Chapter 4
Mac had finished processing Damien. Horatio sat next to his bed with one hand on Damien's arm. He couldn't take it in, the sight of his cousin laid there lifeless.
"He's normally the life and soul of the party. To see him like this is just…" Horatio broke off trying to control his emotions.
Mac put his hand on Horatio's shoulder, "we'll get them, I promise you. He's one of our own and I'll take down the ones who did this," there was anger in Mac's voice that Horatio had never heard before.
"No, we will take them down. This is personal," Horatio was still looking towards Damien.
"Do think that is a good idea?"
Horatio looked at Mac sternly.
"I'll make a deal with you Horatio, let us do our jobs and find out who did this and you can observe. If you find anything that will help, let me know and I will personally investigate it. You need to be hands off this investigation as it might compromise the whole case with you being a relation to Damien. Is that okay with you?"
Horatio knew Mac was right, if he did handle any evidence then the monsters who did this would get away with it. It wasn't going to be easy for him not to interfere but he would have to try, for Damien's sake.
"You know it won't be easy for me but I will try to keep away," Horatio finally retreated.
"Thank you. I will be keeping an eye on you, this case has to be air-tight before we present it to the DA."
Horatio nodded, "where's Natalia?"
"Follow me and I'll take you to her. I'll warn you now, she is very emotional and may not talk much," Mac explained as he finished packing his kit away, then led him to Natalia's room.
There was a knock on the door, Natalia jumped and looked worriedly at the door.
"Don't worry, I'll go see who it is," Stella took off her gloves and opened the door.
"Mac, Horatio, I take it you've finished with Damien?"
"Horatio, how is Dammo doing?" Natalia was relieved to see her boss walking in.
Horatio went and sat next to the bed on the opposite side to Calleigh, "there's no easy way of saying this but he's in a bad way. He's stable and still unconscious. The next twenty four hours are critical to his recovery."
"C…c…can I see him?"
"I don't think that's a good idea. He's in a bad way."
Natalia lay back down in her bed and turned on her side to face Calleigh and closed her eyes. Tears fell down her face. Calleigh put her hand on Natalia's head and moved her hair to the side, "he'll get through this, he's a Caine, it's not in their nature to give up."
Horatio stood up and took Stella to the side, "so what's the verdict Stella?"
"She's got cuts and bruises consistent with the attack. I found epiphylls under her finger nails which I will process at the lab."
"What about the sexual assault kit?"
"It shows that she had sex recently but it wasn't forced. More than likely consented with Damien. I do have a sample but I need to compare it to Damien's DNA. I will let you know."
"Okay, keep me posted."
"Are you coming back to the lab with us?"
Horatio looked at Mac then back at Stella, "yes I am," he turned to Calleigh who was still stroking Natalia's hair, "sweetheart, are you staying here?"
"I think I will. Natalia needs me here, let me know what you find out."
"I will."
Mac and Stella left with Horatio.
