"
"You looked as if you had it under control," she quipped as she looked at him. Just as she had told him, when he returned with his honors degree in Biology, she had a position for him, first interning then studying for his proficiencies. When he had walked through the door two weeks ago, she felt a sense of pride flow through her, seeing that his demeanor had changed somewhat. No longer did she see the lost little boy, but a man , who had found himself and a reason to go on.
"Good to know that you had my back, Megan. So, what's in this box anyway?"
"Well, Tim, that's our job to find out. Get your lab coat and a pair of gloves," Megan said as she slipped hers on. She watched him as he walked to the rack where they were hung, grabbing for his. The sight of his initials on the coat caused him to smile briefly before slipping it on and buttoning it, grabbing a pair of gloves as he returned back to her side.
"Alright, now what?"
"Now we get to crack open the cookie jar," Megan responded as she started in on the lock. Tim watched intently, taking in every thing he saw. No longer did he wonder why he had been put here, now he knew what his lot in life was. He had finally found something that he could be proud in saying that he did.
Just as Megan was about to open the case, her phone rang and she stopped, taking a look at Tim before answering it. Saying a few words, she hung up the phone and snapped her gloves off, standing in one fluid motion.
"What's going on?"
"We have a scene. Care to go with?" Megan asked, seeing the enthusiasm working its way to his eyes.
"Is it alright? I mean, I'm not violating any protocols am I?"
"Just don't touch anything, and keep your eyes open, and you should be fine," Megan responded as she walked over to the door, grabbing her kit. Tim followed and hung his lab coat , practically running into Megan. With a smile, she turned to him, " Make sure your id is in plain sight at all times."
Tim nodded as Megan moved, his trot catching up easily to hers. This would be his first scene, and hopefully not the last.
/CSI/
"What a away to go," Jack sighed as he aimed the camera at the body, snapping a photo. He looked up to Horatio who was surveying the scene quietly, as if deep in thought. "Hey, Horatio!"
Horatio snapped his head up and spoke, his voice soft, "He was dumped here."
"And what tells you that? There are no tracks, tire or otherwise to confirm that theory,"Jack responded as he stood up from his crouched position. He straightened his back some, getting the cricks out and walked towards Horatio, seeing the body from another angle.
"Well, the lack of blood, for one," Horatio stated, pointing to the body. " The point of entry is located probably near the femoral artery." He glanced to the ME to get confirmation and proceeded, "and there's different vegetation on the bottom of his shoe."
"Okay, say you're right, say that he was dumped. Why here? It's practically in the middle of a park," Jack asked, hearing the sounds of the children playing nearby. Sometimes, he never understood the people who perpetrated this kind of violence.
"Maybe he was trying to send a message," Horatio returned as the ME handed him an id. He smiled as he turned the id over, showing Jack. " Councilman Richards. Ironic that his platform was to save the city parks."
"And he finds himself dead in one. Sad."
Horatio chuckled as he saw the Hummer pull up and watched as Megan got out, followed by Tim. A smile came about , remembering when Timothy Speedle showed up once more to make good on a promise made by Megan. Horatio instantly took a liking to him, seeing the potential that hovered beneath the surface. He could tell that Tim was no longer at odds with himself, finally finding a strong steady footing. If he could help it, Horatio would do anything to assist Tim in remaining steadfast.
"So , coming on scenes now? You work fast," Horatio quipped as Tim smirked and glanced down at the body. He gazed at it for a second then turned back to Horatio. "It's not bad , once you've seen one, you've seen them all."
"Tell that to the vics,"Jack interjected with a huff. Megan moved away from them, centering on the victim and kneeling down. She pushed her glasses off of her head and peered closer, her brow becoming knit.
"Did the responding officer move the body?"
Jack looked to Horatio who shook his head and came beside her, leaving Tim on the outskirts. He came closer, but not as much to be in the way. He could see faint traces of a set of footprints on the lower side of the body.
"No, not that I am aware of. Why?" Jack asked.
"Because, he doesn't look to be in the resting position. He seems posed," Megan returned, pointing. "You see his arms and his legs? They are contorted in a fixed position."
"Could be rigor mortis settling," Tim piped up from behind them, noticing as they turned to face him. He shrugged his shoulders, " I read, ...a lot."
"Okay, let's add that variable in. Let's say he died in eight hours. With this heat and the fact that it rained out here last night, do we think that he decomposed at a regular rate?" Megan asked as she looked to the body once more.
"Hey, I think I know what happened here," Tim said almost too eagerly. He mentally kicked himself in the rear, knowing that he had to retain some restraint. "Take a look at the foot of the body. There's smudges of footprints leading away from the body. And look at the body itself, his face is contorted. The only thing I know of that does that, is strychnine. Now , why the perp felt the need to shoot is beyond me, but this speaks to a poison."
Megan smiled as she looked harder at the face, seeing , indeed the contorted face. A commotion from outside the crime scene tape drew her attention and she saw a throng of reporters as they clamored noisily. With a slight escape of air from her lungs, she instantly recognized the Mayor of the city and rolled her eyes. Every time he was around, he felt the need to show off in front of a crowd. Especially a crowd that was armed with microphones and cameras. Putting on her game face, she strode to meet him, leaving Tim with Horatio and Jack.
"Mr. Mayor," Megan started as she faced the man. His body overshadowed hers by four feet and was toned and muscular, making the linen suit that he wore all the more appealing. She scowled at the thought of having to make conversation with him, but realized that because she was the supervisor of the crime lab, she would have to play this game. "What brings you down?"
He glanced over to the cordoned area and then back to Megan, plastering a huge smile on his face as he turned slightly to face the press, "When a prominent citizen of Miami is cut down in the prime of his life, I make an effort to assure that the culprit is found."
Inside, Megan cringed as she smiled harder, it stretching her face to the limits. She only hoped that he wouldn't want to get closer to the body and risk contaminating the evidence. Just as she suspected, he dropped her hand and moved closer to the crime scene tape, readying himself to go under. Horatio stepped before him, prohibiting him from entering, his stare meaning business.
"Ah, Detective,..."
"I apologize, sir, but you can't enter the crime scene," Horatio said as he stood his ground, placing his hands on his hips. Megan watched on in horror as the standoff began to roust the media.
"I want to see Mr. Richards," the Mayor continued, trying to move past him. Horatio stood stock still, much to the Mayor's chagrin.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot allow you to pass. This is an active crime scene, one containing the very evidence we could possibly use to find whoever did this. So you see, it's virtually impossible to see Mr. Richards at this time. Maybe, after we are done, you can see him at the morgue."
The Mayor seethed as he stood, his smile dwindling some. Shaking it off, he laughed as he placed a hand on Horatio's shoulder, patting it roughly, " The detective has a point. He has a point. So, when do you think ..."
"It's unknown," Horatio responded dryly, catching the glare that Megan was sending him. "The sooner you can let us do our job, the sooner you will know. Now if you will, excuse me, sir. I have a scene to get back to."
Jack smiled heavily as Horatio approached, leaving in his wake a very upset mayor, "Oh, man, you really stepped in it now. You have any idea what you've just done?"
Horatio sighed as he walked under the tape, his gaze connecting with Tim's. He knew he over stepped his boundaries, but he couldn't risk the crime scene all for a photo op. Tim watched as the red head moved methodically over the body, kneeling down reverently. He could see that the detective held a certain respect for what he did. That respect in turn was what Tim had for Horatio, both in maintaining the dignity of the crime scene and his personal integrity.
After the Mayor had departed, Megan approached the three of them, her anger filled gaze centering on Horatio, " Can I have a word with you, Horatio?"
Silently, he stood, and walked under the tape, following Megan. Tim turned to Jack as he shook his head, returning to his task of photographing the scene.
"Hey, Jack, what's going on with those two?"
"I think H is going to get an earful. Megan's not too keen on ruffling feathers of the big wigs, and Horatio doesn't give a shit. If they are messing with his crime scene, he really gets in their face."
"I see," Tim responded thoughtfully, watching them discussed, very heatedly the events of a moment ago. "So, what's going to happen to him?"
"She'll probably suspend him, or worst..."
"Worst?" Tim asked, lifting a brow.
"Yeah, deposit on the swing shift with Stetler. You haven't met Stettie yet have ya?"
"No, should I have?" Tim asked, continuing to watch them. Horatio had taken to dropping his gaze as Megan continued to read him the riot act.
"Consider yourself lucky, son. That Stetler is a real son of a bitch."
"Wow, thanks for letting me know," Tim answered with a short laugh. He apparently didn't want to cross paths with this Stetler guy, and now , he saw the price of the integrity as Horatio turned to leave, not bothering to look back. He would surely see the red head again.
TBC...