See part 0 for the standard stuff. Happy time is over. Hope you enjoy. Please R&R. I'm needy.

TenFour: I'm glad you've become attached. That means I'm doing my job. As for being careful, well, I hope to inflict no real permanent damage. VEG>

Annabel pulled up in front of the Channel 4 studios. She headed over to where Eric was getting his gear out of the back of the Hummer. He greeted her warmly.

Annabel smiled. "Been a while since we've had a scene together. How's Marisol doing?" she asked.

"She's weak. But we're hopeful. The chemo is done, so we'll know soon, right?"

"She's lucky to have a good family and her support group and stuff. Hopefully..."

"Yea, hopefully. Hey, tell your cousin thanks for the chemo cap."

Annabel smiled. "No big deal. Ro knits all the time. The challenge was finding something that wouldn't be too warm for Miami or too scratchy."

"It actually looks cute on Marisol."

Annabel smiled. "Well, a girl has to look cute even when she feels crappy. Especially when she feels crappy."

"Yea. Especially." Eric changed the subject. "Hey, my mom is mad that you didn't make it on Sunday."

Annabel looked down at the ground and bit her lip. "I'm sorry I got distracted."

Eric grinned. "Well, next time drag Lieutenant Distraction along too. He's invited."

Annabel blushed slightly. "I'll try to remember that."

They headed inside. Horatio met them before they reached to the set.

"Eric, go ahead and start processing the scene. Annabel, I need you to come with me." Annabel looked over at Eric. He shrugged and headed off. Annabel gave Horatio a funny look. The happy mood chatting with Eric had given her instantly fled.

"Horatio?"

Horatio took Annabel's elbow, "You need to come with me." Before he got her very far, Frank walked up to the pair. He flipped open his notebook.

"The vic's name was Roger Hernandez. He was a publicist here handling some mystery writer. A Lenore..."

"Austin. It's a pen name. Her real name is Elinor DeVries." Annabel turned away from Frank. "Where is Elie, Horatio? Where's my sister?" There was a frantic edge to her voice.

"Your sister is fine, Annabel." He turned to Tripp. "Frank, I will be right back." Horatio directed Annabel back to a dressing room, his hand resting in the small of her back. He opened the door. The tall blonde sitting on the chair turned and looked up. Her eyes and nose were red and raw. She saw Annabel and jumped up. Annabel crossed over to her and they embraced fiercely. Elie jumped. There was a bandage around her arm. Annabel looked back at Horatio accusingly.

"It was a through and through. Elie has a slight graze."

Elie stood there with one arm wrapped around her stomach and the other fluttering a tissue. "My arm is fine, Annie." She took a shuddering breath. "Annie. Annie, he killed Roger. Shot him right in front of me. We were heading to the next interview... Roger dropped down right in front of me. Annie…"

Annabel hugged her sister again and rubbed her back. "Shh. Shh. I am so sorry, Elie."

Horatio cleared his throat. "Annabel, we haven't taken Elie's statement. I can't leave you here."

"I can take her statement."

"No. No, you can't."

Annabel shot him a nasty look and then turned back to her sister. She led Elie to the chair she had been sitting in. Elie gratefully collapsed back into it. Annabel crouched down in front of her.

"El, I have to talk to Lieutenant Caine. I'll be back as soon as I can be. Okay?" Elie nodded. Annabel turned to Horatio and followed him out of the room. Annabel shut the door to the room. She spun around and faced Horatio. She did nothing to hide her fury.

"Annabel," he said quietly.

"She's my sister, Horatio."

"Exactly." They stood there a minute eyes clashing. Finally, Annabel dropped her head.

"Neither of us can work on this."

"I'll be okay."

Annabel closed her eyes. She looked back up at Horatio. "It's gotta be by the book, Horatio. If someone tells you to back off, you'd better. I don't want a bad case and I don't want you getting in trouble."

"I can take care of myself, Annabel."

"Never said you couldn't." She touched the door knob. "I just want to let Elie know I'll be waiting for her. Then I'll get Frank in here. Can I do that?" Horatio nodded. Annabel opened the door. She went back over to Elie and touched her hand. "El? I have to go for now. Detective Tripp will be in to talk to you."

Elie looked up at Annabel. "I... Do you have to go?"

Annabel nodded. "Yes, and you know why."

Elie nodded and took an unsteady breath. "They'll think we worked out our story."

"Yea. I can't be involved with this case at all." Annabel looked over at Horatio. "I trust the guys here completely. They'll do right by you. They'll do right by Roger. Okay?" She looked back at her sister. Elie nodded again. "When Frank is done talking to you, he'll have to talk to me. After that, we can go back to my apartment. Okay?" Elie nodded. "I'll see you soon, Elie. Promise." She gave Elie's hand a quick squeeze and left. Horatio followed her out. Annabel turned around. "You're going to have to take a statement from me."

Horatio frowned. "Why? As far as I know you were nowhere near the studio."

Annabel looked down at her feet and sighed. "No, I wasn't. But I help with the books. The pen name is for both of us. Lenore is a poem by Edgar Allan Poe."

"Like Annabel Lee."

Annabel nodded. "Elinor is named after the oldest sister in Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility. I would have told you sooner or later. Really."

"Not exactly a conversation starter."

Annabel looked up at Horatio and gave him a small smile. "Just something that comes up in the course of an investigation. I guess I'll have to find somewhere just to hang out."

Horatio nodded. He spotted a uniformed officer headed toward them. "Jessop, can you find somewhere away from the crime scene for Detective McGinty to wait. Then let Detective Tripp know he needs to talk to Annabel and her sister."

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