Disclaimer: I've no ties to the CSI TV shows or any of the characters. Thank you.
Danny and Lindsey pulled up in front of a modest brown-stone house in Greenwich Village. Wedged between a red-brick highrise and a small church, the house was almost obscured from veiw by a large oak tree in front.
"4644 Avenue C," Danny said, looking at the house from the window of his car.
"No cars in front," Lindsey said,
"Do you think anyone's at home?" She asked and Danny opened his door.
"We'll know in a minute," He replied, and they walked together up the sidewalk to the house.
A smallish woman of about 40 answered their knock. Her beetle-black eyes peered out at them from beneath a mop of dirty brown hair.
"Yes," she asked, "what you want?" She asked, her eyes darting from Danny to Lindsey.
Exchanging glances, they produced their badges.
"NYPD," Danny informed her,
"We're looking for a Will Derringer. You know him?" He asked, and the woman shook her head.
"He ain't here. He don't have no reason to be talking to youse," she said defiantly, and Lindsey frowned.
"He's not in trouble, we just want to-" She was interrupeted by a man's voice coming from the rear of the house behind the unkempt woman.
"It's okay, Juliana," a man said, appearing in the doorway as Juliana stepped aside.
Holding out his hand, the man apologised:
"Forgive my sister-in-law," He said,
"She's just a bit protective of me," He laughed and introduced himself as he shook Lindsey's hand.
"Will Derringer; what can I do for you?" He asked, and Danny indicated the sidewalk.
"Would you mind stepping out for a moment? We need to ask you a few questions," he said, and Will frowned.
"Sure," he said, and turned to Juliana.
"Would you make sure I turned off the water in the back yard?" He asked, effectively ensuring a private conversation between the officers and himself.
Juliana shot a hunted look at Danny and Lindsey before taking her leave.
"Will, you're a member of the Masons, correct?" Asked Danny, and Will nodded.
"Yes, but I've not attended a meeting in quite a long time I'm afraid." He said, and Lindsey spoke up.
"Did you know John Atchinson?" She asked, and Derringer nodded.
"Yes, I did. Why do you ask?" He crossed his arms; not in defense, but in a casual way.
"You know he was murdered this morning?" Danny asked, and Derringer nodded.
"Yes, Eric Walden let me know just a few minutes ago. What's that got to do with me?" He asked curiously, and Danny sighed.
"Do you know a Macy Derringer," he asked, and Will stiffened.
"I think we're done here," he said, and before either Lindsey or Danny could react, Will Derringer stormed back into the house and slammed the door behind him.
Danny looked at Lindsey, who was staring agape at the house.
"Should we take that as a yes?" He quipped, and placed his hands on his hips.
He pretended not to notice Juliana watching them from the back of the house as she turned off the garden hose. Someone here was hiding something; he was sure of it. But, he wanted to get in touch with Mac before he did anything else.
"Let's go get something to eat, Montana," He suggested,
"I've got a feeling this is going to be a long day."