Chapter Fifteen: Falling into Place

Calleigh and Speed were working patiently in the lab, while Erik was finishing up the video analysis. What he was looking for was any sign of Peters leaving or entering before and after the time that each crime had been committed. Horatio joined him moments later; alone, now that Robin was accompanying Calleigh and Speed.

"Erik, tell me what I want to hear."

"Good news--all the murders were committed right around eleven pm, right?" Erik started as a sort of intro of what was to come.

A nod from Horatio, anticipating the rest.

"Well…since there was a consistent pattern in the times of death, and since Peters is our main…our only suspect…I was looking to see if he left the hotel any time around eleven, and then the time he came back."

"And the good news?" Horatio urged.

"Sure enough…the day he checked in was the night of the first murder…with Vicki Trenton as the victim. It was about eleven thirty…just enough time to do the deed and clean up after himself," Erik reasoned.

"And Peters did the same thing on each day of the murders?"

Erik nodded, "Yeah…he left in just enough time to get to each crime scene and the video shows him coming back at the right times too."

Horatio smiled, "Too good to be a coincidence…thanks Erik."

Erik bobbed his head gratefully, going back to check and re-check the video, "No prob, H."

* * * * *

Back in the lab…

"Calleigh, here's the samples you asked for. The mats are sitting over there," Robin nodded towards a different table.

"Great! Now I can really get started," Calleigh joked, holding up the small tubes. She sat down behind a microscope, preparing herself a slide of the first sample's contents.

Robin joined her, pulling a seat up beside the vibrantly blonde woman, "So, what exactly are you gunna do…or look for?"

As Calleigh twisted the fine-adjustment knob, obviously checking for the smallest hints and details, she explained, "Um…well, first I'm going to compare the samples you got from the treads to the samples of soil and sand from the park, the beach, and from outside the Hallandale Apartments. This way, if they match, then we know Peters had recently stopped by the locations. After that comparison, I'll start a new comparison between the soil and sand from the shoeprints to see if they match the samples from both the treads and the crime scenes…"

Robin smiled, "Right, that'll land Mr. Peters right where he belongs. He won't have any way of getting out of it."

Horatio hastily entered, picking up the last part of Robin's comment, "I'll tell you what else…Erik examined the video evidence--everything is falling into place."

"Great," Calleigh said, a smile spreading as she continued to peer into the microphone. "Horatio? I should be able to finish this up sometime tomorrow …I'll give you a call just before wrapping it up, okay?"

"Okay," Horatio said, his voice soft--he was impressed with the determination that each of his CSIs possessed. "Until then, Robin and I can look over…"

He was interrupted by Calleigh's lively, chiming voice, "No, no…Horatio, you and Robin are gunna take a break. Don't worry about anything…" She paused, seeing Speed pushing through the lab doors. Calleigh added, "…right, Speed?"

Tim Speedle looked up over a handful of papers he had been shuffling through. Oblivious to what Calleigh had just been saying, he played along, "Uh…oh, yeah, definitely."

"You and I are taking over tomorrow--I think Horatio and Robin deserve a little break," she said, a hint of mischief in her tone.

Horatio chuckled, looking at them both, "Alright…we'll see…thanks, guys."

"No problem," Calleigh smiled innocently.

"Yeah, you kids go and have some fun," Speedle joked as Horatio and Robin both made their way out of the blue-tinted lab.

Halfway down the hallway, Robin looked up at her red-haired mentor, "So…you gunna take Speed's advice?"

Horatio smiled knowingly, "I was one step ahead of him--we're gunna go back in time tomorrow night."

She raised her eyebrows, both confused and intrigued. He chuckled, "Reservations at your favorite Miami restaurant…you remember?"

Robin nodded, "It was called…'Touch'…but that's too expensive!"

Horatio shook his head, "Reservations are already made…I wanted to treat you to something before you have to leave, and this is what I wanted to do for you."

Stepping out of the building, even though the night sky was filled with the glowing moon and stars, Horatio felt that Robin's smile was brighter than all of them combined.

And now…for the first time, aside from the kiss in her hotel room, Robin put aside her professional façade. She brushed her hand against Horatio's arm, looking up at him with glittering eyes for the first time in years.

**Okay, another short chapter…just to set everything up. I bet you can tell I'm running short on ideas for chapter names! ^_^ The next couple/few chapters are going to be hectic! But! I'm not gunna reveal any details. The end of the story is coming up pretty soon, so even if I keep taking such longs breaks, you gotta keep posted! I don't want anyone to miss out on the end! I hope everyone is having a good summer so far, and take care!**