A/N: Uh, wow... it's been a good month I'd say since I last updated and that wasn't my intention, but, as people say, shit happens. School, requirements, not to mention a TV schedule... On top of all that, I lost half of this chapter (twice, might I add) and had to rewrite it from scratch, so I hope this chapter makes since. :) Thanks to StoryDreamer, mjels, CSIMiami17, and CreggaFoeseeker. And to all of you reading this fanfic, I thank you for being patient with me and hope you enjoy the next chapter!

BTW: It's still me! I just changed by penname from stokesandmesserluver to Life's A Novel. because, well because I can :)

CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY

Chapter 21: Disgruntled and Distressed (Part III)

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

(6:53 am)

"What've you got Adam?" asked Stella as she strolled into the trace lab, her heels clicking on the tiled floor, white lab coat and latex gloves on, already in her uniform.

Adam Ross jumped a few inches in the air, yanking out an ear bud at the same time. The tech-heavy lab rat nervously glanced at Stella. "Hey Stell, whatcha in for?"

Stella teasingly raised an eyebrow, before flashing Adam a reassuring smile, "The trace off of Emma Morton, you know, the double in the West Village."

Adam nodded vigorously before rolling his chair across the lab and over to a printer located next to the GC/MS. "Uh, the trace Sid found behind your second vic's ear is some type of lotion mixed with vegetation, most likely common dirt and gravel from under the fingernails."

Stella nodded as she skimmed the information, "Alright, she uses lotion?"

"Or her attacker does," supplied Danny as he walked in the room, waving a report around.

Stella looked at him humorously, "So our perp spread his lotion around earlier in the morning and it got left on his finger?"

"Just throwin' it out there."

"What else?" asked Stella turning back to Adam.

"AFIS is still running the prints you picked up, so far no matches," Adam sighed. "Besides the normal wear and tear and bloodstains, there was nothing really groundbreaking on Emma's and Jason's clothes. I have a couple of guys in DNA running random blood samples to see if there is blood that doesn't belong to either vic on their clothes, but I'm not holding out for much."

"Keep workin' at it Adam," encouraged Stella as she left the room. "Oh, and Danny head down to autopsy with Linds, thanks," she called out over her shoulder.

Danny glanced incredulously at Stella's retreating back before turning to Adam. "Does she expect me to do everythin' 'round here?" he asked before walking out of the trace lab again.

Adam shook his head as his eyes followed his colleagues through the glass walls, while at the same time slipping his ear bud back into his left ear and turning up the volume on his iPod.

They're gonna find you, just believe.
You're not a person; you're a disease.

All these lives that you've been taking,
Deep inside, my heart is breaking.

Shed the light on all the ones who never thought they would become
A father, mother asking why this world can be so cold.

(8:17 am)

Don Flack sighed he rang the doorbell of the Morton Residence – a modest two-floor single family home. After dropping Mac and Brooke off at the Crime Lab, Don had continued on to the childhood home of Emma Morton. Rapping on the door, Flack hoped that the family had not begun their daily routine of school and work, delaying his unhappy news. He rapped on the white wash door again, when the crunch of gravel became apparent. Turning around, Flack saw a woman who bore a resemblance to Emma Morton parallel-park a silver Lexus SUV, kill the engine, and grab a canvas tote from Whole Foods. Flack hesitantly approached the older woman.

"Marie Morton?" inquired Flack stopping halfway to the car.

"Yes," she answered, slowly coming to a halt in front of Don. "What can I do for you sir?" she asked with a southern tilt to her voice.

Flack pulled back his trench coat slightly to reveal his badge. "My name's Detective Flack, Mrs. Morton. Can we talk?"

"Sure," she replied, readjusting the bag. "Would you like to come in? It's kind of chilly outside isn't it Detective?" she said conversationally. Flack nodded and followed the middle aged woman up the concrete walk and to the front door. Don waited patiently, listening to Marie's keys as they jingled and jangled as she unlocked her door and ushered him inside.

"I'll be just a moment, Detective," Marie said. Then she gestured to her left where a classily furnished living room sat. "You're welcome to wait for me over there Detective."

Flack nodded and removed his sunglasses as Marie hurried down a long hallway and out of sight. Gotta love southern hospitality, though Don as he walked around the room slowly, drinking in everything from the ornate woodwork and fireplace to the richly colored walls and carpeting, and finally resting on the pristine sofa and recliners. The room was created to impress, not for the family to enjoy, Flack mused as he paused at the fireplace's mantel. A handful of pictures sat on display there. He instantly recognized Emma and Marie, vague remembrance helped him identify Kyle, but the other two – an older white male and brunette teenage girl – he could not place. Immersed in his own thoughts, Flack was not aware that Marie had returned and was watching him from her place by the leather couch.

"That was taken a few months ago," she said, announcing her presence. Flack, unaware that she had returned, turned around quickly. Marie smiled easily – albeit slightly uncomfortably – and got up to join Flack in front of the picture. "My daughter, Emma," she paused and pointed to the young woman in the middle of the photograph. "She insisted that she have a photo to keep of the family while she's at Julliard." Then she moved her left pointer finger up and slightly to the left, "That's my only son, Kyle. And above him is Evan, my husband." Her finger circulated around the image, skipping both herself and Emma and landing on the other female in the picture. "Last, but not least, that's my other daughter, Samantha." She paused, "Sam for short."

"It's a nice picture," Flack commented politely.

Marie nodded in agreement and gestured back to the sofa. "Now, Detective, if you don't mind me askin' what's this about? I've never had a problem with the NYPD before. Has Evan pressed some buttons? Or have Sam and Kyle gotten into a spot of trouble?" she asked curiously settling down on the sofa.

Don opted to sit in the leather recliner opposite her. He noticed she had not mentioned Emma in her inquiry but decided against pursuing it. "Actually," he coughed slightly. "This uh… is –" Flack trailed off. He hated this part of the job. It was something he could never get used to. No matter how many times he had to say 'I'm sorry for your loss'. Sure he seemed to be indifferent, but in reality, it tore at him to have to tell someone else that their loved one wouldn't be coming home.

"Please, Detective, just tell me," she said. Her perfectly manicured fingers were tapping out a solemn beat on her coffee cup, as she cocked an eyebrow at Don.

Flack nodded and shifted in his seat before leaning forward. His right hand reached into his coat pocket to produce a picture of Emma he had retrieved from the Medical Examiner's Officer. Mac had foregone protocol with Brooke, but Flack new better. With steady fingers, Flack calmly showed Marie Morton the picture of her dead daughter. "Mrs. Morton is this your daughter Emma…" he trailed off as Marie shook her head from side to side –as if she was not believing Don – tears already falling down her pale cheeks.

She sniffled; her hand – currently holding the coffee mug – trembled violently. "N-no, not my …" Sniff. "Daughter, n-not m-m-my…" Sob. "My, Emma," was all she was able to say until she dissolved into tears.

Don winced, wishing he had not come alone. "Mrs. Morton, I have a few questions for you regarding Emma," he said solemnly, replacing the photo in his coat pocket.

Marie stared up at him and he winced again, knowing what was coming next. "You just told me my daughter died and now you want to implicate me as a suspect?" she asked, her voice shaking with anger and despair.

"No, ma'am," assured Flack. "It's protocol. I just need to ask you about Emma's whereabouts last night and have you fill out a form to attain her personal belongings and proof that she is in fact your daughter." He did not add the fact that most of Emma's things were now evidence in a murder investigation.

Marie stared at Flack shrewdly. "I assure you Mrs. Morton. You are not a suspect." She seemed to take this the right way and returned to her sobbing.

"What about Evan and Kyle and Sammie?" she asked, her voice thick with tears.

"I can have officers pick them up if you would like them with you," offered Flack. "It actually makes questioning you easier." Marie stared at him again. "I'm sure you knew things your husband didn't. The same with the information you children know about Emma that you, the parents don't."

She nodded resignedly. "Evan works at a law firm downtown. I have the address somewhere. Anyways it's on the corner of Broadway and Reade; in midtown. Sammie and Kyle go to Washington Academy. Kyle's in eighth grade, Sam's a sophomore."

Don nodded as he jotted down all the information in his notebook. "I'll make sure they get to the precinct safely. Would you like me to take you downtown or would you prefer to drive down separately?"

"I'll come down by myself if you don't mind detective," she said, the tears still falling.

"That's fine, it's the 74th precinct," Flack said. He handed her his card. "If you have any trouble just call me." She nodded and a trembling hand took the card as Flack got up to leave.

"Do you have a family detective?" she asked as Flack was replacing his sunglasses.

"A six year old son," he answered automatically.

"That's good, that's nice," she murmured to him.

"I'm very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Morton," were Flack's parting words as he walked out of the house and back into the chilly January weather.

CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY

(8:51 am)

Pulling out his cell phone, Flack hit button number 4. The phone rang two times before a voice answered, just not the one he expected.

"Messer," greeted a female voice.

"Lindsay?" Flack guessed.

"Mhm," replied the Montana native. "Hey Don. You lookin' for Danny?"

"Yeah, you know where he is?" he asked as he eased back into his department-issued Buick.

"Right next to me; sleeping soundly."

"Uh…" Flack trailed off.

"We're at work," Flack could tell Lindsay was rolling her eyes. "He's tryin' to get a few hours before Mac has his ass. Actually, we're supposed to be down in autopsy."

"Well could you tell him to get off his ass and meet me at Washington Academy?"

"Sure, why?"

"To pick up Kyle and Samantha Morton. I'm gonna have Angell pick up Evan Morton."

"Oh, you already told Marie?"

Flack nodded and answered in the affirmative. "She's in pieces."

"I bet," came Lindsay's sympathetic answer.

"What's up back there?"

"Absolutely nothing," she sighed. "Everything's not matching in the system. Adam's running phone and email stuff right now so we'll see what comes up."

"Alright, keep me posted."

"Will do Flack."

"See ya Linds. Oh and wake Dan-O up okay?"

"No problem, talk to you later."

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(9:39 am)

"Took you long enough Messer," teased Don as he pulled back from leaning against his car.

"Whatever," yawned Danny as he approached his best friend. "Let's say we get this over with?"

"They're in two separate buildin's right?"

"Yeah, who do you want?" asked Danny.

"Don't matter. You take Kyle and I take Samantha?" suggested Flack as the two entered the main building and headed down the wide hallway, bare of any students at the moment, par a late arrival here and there.

Danny shrugged. "Sure, man," he replied as the two entered the office.

"We're here for Samantha and Kyle Morton," greeted Flack as he leaned over a divider to find the office secretary.

"You got consent from the parents," asked the secretary in a bored tone as she typed away on her computer.

"No," said Danny simply. "We got somethin' better." He removed his badge from his belt and slapped it on the counter. "NYPD."

The secretary pursed her lips as she grabbed the badge. "What're your names again?"

Flack groaned, slightly annoyed. "Detective Flack, homicide, and this here's Detective Messer, crime lab." The lady just cocked an eyebrow at Flack. "Look, if you let us go talk to Kyle and Samantha, we're outta here."

"You gonna tell me what this is about Detectives?"

"Police stuff that's none of your damn business," Danny shot at her.

"I'm just making sure that we two aren't phonies here to take these two students away," she said snippily to the Danny and Flack.

"That badge's for real, now just tell us where the Morton siblings are and we'll be on our merry way," replied Flack, icily.

"What if I tell you no?" asked the secretary bravely.

"Then I'll arrest you on obstruction of justice in a murder investigation," Flack stated roughly.

"You guys are so nice," a voice said from behind. The two Detectives turned around to see Alexia and Natalie and a few other students behind them, obviously listening to the conversation. "Sometimes please and thank-you works detectives."

"And sometimes it doesn't," replied Danny. "Why aren't you in class?"

Alexia waved a handful of papers in her father's face. "You wearin' your glasses? Nat and I are just droppin' off a few forms," she said breezing past Don and Danny and giving the secretary a small smile. "Sorry Ms. Bracken, they just want to get to the bottom of an investigation," said Alexia, shooting a glare at Danny and Don. She handed over the papers in her hands and then motioned to Natalie to give her everyone else's papers. "These are just the mornin' forms."

"Thank you Miss Messer," she said coolly, until the name registered and she looked in between the Detective she was having a rift with and the student who came to her defense. "You – you two are…" she trailed off.

"Yeah, he's my dad. He's also just doin' his job and I know you're not makin' it easier for him or Detective Flack. So just tell 'em where Kyle and Sam are and everythin'll be fine," she said in a false-cheery voice.

Ms. Bracken just stared at Alexia before picking up a pen and Post-It note and scribbling down the information from her computer. She then proceeded to slap the note to the top of the divider and return to her computer.

"That's all you needed to do in the first place," said Flack hotly, grabbing the little note before stalking out the door. Natalie had proceeded to break up the little group of students who were, no doubt, about to tell everyone in school that Alexia Messer's dad and another detective are here to see the Morton siblings.

Danny, Alexia, and Natalie followed Don out of the office, where the four stood in a little huddle in the hallway. "Gee, thanks you guys, now I'm gonna be the talk of the school."

"No problem, oh and uh, thanks back there," said Danny giving his daughter a small hug.

Alexia waved it off. "You two were gettin' nowhere, just though I'd help out. And if she didn't comply I could always tell you where they are," she said conspiratorially, before pulling Danny into a tighter hug.

"So what's this about anyways?" asked Natalie as the four of them start down the hallway. "Does it have anything to do with the fact that Brooke isn't in school?"

"You know we're not allowed to discuss an ongoing case," teased Don, his demeanor still somber.

"Consider us consultants," suggested Alexia.

Danny snorted, "You are definitely your mom's kid. And no, we're not given you two anythin'."

"C'mon Daddy, please?"

"No. Not somethin' you should know."

"But you said murder investigation," stated Natalie pointedly. "And now you're asking for Kyle and Sam, so something's gone down."

"You're right," nodded Flack. "But you two don't get to know."

"That's lame," concluded Alexia as they group paused in front of a classroom, with the numbers 201 stamped on the door. "Anyways, here's your stop. Kyle's in my class, American History. If you want Nat can probably lead you to Samantha."

Natalie nodded. "Yeah, let me waste class time," she begged.

Flack rolled his eyes, "Just for that comment, I'm goin' to the lab and tellin' your dad what you said."

"I've got straight A's doesn't matter if I miss a few more minutes."

"Lead the way Taylor," announced Flack as the pair started down another hallway.

"Hope you can keep up Flack," Natalie playfully countered. "See you Uncle Danny," called out over her shoulder.

Danny waved a hand and called, "Meet you by the car Flack," before turning to his daughter.

"Better get the badge out, Mr. Meyers can be a bit of a hardass at times," warned Alexia.

"Dollar for the swear jar Lexie," teased Danny as he pushed open the door.

"Whatever, dad," Alexia whispered to her dad before walking down the rows of desks to the only empty seat next to Ashley and Kyle.

The teacher glared at Alexia a questioning look in his demeanor.

"Yeah, I'm late, sorry."

"Sorry is all you've got Miss Messer?"

"I apologize?" tried Alexia cheekily, the hint of a twinkle in her bright blue eyes, slightly hidden by glasses. "Or, uh, how about… Mr. Meyers, I'm terribly regretful for the fact that I missed the first ten minutes of your intriguing class."

Danny, watching from the doorway, rolled his eyes and gave Alexia a warning look. Then he walked into the classroom and removed his badge. "Uh, Mr. Meyers?" he asked in his Staten Island drawl. "Name's Detective Messer, NYPD. I'm here for Kyle Morton."

"Why," asked Mr. Meyers. "I'm in the middle of teaching a class, can't this wait?"

Danny shot him a confused look as he said, "'Fraid not. If you just let me get Mr. Morton, you can continue teachin' away." Whispers spread throughout the room as everyone questioned why the NYPD was looking for Kyle, better yet, why it was Alexia's dad.

"Fine," said the older male exasperatedly. He waved with his left hand, "He's in the back row."

Danny nodded and strolled down the aisle. "You're not in trouble Kyle," he whispered, when he finally reached the trio of friends. "I just gotta take you down to the crime lab. I'll explain on the ride over."

Kyle nodded slowly, "So you're not even gonna tell me what's goin' on?"

"Nope."

"Do I get cuffs?" he asked hopefully.

Danny gave Kyle a strange look, "You ain't in trouble."

"Yeah but that would look totally bada–"

Alexia grinned as she covered Kyle's mouth with her hand. "He's not gonna give you any trouble daddy."

"Yeah right," muttered Danny darkly. "Just, uh, gather your stuff. You're not comin' back to school. Another detective's gettin' your sister, Samantha." Kyle nodded, complying with Danny as he shoved his notebook and textbook into his backpack. "And you, Lexie, are not allowed to bug anyone about this. A'right? Mom and I'll tell you later, got it?"

"Loud and clear daddy," sighed Alexia as she turned her attention to the notes on the board.

"Good," said Danny, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I'll see you later."

CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY CSI NY

(10:00 am)

"Didn't expect to see you two stroll into my office this fine morning," greeted Sid Hammerback to Dr. Sheldon Hawkes and Lindsay Messer. "I assume you're here for my results of the Morton and Kellis autopsies?"

"That'd be correct Sid," grinned Hawkes. "You done with the prelim yet?"

"Just finished with the young lady," Sid replied excitedly as he walked over to the steel table that currently held Emma Morton's dead body. White linen covered all but her head and the tops of her shoulders, giving the CSIs a glimpse at the tell-tale y-incision common to autopsy procedures. "I understand you knew the victims?" he inquired to Lindsay.

The brunette nodded slightly. "Just in passing, asked Marie and Evan about their Emma now and then, nothing real personal though, just about her studies. I've chatted with Jason once every few weeks."

"Such a shame," sighed Sid as he reattached his glasses at the bridge of his nose. "You know, I once knew this young couple in college. Mind you this was quite a ways back, but anyways, the girl was always ready to party and…" rambled Sid before he stopped at the slight shake of head that Hawkes tossed his way. "But, you don't want to learn about my inebriated classmates." Lindsay and Hawkes both gave Sid a small smile. Sid gestured to the body in front of them, "You would rather learn about what I found."

"What can you tell us?" was Hawkes question.

"Not much," sighed Sid. "Her throat was slashed postmortem. I suspect the killer wanted to make sure she was dead. In total, she was stabbed 14 times," he gestured for the two CSIs to join him in front of the plasma television. With a few presses of a remote, Sid was able to bring up Emma's x-rays. He zoomed in on a specific spot in her ribcage. "There was enough force for the killer to break the tip of the knife," he reported in awe as he used his fore- and middle-fingers to point to the small white triangle in the x-ray.

"Wedged in her ninth thoracic vertebrae," noted Hawkes as he leaned in close to the screen. "Were you able to retrieve it?" Sid shot him a look, Hawkes just smiled. "I'm just checkin'," he laughed.

Sid leaned over his tray that held instruments and evidence and carefully picked up a small plastic container that held a small metal triangle. He then preceded to hand it to Lindsay. "Take good care of it ma'am."

"I'll guard it with my life," stated Lindsay seriously, her brown eyes twinkling in amusement. "What about the SEA kit?"

Sid sighed heavily, "Unfortunately it tested positive for semen and there were tears at her entrance. I sent it up to DNA where our Mr. Ross is hopefully running it through CODIS."

"What about TOD?" asked Hawkes.

"I'd estimate she died around 1 this morning," came Sid's solemn reply.

"Damn," murmured Hawkes. He gazed up at the older man and then to his younger colleague, "Why didn't anyone see anything?"

Lindsay shrugged, letting the information sink in as she leafed through the report.

Hawkes, in an attempt to break the silence, gestured to Jason Kellis' body, "Are you done yet?"

Sid shook his head, "Check back with me in the afternoon. By then, I may know more about Miss Morton as well."

"Thanks Sid," said Lindsay warmly, before removing her latex gloves and striding out the room; Hawkes hot on her heels and waving a hand in thanks towards Sid.

Sid nodded and turned back to the dead bodies on his tables. "Best not keep them waiting," he said as he turned to Jason Kellis' body.

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Song was All These Lives by Daughtry (very appropriate for a crime show). Review Please - I love to know what people think!