Chapter 7

Eric and Alexx all bore their stares into H, who then looked at the bed he was confided to. Calleigh turned her gaze back to floor and began to breathe heavily. Eric was the first speak,

"You're saying that Speedle is…a…McHealen brother?" Horatio interjected

"Half brother. Mr. McHealen knew Mrs. Speedle in college. She turned him down on a number of occasions and finally he wouldn't take no for an answer. After this she began pregnant. Then Mr. Speedle came along. She still suffered a great deal though…"

"Oh Lord!" Alexx couldn't help but exclaim, "Does Tim know all this?" H nodded,

"When the father was brought in for questioning, he started talking to Tim, saying things like he knew his name and things about his mother. Then without the evidence we had to be let go and Mr. McHealen let the boys in the on the story. We managed to gather the rest of the evidence needed. But then we realized things started to happen, Speed was being followed everywhere threatening phone calls which is when the plan was decided on upon Tim's 'death', we were even followed to the jewerally store…" Calleigh continued to stare at the floor but interrupted in monosyllabic tones

"But why couldn't you tell us what was happening? We thought Tim…"

"There simply wasn't the time and anyone close to Tim was in danger too-as little people needed to know-we needed to make them think that he was really gone." At this, unable to keep her composure Calleigh strides to the corner of the room but H continues, "The plan was for Speedle to hide out until after the trial. If Mr. McHealen is sent down it will provide opportunity to stop the whole family. But he is not the main problem."

"Then who-surely the Father is the head of the family"

"Yes he is, but he started too late, the eldest brother has learnt from the Father from a young age and father realized he was better than him so gave him the keys to his 'family business'."

"Ok, but…but where are we meant to start…"

"They have one above board business, to keep themselves in the community-a truck distribution lot."

"Ok guys; get on it and I…"

"You are going to rest! We'll keep you updated for now" Eric's phone rings again,

"Yeah. Ryan what is it? Great thanks-we're on our way now." Clicks the phone shut, "That was Ryan it turns out the shooter was the youngest McHealen brother. And he's ready for questioning." Calleigh rises to his feet,

"Ok lets go" She leans forward to Horatio and places a light kiss on the cheek, and whispers, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing" Horatio smirks and whispers back,

"I know, hang in there" Eric and Calleigh leave the room and Alexx resumes her position at Horatio's side.

Speed slowly opened his eyes again. He had no idea how long he been lying there. But as he looked at his arm, it was bandaged up. He was still in the same cell and every so often he would look up and see the noose. Each time he did it seemed more and more appealing. Just then he heard footprints getting louder and louder. As he tried to move, pain shot back through his arm and also his side. Even though ever part of him wanted to escape, fight back there was no way he could. So he sat, braced himself. The door hinges squeaked and through it came to men, with the light Speed couldn't see his face-but he could tell they were big guys. Leaning over him the low groaning voice began speaking to Speed,

"Good evening, Tim. Its time to get up." But Speed stayed where he was but turned his face to see the man standing right over him,

"How do you know my name? Where am I? And who the hell are you?" The other guy came over to stand right in front of him and leaned in,

"You know something Tim Speedle? You ask too many questions!" With that he swung his leg and followed through to right in between Tim's prompt up legs. Bang. With the force and pain of the hit combined with the previous injuries he past out.

He squinted as he tried to open his eyes-it was the first time he had seen full light for what seemed like forever. As he opened his eyes-his vision was blurred but he could tell he was in a warehouse type room. He was tried to move his arm but found he was bound to a chair, arms taped behind his back and legs around the leg of the chair. He had obliviously been hit over the head as well-he felt like he'd been on a heavy night with Delko-been a few years since he'd had a headache like this. He pulled his head back off his chest and steadied his face before opening his eyes any farther. In front of him he saw 3 men, 2 of whom stood either side of the single guy on a chair. Just as he was finding himself, the seated man spoke,

"Good afternoon, Tim or should I say, Bro? I see you've already meet 2 of your younger brothers. Nothing like family eh?" Speed let out an angry smirk,

"You're not my family." The man got up from this chair and walked over to Speed. Pinching his cheek he pulled it back and forth he continued,

"Come on, don't be like that! That's no way to speak to your older brother "At this the releases skin and swings the back of the hand across his face, "in our family we practice the value of respect."

"So you're my eldest brother, Richard?" The man stood to his feet laughing loudly,

"By no means my little bro, I'm Michael. You'll meet Richard soon enough and I've no doubt he will teach you about respect." In the background the sound of a car driving over gravel could be heard, "ah, this will be him now" Tim swallowed hard-he was about to come face to face with the man who had caused him to go into hiding in the first place. He heard voices coming from outside, the door of the warehouse opened. His steps grew louder and louder, "Ah Richard-would you like to meet our younger brother-Timothy, but this isn't your first meeting is it?"

Tim gasped and with venom of the anger in his voice, "Its You!!"