Author's Note: I know these chapter's are a tad short that's why I'm giving you two at a time but they will lengthen again soon. I promise

DISCLAIMERS: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to Jerry Bruckheimer and the wonderful writers for CSI: NY. Any resemblance to scenes from the episodes is included for clarity and continuity and I do not claim any of those as my own work. However everything else is mine.

Smelling Trouble

Danny returned from canvassing with very little information. Hawkes met him on his way out for the day.

"You have any luck with the canvassing, Danny?" Hawkes inquired.

"No," Danny said wearily. "This is turning into another DJ Pratt case." Both men shivered slightly remembering the rapist who had escaped capture twice and eventually killed Aiden Burn, Danny's previous partner.

I'm so glad that Lindsay is safe in Montana now.

"Hey, a bunch of us are going around the corner to grab a beer, you know let off some steam. Join us?" Hawkes asked.

Maybe he would. Sometimes he thought clearer after some downtime. He knew he didn't want to go back to his apartment and be alone tonight. He also needed to call Lindsay. That jangled his nerves. He had no idea how she would react to hearing his voice. Hopefully Mac had already talked to her today. Yeah, he needed that beer.

"I think I'll join you guys. It might be just what the doctor ordered."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Hey," Flack exclaimed as Danny joined the group already well into their first round of beers, "here's the object of today's water cooler gossip now."

"Shut up man." Danny growled at Flack.

"Took it on the chin today didn't you," Flack returned.

"Just a minor setback that'll be ironed out shortly," Danny informed him.

"I don't know about you but from my vantage point it looked like a crash and burn."

Danny gave Flack an exasperated look, "Man, at least I have a life."

"Ouch!" Flack replied in mock pain, plastering a sarcastic grin across his face.

"Not to change the subject," Danny said, "but who's buying the next round."

"That'd be me," piped up Adam from somewhere amid the crowd.

"Okay, I want a double scotch on the rocks."

"Coming right up" Adam replied. "Anyone else ready for the next round?" Cheers went up all around and that is how the evening started.

Danny nursed his drink for a couple of hours before deciding to call Lindsay. He slipped out and found a quite spot on the sidewalk a little ways from the bar, took her parent's number out of his shirt pocket and dialed.

After the third ring, a woman's voice that sounded very much like Lindsay answered, "Hello"

Danny assumed it was Lindsay's mother. "Um, yes, hi, this is Detective Danny Messer of the NY CSI. I work with your daughter, Lindsay and I need to speak with her about a case." He threw that last bit about a case in at the last moment. It was kind of sneaky but if she was still angry with him, she might speak to him anyway if she thought he had some news about the murder case.

That was something very odd in the woman's voice as she replied, "Detective Messer, Lindsay's not here."

Oh, this is awkward. She's probably out with some old boyfriend. She sure doesn't waste any time.

But the woman's next words sent chills up his spine, "She left a message a few minutes ago before we arrived home and said she had been called back to a case and wouldn't be coming after all."

Danny forced his voice to remain normal. "Mrs. Monroe, I apologize for bothering you. Lindsay and I must have gotten our wires crossed. If you hear from her could you please give me a call at this number. It is my cell phone, don't hesitate to call at anytime of the day or night."

He didn't want to alarm her but he had to know when and if she heard from Lindsay. He gave his number and said goodnight.

His thoughts swirled almost out of control as he dialed Lindsay's cell phone. No answer. Where was she? If she wasn't answering her phone, he'd go to her apartment. As he ran back to the bar to get Flack, he called Mac.

Mac answered on the first ring.

"Danny what's up?"

"I just got off the phone with Lindsay's mother and Lindsay never made it to Montana

"What?"

"I called her cell and she's not answering but it might be because she doesn't want to speak to me. Could you call and see if you can get her? I'm going to grab Flack and head over to her apartment."

"Okay if I don't get her, I'll meet you over there and if I do I'll give you a call back."

"Thanks, Mac."

Danny entered the bar, hoping that Flack hadn't drunk too much. He motioned Flack to the door. "Danny, what's up?"

"Listen, Lindsay never made it to Montana. I'm heading over to her apartment to check on her."

"I'm with you. Let's go!"