Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. The characters from CSI: Miami belong to CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer productions, and probably a few other people I've forgotten to mention. Lily Montalvo, however, is my creation and I'd like to be consulted before she's used in anything else.

Dedications: To my tireless Beta-reader, Ithil-Valon, who gave me the courage to branch out past the Lord of the Rings fandom I've been writing in for a while now. She also occasionally gives me the necessary kick in the pants to keep me going. Thanks for that, hon. Also for Evendim, who gave me the courage to post that first LOTR story, and has graciously invited me to play in her playground anytime I like. Thank you so much. And last, but certainly not least, my partner AJ who is my strength and my rock, and provides interference when I'm writing so I can concentrate on plotlines… and helps me brainstorm when I run out of them. Usually with chocolate and late night movie-fests to, you know, research. Lots of eye candy.

THIS STORY IS SET IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. This means that some features, places, and faces from canon won't fit. It is set sometime after the season 2 ender, 10-7, so Tim Speedle is no longer in the picture… but it is also set after Calleigh's return to Ballistics, so sometime during Season 3… I hope. I just can't see her anywhere else.

All that said, enjoy! If you like it, leave a review! If you don't like it, Leave a review! If you hate it and think I should be shot, leave a review! Get the hint? Just be certain and leave me an email address so I can answer you…

Chapter Two

Lily regarded Horatio steadily as he returned to the building, noting idly that he had brought someone else with him. A detective, no doubt, and they were now going to question her on her knowledge of this case.

She heaved a heavy sigh. It would be so much easier if they would simply believe her, but she had no illusions about that possibility. These men dealt in facts, in tangible evidence. What she had to offer was far, far beyond their experience, and therefore, of little use to them. How could she make them see that it was no less valid than their methods?

She stood as they entered the room, extending a hand to the new arrival. "I am Lily Montalvo," she introduced herself.

Tripp shook her hand quickly and dropped it, looking to Caine, who simply raised an eyebrow. "Well, Miss Montalvo, Lt. Caine here says you have quite a handle on our case," he began simply. "Why don't you tell me about it."

"It is quite simple, really," she replied evenly. "As I mentioned to Lt. Caine, I 'ave been subject to visions since I was very young. An' I must tell of them when one occurs, or the vision torments my waking mind until I cannot think, cannot function. In effect, I become increasingly non-verbal until I may speak of it to anyone 'oo will listen. It is a curse, one my mother insists she 'as given me." She watched the skepticism on both their faces and nearly groaned aloud. "You 'ave processed the scene as I tol' you? An' foun' the shell casings where I said?" Oh, that wasn't good. She knew she had an accent, but it was getting worse by the moment, which meant she wasn't handling the stress very well. She made a conscious effort to control it. "And yet you have more questions for me."

"Yes, actually, we have," Caine delivered smoothly as he took the seat across from her. His eyes never left her face, however, and she began to feel uncomfortable under his steady regard. "You mentioned the chest of drawers at the apartment. We did find shell casings behind it, three, as you described. What I need to know now, Lily, is how you knew exactly where they would be." He wouldn't mention the state of the tiny apartment; if she knew that, she almost certainly had to have been present. His team was already processing everything with special attention paid to trace evidence. Somehow, this woman knew things she shouldn't; and he didn't believe in visions, or ESP, or anything he couldn't logically explain. Logic told him she had to have been present at the scene, or at least spoken with the suspect.

"I 'ave explained it. I saw the room, in a vision. I 'ave never been there; I 'ave never met Monsieur Dominguez. I 'ave not seen 'is face; all I 'ave is 'is name." Lily was almost ready to stomp her foot, she was so frustrated, but she knew it would do no good. Police always went with their first impression; and that was telling them she was involved in some fashion because she knew too much. They would have a very rough time accepting her at face value, even once their other options had been exhausted. "If you check your evidence, you will believe me. I was not there."

"You said you 'saw' the room. Can you describe it to me?" Caine was determined to place her at the scene. She simply knew too much to not have been involved. Her answer would tell him a lot.

Lily took another deep breath. "The apartment, it was very small, only two rooms. The first room was a living area, very cozy, not very well furnished. A sofa, one chair. Both blue. An' the other room, the bedroom… it was destroyed. 'e had torn up the room so you would 'ave to work harder for the evidence you need. Many things were out of place, many things were broken, tossed around. The blankets were on the floor, the bedframe destroyed, the only intact surface was the window facing. An' he 'ad thrown the casings be'ind the bureau, to leave you a calling card. 'e wants you to know it was 'im, Monsieur Caine."

"Did he?" Caine pounced on that statement. "And just how do you know why he left the casings where he did, Lily? Because you were there, weren't you?"

"No!" Her denial was no less forceful for its softness. "I was never there. Your evidence will tell you so. I only know these things because of my vision. I have never seen 'is face, so I cannot describe him to you. But I know 'e 'as some connection to you, an' 'e wishes to make you suffer before 'e kills you." That was not how she had meant to tell him what she had felt during the vision.

"Here's my problem, Lily. You know entirely too much about this case." Caine stood and began to pace. "You knew the victim's name, the location of the shooter, you're intimately acquainted with the location. You even seem to have some insight into our suspect's motives. That says to me that you're involved."

"Let's cut to the chase here, okay?" Tripp jumped in quickly. "Why don't you just tell us where our shooter is, and we'll see if we can make you a deal."

"I would tell you in a 'eartbeat if I knew," Lily replied quietly. She knew that it was important now to keep her composure; they were reacting just like every other police officer she had ever encountered. "I don't."

"We're going to place you at the scene, Lily. Evidence doesn't lie." Caine again regarded her steadily, holding her gaze. "We have enough from your own words to hold you indefinitely."

"I would expect nothing less, Monsieur Caine." She didn't turn away from his regard. She returned his gaze unflinchingly, tilting her chin just a fraction upward, not in defiance, but determination. "But your evidence will prove I am telling the truth. I was never there. I do not know your 'shooter', I only know what I 'ave seen. An' your evidence will prove that."

Tripp moved forward. "Let's go," he said simply. He spoke to Caine though his eyes never left their suspect. "I'll get her processed and put her in holding." He gestured for Lily to precede him to the door and spoke to the uniform outside. Then he turned back to her. "You're not going to give him any trouble, are you?" he asked quietly. He didn't think she would.

She shook her head and allowed the uniform to place the cuffs on her and lead her away. Caine watched her go, his expression composed, though his eyes were troubled.

"I know that look, Horatio," Tripp said casually as he watched them lead Lily away. "What's on your mind?"

"That young woman is very sure of herself, Frank. She's too sure the evidence will bear her out. Something isn't adding up here."

"She mentioned the shooter was playing games with you specifically. That's pretty damning evidence in itself." Tripp was watching his friend's face closely. "How could she know that if she wasn't involved?"

"How indeed, Frank. I'm sure she's connected to our shooter somehow. We just have to find the connection." Caine paused a moment. "I'll be in the lab."

Ithil-Valon: Very nice review, very in depth, I love it! And so glad you're enjoying it! (As if you wouldn't LOL)

Leetah: Thanks for the vote of confidence. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the first one!

Dread Lady Freya: It's always good to broaden your horizons LOL And yes, it's quite challenging! I hope you enjoy this as much as the others.

Mareana: Thank you! I'm always glad to hear that my characterizations are on track.