"So he's our guy?" Calleigh asked. "I always thought he was such a nice guy."
"Yeah looks can be deceiving." Tim replied dryly, pulling into a parking lot. "Do you think he's been planning this? Since his daughter's death? Now that I think about it, Mike, has been at CSI for the past four years."
"I don't know Tim." she sighed, holstering her gun. "Come on."
They got out of the SUV and made their way into the apartment complex.
"What number is he?" Calleigh asked. Tim glanced at the paper in his hand.
"9F."
"Let's go then." they got into the elevator and stopped at Winston's floor. Tim knocked on the door loudly, waiting for someone to answer. The door opened slightly and Winston poked his head out.
"What's going on?" he asked sleepily.
"Can we come in?" Tim asked. Winston nodded and let them in.
"What's this about?"
"I think you know."
"No. No I don't." Winston shook his head and gave a little laugh.
"You killed Horatio." Tim said, looking around the apartment.
"Really?"
"Yeah. See, your real name is Matt Winston, not Mike Wallace. When I take your fingerprints we'll match them to the ones from that convenience store hold up and the bullet we took out of Horatio matches the one from the gun that you used to—."
Tim was cut off by a gasp. He turned around and found Winston with his arm around Calleigh's neck, holding her tightly against him.
"So you figured it out." Winston snarled. "And you thought it was Brianna right?"
Tim shook his head and Winston nodded.
"I hated you people." he growled. "Didn't even do your job right. Still don't do it right. Do you know what it's like to lose a daughter?"
"No."
"That's what I thought. Better keep a good hold on that kid of yours Speed."
"So you did all of this just to teach us a lesson?" he asked. "Because your daughter's killer got away?"
"Tim," Calleigh gasped, clawing at Winston's arm.
"Look, let her go." Tim said.
"No! She has to pay. You all have to pay!"
"Now wait a minute. There wasn't enough evidence at the scene. That wasn't our fault."
"You could've tried harder." Winston snapped, tightening his grip on Calleigh. She choked and tugged at Winston's muscular arm. He was cutting off her air supply, fast.
"Matt, come on. She didn't do anything. Just let her go." Tim said. "Don't you want us to catch Alicia's killer? We'll find him. Go back over the evidence. But I need Calleigh."
"She let him go!" he yelled. "She went all softy on him and he changed his story! You threw away evidence, disregarded it! Horatio chased some other guy, thinking he did it! Tripp thought it was me!"
"We'll find him this time. I need you to give me Calleigh back though. She was my partner on that case. I need her to help me find him."
"No. It's too late." Winston shook his head and reached behind him with his free arm. Tim's hand found it's way to his holster. "I'm going to give my daughter justice."
He finally let Calleigh go and she slumped to the floor, gasping for air. Tim grabbed her arm and dragged her towards him.
"Finally I get my revenge." Winston smiled. He pulled a gun out and Tim quickly pulled his own gun out but he heard the shoot and Calleigh screamed out in pain. Winston gave Tim a grin and ran out of the apartment.
"Calleigh!" Tim knelt down next to her and pulled out his cell phone. "This is CSI Speedle. I need an ambulance at 9F Garden Commons, ASAP. I've got an officer down."
"Tim,"
"Baby, everything's gonna be fine." he said, tears filling his eyes. "Just hang on."
Calleigh shook her head.
"I... I love you." she choked out.
"I love you too but you're not going anywhere." Tim said, pressing his jacket against Calleigh's chest. "You can't. I need you here."
Calleigh felt more tears spring into her eyes, but those we're from the pain she was feeling.
"You're gonna be okay Cal."
"Take... take care of Bella." she whispered.
"You're gonna have to help me with that. Calleigh, come on."
Her breathing became labored and Tim could feel her pulse weakening.
"Calleigh, please don't leave me." he cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.