Chapter 3
Friday……
"We're back to square one. Great!!!" Eric exclaimed Rob Conway; their primary suspect was found dead his body dumped by the beach.
"Yeah, this guy is getting annoying." Calleigh replied as she photographs the DB on the uncovered in the sand. Alex kneeling next to the body found a bullet wound on his right temple. "I hate to say it but our guy found a gun and if we don't stop him there are going to be a lot more where it came from." Alex declared handed the bullet to Calleigh, ".45 weird first he shot this one and still mutilated his face" She said while looking at the body. "
"Liver temperature indicates time of death 24 hours ago, same time as Evan." Alex added
"So our guy killed Evan first before he killed Rob. That explains his fingerprints all over the apartment including the dumbbell; Rob was there when Evan was attacked" Eric concluded
"We have to get back to the lab and piece these together." Calleigh replied
At the Lab…….
Speed and Gabe we're looking at the evidences they have gathered on all 3 victims, and then Speed's phone began to ring "Speed its Eric, we found Rob Conway he's dead. Look through Evan Miller's crime scene pictures; we have theory that places Rob there when Evan was attacked." Speed signaled Gabe to look at the pictures examine the blood spatter, trace reports and DNA on Evan Miller's Crime Scene.
"So our killer is not Rob Conway, H is going to get pissed. He hates it when we're back to square one." Speed exclaimed
"Tell me about it. See you later" Eric replied and hung up.
"Blood on the scene is only Evan's. Wait a minute, the hair fibers we found by the door way wasn't Evan's it's a 50/50 chance could be Rob's or our killer. "Gabe replied while scanning the reports. "We have to wait for the body to find that out." Then Horatio emerged in the lab, "You do that Speed, Gabe and I are going to go down the modeling agency and collect hair fibers from their friends and boss."
"So were going to haul their asses in here?" Gabe asked "Yup," Horatio replied immediately and stepped out motioning Gabe to follow him. Few hours later, with a search warrant in hand Horatio and Gabe went to the agency and hauled in 20 of Evan Miller and Rob Conway's friends and their boss much to Gabe's dismay Jason McCann. Half went to Horatio, half went to Gabe after collecting hair samples Jason McCann was the last, sitting smugly in the interrogation room "So, Rob was found dead too huh?" he began.
"Apparently, you're not alarmed by it Mr. McCann. So, I'm going to tell you directly if you're involved in this in some way. I will get you." Horatio threatened. Seeing her boss this way Gabe was glad that she was working under him not against him if this the kind of interrogation she'll undergo through. McCann's smugness immediately faded away "Woah doesn't my cooperation enough for you to clear me out of this." The aged former model replied nervously. "I'll be the one to decide that, now we're going to need your hair sample." Horatio replied motioning Gabe to proceed. McCann smiled at the sight of Gabe looking at her from head to toe, licked his lips and said "You can take any thing you want, babe." Gabe pulled a few hair strands force fully rendering McCann to shout in pain
"Sorry." Gabe told McCann and a small smile crept in her face as she placed the hair strands in a small brown envelope.
Horatio escorted him out the interrogation room. Gabe proceeded to the DNA lab to deliver the last hair sample.
Meanwhile Eric stayed with Alex in the autopsy lab, while Calleigh went to ballistics to examine the bullet.
"The bullet entered the right temple, death was quick and painless." Alex began "But, there was bruising on his nape it happened pre-mortem "she added.
"So, this guy was rendered unconscious then our killer attacked Evan. "Eric replied
"Yeah, and was dragged out of the apartment shot at the beach which explains the marks on his back and the time of death is only hours apart from Evan." Alex declared
The team rendezvoused at the lab, Horatio was there looking at the acquired evidences when Calleigh walked in
"H, the bullet was fired at close range 45 caliber lodging in Rob Conway's temple" Calleigh began and Eric followed
"The time of death proves that he was there when Evan was attacked, and was dragged by the beach to be shot" he began and handed the autopsy pictures to Horatio. Then Speed and Gabe walked in "The hair fibers we found are not Rob Conway's or any of his colleagues in the agency, even his boss." Speed began
"I have searched in the Miami-Dade database both employees and ex-cons, we have no match." Gabe said in disappointment.
"So we have nothing. All we know is that we have to wait for his next move." Horatio said with annoyance in his voice.
That evening in the Rumsfeld Manor…..
Eric, Speed, Calleigh and John Hagen arrived in the estate "I thought the Hamilton's mansion was enormous, but this is humongous!" Calleigh exclaimed as she stepped out of the car.
"Yeah, we're in the North Shore Drive of the Coconut Grove, the richest among rich are the ones who live here." Eric greeted as he approached the two. "Calleigh you're looking beautiful this evening." Eric said looking at Calleigh who is wearing a sapphire blue backless halter cocktail dress her hair blow dried and worn down.
"Why, thank you Eric." She replied sweetly
"It looks like the place has its own zip code" Speed added sarcastically as headed towards them and shook hands with Hagen.
"So this Rumsfeld girl, is she a total snob?" Hagen feigning curiosity
"No, she's anything but that." Speed replied "That's what I hear from Calleigh here." Hagen added as they were greeted by the butler and was directed in the garden. They were amazed by the spacious hallway that was decorated by fresh flowers in huge antique vases, paintings and tapestries decorated the walls. Intricate lamps that stand on antique tables and a carpeted staircase greeted them.
When they arrived in the garden the view was even more spectacular, the trees were decorated with lights a huge white canopy shelters the guests seated, tables have white tablecloths, candles and fresh flowers. A small orchestra and a dance floor was in the center of the
Canopy. Guests were clad in tuxedoes, gowns and embellished cocktail dresses "Whew, good thing we found a good tux rental." Hagen commented at the two, and then the butler seated them. Horatio arrived just in time dinner was served, "We didn't think you were coming H." Eric greeted his boss.
"Well I didn't want Mrs. Rumsfeld to think that I'm such a boorish guest." Horatio replied smilingly
Halfway through the dinner Mrs. Margaret Rumsfeld took the stage "Thank you, everyone for joining us in this good cause the underprivileged and abused children of Miami will have new clothes, schoolbooks and a new place to rebuild their lives and dream for a better future. Together with our honorable Alan Jennings's office will help the victims of child abuse get back on their feet again, A round of applause for Mayor Alan Jennings."
Then Mayor Jennings took center stage, "Thank you, Mrs. Rumsfeld as a token of appreciation the Miami Children's choir will sing a song for us accompanied by my goddaughter Gabrielle Francoise Rumsfeld." He declared
The children entered the stage in rows, followed by Gabe wearing a deep V-neck chartreuse silk chiffon floral floor length mermaid gown with a violin tow. She started playing "The Prayer" and the children's angelic voices filled the air, the crowd was in awe including the Miami-Dade Crime Scene Unit present. As the presentation ended the crowd applauded Gabe and the children took a bow and left the stage.
Gabe handed her violin to the butler and was approached by distinguished guests; her teammates approached her as soon as the crowd surrounding her was gone.
"Hey, Gabe we didn't know you could play the violin?" Speed greeted
"Hey guys, enjoying the evening so far?" Gabe greeted back
"Yeah, so many rich people. You look amazing Gabe" Calleigh replied musingly. Then Mrs. Rumsfeld and William Rumsfeld approached them "Hey, Gaby why don't you introduce me your friends" her uncle said smilingly
"Uncle Bill these are the Miami-Dade Crime Scene Investigators, Calleigh Duquesne our ballistics expert, Tim Speedle, Eric Delko and Det. John Hagen "She replied the tycoon shook hands with them and was in awe how William Rumsfeld the most powerful man in Miami was so humble.
"Where is Lt. Caine?" Mr. Rumsfeld asked. "He's at the bar sir," Eric replied
"Gaby, why don't we introduce your friends to people around here" Mrs. Rumsfeld suggested leaving William Rumsfeld who went off to see Horatio in the bar.
Margaret Rumsfeld introduced them to other pillars of society, tycoons, celebrities, models and Cesare Paciotti the world renowned designer from Milan who now resides in Miami.
"Whew, that was fun rubbing elbows with society." Calleigh declared
"You, know what will be more fun if we danced tonight." Hagen added looking at Calleigh, and then the two rushed off to the dance floor.
"I told you to bring your own dates "Gabe said jokingly as she looked at the two gentlemen beside her. Then the two just grinned shyly.
"Lt. I didn't think you were coming." Greeted William Rumsfeld as he approached the red-haired man
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Rumsfeld" he replied and shook hands with the older man who sat next to him.
"It's been years, since we last met. Good thing we meet again this time in a happier tone." Rumsfeld said as he brought out a cigar and handed another one to Horatio.
They both looked at Gabe who was dancing with Speed at that time.
"Ever since that tragedy came, our household was never the same Marge and I was so paranoid and got very protective. So, I'm asking you Lt. please look after Gaby, her mother and I will be at ease knowing that you're always be at her side. When she met you on that fateful day, she looked up to you ever since. There is nothing we could do about it. " Will Rumsfeld declared
"I know you're always after some madman or ruthless criminal all the time, like the case you are in now a serial killer. I understand its part of you're job, but please if we lose her like my brother, Henry. Marge and I cannot survive this one. "He added getting worried a lot more.
"Don't worry Mr. Rumsfeld, you have my word" Horatio assured and gave a comforting smile to the elder man.
Then Rick Stetler came in to kiss ass with Mr. Rumsfeld which signaled Horatio to flee the scene and came across Yelina wearing a red strapless cocktail dress.
"Good evening, Horatio."Greeted Yelina
"Good evening, Yelina. I see you came with Rick." He replied
"Is Gabe the one dancing with Eric? Pretty girl, listen Horatio we have to talk." she asked then turned to Horatio.
"I know this is awkward and not the right time, but I've been thinking a lot about us." she began as they walked in further in the out skirts of the garden away from the party. Horatio was silent, listening to what she has to say, knowing where it would lead them.
"I know it's all written in between lines, but I have thought about it. It wouldn't be fair, we know we both need something in black and white and this leads us to nowhere. If we continue this we'll end up just getting hurt, you the most. I've realized my feelings for Ray is much deeper than what I feel now. I'm sorry Horatio" Yelina looking at Horatio, but being the man he is he swallowed the pain tearing inside him.
"I understand Yelina; I think it's best this way." Horatio replied then Rick appeared calling Yelina leaving Horatio standing there. Horatio collected himself and marched towards the bar to get a hard drink.
At the bar he noticed Gabe sitting alone away from the crowd looking like a bronzed goddess. He walked up to her giving her a glass of champagne that surprised her.
"Lt. I didn't know you would come." Gabe said at the sight of him.
He just smiled "You must be tired, I see you've been dancing with Eric and Speed"
"Yes, since they didn't bring their dates, I volunteered as a substitute" she replied smilingly
"How about you sir, you didn't bring someone" she teased. He just smiled
"What about the Hispanic woman you're talking to earlier, they say she's your sister-in-law." she asked
"She's Rick Stetler's date." He replied dryly.
"Oh, THAT prick." She replied testily, which gave Horatio a smile.
Then the band and the singer started playing "The Way You Look Tonight", people poured into the dance floor started dancing slowly.
"Since my mother dragged you into this, I would like to be of service to you. Would you like to dance Lt." she asked
Horatio stood up and held Gabe's hand "No, would you like to dance Ms. Rumsfeld" he asked.
Gabe stood up and they took the dance floor. He held her close noticing her radiance and warmth, he felt good with Gabe in his arms the pain just drifted away, forgetting Yelina, the loneliness tonight. He didn't notice the song has ended, still mesmerized he still held her close. "You're a wonderful dancer H." she interrupted breaking the moment.
"Thank you." She added giving him a peck on the cheek and walked away
"Thank you too Gabe" he thought as she watched her.
To be continued…….
Note: Hey, guys I'm having writer's block, I think it's not as romantic as I thought it would…. So guys, I need some suggestions and keep those reviews coming!!!