Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine.

000

Chapter 1

000

As Horatio arrived at the crime scene, his professionalism took over. He was brought up to speed by detective Yelina Salas in a businesslike manner as they walked alongside.

"Victim's name is Josie Brendan, age 10. Multiple stab wounds. Found in the back of Luis' corner store. The owner, mister Forentini has reportedly called the Miami-Dade PD after finding her dead in his back store." Yelina described it as horribly gruesome and Horatio felt a sting of pain. Child cases were the hardest ones to deal with.

"The parents are asking the police to release their daughter to give her a proper burial - "

"They do know we need Josie to continue the investigation - " he said almost in the form a question. Horatio wondered why the parents didn't want to help find who did this to their daughter.

Yelina read his thoughts and answered, "They just want to forget."

Horatio's face showed deep sadness even if he tried as hard as he could to prevent it from being seen even from behind his dark sunglasses.

He pulled the yellow crime scene tape over Yelina's head and entered the corner store behind her taking mental notes.

Nothing seemed to be disturbed so he ruled out the motive of an escape robbery.

He glanced at the store clerk and stopped to catch Yelina's eye. She knew what he wanted to know. "The store's owner has been questioned by the PD and Mister Forentini says he'll do anything to help –"

"I'm sure he won't mind being questioned and have his prints taken, will he?"Horatio quipped.

He walked over to where Eric was standing and told him: "Eric - "

"I'm on it, H," Eric replied briskly as he directed the store's owner outside. "I'm gonna ask you to come with me sir - " Eric told Mr. Forentini.

Horatio knew what he was going to come across as he pushed the already ajar door leading to the back of the store. He's seen so many of these cases but he still feels his insides tug down, nausea threatening to overcome his cool exterior every time he approaches a new one. The bad taste in the back of his mouth tells him that one more justice needs to be served.

He looked around and about but, immediately, he was struck by the scene. His black shades hid the sad eyes overwhelmed with sorrow. Alexx was kneeling over the young girl. The victim had straight blond hair pulled back with an elastic and her clothes were scattered near her body. Horatio immediately looked to the corner of the room, spotted the camera and told Speed to tell Eric to process the scene and ordered him to go back to the lab with the videotape.

He reached for his sunglasses and placed them in his front suit pocket.

"Alexx, what have we got?" he asked gently, kneeling beside Woods.

"She's just a baby, Horatio - " Alexx was visibly shaken.

She lifted the sheet covering the young girl's body from chest down, bringing some decency to this horrendous act. Alexx showed Horatio the damage: "Poor sugar has multiple bruises on shoulders and arms, eight stabs wounds to the stomach and chest- I'm sorry sweetheart- this shouldn't happen to anyone - " Alexx caressed the child's hair.

Knowing the body is designed to nail the bad guy, Horatio asked: "Okay, Alexx, what else?"

"Liver temp is barely two degrees below normal indicating she died recently, like the... last hour - " She surprised herself as she said it aloud and turned to look at Horatio's face.

"Mmm. Meaning the killer could still be near. Ok, thanks Alexx" he rushed out of the room.

"No problem" she replied, but he was already gone.

Horatio walked briskly passed the police officers at the scene and came across his ballistics expert.

"Thought you could use some help - " Calleigh said with a small smile and her evidence kit in hand. Her face took a serious expression as she noticed the pain in Horatio's eyes.

"Thanks, Cal" he touched her shoulder, as he breezed by her. This wasn't the right time to deal with his feelings, there was priority; a child had been murdered.

That's a man with a plan, she thought silently.

TBC...