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Chapter 4
Libby and Nik headed up to Dade memorial after the coroner took the body. Rick had just woken up and was feeling slightly better. He didn't have to be drugged up as much.
Rick smiled up at Nik and Libby when they entered his room. Libby had stopped by the florist and bought him a giant bouquet.
"Good morning Rick, how are you feeling?" Libby asked and put the flowers in a convenient vase beside the bed.
"Better," he shrugged. "Did you find Biscuit?"
"Yeah, he treed a woman but she bled out," Libby said grimly.
"Shit. Are they going to put him down or what?"
"I'm doing all I can," Libby said. "He's at the shelter right now." They were silent for a few moments.
"So how bad does my house look?" Rick asked.
"Not bad at all," Nik said.
"What did you two do or should I be afraid to know?"
"We went skinny dipping," Nik said.
"And I was forced to," Libby said.
"If I get a call I know who to blame," Rick chuckled.
"Hank started it," Nik said and they bantered back and forth until they were told to leave.
"See you tomorrow," Libby said and left with Nikolai. They met Alexx on the way and learned Rick could probably go home in a few days.
Calliegh tiredly recorded striation results and put the 9 mil that was on the woman away in the evidence locker. Horatio watched her without her knowledge from the doorway. She had not been herself the past few days. Calliegh jumped when she started to walk out and saw Horatio.
"You scared me," she gasped.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm just concerned about you," Horatio said.
"Why about me?"
"You haven't been yourself. Can I help with anything?" he tipped his head.
"I don't think so Horatio. But thank you anyway," Calliegh said and tried to get past him.
"I think you need to talk," Horatio said and blocked her path.
"What brings you to that conclusion?" Calliegh asked.
"You are trying to avoid me," H said. Calliegh was silent for a few moments and bit her lip.
"It will be 22 years tomorrow since my sister disappeared," she said quietly.
"What happened?" Horatio asked.
"She was 17 and just walked out the door. I thought she was going for a walk but she never came back. Rosalie was angry with my dad and she had just graduated from high school…" Calliegh trailed off.
"I'm sorry Calliegh," Horatio said and cautiously pulled her into a hug.
"It's alright," Calliegh said into his shoulder.
"I'll talk to Libby and see if she can find anything."
"I would appreciate that."
"The Speedles are flying in tomorrow," Nik told Libby in the break room. Eric and Horatio looked up with interest and confusion.
"Really? They got an early flight then."
"Yeah, I guess they are tired of Germany."
"Or Kendra is pregnant," Libby said and they both laughed.
"We have a bet going on. Our friend Aeon got married a few weeks ago and went on his honeymoon with Kendra. They are both agents we have worked with for years," Nikolai explained to the CSIs.
"His last name is Speedle?" Horatio asked.
"Yeah, he's the late Tim Speedle's son," Nik said.
"I never knew Speed had a son," Eric said.
"No one really did," Nik said, some of his own life reflected Aeon's.
Aeon was a little nervous to go into the crime lab where his father had worked for years.
"Come on," Kendra said and pulled him forward.
"Fine," Aeon said and got into the elevator with her. a few floors dinged and they stepped into the glass crime lab. Libby and Nik were waiting in the reception area.
"Hey how was your honeymoon?" they asked and hugged both of them in turn.
"Wonderful. We skied all day yesterday," Kendra said, flipping her raven black hair out of her face. She had dark brown eyes but a pale complexion; she was born and raised in Germany. Kendra had come over to the US after her parents were killed and trained for the FBI. She was 17 and Aeon 20. Aeon was tall and dark haired like Tim, but he had a long scar on his left cheek that started at his cheekbone and ran under his jaw. He was basically a younger version of the loved trace expert. Since neither had parents the government had given them the ok to marry.
"How is Rick doing?" Aeon asked.
"Better, he isn't on as many drugs today," Libby said.
"That's good. Have you called Rose?" Aeon asked quietly.
"Yeah, she's in cahoots but can't get here for a few days." Libby said.
"Poor woman," Kendra muttered and they walked into the lab. She was taken aback by the beauty of it. The glass threw it into rainbows of color and light.
They met Horatio in the break room and shook hands.
"Nice to meet you Aeon," H said.
"Same to you lieutenant," Aeon said.
"Do we have a profile yet?" Kendra asked Libby.
"Partial. I think whoever it is got fired because of IAB. I have like ten possible UnSubs." Libby said. "The woman Biscuit killed was just a partner. She had no connection to police departments at all."
"Why shoot Rick out in the open like that?" Kendra asked.
"I think they missed Horatio," Libby said quietly. She glanced at the red head who was talking with Aeon.
"The bullet had the same striations of the others." Kendra said.
"Guns get passed around in the black market. The killer has never killed twice in one day and I don't think he plans on it. I think the UnSub sold the gun after using it."
"How many are gunning for out Lt.?"
"About three gangs," Libby chuckled. "And maybe a few hundred criminals and their families who think their sons and daughters got injustice."
"So someone still has it out for Rick?"
"Yes ma'am. I have cameras on the room and four agents monitoring it 24/7."
"Does the lab know?"
"I don't think so," Libby said and they joined Aeon. Horatio also introduced them to the rest of the team. They headed to one of the labs and reviewed evidence. By the end of the day Aeon and Kendra went to the hospital to visit Rick.
They stayed at Rick's house in the other spare bedroom. Libby filled them in on her suspicions and got a resounding agreement.