Coldest Degree
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye or CSI: Miami!
Chapter Three
Horatio led the small team of police officers and CSIs up to the front door of the Rippners' house. They lived in a decent, quiet section of Miami in a large, three-story house. It was not quite a mansion yet it was still plenty large for two people. There were no cars parked in the driveway and the street was silent and peaceful.
Knocking on the wooden front door, he called out, "Jackson Rippner? This is the Miami-Dade PD. We are here to talk about your wife."
The door swung open as he pounded and Horatio withdrew his gun. He could hear no sounds coming from inside the house, but it was always better to be safe than sorry.
"Miami-Dade PD!" he continued to call as he carefully stepped across the threshold. There was a chance that the murder had taken place inside this house and that it was a crime scene. He was taking as many precautions as possible to limit the amount of paths through the house.
Everyone spread out to sweep the house, but within five minutes, Horatio's question was answered. Jackson Rippner was nowhere to be found. Just like his wife, he too had vanished. The odds of him being dead as well were about 50-50 depending on what had happened. If he had murdered Lisa, then he was most likely alive. If someone else had killed her, than there was an even better chance that he was dead or about to face the same fate.
"Calleigh, I want you to secure the perimeter. This might be our crime scene," Horatio ordered.
"Sure thing, H," the blonde nodded and hurried outside of the house to retrieve her crime scene kit from the Hummer.
As the police officers went to speak to the neighbors about the Rippners, Horatio and his team searched the house. He had gone to the extra trouble of procuring a warrant before paying Jackson Rippner a visit just in case and now they could process the house as a crime scene if there was enough evidence to warrant it.
"There are clothes missing," Eric Delko reported after searching the bedroom.
"Who's?" Caine wanted to know; curiosity reigning.
"His. There are places were the clothing was ripped off hangers and there are other discarded shirts and suit pieces strewn all over the room."
"What about her belongings? Anything seem strange?"
"Nope. It doesn't look like he touched her stuff."
"Sounds like someone's trying to make a break for it."
Horatio reached for the walkie-talkie clipped to his belt. "Put out an APB for a Jackson Rippner. Brown hair, blue eyes, slim build, about 30 years old. He's wanted for questioning pertaining to his wife's disappearance and murder. He might be armed. He should be considered dangerous and a possible fugitive."
"Miami-Dade Police Department is looking for a man for questioning in the disappearance and murder of Lisa Rippner, 28, a long-time resident of Miami. His name is Jackson Rippner and he is 30 years old with brown hair and blue eyes," said the TV news reporter on the afternoon news.
Joseph Reisert stopped dead in his tracks. "Lisa?"
He hurried over to the front of the television, which was broadcasting photographs of both Lisa and Jackson.
"Lisa Rippner was discovered two days ago in a swampy area just outside of Miami. Police are unwilling to comment on what happened to her. They are however searching for her husband to question. Mrs. Rippner disappeared just over a week ago and was reported missing by Jackson Rippner…"
Joe sank into his chair, dumbstruck by the report. Why wasn't I informed? Lisa said that they were going out of town for a short trip…so what happened?
"Anyone with information about Lisa or Jackson Rippner is asked to call the following number…"
He reached for the nearby cordless phone and with shaky fingers dialed the number of the tip hotline. Jackson, what have you done to my little girl?
"Miami-Dade PD tip hotline, how may I help you?" a cheery voice answered.
"My name is Joe Reisert. I need to speak to whoever is in charge of the Rippner case."
"Why would that be?"
"Because I might be able to help. Lisa's my daughter. Please…"
"Just one moment sir and I'll connect you with Lieutenant Caine."
Please let this all be a nightmare… You promised that you'd never hurt her. What happened, Jackson? What did you do?
Author's Notes:
Jackson's on the run from the police and now Joe's getting involved. The next chapter will have a flashback to answer some of the questions that I've been receiving about Jackson and Lisa's relationship. Enjoy and thanks for the all the reviews!