Horatio was headed back to the interview room where Victor Terraza had been brought back. The trace in the victim's hair and on Isabel's clothes was fertilizer, from the park grass. Calleigh had gotten back to him on the shoe print, which was from a 2006 Transverse Five Star. Emily had immediately spoken up when they had all met in the fingerprint lab, saying Terraza's shoes were Transverses, and she would recognize those shoes anywhere.
"How?" Ryan had asked.
"I have to pass the Footlocker store on my way to American Eagle at the mall. Those things are in every display in the windows," Emily said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Emily's knowledge of the window displays at the mall had paid off. Terraza was indeed wearing shoes that matched the prints.
Horatio sighed as he opened the interview room. It was time to stop letting Terraza feel relaxed and start seriously questioning the man.
Frank followed him, ready to help.
"Mr. Terraza, welcome," Horatio said, taking his customary stance by the window.
"Why am I here?"
"You want to tell us what really happened at the park this morning, Mr. Terraza?" Tripp said, facing the suspect.
"I told you, I was with Isabel the whole time. I didn't touch the man."
"Victor, you are lying to me and you know it," Horatio said, turning slowly.
"Let's try this again," Tripp picked up. "What really happened at the park this morning?"
Victor looked from Horatio to Tripp and back, shifting slightly.
"Okay. I recognized the guy from the posters. When I saw him looking at my daughter, I went after him with some other dads. We gave him a little beating, that's all."
Horatio stepped outside the interview room and pulled out his cell phone.
"Eric, grab Ryan and Emily and go back to that neighborhood."
