2/4
Calleigh, Eric, Alexx and Horatio where standing in one of the hallways talking about their case, when the elevator doors slid open and revealed one Timothy Speedle. Calleigh couldn't believe her eyes when she saw him walking out and heading straight towards them. They all starred at Speed as if they couldn't believe they really saw him and for a moment he seemed nervous about this, before he merrily grinned at them.
At first Calleigh did not know what she should do, but then she let out a happy squeal and hugged him tightly.
"Speed! Why didn't you tell us you'd be back today? Oh my, I'm so glad to see you save and sound!" exclaimed the blonde woman happily, never once loosening her grip.
Speed was totally astonished and caught off guard by Calleigh's sudden embrace, but he smiled shyly down at her and patted her shoulder softly.
"This was meant to be a surprise", he explained and finally hugged her back, before letting go again, "And I'm glad to be back, too."
Calleigh still didn't seem to want to let go as Eric stepped beside them and shook hands with Speed before he gave him a pad on the back, which was returned enthusiastically.
"That surprise was clearly successful" he said smiling broadly, while Calleigh laughed happily and nodded in agreement.
"Yes it was." then suddenly her expression became serious again, as she let go of Speed, took a step back and mustered him with a stern glance. "And don't you do something stupid like that again, ever!"
Speed blushed slightly and looked at the floor in embarrassment before he nodded.
"I… I promise…" he said with a small voice, obviously feeling guilty. "But I think, all of you will take care I keep that promise this time, don't you?"
Watching his friends with a sheepish look on his face, he regarded the seriousness on their faces as they nodded their heads.
"That you can be sure of"
Alexx stood still motionless beside Horatio watching the scene that displayed itself in front of them, fighting back the tears that threatened overcome her since the moment she saw Speed walking out of the elevator Everything seemed so unreal to her. She hadn't dared to think about the day her Timmy-boy would finally be reunited with them. She had imagined it, how it might feel like to have him back, but the happiness in her heart was far more intense than she thought it would ever be.
Noticing the smile that had set itself firmly on Horatio's lips and his lack of surprise, she got suspicious.
"You knew he'd come back today, didn't you?" Alexx asked with a shaking voice full of suppressed emotions.
"I did" he told her smirking slightly and nodding.
"That was nasty", the woman accused Horatio, but he knew that she didn't mean it the way it sounded.
Turning back to Speed Alexx walked over to him as well and hugged him just as tightly as Calleigh had a few moments ago.
"Welcome back, Timmy" she whispered to him and a new wave of relieve washed over her, as he smiled at her.
It was Horatio who finally pulled them out of their peaceful moment.
"As much as I hate to interrupt you. We still have work to do."
Speed looked at him and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's probably true. I didn't mean to keep you from work. By the way…", he stopped for a moment and walked towards him, stretching out one hand to greet him properly. "Thank you."
Horatio shook his hand, before he pulled the younger man into a hug. When he released him he grinned at the others. "Now then, back to work, everyone."
Ryan had directly started with processing the evidence he collected, when he got back to the lab. From where he stood he had been able to watch the scene when Speedle had walked out of the elevator and the others had spotted him. It was then when he made himself realize, that he would probably never really fit into their little family of friends. Even though it was quite obvious now, that he was not here to take Speedles place, he himself couldn't be sure how much longer he would be in the office. Especially after that conversation he had with Stetler. And even if he stayed he doubted that anything would change at all. Sighing softly Ryan tried to forget about all his insecurities and to just do his job praying that everything would sort itself out in the end.
Deciding to develop the pictures he had taken at the crime scene he quickly left the room, before Speedle would come in. He silently berated himself for avoiding his coworker, but he couldn't help feeling misplaced when working with Timothy Speedle and besides that their first encounter at the crime scene had not been to welcoming. Even tough he had to admit that this had partly been his fault.
Being told to get back to their cases Calleigh and Alexx contently patted Speeds shoulder once more, smiling happily, before they made their way to the autopsy theater. Eric looked at his friend once more, relieved to have his friend back at work.
"You know, it's good to have you back" he said after a slight pause and grinned at the other CSI as he walked past him and grabbed the back containing evidence he had to run past Valera.
Out of the corner of his eyes Eric noticed Ryan who had watched the welcoming ceremony of Speed silently. There was a look on his face the Cuban was unable to read and that certainly didn't stop the confusing from surfacing as he watched the hazel eyes narrow in what could have been annoyance before Ryan hurried of with a film spool in one hand. Not understanding this reaction, but realizing that it wouldn't do him any good if he stayed and wondered about this he continued his way towards the DNA-Lab. He would have enough time to think about Ryan Wolfe's strange behavior later on.
Once he entered the DNA-Lab and briefly told Valera what he'd got the talked about the latest on-goings inside the lab for a while. It was when Eric leaned on the edge of the table and looked over Valera's shoulder, while she tested some of the blood they had found in Miss Wilson's apartment that none other than Ryan walked into the room. Straightening up and casting a quick glance at the younger CSI, he decided to remain silent for the moment even though he wanted nothing more than to ask a few questions concerning his reactions over Speed's arrival.
It was then that Valera looked up from her microscope, slightly smiling at Ryan.
"Ryan? How may I help you?"
Returning the smile he shot a quick glance at Eric, before returning his full attention back towards Valera.
"Have you had the time to take a look at the blood samples I gave you?" he asked, a questioning look on his face. Eric couldn't help himself to think of a small puppy and how Alexx would probably love to see this. And really he shouldn't think like that, especially since the two of them were not at best terms and Ryan was still too insecure to forget about the treatment they had given him, even though Eric had to admit that he kind of liked working with the other man by now.
Smiling in apology Valera shook her head slightly.
"I'm sorry, but I need to finish this one first." She nodded towards her microscope, "but as soon as I'm finished I will get started on your samples, okay?"
"Right, call me when you're finished, yes?"
As soon as Valera had agreed Ryan left, heading back to wherever he was before. Blinking a few times Eric silently asked himself if the other had always seemed so nervous around them. Shaking his head in confusion he looked back at Valera, hoping he would get his results soon. He had spend entirely to much time thinking about Ryan's strange behavior already.
Back in the layout room, Speed had taken out the letter's he'd confiscated at Sanders house. After he lay them down orderly and started to arrange them until he was fully satisfied he began looking at them more closely. Maybe there was some sort of a pattern or secret code hidden that waited to be found.
Sighing deeply, he swayed the letters around, but they remained to be a accumulation of paper shavings of cut-out letters. All of them where vague and so he just couldn't pin-point the reason why someone like Sanders would be threatened at all.
"Okay, looks like I need to check them for fingerprints." he muttered to himself and started to get them ready for it. While doing the standard procedure he let his mind drift a little, thinking about his coworkers reactions. He was very relieved that everyone's anger and sadness at his stupidity had vanished. In fact, it felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Even though Speed would never admit it aloud he'd feared the moment of reunion since he'd left to the rehabilitation in North Dakota. But it was over and all that left was a feeling of unspoken pleasure, which left him smiling.
The only thing that left a somewhat bitter taste was Ryan Wolfe. Their first encounter hadn't been all too exhilarating and Speed began to understand why Eric didn't know what to think of the guy. Sure, he was highly professional, ambitious and in love with his job just like every CSI. But there was something about him Eric hadn't figured out in the last 10 months since Speeds departure and obviously he himself wasn't going to do any better.
Looking up his smile slowly faded away, as he watched Ryan Wolfe enter the room, carrying a folder with photographs. Deciding to keep it all on a professional basis he fixed his gaze back on the letters and fingerprints he was about to extract.
"Anything new?"
Obviously Wolfe seemed to share his thoughts as he started to arrange the pictures to his likening.
"No, not really. Valera still has to process the DNA-samples and I don't think the photographs of the crime scene will get us any further information about who did this and why. Found anything on the letters yet?"
"A few fingerprints, but I fear they are Sanders'. He probably had not thought about wearing gloves while reading this. I have to admit that I think there is only a very small chance that the suspect was stupid enough to leave fingerprints if he or she was able to get into his house without leaving any obvious evidence. But I still fount some remarkable residue of dried liquid. Might be water or something. I'm not sure if that will help us, but who knows." Looking up Speed watched Wolfe silently for a moment as the younger man rearranged the letters and photos on the table. "I will try to find out of which ingredients the paper was made so we may get a clue that helps us. And I will also check out what kind of water dropped onto the sheets – calcification and that stuff. But first I will see if we may be lucky and some of this prints aren't Sanders'."
Nodding in agreement the brown-haired CSI looked up. "That would be great. I really hope we find whoever did this fast. We don't know what he's going to do after all."
"Yeah", the older commented dryly, "Some people in this hell of town are just as crazy as loons"
Frowning slightly he waited silently for the other to say something to this, but he realized quickly that he had sunken into his thoughts.
"You wanna go with the chemical analyzes or shall I do that?" Speed finally asked as friendly as possible. Sure, he was annoyed about his own stupidity, but he tried not to be prejudicial on Ryan – Eric had some points when he described him, but he knew his best friend was good at overreacting sometimes.
"Ah… you can do that." came the distracted reply, "I will see if we get anything out of this pictures. Maybe we missed something. I mean we still don't know how the person got into Sanders house, do we?"
"That's right" Speed had to agree, after a short silence adding: "Besides, I heard you're good at this stuff. Deciphering patterns and codes, I mean."
Blinking in slight confusion it was obvious to everyone who cared to look closely enough that Wolfe tried hard not to blush at his statement and to Speed that made clear the younger man was not used to being complimented for his skills.
"Well… thanks, I guess"
The reply even sounded insecure to him and so he couldn't fight the smile that spread over his face.
"Well, don't thank me, for I've just heard it was like this" he said, not caring that he now really got Wolfe to blush a bright red, while grabbing one of the letters and cutting of a small piece of if for further examination.
"So then… who should I thank for this?" Wolfe asked, eyebrow raised.
Looking at him with a straight face he mustered him closely before he finally answered in a completely neutral tone.
"Is that somehow important?"
Okay, maybe it was not nice not to tell him, but why should be make it easy on him. After all Speed didn't even know him more than a few hours and they definitely weren't overly friendly.
"Maybe it is to me"
Now that was a surprise indeed. Not only that the other had nearly whispered this sentence he really looked sincere.
"Well, you may guess." Taking the piece of paper Speed slowly headed for the door. "But I'll give you a hint. It was neither Calleigh, nor Horatio"
This left the other CSI with only two options: Alexx or Eric. Speed was sure that he would never guess correct on this, but it was still fun to see the wheels turning as Wolfe tried to figure out who could have said something like this about him. But as the silence stretched a little longer Speed had to wonder how the other man stood with the team if he couldn't even a decision like that as easily as one should after nearly being on the team for a year.
"Alexx?" came finally the hesitant reply.
Speed turned to face him once more and raised and eyebrow. It was obvious that that guy sure had no clue, but that gave his character a clumsy and somehow innocent note – and it made him feel better with his own stupidity that had bothered him this morning. So he smirked slightly, titling his head to one side.
"You sure?"
"How could I?" came the indifferent reply, which made his grin freeze on his face. Even though he had just wanted to torment the other a little longer this came unexpected. Not knowing what to say Speed finally left the room to get some more work done and leave Wolfe in peace with his thoughts. All the while being more than aware that he himself had never expected Eric being the one to praise Wolfe.
Ryan sighed slightly as he watched Speedle leave the room and walk down the hallway. He was no wiser then before and no matter how he looked at it he couldn't pinpoint who would have said it. As far as he knew Eric never held the highest opinions for him, even though he could be kind of nice sometimes. Still he doubted that he was the one to tell Speedle something like that. And Alexx… Well he thought she didn't have too much contact with Speed since he had been in rehabilitation, because she couldn't visit him herself, but that didn't have to mean anything. Not to mention that she sure as hell would not tell Ryan of all people if she had been talking to Speed, but still it had seemed more like a possibility then Eric. But Speeds question had him doubt that again.
Returning to the photographs he decided that it probably wouldn't matter anyway and that he should concentrate on work. Because whoever said this would not be able to get his mind of the hole fiasco that had started with Stetler. Even though he more or less told him, that he would give him a chance Ryan somehow couldn't give much for his word.
On a remote street, Suzie Barnham kept to the right and stopped the car on the breakdown lane. Her daughter Madison sat on the backseat and looked out of the window, just as calm as ever. All in all it could have been just an ordinary day, but Suzie knew it wasn't. Sighing deeply she grabbed her cell phone from the glove box hesitating for a moment. Her eyes rested on the pile of blank forms on the passenger's front-seat and she couldn't help but ask herself if this was the right thing to do. The blond woman knew it was even though a small part of herself was still denying the truth, but it was useless to hide from it any longer. It wouldn't help her and it certainly would not be any good for Madison and if there was one thing that she wanted more than anything it was for her daughter to be happy. And in order for her to be happy this was a step she had to do. Taking a deep breath she finally opened the phone and searched the phone book for Horatio's number.
Giving herself no time for further hesitation she quickly pushed the dial-button, her heart thundering in her chest. Suzie had never been this nervous when calling Horatio. Not even when she had been in trouble and needed his help. But this time it was something completely different.
Hearing the phone dial Horatio's number, followed by the call connected signal she waited patiently for him to answer, but nothing happened which confused her a little.
Usually, Horatio picked up his phone so quickly that it caught her by surprise.
Finally, there was a slight crack in the connection, then the mechanic voice of the mailbox.
Turning her head and smiling softly at Madison, who seemed so peaceful and calm as if she was far away in her own perfect world, he listened to the voice before it finally trailed off. Waiting for the beep so she could get my message on record, she played with a strand of her blonde hair trying to calm her nerves.
"Hi Horatio. This... this is Suzie. I know you're busy and that we said we would meet next Friday. But... we need to talk, so I have to see you as soon as possible. I'll be waiting downtown at a café called Esperanza." She turned her attention towards a small card and read out the address. "I have Madison with me. She'll be glad to see you. I will hopefully see you later. Thanks, Horatio."
With that, she closed the cell phone and stuffed it back into the glove box before she sighed deeply again. Starting the car again she took of to the café she mentioned to Horatio.
Marianne Wilson made the sign of cross twice when Horatio opened the file and stretched out his hand to show her the picture of a cambered figure that had once been her daughter.
Her slim body over and over covered with blood.
"May she rest in peace," she muttered to herself and folded her hands for a prayer. "Our Father, which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven."
Horatio sat down on the opposite side of the table and looked at Shannon's mother in surprise when he heard her prayer. "Mrs. Wilson..." he began slowly as her voice faded into silence.
"Miss," she corrected him immediately, her eyes still closed and her hands folded before her chest.
"Miss Wilson, I'm really sorry that this happened to your daughter. And I know it's hard for you, but I have to ask you a few questions about her. Do you have any idea who would do something like that to your daughter? Did she have any problems?"
Muttering some more words to the Lord, she didn't notice the lieutenant had dropped a question at first. But then she blinked at him and fixed her dazzled gaze on Horatio.
He really did not know what to think of this woman. Since the moment she came into the interrogation room, she was calm and collected and had not shed a single tear over the loss of her daughter. It was kind of strange, but he would not judge her over this.
"There would be just one, who would punish her sins," she said slowly and made the sign of the cross again. "But his punishment shall be her redemption as well."
He was tempted to roll his eyes, but succeeded not to do so. "What do you mean with that?"
She stopped her praying suddenly and gave him an inquiring look as if he had offended her in some way.
"Lieutenant Caine, are you a religious man?" she asked flatly in return.
Slowly blinking in surprise Horatio decided not to answer that question, but it seemed that he did not have to, since Miss Wilson already kept on talking.
"The only one to punish her would be god, lieutenant. That should be fairly obvious. No-one else would ever have the wisdom to judge."
Smiling slightly and nodding his head once Horatio decided to himself, that Marianne Wilson was one of the strangest persons he had met in a long time. He really did not know what to make of her, but even if she had an religious fetish it was no reason to pass judgment on her. Shooting her a calculating look he realized that he wouldn't get any straight answers from her and so he stood, ready to end this conversation.
"Thank you, Miss Wilson. I will inform you as soon as we know what happened to your daughter" he told her, before he walked her towards the elevator and watched her leave. It was one of those few times he was glad someone had left the lab.
Shaking his head and still not knowing what to make out of the conversation they just had, Horatio headed back towards his office, to collect his cell phone waiting with a message for him to hear.
'Hi Horatio, this… this is Suzie…'