As soon as Annabel got into her car, she tapped her head set and connected with the lab.
"Hello?" Calleigh sounded breathless and distracted.
"Calleigh? Something up there?" asked Annabel momentarily sidetracked from her quest.
"Oh, not much. We just have a few guests here this morning," Calleigh's voice was overly bright. "Some FBI agents. And Monica West stopped by."
"From the State's Attorney's office?"
"Peter is here too."
"Elliot? The fed you dated? Does Horatio know?"
"I've been a little busy showing our friends around."
"Damn." Annabel sighed heavily. "Timing sucks. Ray Jr. went missing sometime during the night." Annabel bit her lip. "I'll let Horatio know what's going on with the lab. Call me if you need anything."
"Thank you for your inquiry, Detective McGinty. I will get back to you on that as soon as I can." Calleigh quickly disconnected.
Annabel swore slightly, and then sent up a short prayer. She tapped her headset again.
"Annabel? I didn't expect a call so soon."
Annabel took a deep breath. "I don't have news on that front. I called the lab." She rushed on before Horatio could say anything. "The Feds are there, Horatio. And Monica West. I am so sorry."
"Do you know what they are there about?"
"No. I'm afraid Calleigh couldn't say much. Help from the lab is pretty much out though." A red light stopped Annabel and she rubbed her eyes suddenly very weary. "I'll call you again as soon as I can."
"Thanks for letting me know."
"I'm sorry for adding to your plate."
"Couldn't be helped, Bella. Later." Horatio clicked off. He took the next turn and headed toward the lab.
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Horatio found Agent Cole in his office looking through papers. He looked up at his arrival and Horatio watched surprise, guilt, and annoyance flicker across his face before it settled into its usual disdainful set. Horatio flashed him a twisted smile. His cool gaze shifted between the agent's face, his desk and back again.
"Lt. Caine," The tension crackled between them. "I understood that you were taking care of some family business."
"I am, but this is my business too."
"But I…We…"
"I have my sources too. You managed to keep my team from contacting me directly."
"Your wife." Cole spat out the words.
"Was contacting the lab about something she was working on."
The agent's eyes narrowed. "But she did call you."
"The detective was letting me know about a visit to my lab. Something your office chose not to do."
"Your lab doesn't seem to be at the top of your list of concerns much right now." Horatio just cocked his head to the side and looked through his lashes at Agent. "In fact, your lab lost $12,000 seized in the Star Island take down."
"According to your source," growled Horatio.
"My source is irrelevant. The money is missing and someone in your lab removed it."
Horatio's eyes narrowed. "I want you out of my lab. They have work to do and you are keeping them from it.
"If I find any evidence of wrong doing your lab is going to be shut down and you, Lieutenant will go down with it."
"Duly noted. Now, beat it."
"When out investigation is complete, Lt. Caine. Your incompetence and lack of proper supervision has led to these irregularities." Agent Cole paused and fixed a speculative gaze on Horatio. "You just returned from a trip to Brazil to visit your sister-in-law?"
"I did," Horatio replied flatly.
"The money that is missing would help fund a very nice lifestyle in that country."
"Is this an interrogation, Agent Cole?"
Agent Cole smiled slightly. "No, but as long as you happen to be here, I'm sure you wouldn't mind talking to us formally."
Horatio refused to let her shake him. "That wouldn't be a problem." His mind raced. Liar, whispered a dark voice. And how do you plan to help Ray Jr. if you're cooling off here?
"We have set up a room for interviews. I'll send someone to collect you for yours." Agent Cole started to leave. He turned and smirked at Horatio. "You will not try to talk to anyone in the lab." He strode out of the room. Horatio looked around his office trying to figure out what Agent Cole had been into. He slid his phone out and texted a note to Annabel.
Stuck lab. Horatio sifted through the papers accumulated on his desk. He pulled his phone out again. She had said don't talk to anyone in the lab. Frank Tripp wasn't in the lab. He thumbed his speed dial. "Frank?"
"Horatio. Annie already called me."
Horatio smiled slightly. Should have known she would ignore my suggestion. "And what did you tell her?"
Frank gave him a rundown. Horatio wrote a few notes down. "Horatio, you should know that the Feds are all over the lab."
"I know. I just had a chat with Agent Cole. I am waiting for a longer conversation."
"There's nothing to what their saying…"
"My lab is clean, Frank."
"I know that. I know that Cole and his crew are just blowing smoke. You jus' be careful. He's lookin' to make something stick. I hear Monica West was sniffing around too."
"From the State's Attorney's Office. Thank you, Frank."
"No problem, Horatio. I'll call you if I hear anything else."
Horatio took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Talk to Annabel. I'm not sure how soon I will be leaving here." There was a slight growl in his voice.
"Will do, Horatio. I'll back her up, if I can."
"Again, thank you, Frank." Horatio clicked off the phone. He stood with his hands on his hips, staring out into space.
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