Sadness. Pure unadulterated sadness overwhelmed Catherine. She could feel it consuming her but more powerful then that was the fear and anger. She feared for her young daughter's safety. Where was Lindsey? What was Novak doing to her? What had happened to her? She had done everything to keep her children safe. She touches her stomach and rubs it. She had done everything. She had left Las Vegas, left their life there, left Warrick. She could feel his hands wrapped around her consoling her. He was stroking her hair and whispering nonsense words trying to calm her down. She had done everything to keep them safe and still Novak got to them. She could feel the rage build in the bottom of her stomach thinking about Novak. All it needed was a spark and it would turn into a wildfire. She clenched her hands into fists and felt something sharp jabbing at her one hand. She opened up her hand and saw the medallion glimmering at her. She felt the anger take her over.
"Let me go!" Catherine snapped. "I need to go get my daughter."
Warrick was taken aback by her anger. He knew that she wasn't angry at him but at Novak. He was furious with Novak as well.
"Cath it's going to be alright. We will find Lindsey. "
"And then what Warrick? He'll get away or he'll come after us again. "
"Again what are you talking about Catherine? I'm safe. I'm fine. He's never going to touch you or Lindsey or our baby again. "Warrick's hand came to rest on the baby.
Catherine stood up.
"Really how? I left everything to keep them safe and keep you safe. He still got to us. I did everything. I told no one yet he still got to us."
Catherine looks down at the medallion and throws it hard at the door. Warrick walks over and picks it up. He looks at it. Warrick looks at her.
"Cath, what are you talking about? What did Novak say to you in the interrogation room? Did he touch you? Did he hurt you? "
"No he... "Cath turned away from Warrick. She felt the tears fall down her face.
Warrick turned Catherine to face him. He looks at the medallion in his hand.
"Tell me. I need to know what that monster did to you. Why did he put that medallion in the box? "
Catherine looked at Warrick. How could she tell him the truth? How could she tell him that Nicky wasn't supposed to be kidnapped? Warrick was. Warrick was the target because she loved him. Novak had known that. He had been watching them. Catherine was furious and scared.
Warrick watched her face seeing the myriad of emotions come one after another. What had Novak done to her? If he laid a hand on her. If he touched her. Now he had Lindsey. If Warrick got his hands on him then the guy would not see daylight again. Warrick's hands clenched into fists.
"Cath you can tell me anything. What did you mean? I need to understand."
The incessant ringing of the door bell continued interrupting their conversation. It was starting to give Catherine a headache. Cath became furious. The sound was driving her mad. She got up and opened up the door.
"What!"
A young man in a delivery outfit stood at the door with a clipboard. He jumped back by the anger in her voice.
"Sorry...I have an envelope here for Catherine Willows."
Just like that night that she had left Las Vegas after talking to Novak.
"Give it to me."
Before Catherine could touch it Warrick was standing there holding her hand.
"No Cath. Don't touches it. Can you just place it on the table please? "
"O.k. .?" The delivery guy looked at them. What had he just walked into?
"Warrick?" Catherine looked at Warrick. He touched her hands.
"It could be about Lindsey. There might be trace on it. We need to let Horatio take a look at it. "
Catherine looked at Warrick. He was thinking like a cop even in a crisis. She was thinking like a mother who wanted him child back. Lindsey was out there and this could be the only clue.
"Right."
Warrick looked at the delivery man. The guy was just about to leave.
"We need you to stay."
"Look man I've got a timetable I need to keep or else it comes out of my pocket. I have another parcel to deliver. I'm already late delivering it. "
"Well man that can wait. This involves the kidnapping of a 12 year-old girl. I think that is more important. You're staying put. "
Catherine gasped hearing the words vocalized for the first time. She shakes and puts a hand on the wall to steady herself. Warrick puts an arm around her and pulls her close to him. He kisses her forehead.
"I'm sorry. Everything is going to be fine Cath."
He hoped that he was right.
Just then they heard the sirens getting louder and louder as the cruisers got closer. Warrick saw a black Hummer show up. Horatio got out with Calleigh. Another silver Hummer also pulled up with a pair of cruisers. Delko and Wolfe got out of the silver Hummer. Det. Tripp got out of one of the cruisers. He was already telling the men that they needed surveillance equipment and needed to canvas the area. Horatio walked up to the door and looked at Warrick.
"Cath...Grissom called me. What can you tell me? I need to know all of it. Calleigh Duquesne. Warrick Brown. "
"Hi."
"Hey."
Calleigh looked at Catherine then back at Warrick. So this was the tall drink of water that she left in Las Vegas. She looked between them wondering what their history was. She questioned if it was as complicated as hers and Horatio's. She could see that Horatio was all serious. He removed his sunglasses and looked at Catherine. Warrick had brought her over to the couch to sit down. Horatio was standing in front of them. Calleigh walked over to the mantle. She saw a picture of Catherine, Warrick and Lindsey near the water. They seemed happy like a real family. She smiled. She wondered what that would have been like. She picks up a picture of Lindsey.
"Catherine is this recent photo of Lindsey?" Calleigh showed the photo to Catherine.
"Yes. She had that done last week for class photos. "
"Do you know what she was wearing last?"
"Cynthia...Mrs. Tobin said she was wearing jeans and a purple sweater with a white cat on it. She had black shoes as well. That's all I can tell you.
"That's good. Horatio I'm going to call the FDLE and have them issue an Amber alert. Ryan and I will go and talk to the Tobin family and see what we can find. So Lindsey was over there last night? "
"" Last night...she went over to have a sleepover at Jenny Tobin's place. She was all excited. I knew that I would be working late last night on the Alvarez murder case. When Warrick showed up I decided to call Cynthia. She's Jenny's mom. I wanted to see if she could stay over a bit longer while Warrick and I sorted stuff out... "Catherine paused and took a deep breath before continuing." She was all worried about me. Someone came over to her house and said that I was in the hospital with the baby. It was serious. It's the only way that Lindsey would have gone with him."
"You're doing good Cath." Warrick caressed her hand.
"Do you have their address and phone number?"
"It's on the fridge. I can go and get it. "
"No just sit there. I'll go get it. "
Calleigh walked into the spacious kitchen and saw the notice on the fridge. Horatio sat in front of Catherine using the coffee table as a seat. He touched Catherine's hand.
"Catherine how can you be so certain that it was Novak that took Lindsey?"
Catherine looked at Warrick.
"I am."
Warrick then proceeded to give Horatio and Calleigh a detailed description of Novak. Warrick realizes something at the moment that he had forgotten about.
"Cath didn't Cynthia say that the man was wearing a cap and vest from the lab. That's why Lindsey agreed to go with him. "
"Yes. I forgot that. Horatio he got into the lab somehow. "
"What is it Warrick?" Horatio could see that Warrick was thinking about something.
Hat and vest from the lab. Warrick flashes back to the airport. He had just gotten off his flight and was heading down to the baggage hold when he was bumped by someone. They were wearing a MDPD hat and vest. It seemed weird at the time but he had forgotten about it. The guy had brushed up against him startling Warrick.
"Oh...sorry you can never be too careful in this day and age. You need to protect your family. Tell Catherine that I said hi to her. "
Warrick had forgotten about it. Now thinking back looking at the man he realized something. He was the same stature as Novak. He had on jeans, the vest and a black hat. The odd thing was he was wearing sunglasses inside and it was cloudy outside. He looked back at Warrick and smirked.
"Damn... "Warrick got up and brushed a hand through his hair.
"What is it Warrick?"
"I saw Novak." Warrick clenched his fists together.
"You what?" Catherine looked at him with a shocked look on her face.
"When I was in the airport someone bumped into me. I'm pretty sure it was Novak. He must have been on my flight here from Vegas. He must have been watching me the whole time."
"He never stopped."
"What do you mean that he never stopped?"
Catherine looked at Warrick and took a deep breath. Warrick looked at Catherine who now had worried look on her face.
"Well I guess I can get going." interrupted the delivery man. Warrick had forgotten about him for a moment. What had Catherine meant? He never stopped.
"Horatio this guy just dropped off a package. It could be from Novak. "
"Anyone touch it?"
"No."
Horatio pulled out his latex gloves from his kit. The delivery guy watched him.
"You are?"
"Sal Jenkins. I work for ABC courier. I really need to get going. I already late for my run as it is. Any overtime comes out of my own pocket. "
"O.k. but we need your help here. A little girl has been kidnapped. "
"I'm sorry."
"So what can you tell me about this package Mr. Jenkins?"
"Sorry not much. I got a call from dispatch that an envelope had been delivered. I was supposed to drop it off now. "
"Now as in right now?"
"Yeah the guy that walked in was very specific."
"Eric I need for you to take a uniform and go over there and talk to the dispatcher. Where do you
Work?"
"ABC Courier. It's over on Biscayne Bay Road. "
Delko and the courier left.
"Calleigh call the FDLE and have them issue and Amber alert for Lindsey. Make sure that they have everything that is needed. "
"Sure."
"Mr. Wolfe?"
"Yes."
"I need you and Calleigh to go over to the Tobin place. Take a uniform with you. I want you to comb that area and see what you can find. Take lots of pictures. I want a detailed description of this Novak and what Lindsey was wearing. I'll stay here and finish talking with Catherine and Warrick. "
Horatio looked at Catherine. He could tell that she wasn't telling the whole story. It had something to do with Warrick. The fear for him in her face when she looked at him. There was something more.
Det. Tripp came in and looked at the situation. "Horatio I've called the department. The tech crew should be over here in a bit with the surveillance and wire taps."
"Wiretaps?"
"Catherine you know what happens in kidnapping cases. The first 48 hours are critical. Novak might call with a ransom demand. Do you have a way to get money if needed? "
"I can call my father. He should have it. "
"Your father?" Horatio was curious.
"Sam Braun."
Sam Braun. Horatio was impressed. Sam Braun was a very powerful man." Now no one connected to your father would have tried to take Lindsey would they? I mean it can't be anyone other than Novak. "
"No Horatio he did it."
Warrick and Horatio look at Catherine. She was too certain that it was Novak. Warrick looks down at the medallion. She wasn't telling them something. Horatio looks at the envelope.
"Warrick did you or Catherine touches this envelope?"
"Neither of us did." Warrick said
Horatio looked at the envelope. He put down his kit and pulled out some latex gloves. He cleared off the kitchen table and laid down the envelope. He pulled out an exacto knife and sliced one side down cleanly. He opened it up and pulled out the letter. "I need to see it." Catherine grabbed the letter from Horatio and began to read it. There were just three lines on a piece of computer paper.
I presume the medallion makes sense. I warned you in the interrogation room. You made your choice.
Catherine put her hand to her mouth and began to slowly lose it. The room started spinning. She could feel arms around her but voices sounded distant and muffled. Warrick grabs her. Catherine starts sobbing and hyperventilating. He held her close to him. It was as if he was trying to give her all of his strength. She could lean on him. He would be her rock in the storm. He would bring Lindsey back to her.
Warrick took Catherine into his arms and caressed her back talking to her calmly. She calmed down. It was obvious to everyone how much Warrick cared about Catherine. Warrick looked at the note then the medallion in his hand. He looked at Catherine. Warrick realized at that moment that it wasn't about money either. It was personal. Novak had said something to her in the interrogation room. He had threatened her family. Warrick was starting to get a picture of what happened and didn't like what he was seeing. She looked him in the eyes. She knew that it wasn't about money. He wanted to get even with her. It was personal. She looks at the medallion and begins to start sobbing. Warrick walked over and put her hands around her.
"Cath what aren't you telling me? What did Novak tell you in the interrogation room?"
Catherine gasped. She felt cramping in her stomach.
"He never stopped... He said he would stop if I left. I did everything he wanted me to. "
"Catherine what are you talking about? What did Novak tell you in the interrogation room? "
"He...Nicky's kidnapping...it wasn't an accident."
Horatio looked between Catherine and Warrick. He could see that it was something bigger. This is why Catherine came down to Miami. Why she had called him all frightened that night out of the blue. It was obvious that she didn't want to leave Warrick. The look of love on her face when she touched his face. Warrick looked back at her with such concern in his green eyes. He touched her face and smoothed his fingers along her jawbone. He could feel her trembling.
"Catherine what do you mean that it wasn't an accident?"
"Catherine I read the report. It showed that Gordon and Novak had set up the kidnapping of Nick. Grissom sent down the papers. "Horatio takes off his black sunglasses and brushes a hand through his auburn hair.
"No...it wasn't supposed to be Nick...Warrick..." She opens her hand and shows him the medallion. She starts sobbing. Warrick takes the medallion and looks at her face. He could see such fear in Catherine's face. Catherine was starting to feel light-headed.
Horatio looked at Catherine realizing what she was trying to tell them. It wasn't about money. That's what she had meant before. It was about revenge. Novak's target was never Nick. The terrifying picture was starting to make sense. Novak had lost his life and now Catherine would lose hers. She would lose everything precious - Warrick, Lindsey, the baby. Novak had planned on killing Warrick but somehow the timing got screwed up. Horatio realizes the agony that Catherine must have been in. She was trying to protect everyone. Novak never planned on stopping his revenge against Catherine. He was just biding his time. Horatio watches as it slowly hits Warrick.
Warrick gets up and starts walking around. He holds the medallion in his hand and looks at it. He brushes a hand through his dark hair. He looks back at Catherine who was sobbing. Nick's kidnapping wasn't an accident...It was planned. The evidence had already shown that. Nick was Gordon's target because of what happened to his daughter. But Gordon wasn't really behind the kidnapping. Novak was the puppet master. What did Novak have against Nick? He looks down at the medallion. It was in the box along with the other evidence linking it back to the Highball case. Why was the medallion that he gave Lindsey in the box...because it was supposed to be there...because he was the target? Novak was going after him. He was supposed to be in that box. Warrick feels like he has been kicked in the gut.
Warrick looks at Catherine. She has tears falling down her face.
"Cath? Is this why you left? "
Catherine walks over to Warrick and touches his face. She caresses it. Tears are rolling down her face. Warrick pulls her into his arms and caresses her. He pulls back and looks at her face.
"I had to. I had to protect you. I thought you would be safe with Tina. I had to protect Lindsey and the baby as well so I left. "
"Why me?"
"He knows that I love you. He wanted me to lose everything. Everything. He was furious for what happened with the highball case. He knew about the baby Warrick. He knew about everything. He's been watching us for so long now...he...has Lindsey. " Catherine starts to not be able to breath. She feels her chest getting tight. She feels light headed. The room start to spin and she passes out. Warrick catches her. He carries her over to the couch. She looks at him. She doubles over in pain. She can't breath. Horatio pulls out his cell phone.
"This is Lieutenant Caine. I need a bus at 2215 Buena Vista Drive. I have a 40 year old woman whose 5 months pregnant experiencing shortness of breath and sharp pains. I need a bus here stat."
Warrick looks at Horatio then looks at Catherine. He caresses her face. He couldn't lose her. She was his whole world. He couldn't lose her.