Chapter 2: The Madness has begun.
"3 victims in 4 weeks, I think we have a serial here." Horatio said while crouched next to Alex Woods.
"Cause of death massive laceration of the jugular artery. Severe blunt force trauma on the face happened post-mortem. The poor thing didn't know what was coming, isn't that right sweetheart?" Alex said while examining the body.
Gabe Rumsfeld shot a quizzical look at Horatio and Alex and resumed photographing the blood spatter on the walls of the victim's apartment.
"Arterial spray indicates that the victim was standing here, when he got his throat slit, looks like he has his back on his assailant." Gabe said
"No signs of forced entry, our victim knew his assailant." Eric added.
"He knows him that well to let him in and turn his back on him." Horatio said to his 2 underlings.
Speed and Calleigh arrives at the scene. "Same MO with the first 2 huh?" Speed asked.
"Yeah, H thinks it's a serial." Eric replied.
"Calleigh." Horatio called out.
"Where do you want me H?" she replied.
"We're almost done here, the bedroom and the bathroom is all yours. By the way this is Gabe Rumsfeld." Horatio said pointing to their newest team member.
"Hi!" Gabe greeted with a warm smile and a shake hand.
"Well, well the famous Rumsfeld girl who punched a perp the other day, Calleigh Duquesne." She teased and trotted towards the bedroom.
Calleigh smiled but couldn't ignore the fact that she is jealous, sure she is older, a ballistics expert and is dating Det. John Hagen. She knew she couldn't go back anymore. Horatio Caine will always and never be more than her superior, colleague and friend. The position "always at Horatio's side" has been relinquished to that young woman.
"Nice meeting you." Gabe added.
"Same here..." Calleigh replied
Back at the CSI Lab….
Horatio and Alex examine the body in the autopsy lab.
"He looks like a tall drink of water to me. 6 pack abs, 32 inch waist, nice pectorals, and great skin. Who did this to you sweetheart?" Alex began.
Gabe Rumsfeld walks in holding a folder. "We've got an ID his name's Evan Miller, a male model, listed in Apollo Modeling Agency downtown." She said.
"Gabe stick around for a sec." Horatio asked
Gabe approached them and looked on as Alex hosed down the victim's face of excess blood.
"Blunt force trauma, fractured the skull and dislocated his jaw. Could be a heavy blunt object" Alex declared.
"How about an 8 pound dumbbell? Gabe asked.
"Could be…" Horatio replied
"Maybe she's right, Horatio the contusions on the side of his temple are round like the end of a dumbbell." Alex said as she tilted the victim's head.
"Not bad, not bad at all" Alex replied smiling at Gabe.
"But why the face? Speed showed me the first two victims also with mutilated faces. Could it be that he's disfigured? He envies them or could it be that he is wants to be them." Gabe thought out loud looking at the body.
"Or could it be that he's just a plain sick bastard who derives pleasure in taking lives." Horatio replied and looked at Gabe in the eye.
"I'll take these to Speed and look if there's a print on the bloody dumbbell Eric processed. See you later." Gabe said and left the autopsy lab.
"So, she's the rich kid Speed was talking about, good thing you got her on board," Alex said
"Yeah." Horatio replied
Calleigh, Speed, Eric and Gabe are sifting through evidence to profile their killer. Autopsy pictures were posted in the board Calleigh looking at them while the other 3 were huddled on the table looking at evidence pictures.
"Victim#1 Gary Weissert, 34 a restaurateur owner of Absinth, stabbed with his face burned. Victim # 2 Matthew West, 32 an actor got his face hacked away and throat slit. The latest Victim #3 Evan Miller, 32 a male model got his throat slit and a face that looks like a rare steak." Speed narrated.
"So they are all in their mid 30s, good-looking and successful." Calleigh interjected
"Could be that we're dealing with a sociopath." Eric exclaimed
"How about a preaching sociopath." Speed exclaimed while holding a blown up photograph of a not found next to their first victim.
Beware the unholy and the unclean.
The day of Reckoning is coming.
Those who forsake God's design should be punished.
Sanctify yourselves for redemption is at hand, run and never look back.
For those who will witness this shall be turned into a pillar of salt.
Horatio came in and overheard his underlings discussing. "It's a warning. It's his way of informing us of what he is about to do." He interrupted.
"Yeah, the jerks from the earlier shift oversaw this one" Eric exclaimed.
"Well, from now on this is priority. A serial is on the loose." Horatio declared.
"So, this warning is it from the bible?" Calleigh asked.
"No, I don't think so" Speed replied.
"Pillar of salt…I've read it on the bible somewhere." Eric interrupted contemplating on it.
"The destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, the book of Genesis" Horatio said.
"Uh, we're not exactly well-read on the bible. H we need some enlightenment." Speed said sarcastically.
"Sodom & Gomorrah were cities, God destroyed these cities to punish it's occupants for committing sexual acts with the same sex, hence the word sodomy." Gabe interrupted.
"Abraham interceded for these cities so God sent 2 angels to Lot to see if there are still people who are holy and clean. But the people tested God's patience and even wanted to perform sodomy with the messengers. So God saved Lot's family but, his wife turned back to the city and was turned into a pillar of salt." Eric added.
"Thanks, for the bible study Eric!" Horatio interrupted.
"So, if this theory of ours works. Our killer is on the hunt for successful, mid-30s homosexuals." Calleigh exclaimed.
"And he believes it's his job to punish them." Horatio added
The next day….
Horatio & Gabe arrived at the modeling agency. The receptionist sent them to the waiting area since Jason McCann, the owner is in a meeting. Gabe sat down and grabbed the nearest GQ in sight as Horatio placed himself next to her. He noticed that the male models in the area are eyeing his female companion.
"I couldn't blame them she's such a pretty girl." Horatio thought. He looked at her, flipping through the magazine, long legs crossed wearing rose pink low-rise jeans fitted white shirt and a black and pink polka-dotted scarf accentuating her curvy hips serving as a belt w/the badge and ID as additional accessories. Rose tinted pearls around her neck, two-toned black and pink ballet shoes and a fitted blazer matching the color of her jeans.
She glanced sideward and noticed that her superior is looking at her and grinned sheepishly.
"You worried that they're checking you out?" she murmured jokingly. Horatio smiled at her then the receptionist came in and led them to McCann's office.
"Lt. Horatio Caine and this is Gabe Rumsfeld. We're from the Miami-Dade Crime lab; we came here about Evan Miller. He was murdered last night; we need to ask you a few questions so your full cooperation is highly required." Horatio began.
"Alright, fire away" McCann replied motioning them to sit down.
Suddenly, Horatio's phone began ringing. "Eric, what's up?' Horatio answered, signaling McCann to wait for a moment.
"Horatio, we have an ID on the print I found on the bloody dumbbell. His name is Rob Conway also a male model like Miller, works for the same agency too. "Eric replied.
"Calleigh and I are heading down to his place right now." Eric added
"Okay, good work Eric." Horatio replied and hung up.
"Evan Miller was attacked last night at his apartment, and our suspect is Rob Conway who also works here. " Horatio said returning to Jason McCann while Gabe showed Evan's autopsy pictures.
"Well, that's a surprise Rob and Evan we're good friends they go way back, since they both started here. The major difference is that Evan is a good kid, clients like him more but Rob not that bad either except that he gives extra service charge to the clients you know what I'm saying. He likes to climb up the ladder fast, a social climber." McCann narrated.
"So Rob is the envious type." Gabe added.
"No, I don't think so since Rob likes to sweeten the deal. He has high-profile clients demanding for him, plus he's got the boy-next-door looks they all like." McCann replied.
"So you fired him because he's making deals on the side." Horatio asked.
"Almost, but he quit before I fired him. I heard that he got himself a sugar daddy, a very rich sugar daddy." McCann answered
"Can we have a picture of him?" Horatio said. McCann handed out Rob Conway's profile photo, well toned physique, dark-brown hair, green eyes, be-dimpled smile.
"Okay, thank you for your time." Gabe said while motioning to shake his hand. Jason McCann handed Gabe a calling card and said
"If you ever get tired of being a cop or need me for a private interrogation. Give me a call okay? I'm up for it anytime and maybe I could hook you up with other modeling agencies. With a face like that any guy would love to be handcuffed by you." Winked and smiled at her in a perverted way.
"Not interested." She said hotly and handed back the card, annoyed and walked out the door. Horatio followed smiling and shaking his head.
As the approached the Hummer, "Jerk!" she muttered under her breath as she opened the Hummer's door as they drove off Horatio was still smiling at what just happened earlier.
Back at the Lab…
As Horatio and Gabe rode the elevator, Gabe's phone went ringing. "MOM!!?" she exclaimed and then mouthed off sorry to Horatio who smiled back, Margaret Rumsfeld who took over her husband's place in running their fortune 500 company together with her brother-in law always takes time for her only daughter.
"Honey, I'm reminding you about the mayor's fundraiser this Friday we're throwing in the manor. You need to invite your CSI friends and your superior Lt. Caine. Okay?" Mrs. Rumsfeld began
"Yes, mother but, you see it seems a bit awkward, I'm still new around Miami-Dade I don't think." Gabe trailed off nervously.
"Nonsense sweetie, well as a matter of fact I'm already here in the LAB talking with your colleagues Eric, Calleigh and Tim they already accepted." Her mother replied.
As soon as the elevator doors opened Gabe was mortified, spotted her mother all clad in Chanel with secretary in tow talking with her teammates. Mrs. Rumsfeld immediately saw her daughter, the esteemed Horatio Caine and approached them.
"Lt. Caine so glad to see you again under different circumstances "she greeted motioning to shake his hand
"Nice to see you too Mrs. Rumsfeld, what can I do for you this time?" Horatio replied smiling.
"It's the mayor's annual fundraiser, this year I'm the hostess. I know Lt. that parties, bureaucracy are not your thing. But please indulge me and I'm not taking no for an answer." She said charmingly. Gabe mortified, stood there mouth agape towards her mother afraid that her superior might have been insulted by this "ambush".
"Well, Mrs. Rumsfeld you put me in a tight spot, how I'm I suppose to say no now. I accept." Horatio replied graciously and smiled at Gabe.
"It's settled then, see you all on Friday exactly at 7.Here is your invitation." Mrs. Rumsfeld said and bid goodbye to everyone .
Gabe automatically walked with her mother towards the elevator and frantically spook with her in French.
"Mom, I thought we were going to keep me in low profile when I come home to Miami. It's suppose to be the deal I come home like you said and get the job offered here, but you don't get to walk around in here invite them to your lavish parties. I don't want them to think that I'm such a spoiled brat that I muscle my way around here because I'm a Rumsfeld." she said
" I know dear, I am not putting you in that position. It's just that your uncle and I would like to get involve this time, to know your new friends it's been years since you've been home. You've grown up away from us and we're proud of what you have become, it's time that I become your mother again" Mrs. Rumsfeld replied and caressed her daughter's cheek.
Gabe couldn't help but let out a sigh and hug her mother "Okay, Mom. "And led her to the elevator. She found her teammates in the lounge room looking at the invitations that her mother handed out.
"Hey Gabe, can we bring a date?" Calleigh asked thinking about John Hagen.
"Of course, certainly that goes to you two as well." Gabe said looking at the two guys smiling "Where's H? I have to apologize maybe my mom was too much for him." She said.
"I think H is in his office." Eric replied. "Okay, thanks." Then went straight to Horatio's office
"You know, Eric maybe now's the time to ask her out." Speed turned to Eric.
"In due time my friend." Eric replied laughing.
Gabe knocked at Horatio's door and was immediately led in.
"Horatio, I came here to apologize for my mom. For putting you in the spot awhile back, she likes things going her way." She trailed off
"Don't we all, don't worry no harm done. Families we have now are the only ones we'll ever have." He replied smilingly as he looked up from the case file he was holding.
"Okay, so see you on Friday then Lt." She replied sweetly then Rick Stetler the Mayor's liaison officer came knocking in.
"Hello Horatio, mind if I let myself in…" Rick walking in on them, Horatio's begins to simmer seeing Stetler his nemesis being rude and cocky inside his domain.
"Well, I see you got yourself an assistant now" Rick eyeing Gabe and settled in front of Horatio.
"Would you be a dear and fix me a coffee, 2 sugars with cream" Stetler turned to Gabe, which insulted her and only gave him a raised eyebrow.
Horatio couldn't bear the smugness of this asshole sitting right in front of him. "She's not my assistant; she's one of my CSIs. What do you want? "Horatio getting irritated
"All the same she's still your subordinate." He said still arrogant and winked at Gabe, appalled still she doesn't want Horatio to be embarrassed couldn't help but leave and fix Stetler's coffee.
"I know you hate me around here so I'm not beating around the bush. The mayor wants to know if you could catch this guy or are we going to start issuing a public warning." Stetler declared
"We are going to catch this guy, this I promise you. But for now it is best that I have your full cooperation rather than alarming the public." Horatio replied coolly
Stetler noticed the invitation in Horatio's desk "So, you're going to the Mayor's fundraiser this Friday?" he asked.
"It's going to be in the Rumsfeld manor. I asked Yelina she accepted to be my date. "He added annoying Horatio even more. Gabe emerged with the coffee and handed it to Rick.
"Well, that puts us in our place doesn't it Rick, you coming in here acting smug around Miami-Dade asking people here to fix you a cup of coffee; it's not very often that heir to the Rumsfeld Shipping & Industries brings you your coffee." Horatio replied looking at Gabe.
Rick got his tongue burned from the shock and heat of the coffee. "I'm so sorry Ms. Rumsfeld I didn't know that you were working here." Rick replied stammering. Gabe already annoyed by this arrogant bottom feeder for treating her with disrespect couldn't help but take pleasure in this awkward moment "No apologies Mr. Stetler I look forward in seeing you on Friday together with the mayor, my godfather." She replied slyly
Stetler upon hearing those words couldn't help but swallow. "Nice meeting you Mr. Stetler and enjoy your coffee." Gabe added and left the office.
"Next time, you come here Rick. Check your ego at the door. You don't want to ruin your chances if you ever want to run for office in the future." Horatio said looking at him still appalled by what had happened.
Later that evening…..
Horatio found Eric and Tim in the locker room, preparing to go home. They were laughing about something when he walked in.
"Where is Calleigh? "He asked as he started fix his things.
"She left 20 minutes ago; I hear that she and John are going to have dinner." Eric replied
"That's good." Horatio thought, he knew in his heart that he could never reciprocate the feelings she is giving to him. Knowing that they would just end up hurting each other, if he gave a hint that there is even the slightest possibility.
"And Gabe" he continued "She just left awhile ago; her cell phone rang her mom checking up on her if she's on the way home." Tim replied.
"I can't believe Stetler made Gabe fix his coffee." Eric opened up the topic.
"Yeah H, we know how he gets to your nerves. But the man is a pure prick; sure he's from internal affairs but that was classic." Tim added
"Yeah, good thing you were there H. Gabe was furious she said if it wasn't for you the guy might be having a mug down his throat right now." Eric exclaimed.
"Really "Horatio replied smiling at the thought, Gabe to him was a ray of sunshine her witty humor, lovely demeanor, sarcasm and feistiness are so refreshing. She's the only one other than Alex that could induce a smile out of him with her remarks; she could almost make him forget about his brother and his widow.
"H, see you tomorrow." Tim said as he went out the door with Eric not far behind "H, good night see you tomorrow." He said following Tim.
"Good night guys." Horatio said to them as he put the last few things in his bag and went home.
To be continued
Note: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews. So, keep them coming okay!!!!??!!! Need suggestions too, so the story could be developed more.
Disclaimer: By the way I don't own these characters except for Gabe, so if you want to use her no problem.