Title: His Last Case

Disclaimer: Violence. Hints of slash.

POV: Calleigh

Chapter Six: Dinner And A Call
Tuesday Evening- 7:41pm

The sun has closed its eyes on another day. We're no closer to finding Speed. I sigh. The city passes by my window. All the families safely tucked away inside.

"Speed, where are you?" I whisper.

"Did you say something?"

I turn to look at Horatio. He gives me a glance than returns his eyes to the road.

"Just wishing on a star. That's all."

"Don't blame you. This week has been horrible."

"And to think, it has just begun," I say.

Bad week? Talk about an understatement. Delko hospitalized. Speed missing. My father blamed for murder. A fight with Hagen.

"You don't have a problem with this?"

"No, why should I?"

"Calleigh, you should be staying with me," Hagen says.

"Why?"

"We're dating."

"One date. We had on date. I wouldn't feel comfortable staying with you yet."

"You're not dating Horatio. So that means you can stay with him?" He yells.

"He's a friend, John. I've known him for years."

"Whatever. Have a great night. I'll see you tomorrow. Unless of course you're tied up."

He leaves before I can reply. A good thing for him. Why does he care about where I spend the night? Should he be happy that I'm safe?

Horatio pulls into his driveway. I'm staying with him for the night, maybe longer. A threatening note was delivered to the lab today. A note proclaiming every member of the day shift would die.

So what was done? Horatio paired every one up. I am staying with Horatio. Yelina is taking Ray Jr. and staying with Alexx. Tripp and Hagen were going to stay together. But Hagen said he would be fine on his own. So Tripp is spending his evening with Delko at the hospital.

Horatio places my bag on the floor by the hall closet.

"I know it's kind of late, but would you like some dinner?"

I can't help but act surprised. "You cook?"

He chuckles. "Of course. My skills may not be good enough to open a restaurant. But I make due."

"What did Chef Caine have in mind?"

"How about some Cajun rice and spiced catfish?"

I follow him to the kitchen.

"Sounds delicious. What have you got to drink?"

"I may not entertain a lot but I always keep a bottle of wine in the fridge."

"Glasses?" I ask, holding the cold bottle of wine.

"Cabinet to the right of the sink."

I pour us each a glass while he begins dinner. I take myself on a small tour of Horatio's house. It's very beautiful. H has money. He owns land. Where it all came from, none of us know, as of yet.

I walk back to the kitchen and lean against the counter.

"Something bugging you?" H asks.

"There is no way my father killed that man."

"Cal."

H's voice tells me I'm treading on dangerous ground. I don't care. "I know him better than anyone else. He didn't do it."

"Calleigh, he was there. He was drunk."

"Doesn't mean he did it."

"That's true; and the evidence will be tested. However, at the moment, the odds are against him."

"Are you signing him up for jail?"

"Not at all, my dear. Right now I'm going off what I have."

"Run the evidence pass me again. Please?" I sip my wine.

Horatio finally looks to me. "He was there. His alcohol level was three-times the legal limit. A man walking his dog overheard arguing minutes before the first gunshot. His prints are the only ones on the gun."

"Who does the gun belong to?"

"The deceased, Mr. Dixon."

"My father doesn't remember anything. Is it possible he blacked out? Or was knocked out?"

H shrugs. "Maybe. I'll have him checked over in the morning."

With a bit of help, I set the table. H brings out the rice and fish. We serve ourselves. For the first few minutes we eat in silence.

"This is absolutely delicious," I say.

"Thank you."

"Any luck finding that nurse?"

"None. I've been trying. Her name is Selena Burneski. She hasn't been seen since this morning."

"Think she wanted to hurt Delko?"

H stops eating. "Honestly, I don't know. This week has been bad. I admit, I hate to see how Wednesday is going to be."

The phone rings. Now, I see this as rude. He keeps a phone on his dining table. Then again, in our line of work…

He hits the 'speaker phone' button.

"Hello?"

Labored breathing. "Horatio?"

I drop my fork. H puts his hand up to silence me.

"Speed, where are you?"

"Horatio…"

"Come on, buddy, tell me where you are."

A loud thump. The phone being dropped.

Moments of silence was followed by a painful scream.