Chapter 22

Horatio and Mac raced down the causeway. The lights blaring on the Hummer weaving in and out of lunch time traffic. Horatio hoped that they got there in time. They arrived outside of the Fish Market and saw a pair of ghost cars standing off to the side.

" Did you see Mr. Brown ? "

" No boss but we have found the suspect. He's over at the business " Heads and Tails ". We've been watching him for the last 10 minutes. "

" Good. O.k. What do you want to do Mac ? "

" Lets go talk to our Mr. Robbins and see what he has to say for himself. "

" O.k. "

" Let me do the talking. "

Horatio and Mac walk over. Joe Robbins walks up to them.

"So what can I get you gentleman ? I have fresh snapper $6.00 a pound best deal in the market. It's nice and fresh. "

" We don't want to talk about that. Mac Taylor NYPD. Horatio Caine MDPD. "

The guy looked all the sudden nervous and tried to look around.

" You really don't want to think about that. We have cops all over this place. Look have you seen this man? "

" No. "

The guy just glimpses at the photo. Mac grabs his wrist hard and pulls it behind his back. The guy winces in pain.

" Hey what are you doing ? " A lady questions.

" MDPD ma'am please step back this is an investigation. "

Mac pulls Robbin's hand harder behind his back.

" Now take a look again at the photo. Have you seen this guy today ? "

" He...he was here a couple of minutes ago. He wanted some fish. "

" Try again. "

Mac squeezes the guy's arm.

" o.k. he wanted some information. I gave him a note that this guy wanted me to give him. "

Horatio shows him a photo of Novak.

" This guy ? "

" Yeah that's him. "

" How much did he pay you ? " Horatio was starting to get irritated. " How much ? "

" The guy asked you a question. " Mac squeezed the arm behind the guy a little harder.

" $ 500 just to pass on a message. "

" Did you have any clue that this guy was involved in the kidnapping of a little girl ? "

Robbins looked at him with a shocked look on his face.

" No I had no clue sir. None. "

Horatio looked at him. Mac squeezed his arm a bit harder.

" I promise. "

" What did the note say ? "

" To meet him at the Miami Yacht Club lounge. That's all I promise. Now can you let my arm go. "

" No sorry. Tripp cuff him and take him away. "

" With pleasure. "

" For what ? "

" Oh lets start with conspriacy to commitkidnappping and obstruction of justice. "

Horatio looks at Mac.

" I thought we were going to be nice about this. "

" I was nice. That's what we call a little New York persuasion back home. "

Horatio looked at Mac and chuckled.

Warrick and Novak left the club and drove south towards what turned out to be a marina with boat launches.

" Get out nice and easy. No funny stuff. "

" Fine. "

" Where is she ? "

" She's just in here. "

Mac and Horatio get to the club and walk inside. They show a photo to the hostess. She remembers Warrick. He stiffed her the bill for a double Jack at the bar. Mac and Horatio walk over. They talk to the bartender.

" Yeah I saw both of those guys. Boy were they crabby. I was just trying to be nice to them and the brushed me off. Are they crooks are something ? "

" Did you see where they left to ? "

" They got into a 4 door silver hatchback together. The black guy looked worried. The little guy didn't look to impressed. It was odd the vibe between them. They did not like each other. "

Mac and Horatio left.

" We've got nothing. "

" Not necessarily. "

Horatio pulls out his phone and calls Wolfe.

" Horatio. "

" Mr. Wolfe I need you to go to the A/V lab and pull up the cellphone accounts for both Mr. Brown and Mr. Novak. I need you to triangulate their signals and tell me where they are coming from. As close as accurately and I need it ASAP."

" Sure. "

Wolfe rushed down to the lab meeting Calleigh along the way.

" I just got a possible location for Novak's car. It appeared on the south end of the Macarthur causeway towards Miami Beach. A motorist saw Novak driving that way. I'm headed out that way. "

" I'll be with you in a second. Horatio wants me to triangulate the signals of Novak's and Warrick's cell phone."

" You were able to get them ? "

" Yeah. "

" Let's go. "

Wolfe and Calleigh arrive at the A/V lab. The tech looks at them.

" I've already been triangulating their signals. Horatio called me. I think they are on the south end of Macarthur causeway. Near Miami Beach Marina. "

Calleigh pulls out her phone.

" Horatio we have the location where Novak and Warrick are. We think they are close to Miami Beach Marina. Isn't there some abandoned boathouses in the area ? We got a tip that the car was spotted in that area. "

" Yes there is. Thanks. "

" I'm coming as well. Lindsey will need to see a friendly face. "

" O.k. see you there. Approach without sirens. Make sure that is over the wire. I don't want Novak to get spooked."

" Sure. "

Calleigh looks at Wolfe. She talks to the switchboard and passes on Horatio's instructions. Calleigh and Wolfe leave the office just as Tripp is bringing in Mr. Robbins.

Warrick looks at the older building. It looked like a boat house. Warrick walked in with Novak. There was a speed boat in the water and there was small room off to the side. Novak brings Warrick in.

" I would have spruced up the place if I had known that company was coming. "

" Where is she ? "

Novak goes into the side room and sees Lindsey who has been fighting the ropes. She almost had them pulled off.

" I want to see my mommy now. "

" Well I can't do that but if you are good. I can show you a friend. " Novak pulls out his gun and shows it to Lindsey making the little girl shiver.

Novak walks out with the gun next to Lindsey head. Lindsey tries to not to cry but it's hard. He's pulling her hair. She looks over and sees Warrick.

" Warrick ! "

" Hey squirt. How are you ? " Warrick was relieved that she was o.k. She looked a little worn for the wear but o.k. She looked terrified.

" O.k. I want to go see mommy. " Tears start to fall down the little girl's face. " Is the baby o.k. ? Oops moms going to be mad. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone."

" It's o.k. they are both fine. "

" Such a touching moment. " Novak says.

" Let her go Novak you have who you want. I'll take her place. "

" I figured that you would do that. No funny stuff or she's dead. "

" I know. "

Novak lets Lindsey go. She rushes over to Warrick. Warrick holds her close. He can feel her shivering. He caresses her light blonde hair. She looks up at him with pale blue eyes.

" It's going to be fine. You're safe now. Now I need you to go outside. "

" I can't leave you alone. "

" Lindsey I need you to go now. I'll be fine. "

Lindsey looks up at him and rushes outside.

" Good now I can finish what I started all those months ago when Gordon screwed up my whole plan. I had it all set. Did you know that you were supposed to be the one ? "

" I do now. So let's get this over with. I don't think you brought me here to chat."

" Right. "

Mac and Horatio arrive outside the boathouses and see Lindsey rush out. Horatio gets out of the car. Lindsey rushes right to him. Lindsey's blubbering and crying not saying coherent words.

" I know. I know sweetheart. You're going to be fine. You're safe now. I promise."

" But...but..but.."

" I know. "

The SWAT team comes up. They park in an inconspicous area. The SWAT leader comes up to Mac who has put on his bullet proof vest.

" We can set perimeters on the outside. Do we have the greenlight if we have a clean shot ? "

" No you are to wait until my call. I don't want anyone to do anything until I say something. We have one of our own in there. No one is to make a move without me saying something. "

" Fine. "

Horatio holds Lindsey close.

" Where's Warrick ? "

" He's...in..side with the bad man. "

" O.k. Good girl. I want you to go back to Calleigh. "

Calleigh gets out of her Hummer with Wolfe. Lindsey sees her and rushes into her arms. Calleigh hugs her close. Wolfe calls Stella.

Stella looks at Catherine and walks out of the room. She picks up her cell phone. She looks over at Grissom, Sara, and Danny. They flew back on the helicopter to be there for Catherine. Danny wanted to make sure that Tina Andrews confession came down to the DA himself. Sara wanted to come and be a support for Grissom and Catherine after hearing what happened. She'd just come back from visiting Nick in Texas.

" Stella. "

" Yeah ? "

" We have Lindsey. She's unhurt. She's fine. I'll be there in a couple of minutes with Calleigh. "

" Good. What about Warrick ? "

" I don't know. He's still in the boathouse with Novak. Mac and Horatio are heading inside."

" O.k."

Danny and Grissom look at Stella.

" Lindsey ? " Grissom says in a quiet voice.

" She's fine. "

Grissom sighs. Sara brushes back the tears. She looks over at Grissom and hugs him.

" And Warrick ? "

" He's still with Novak. "

" Do you want to tell Catherine Gil ? "

Sara looks at Stella. How did she know Gil's name ?

" Sure. "

Grissom walks into the room. Catherine looks at him about ready to crumble. There is fear and worry in her face.

" Lindsey ? " Catherine's voice is but a whisper.

" She's fine Cath. Calleigh has her. "

" Oh thank god. " Catherine breaks down in tears shaking. Grissom comes over and hugs her. There are tears coming down his face. " She's going to be fine Cathy. "

Catherine looks at him.

" Warrick ? "

" They don't know yet Catherine. He's still with Novak. "

Catherine brings a hand to her mouth and gasps. He had to be o.k. They can't have gone through all of this not to be together. It wasn't fair. They'd cheated death way too many times. He had to be o.k. She couldn't lose him.