For Cassie
Cassie McBride was saved in gumdrops. Nick was able to watch her grow over the years, but what happens when a body is discovered that matches her description?
Underdog
Nick yawned as he sat with Sage. They were in the crowd as Cassie stretches and warms up a little in the water. This was the state finals. Cassie was super nervous, she was the smallest girl from the smallest school. Due to a sectional seating fluke Cassie was able to get in, and now she was here. Nick had to make the trip out, so once his shift ended he packed some things and drove out.
The shot was fired and they were off. Nick had not been to many of Cassie's swim meets, so he was glad he made it to this one. Nick and Sage had tried to ease Cassie's nerves. They were already so proud of her, it didn't matter what happened at the race.
Cassie was able to keep up with everyone, until they made the turn around. It was like she exploded off the wall, or that she got the strength of Michael Phelps and Tracy Caulkins. She started to pull ahead and the crowd reacted. Nick stood up as did Sage. Sage grabbed Nick's arm as she cheered.
"Go Cassie!" Sage cheered as Nick watched in utter awe.
Cassie and another girl were neck and neck. The place reminding Nick of his old football games. The pressure was enormous, all the training and practices led to this moment right here, this one race. They heard the referee blow his whistle and signaled that Cassie won.
"She won?" Nick asked shocked. Sage erupted in an excitement. They shared a quick hug before Nick turned and jumped the barrier and ran to her. Cassie took off her goggles as she started to cry tears of joy.
"You did it!" Nick exclaimed happy as could be, glowing with a fatherly like pride. He picked her up out of the pool and hugged her and Sage joined too.
"We couldn't be more proud of you." Sage whispered to her as she kissed her forehead.
Finn and Crawford go to the door. They hear some groaning and some weak fighting. Crawford peaks his head in only for a second. The house shows signs of an obvious struggle with a couple blood drops.
"LVPD!" Crawford yelled pushing the remainder of the door down to get a better view. They got no response. Crawford slowly went in as Finn cautiously follows. They look into the living room and see Nick awkwardly holding the gun with one hand and the throat of the suspect by the other.
"No one has been shot. Jameson tried... but it was too much gun for him. Wasn't it?" Nick said burping a little. He stood there very casual as he had a gun in one hand, and Furze's neck. However Nick had a big blood spot forming on his right side.
"Nick, I need you to put the gun down, and get away from him." Crawford said calmly put still had a steady aim on Nick.
"I'm not going to do that. Not until he admits what he did... or you make me." Nick said very coldly.
"Shoot him... he's... crazy." Furze choked out as Nick's grip tightened. Nick slammed the young man down hard and put his foot on his neck holding him there.
"I will kill you in front of them." Nick said as he punched Furze.
"Nick, stop!" Crawford yelled but Nick ignored him and struck him again. Nick raised his fist again when he hears Crawford click the safety off. Nick slows his assault briefly.
Nick sits on the arm the couch but kept his foot on Furze's throat holding him down. Nick uses his free hand to touch the wet spot on his side. Furze had taken the brunt of the abuse, and even though he got a shot off, he was still losing.
"Isn't this how this is suppose to end?" Nick said rubbing his face.
"What do you mean?" Crawford said still holding his aim fearing that Nick could turn the gun on himself.
"I... I... I've been drinking... And thinking." A deadly combination in itself. "I just wanted to see her grow up. She could've been somebody. I can't believe she's gone." Nick said wiping his eyes.
"Hey, man. Look, you've been shot. Put the gun down so we can fix this..." Crawford said trying to reason with Nick as Finn just watched frozen.
"Fix what? There is nothing to fix... Cassie is dead. I will never see her again." Nick said still sad.
"Please, help... Me... I didn't... Hurt her..." Furze said as he tried to pry himself free but Nick stood up apply more pressure.
"Shut up! I know you killed her. How could you do that to her? You threw her away?!" Nick yelled, he tried to tighten his grip on the gun but couldn't. He didn't hold the gun in the most aggressive manner but it still made them nervous. Crawford and Finn both realized that they were losing control of the situation and they still didn't have any back up.
"Nick, you can't do this. Listen, man, you're upset and you're drunk. You are not thinking straight." Crawford said still trying to reason with him.
"Shut up..." Nick said coldly.
"Nick, Cassie would not want this. We have enough evidence. We don't need a confession..." Finn said finally speaking up but was interrupted by Nick yelling.
"I need it!" Nick yelled, then there was silence. "Evidence... You have no evidence or else, he'd be sitting in lock up instead of here with me. Don't lie to me!" Nick said still upset.
"Please, Nick, you gotta stop. You've been shot you could be really hurt. We need to get you help..." Finn said but Nick groaned upset in response as he puts the weapon in his other hand and in a more threatening manner.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Nick yelled upset.
"Nick..." Finn said but was interrupted by Nick.
"You don't understand, so just be quiet. I told you, I'm not leaving!" Nick said staring down Crawford. "Unless, you shoot me. You gonna shoot me? Shoot me!" Nick said as he applied more pressure to Furze's neck.
Please review! What do you think?
