December 18

Manhattan, New York

It was early, but Robert was awake and in the elevator on his way up to visit Rick. He had left Natalia, BJ, and Adam asleep at the Plaza and had come alone because he didn't want Rick to feel overwhelmed. He hadn't told anyone but Natalia and she had agreed to keep it quiet.

As Robert stepped off the elevator, he noticed that the door was open and someone was sitting in the room. Deeply concerned, he hurried down the hallway and was surprised to see Sully sitting in an easy chair, watching as Rick slept, "Hey," Sully said calmly, spotting Robert.

"Hi," Robert replied softly. "I left Natalia and our boys at the hotel. I thought Rick might respond better to me if I came by myself at first. We got in late last night and rested at the hotel."

Sully nodded, "The CSI's did their thing and Miami just told them that there was a murder down there where Rick's badge was found," he explained. "Rick doesn't remember anything, but he knows what was done to him. There's also a rumor going around that Gil Grissom…"

"That man is not to talk to Rick or be allowed in this room at all," Robert spoke sharply.

Sully looked shocked and Robert sighed, "Rick's estranged wife works for him and Gil Grissom's sympathies are with Catherine, so he might come into this with a flawed opinion on Rick," Robert explained firmly. "After my experience with the CSI's in Las Vegas, I'm not overly comfortable with most of them. I'd rather New York and Miami handle this."

"Sully, go home," a faint voice suddenly spoke. "I don't deserve your kindness."

Sully and Robert looked at the bed and was shocked to see Rick awake, "Sully, I'm not the nicest person," Rick spoke in a pained voice, his body shaking as he spoke. "I dated Yelina and was abusive and I got help after we broke it off, but I'm no good. You need to get away from me."

Sully looked confused and swore as Rick started trying to get up, "Please, I dated because the FBI forced me to be legally single during that mess and I screwed it up," Rick spoke in a pained voice. "I'm not the guy you trained me to be and you're better off staying away…"

Alarmed, Robert quickly went to Rick's side and helped him lie back down, "It's all right, Rick," he spoke gently, sighing as Rick relaxed before quickly drifting off. "Just rest for a while."

"He was given drugs and tortured, the CSI's say," Sully spoke quietly. "Do you want company?"

Robert sighed heavily, "You should really tell my aunt what you've been up to," he replied in a firm voice. "I know you haven't and you need to be honest with her about you helping Rick."

Sully shook his head in disbelief at Robert's instinct, "How come you didn't make detective while you were still in New York?" he asked in a shocked voice. "You're very intelligent."

"I had three kids that needed a competent parent there for them when they came home from school and daycare," Robert spoke quietly. "The street wasn't glamorous, but it worked and 7 to 5 was what I could do. Bosco knew what I was dealing with and helped when he could; he was one of the few cops that Amanda could tolerate around the house with her problems."

Sully nodded, "I'll talk to Yelina," he promised. "Are you gonna be all right here by yourself?"

"I'll text Natalia," Robert replied softly. "I'm sure they'll want to come by and visit…"

The sound of knocking woke Horatio, who had flown in with Stella very late and was now sharing her bed with her. Stella knew that Horatio had changed because of being abducted and tortured, so she knew he would want something lower-key than a busy hotel for the next while.

Even though he had money, Horatio was very grateful to be away from the public eye of hotels and somewhere a bit more private. He wasn't fond of travelling and staying at hotels if he could avoid them, as hotels tended to not be as private as they might advertise to be and someone as well known as him would definitely attract attention. He just wanted to have a quiet vacation.

"Horatio, just keep resting," Stella's voice filled his ear. "I'll see who's at the door, all right?"

There was footsteps, silence, and quiet talking, "I'll make sure he gets it, but he's asleep right now," Horatio heard Stella say firmly. "How did people find out he was here already?"

Horatio opened his eyes just in time to see Stella come back into the bedroom holding an envelope, "Gil Grissom from Victims Assistance is in New York and wants to talk to you," Stella spoke in a concerned voice as she handed Horatio the message. "I thought the trial was postponed til May?"

"He left a number," Horatio spoke quietly. "As much as I don't want to relive the experiences until I absolutely have to, I'll do it simply for everyone else who endured along with me."

Stella nodded, "I was planning to go visit Emily Yokas today, but I can wait and go with you," she offered softly. "I was going to also make you a key after breakfast…"

"A quiet diner will be fine if you don't have a lot of food," Horatio replied softly. "Although, I still have issues eating certain things from when I was starved and drugged. My counselor…"

Horatio sighed and looked at the bed, prompting Stella to climb on the bed and hold him, "It's okay," Stella spoke softly, knowing Horatio was far from healed. "I'll make eggs and toast."

Sighing, Horatio immediately relaxed into Stella's touch and Stella let him go before going to the kitchen to make scrambled eggs and toast for them. He closed his eyes again and allowed sleep to overtake his tired body, silently reminding himself that Stella would keep him safe.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Crime Lab was quiet as David Phillips and Doc Robbins quietly rolled the gurney containing Sofia's body inside and through the corridors to the morgue. After the plug had been pulled and Sofia had passed, Ryan had allowed the Crime Lab to take the body with the condition that he and Captain Curtis be present for the autopsy. Grissom had agreed, but had suddenly flew off to New York and hadn't taken Sara, as she couldn't get time off.

Ryan was sitting in a chair in the corner of the morgue with Captain Curtis standing next to him, both of them looking tired, "I asked Emily and Tim to stay with their kids," Ryan spoke in a quiet, somber voice. "Carlos also needs to be kept distracted. He keeps asking for his mama."

Captain Curtis sighed and gently rubbed Ryan's shoulder, having spent a good deal of time working when she wasn't visiting Sofia or Ryan. She had been on board with Ryan letting Sofia off life support, as it was painfully obvious that Sofia wasn't going to survive the trauma that came with her hostage experience. The media had crucified LVPD for their handling of events that led to this moment, but they had left the Wolfe family and Captain Curtis undisturbed.

"It's all right, Ryan," Captain Curtis spoke softly. "You have to stop blaming yourself."

Ryan sighed heavily, "There wasn't any reason for Sofia and John to be taken too and John being another hostage was awful," he spoke softly. "I should have just let McKeen kill me."

"No, Ryan, don't say or think that," Captain Curtis spoke softly. "You aren't to blame."

The door to the morgue suddenly opened and Ecklie came in with an anxious looking Sheriff Atwater, "What are you two doing here?" Ryan asked coldly, glaring daggers at them.

"The press heard about you taking Sofia off of life support and they want information on how she died," Atwater spoke in a formal voice. "I'm still sheriff until January and I promised…"

Ryan scoffed, "Get out," he hissed coldly. "How dare you use my wife as a tool for the media…"

Sheriff Atwater's eyes widened, "Come on, Wolfe, you know this isn't easy for any of us, but you knew this was going to happen," he replied calmly. "This is a serious investigation…"

Cursing, Ryan grabbed his crutches and got to his feet, "Atwater, you and the LVPD were supposed to protect me and my family when I was leading the search for Horatio Caine!" he shouted, tears escaping his eyes as his anxiety rose. "You promised, but you're a liar!"

Ecklie's eyes went wide at Ryan's anger, "Sheriff, step out," he spoke in an anxious voice.

Sheriff Atwater's eyes widened, "Conrad…" he hissed in an upset voice.

"I can handle things," Ecklie spoke nervously. "You can go back to whatever…."

Scowling, Sheriff Atwater left, "You know I have to be here, Ryan, even though this is a difficult situation," Ecklie spoke apologetically. "Grissom took off to New York for lab business."

Ryan slowly sat back down, not saying another word because yelling and getting up so quickly had hurt him more than he expected, "Stokes, Sidle, Sanders, and Willows wanted to be here, but I told them no," Ecklie spoke in a quiet voice. "This doesn't need to be a big production."

"Thank you, Conrad," Captain Curtis spoke quietly. "At least someone is respectful about this."

New York

The park was quiet and cold, but Horatio found himself simply relieved that Grissom had chosen a secluded part of Central Park in which to meet. After breakfast, Stella had made him a key to the apartment and had gone to visit Emily, promising that they would meet for lunch later.

Grissom was sitting at one of the tables normally used for playing chess and he had an envelope on the table in front of him, "I thought the hearing was postponed?" Horatio asked softly as he approached and took a seat at the table. "Did you bring Sara and your children with you?"

"Sara couldn't get time off and I barely got any time to come here," Grissom replied in a tired voice. "The trials aren't until May because New York pushed for it to be after John's graduation."

Horatio nodded, as he had personally petitioned for both that and a Miami department rank and award to be bestowed upon John for his bravery, "I'm here for a different reason," Grissom spoke in a somber voice as he offered Horatio the envelope. "This is for you…from Sofia."

Frowning, Horatio took the envelope, "Sofia was disconnected from life support yesterday and died shortly thereafter," Grissom explained. "She asked me to personally deliver that to you and I had been trying to find time to go to Miami when I heard you would be in New York."

Horatio eyed the envelope and nodded, his expression somber, "Have you told John Boscorelli about Sofia's death yet?" he asked softly. "He spent a lot of her dying moments with her."

Grissom sighed, "I haven't, but I need to," he replied softly. "He's not going to like it."

"I've been meaning to see how John's doing since our last encounter, so I can accompany you," Horatio spoke in a calm voice as he tucked the envelope in his jacket. "Thank you for this."

Nodding, Grissom got up, "Did you want to share a cab to the Boscorelli's?" he asked.

Horatio nodded and the two journeyed to the Boscorelli's apartment in a cab with neither of them speaking, as the loss of Sofia was hard on both of them and neither knew what to say.

Grissom silently led Horatio up to the apartment and knocked. The door opened almost immediately, revealing Bosco, "Uh, hi," Bosco said in a suspicious voice. "What's up?"

"Sergeant Boscorelli, is John around?" Grissom asked softly. "Lieutenant Caine and I need to talk to him about something important."

Bosco frowned, "I thought the hearing wasn't until May," he replied groggily. "John and Caira walked David, Ellie, and Ray Junior to school since Danielle had to work and they're not back yet. I've got the day off and I'm here with Mikey and Emily. Sully, Yelina, and Nicky are out."

Horatio nodded, "I'm relieved he's all right," he replied quietly. "I'm sorry to bother you."

"They shouldn't be long; come in and wait," Bosco offered. "It's kinda yucky outside."

Horatio and Grissom came inside and saw that Michael and Emily were sitting on the couch, their eyes glued to what sounded like a Christmas cartoon. A pot of hot chocolate sat on the stove along with pans of eggs and bacon. The decorated tree was in the corner, blocking a small under construction area and presents sat under the tree on top of a handmade tree skirt.

"Sorry for the mess, but Sully and Yelina have some sort of project going on that won't be ready til Christmas," Bosco spoke in a tired voice. "Do you want anything while you wait?"

Grissom watched as Emily made hand motions while watching the TV and Bosco took notice, "We've been reading her ASL books and tapes," Bosco commented quietly. "She can't hear well, but she knows a bit about communicating with her hands. We're looking into speech therapists."

Horatio nodded, but before he could reply, the front door opened and John and Caira came in, both of them clad in winter gear, "Lieutenant Caine, Doctor Grissom," John spoke, suddenly feeling uneasy and disarmed by their presence. "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

"Sofia was taken off life support yesterday and declared dead," Grissom spoke quietly.

John and Caira exchanged a look and Caira sighed heavily before starting to cry, prompting John to silently hold her in a hug. His expression was forlorn, but he didn't say anything.

"How are Officer Wolfe and Carlos holding up?" John finally asked. "They must be hurting."

Grissom nodded, "I haven't spoken to Ryan much," he admitted. "He doesn't trust LVPD."

"I honestly can't blame him," John replied softly. "I should send him an email."

Grissom sighed, "Caira, I also brought a letter from your brother," he spoke softly, getting an envelope out of his jacket pocket. "If you want to communicate with him, send the letter to either me or DB and we'll make sure he gets it. McKeen could intercept anything addressed to Colin."

Caira nodded and took the envelope as John released her, "Thank you," she replied softly. "Sergeant, do you mind if I sit in Ellie's room to read this? I need to be alone for this."

Bosco nodded and Caira silently kissed John before disappearing into Ellie's room, "The hearing's still in May and I'll be in touch with details," Grissom spoke in an anxious voice as he checked his watch. "Unfortunately, I wasn't given much time and I have to get a flight…"

"Thank you for telling us about Sofia, Doctor Grissom," John replied in a quiet voice.

Grissom nodded and quietly excused himself, "Lieutenant Caine, would you like some coffee?" John asked in a concerned voice, noticing that Horatio looked uneasy. "You look tired."

Horatio exhaled quietly, "I actually haven't drank coffee since the spring and I was actually going to go visit my nephew's family," he replied. "They're here because Rick is here."

"I saw that on the news," John spoke softly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Horatio looked uncertain, "I'm not completely sure of the situation yet myself," he admitted softly. "If there is, I will let you know, all right? In the meantime, enjoy your holiday."

As Horatio left the apartment, he handed John his card and whispered, "Just in case."

"John, you seem very quiet," Sully heard a concerned voice say as he looked at toys in a department store that he could buy for his grandkids, stepson, and son. "Are you okay?"

Sully sighed as Yelina came up next to him with Nicolas in the stroller, "I've been visiting Rick Stetler since he was put in the hospital," he spoke quietly. "I know you and him have a history."

Yelina paused, but didn't look upset, "Ty and Bosco were initially assigned to watch him, but Bosco called me cause I trained Rick," Sully went on anxiously. "I brought him out of his shell."

"Shell?" Yelina asked softly, suddenly looking concerned. "What do you mean by that?"

Sully sighed and picked out some dolls for Ellie and Emily, "Rick didn't have a good past, so Bobby and Amanda got him to New York and I trained him," he explained. "He's not well right now and the talk is that he killed someone in Miami after being tortured and raped."

Yelina's eyes widened, but she said nothing, "He can't remember anything, though, and so it's a very sticky situation," Sully spoke quietly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

Compassion filled Yelina's eyes, "You're a good person," she replied in a quiet voice.

Sully sighed as Yelina looked at the dolls, "Ellie and Emily will like those," she said in a kind voice. "Why don't we go visit Rick when we're done here? He could use friends right now."

"It'll give Bobby a break," Sully replied. "He's sitting there now, but I bet he's getting tired."

Yelina looked concerned, "We should do some shopping for them too," she replied softly.

Footsteps filled the hallway, but Robert ignored them as he sat in a chair next to Rick's bed, catching a few winks while Rick rested. Rick had woken briefly when approached with breakfast, but he had went back to sleep right after it was done. He still wasn't feeling well in any way, shape, or form and his blood sugar was such that a nurse had taken blood for extra testing.

"Don't tell me you're in need of morning naps along with the afternoon ones now," Robert suddenly heard an amused voice say. "You're becoming an old man far too quickly."

Robert opened his eyes and saw Flack lingering at the door, "Hey there, Donnie, don't you have work?" he asked in a tired voice. "I texted Natalia and I haven't heard back…"

"Natalia asked me to come by since I'm on my lunch," Flack replied. "She's worried about you."

Robert sighed, but didn't argue, "Rick's doing a little worse today and a nurse came and took blood for tests," he spoke quietly. "They said something about his blood sugar."

Flack frowned, "Let's step outside for a breather," he replied softly. "You need it."

Robert sighed as he stood up, "Be right back, Rick," he whispered softly. "Keep resting."

Silence filled the air as Robert got his coat and followed Flack from the room, nodding at Ty, who was guarding the door, as they left. It didn't take long for them to get outside and they sat on a bench that was unusually dry. Flack gave Robert a long once-over and sighed.

"I quit the Crime Lab because the deputy and her boyfriend treated me like I was nothing," Robert found himself saying in a pained voice. "I start with Homicide in January and I took some paid leave for counseling. They blame me for what happened to my uncle, Donnie."

Flack sighed, "Politics can be a rough thing, but don't let it destroy who you are," he replied.

Robert nodded and began looking around at the snow when he suddenly spotted a familiar face getting off a bus just down the block, "Fred Yokas?" he spoke in a quiet voice. "Donnie…"

Flack frowned as he too noticed Fred, "Isn't he supposed to be dead?" he asked softly.

As Fred moved forward, he suddenly froze as he noticed Robert and Flack staring at him, "You!" Robert snapped, all traces of exhaustion gone from his face as he stormed over to Fred.

Fred sighed, "How are you still alive?!" Robert snapped. "After you killed Amanda and Maggie?!"

Fred's eyes narrowed, "I didn't do that," he hissed coldly. "You wanna fight me in the street?"

"Bobby, chill," Flack spoke up worriedly as he glared at Fred. "How are you still alive?!"

Robert glared at Fred, but didn't speak, "Sackheim made me investigate the gang your father was in since the name LaRusso came up when I was housing Maggie and Amanda," Fred hissed coldly. "Amanda was collateral damage and she got in the way of the investigation…"

"And my daughter?!" Robert hissed coldly. "She was six years old and you killed her!"

Fred suddenly looked uneasy, "I didn't do that," he replied anxiously. "Look, we can't talk anymore here cause who knows if Sackheim sent other people to watch me. Come over…"

"I'd like to involve Mac Taylor and Jo Danville," Flack commented. "Jo's former FBI."

Fred sighed as he reached into his wallet and fished out a card, "You can contact me here when you're ready," he replied, handing the card to Bobby. "Caroline and Charlie will understand."

Robert said nothing as Fred turned and made a beeline down a nearby alley, "I…I don't know what to say or think," he finally said in a shaking voice. "Donnie, did that just happen?"

Flack frowned, "Yeah, it did," he replied softly. "Bobby, let's go sit down before you fall."

Robert sighed, but allowed Flack to lead him back to the bench and sit him down, "I saw him die," he spoke in a quiet, shaking voice. "I didn't even go to the funeral cause I had a panic attack and ended up in the emergency room. I never saw the bodies or the burial, but…"

"Do you want to check the headstones?" Flack asked, catching on to what his friend was thinking. "I haven't been there in a while cause of work, but I think they're safe."

Robert closed his eyes and exhaled softly, "Nothing's as it seems anymore," he whispered.

Before Flack could reply, a Suburban pulled up to the curb and parked. A moment later, Sully got out and quickly got Nicolas out of the car while Yelina got out on her own.

"Bobby?" Yelina spoke softly, suddenly noticing her nephew. "You don't look well."

Robert swallowed hard, "You wouldn't be well either if you found out that the man who killed your daughter is alive," he replied in a shaking voice. "Sackheim made him fake his death to investigate my father and his cronies. Donnie and I are going to check the headstones…"

Sully's eyes widened in shock and Yelina looked horrified, "I…I need someone to sit with Rick," Robert spoke in a trembling voice. "If Fred is alive, who knows what else might be…"

Exhaling anxiously, Robert stood up, "I need to get this done," he spoke in a shaking voice.

As Flack and Robert walked off, Sully gave Yelina a look and they went into the hospital.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Emily was back in her temporary office at the Crime Lab, but she wasn't the only counselor on duty that day. Ecklie had forced Atwater to hire on an additional counselor, Patricia Alwick, to come and be available when Emily wasn't. Everyone now knew about Sofia being officially declared dead and most of the law enforcement throughout the city had scrambled to make appointments with either counselor, as they were shaken by the loss of their colleague.

During a quiet moment, Emily found herself thinking about how fortunate she was to be alive and about how Tim was watching James, Julliet, and Jesse at the hotel so she could work. Tommy and Diana were also at the hotel watching Emilio, Jessica, and Matthew so that Jenny and Jason could help Captain Curtis clean Ryan and Sofia's house and prepare a funeral.

Ryan was doing better physically, but had chosen to simply take it easy and spend time with Carlos while helping with funeral planning as he was able to. He had stayed for the autopsy and then left again, wanting to rest with Carlos.

"Doctor Speedle?"

Emily looked up from her laptop and saw that Sara was there, looking both concerned and anxious, "Sara, how are you?" she asked kindly. "If you're wanting to talk…"

Sara sighed, "I'm actually doing very well because I spend a lot of my time with Gregory and Danielle, but I came in to drop paperwork off for Grissom," she replied calmly. "How are you?"

"I wonder if I'm in need of a counselor myself, to be honest," Emily admitted softly, her expression concerned. "The way Sofia died was tragic and Ryan's not doing so well either."

Sara nodded and sat on the couch, "I want more than anything to get Ryan out of this city, but I'm scared he won't want to or that Captain Curtis won't want her grandson so far away," Emily spoke in a worried voice. "We haven't talked about after the holidays, but we need to."

Before Sara could reply, the door opened and Hodges poked his head in, "Uh, Doctor Speedle, your brother's here again," he spoke in a concerned voice. "Looks like he took a taxi."

Emily frowned, but followed Hodges out to the front, shocked when she saw Ryan sitting in the waiting area wearing sweats and a hoodie, his crutches sitting beside him. He looked like he'd been crying, but he was clean and his hair was washed. He looked up at Emily silently.

"Um, I heard the lab was offering free counseling and I know you can't do it cause of the conflict of interest, but would you be mad if I talked to the other one?" Ryan asked in a quiet voice.

Emily smiled as she sat down next to him, "No," she replied softly. "What happened to you was truly tragic and you will feel better if you want to talk about it to whoever you want to."

Ryan nodded and sighed, "The nightmares aren't as frequent because of the sleeping pills, but I just feel like I need to talk about it," he spoke softly. "Maybe the drugs are causing some of…"

Swallowing hard, Ryan lifted his trembling hand and Emily gently began massaging it, "It takes time," she spoke softly. "Sara, since I know you followed, can you see if Dr. Alwick's free?"

Sara, who had followed Emily, nodded and went in search of the visiting counselor, "There's so many people around to keep an eye on Carlos that I thought it might be nice to see if I could actually face a counselor," Ryan spoke softly. "It helps that Grissom went off to New York."

Emily nodded as footsteps approached, "Officer Wolfe?" a kind voice asked softly.

Ryan looked up and saw a smiling woman lingering there, "I'm Patricia Alwick," the woman spoke in a kind voice. "Sara said that you want to talk to me? I have time now…"

Nodding, Ryan slowly got up and followed Patricia off down the hallway, leaving Sara and Emily alone, "You're right," Sara spoke softly, gazing at Emily. "Ryan doesn't look well."

Plaza Hotel - Manhattan, New York

It had been Mac's advice, after Flack had notified him about Fred Yokas, that Flack and Robert go to the Plaza Hotel and wait for information while he personally investigated the cemetery.

Now, as Robert and Flack entered the suite, they could see Natalia watching TV in the main room while quiet filled the air, "Hey," Natalia spoke warmly, spotting them.

Robert sighed tiredly and Natalia frowned, "Have you been crying?" she asked in a concerned voice as she got up and hurried over to him. "What happened? Is Rick worse?"

"Fred Yokas, the guy who killed Maggie, is alive," Robert spoke softly. "Donnie and I had stepped out of the hospital for a breather and we saw him. Sackheim used him as an informant."

Natalia's eyes widened in shock and she immediately embraced Robert, "Horatio's downstairs having a snack with Stella, but I can call him to come up," she spoke softly. "He came, but you weren't here, so he went downstairs. I can't imagine how hard this is for you…"

"It's making me wonder things," Robert replied. "I asked someone to check Maggie's grave."

Natalia gasped and held Robert tighter, "I don't know what any of this means, so I want to keep it from BJ and Adam for now," he spoke softly. "Where are they, anyway?"

"Taking a nap," Natalia spoke gently. "We went swimming after breakfast."

Flack sighed, "Bobby could use a nap, I bet," he commented quietly. "Mac and Jo will tell me what they find at the cemetery and I'll call you. Just get some rest in the meantime."

"Donnie, I'm sorry I'm such a flake, but I didn't expect to see that," Robert spoke softly.

Flack nodded, "Neither did I," he admitted quietly. "Are you gonna go visit Fred?"

"I might," Robert replied softly. "Why would he want me to contact him, though?"

Natalia looked concerned, but didn't get a chance to say anything because the door opened and Horatio came in, "Hi," Horatio spoke softly, immediately frowning when he saw that something was clearly up.

Robert sighed anxiously, "I need a walk or a swim or something," he spoke in a shaking voice. "I'm too anxious to sleep and I can't just sit here and wait for news on the headstones."

"Bobby, what happened?" Horatio asked quietly, his face filled with concern.

Robert swallowed hard, "Donnie and I saw and talked to Fred Yokas today," he squeaked.

Horatio looked taken aback, "The man who murdered your daughter," he spoke softly.

Robert nodded, but didn't say anything, "Detective Taylor and Detective Danville of the Crime Lab went to check the cemetery where Maggie and Amanda are buried just in case there's more to Fred's story than he's shared," Flack spoke quietly. "Mac told us to come back here."

Natalia led Robert over to the couch and turned the TV off as they sat down, "Detective Flack, I'd like you to call me personally or have Detective Taylor call when you hear something and I will tell Bobby myself," Horatio spoke firmly. "We've just checked into this hotel and Stella is currently in our room having a nap and unwinding, so I'll be nearby and I don't want my nephew getting any more anxious than he already is…"

Flack nodded and quietly left, "I thought you were staying with Stella?" Natalia asked softly.

"Stella attempted to find Emily Yokas today and she couldn't locate her, so she became very anxious," Horatio spoke quietly. "Stella is still recovering from the attack and became worried about the possibility of a second attack, so I offered to check us in here and she accepted."

Robert exhaled anxiously, "Bobby, go and rest," Horatio spoke firmly. "This whole thing is triggering memories and I don't want you to have a full-blown panic attack, all right?"

Swallowing hard, Robert shakily got to his feet and retreated to the bedroom he and Natalia were sharing, "Natalia, I trust you know about Bobby's past," Horatio spoke quietly. "Do you?"

Natalia nodded, "Just be there for him," Horatio spoke softly. "All right?"

"Always," Natalia spoke in a quiet voice. "You'll wake us if the Crime Lab calls, right?"

Horatio nodded and remained silently on guard as Natalia went to be with Robert. He settled himself on the couch in the main area near the phone and let out a quiet sigh before reaching into his jacket and pulling out Sofia's letter; he was curious as to what she had to say to him.

Manhattan Cemetery

"What a quiet place," Jo commented in a soft voice as she and Mac got out of Mac's vehicle in front of the cemetery where Amanda and Maggie were buried. "It seems off the beaten path."

Mac nodded, "Detective Caine chose a spot where he knew that his family would be safe from the chaos that killed them," he explained quietly. "Flack's supposed to come check the site once a week, but things have been busy lately and he hasn't had time. It's not very far inside."

Jo grabbed her kit and followed Mac into the cemetery, frowning when she immediately noticed that the snow on the path ahead was disturbed, "Mac, footprints," she spoke quietly. "They're too small to be an adult's, but I don't know if a kid was just visiting here or if they were…"

Mac suddenly froze as he saw that a grave had been dug up, "Jo, look," he whispered softly.

Jo and Mac carefully made their way over to the site and saw that the tombstone was laying flat on the ground while the hole had been emptied, "The stone says Margaret Amanda LaRusso-Caine," Mac spoke in a concerned voice. "The casket's not here. It's a stolen body."

"Why would anyone want to steal a dead child?" Jo asked crossly. "That's barbaric."

Mac sighed, got out his flashlight, and shone it into the grave, "It looks like the casket was dug out recently, but before the snow," he spoke softly. "Why would anyone want it?"

Jo walked over to the grave beside it, "Amanda Stetler-LaRusso," she read off the stone. "This grave looks undisturbed and dusty. Whoever did it just wanted the body of the little girl."

"Flack said that Fred Yokas invited Detective Caine to come see him and I want in on it, but I don't think Fred will be responsive if NYPD show up at his door," Mac spoke in a thoughtful voice. "You and I might have to go with Lieutenant and Detective Caine without a fuss."

Jo nodded, "I hope whatever this is, Detective Caine can have some closure," she replied softly. "I was part of the FBI when his girl went missing and I heard that the case broke his heart."

"We'll do what we can to bring closure to everyone," Mac replied in a somber voice.

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