Title: Bad Days Are Coming
Chapter 2
*****
"Okay, so what have we got?" Horatio leans forward in his chair and looks at Eric.
Eric shifts in his seat. Probably day dreaming or something.
"Um . . . We got a description, H," Eric says. "White male, early thirties, blonde hair, dressed in jeans and a blue t-shirt."
"Well," Speed says. "That narrows it down."
Speed leans back in his chair and lets out a breath. As usual, he has a disgruntled look on his face. Tim Speedle has the "angry young man" routine down cold.
Eric nods in agreement, and then opens up a file. "There's something else, too," he says. "The place was robbed. But, one of the witnesses claims that the suspect seemed to be gunning for Lt. Evans specifically."
"How so?" Horatio asks, looking interested.
Lt. Matt Evans was a friend of his. I remember him telling me that the first time I worked on a case with Matt.
"Well," Eric says. "The witness told me that the guy walked right up to Evans, and that Evans got this look on his face like he knew him. And then the guy shot him."
"Do other witnesses corroborate this?"
"No one else was close enough to see Evans' face. But one other witness says that the suspect shot Evans with no provocation."
I lean forward. "Is it possible the suspect knew Matt was a police officer? Maybe they'd had a run-in before?"
"Possible," Horatio says. "What have you got, Calleigh?"
"I'm still waiting on Alexx to give me the bullets," I say. "They're swamped down there."
"Do they know it's a cop?"
"Yes, Horatio," I say patiently.
He exhales and turns to Speed. "How about you?"
"All the blood at the scene belongs to the victims," Speed says without expression. "I found some dirt. One of Delko's witnesses said the suspect's shoes were filthy. But I'm still waiting on the results."
"Okay," Horatio says. He looks like he's going to say something else; but instead, he just sits there. Finally, he clears his throat and stands up. "Calleigh, let me know about the bullets. And Speed, Eric, keep me updated."
I watch Horatio leave, and then I sigh. "Well, I guess I'd better go check with Alexx."
Speed follows me out of the break room. "Hey, Calleigh," he says. "Are you all right?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I ask.
He shrugs, and looks around uncomfortably. "Earlier."
"Oh, that." I got a little light-headed while we were at the scene. I've been to I don't know how many of those scenes, and usually, I don't react like that. But then again, maybe that's what's bothering me. Maybe I've just seen one too many people I know lying on a dirty floor, in a pool of blood. "I'm all right, Tim," I say.
"If you . . . need to talk or anything . . ."
"Thanks," I smile weakly.
He nods, and then disappears down the hall. I wonder what he would have said if I'd taken him up on that talk. Speed can be a sweet guy when he wants to. But I can't see him handling the touchy-feely stuff. It seems like he keeps everything bottled up most of the time.
I know he's been through some pretty rough things during his life, and I can relate to wanting to just shut down and protect yourself.
*****
A while later, I walk into Horatio's office. Tapping lightly on the door, I say, "Got your bullets."
He glances up from his paperwork. "Good, come on in."
"The bullets were fired from a .357 Magnum," I say. "Unregistered."
"Of course it is," Horatio says with a half-smile. He checks his watch. "Are you heading home? Your shift was over forty minutes ago."
"Well," I say. "I wanted to get this done." Not to mention the fact that I really don't want to go home and think about the day's events.
He nods, then leans forward to look around me. "Hi there, Speed."
"Hey, H," Speed nods.
"What can I do for you?"
Speeds leans against the doorframe.
"Nothing, I was just waiting for Calleigh."
I narrow my eyes. "Oh!" I say suddenly. I turn to Horatio. "My car's in the shop. Speed's my ride." I put my hand on Speed's arm. "I am so sorry. I just caught up in my work."
Speed almost smiles. Almost. "Well, that's unlike you. You ready?"
"Yeah," I say. "Let's get out of here."
