Disclaimer: CSI: NY Belongs to Anthony Zuiker
Tanglewood
"When are you guys going to grow up?" Lindsay muttered, crawling out from under Danny.
"But it's no fun being a grown-up." Danny pointed out. He would rather be a kid than an adult any day.
"Good point." Lindsay helped him to his feet. Don and Matt stood up. They were hoping Attila the head nurse hadn't heard the crash. They really didn't need yet another lecture about letting patients get some rest. Don and Danny had gotten enough of these to last a lifetime. Besides, neither of them found a hospital a good place to rest anyway. Unfortunately, the nurse took that exact moment to look down the hall.
"What's the matter with you? You two should be in bed." They ran back into hospital room laughing. Even Lindsay thought it was too funny to actually yell at the guys. They had all ready almost died of embarrassment, anyway.
Once back in the hospital room, they played a few hands of poker, using a deck of cards Lindsay got in the gift shop. Matt would up winning most of the money.
"Where'd you learn to play like that?" Danny was annoyed someone was going to walk away with everyone's money.
"Uncle Mac taught me." And he really had, too. His uncle showed him how to play poker when he was about ten. Matt happened to be good because he had been playing for a very long time, and most people underestimated him.
"Figures."
"What's with you and him, anyway?" Don was curious.
"Let's just say I haven't always been the innocent, law-abiding citizen I am today."
"So? Neither have I. Mac still trusts me." Danny informed him. "At least, I hope he does."
"Did you ever throw a huge party that involved drugs, under-age drinking, some kid ODing, and destroying his house?"
"Can't say I have." Matt had done all that. Danny wasn't sure if he should be impressed Mac hadn't killed him.
"Of course, that was not my intention. And the incident was more like the straw that broke the camel's back then anything else. I was into a lot of things I shouldn't have been, but he didn't need to be such a jackass about it."
Don wasn't all that surprised. He thought it might be something like that. But he was curious about one thing. "You wouldn't happen to know the kid who ODed, would you?"
"He was a one of the best friends I had." They sat in an awkward silence for while, until Danny dealt another hand of cards. They played cards and talked about other things until Danny started to dose off. Lindsay realized how late it was getting and said had to go home. Matt was also falling sleep. Don grabbed another cup of coffee and waited for Mac to call with an update. It was going to be a long night.
Mac shivered despite the heavy coat he was wearing. He had been following a trail of sawdust for hours and temperature had dropped below freezing. It was getting dark as well.
Something moved in an alley ahead of him. He and Stella walked over to it, since the sawdust was leading them that way, anyhow. "Looks like we might have something." Stella said. She hoped they were close. It was freezing out here, and it was getting late. Not that Stella would call it quits until the suspects were caught. She and Mac drew their guns and entered the dark alley together. The only other person in it was a frightened teenager. Mac had him pinned to the wall in seconds.
"Ow! Let me go, the last thing I want to do is run." The skinny kid didn't eve bother to try fight him. He was scared and no longer wanted any part of the Tanglewood Boys. "I can tell you where they went." Joey informed them.
Mac considered his options and decided the boy was not much of threat, anyway. "What can you tell us?" They had finally gotten a break, and the rest of the Tanglewood Boys would soon be behind bars.
A/N: Sorry I didn't update earlier, but I fell asleep while watching Moulin Rouge, which is weird because I love that movie, as well as Ewan McGregor's performance in it. I must've more tired than I thought. I know this chapter is a bit short, but it made sense to stop there. We're headed for a conclusion soon! Please Read & Review. Thanks a lot.