A/N: Back again. As long as the muse and RL cooperate. Large portions of this chapter are taken from ep 5.14 "No Man's Land" (D, this is actually the first part of the arc you mention. Good call though. Bravo.) SBLuver, Quiz and TenFour (my ever faithful friend...you are tenacious!) - ratcheting up the angst dial. Hold on tight.
click type click and make me smile. Thanks!
The gaping hole in the side of the building was visible from where the cab was forced to stop. Annabel stared. Focusing on the smoke rising from the devastated courtroom, she absently paid the cab driver.
"You sure you wanna be here?" he asked doubtfully.
"Very sure. Thanks." Annabel started walking toward the crime tape. An officer stepped forward to stop her. Annabel flashed her badge and the officer nodded, holding up the tape.
"Crime Team just arrived. Bomb Squad. Completely took out a courtroom. Got a bunch of guys who made a break for it."
Annabel narrowed her eyes. After a couple of heartbeats, she asked. "Clavo Cruz?"
The officer thought for a bit, then nodded. "Yeah. He's one of the guys in the wind."
"Hell." Annabel started to run towards the courthouse. "Thanks."
"Hey, I don't think you should be heading..." The officer called after Annabel, but she ignored him, racing into the building.
Annabel gingerly picked her way through the debris. She spotted Alexx with a bandage on her forehead checking over someone in a rumpled, dust covered suit. Annabel slowly made her way toward her friend. Alexx caught sight of her and scowled slightly.
"Annabel, this ain't no place..."
"Are you okay?" Annabel interrupted.
"I'm fine. You can't just go traipsing around here."
"I heard Clavo Cruz was supposed to be in here. Horatio..."
"Wasn't here when it happened. But he's been by too. You can't do anything here, Annie. You're not even supposed to be on duty yet."
"Too bad." Annabel looked around at the wreckage. "I won't sit this one out. I'll be talking to you later, Alexx. 'Kay?" Alexx frowned, but nodded and turned back to her patient. Annabel stepped out into the hall. She called in to dispatch and put herself on duty. She took a deep breath and called Horatio's phone.
"Annabel." His voice was calm. Annabel relaxed slightly.
"Where are you?"
"At the courthouse. I suppose you heard..." His voice went tight.
"I know that," she cut Horatio off. "Where at the courthouse?" Annabel bit her lip, took a quick breath and plowed forward. "I just saw Alexx."
"You...just...saw...Alexx..." Annabel could hear Frank swear in the background. She heard Horatio sigh slightly. "Across the street. Cement truck." Her lips twitched as she heard Frank protesting. Annabel didn't answer, she just snapped her phone shut. She quickly headed down the stairs and out of the building, dodging EMTs, police and court personnel.
Annabel spotted the two men and strode quickly toward them. Horatio caught sight of her just as she reached the truck. Annabel worked hard to suppress an answering smile to the one she saw lurking just below the stern mask Horatio met her with. She sobered when she saw the scowl on Frank's face.
"Yer not cleared to be here, Annie," he hissed.
Her chin shot up into the air. "I called in and no one has called me off."
"Dammit, Annie.."
"You gonna waste time arguing with me?" Annabel raised an eyebrow. Frank growled, but backed down. She shot Horatio a sideways glance as his lips twitched again. Annabel stood taller and nodded her head toward the truck. "So what brings you guys all the way over here?" Horatio looked toward the barrel. Annabel followed his gaze and spotted the arm. She started to gingerly climb up the side to get a better look. Frank glowered at Horatio, fists balled on his hips.
"Yer jus' gonna indulge her?"
Horatio kept his eyes on Annabel as he answered. "I'm not going to risk a thunking. I'd suggest you stay back unless you want one yourself." Frank growled, but didn't try to interfere again. Annabel peered inside the barrel and grimaced. She turned to make her way back down. Horatio stepped forward to help her and lifted her down. As soon as Annabel's feet hit the ground, she stepped quickly away, chewing on her lip, thinking.
"Well, makes it a little hard to question him. Luckily, we should be able to identify him." She looked at Horatio. "I hear Cruz is in the wind." She frowned slightly. "I suppose telling you to be careful is useless."
He didn't answer, but looked pointedly at Annabel's cast. "I suppose pointing out that you are missing a doctor's appointment is useless." Annabel grinned briefly.
"I'm heading in to the station." She turned toward Frank. "I'll get you a list of Cruz's known associates." She smiled slightly again. "I can't do you guys much good out here, but I can at least beat the databases into submission with this thing." She lifted her cast. Frank looked at her doubtfully, but finally broke into a grin.
"You were always better than me at getting that infernal machine to give you information."
"Was?" Annabel tossed her head. "I'm still am better than you with the computer." Annabel looked over at Horatio. "Again, I suppose telling you to be careful would be pointless."
Horatio ducked his head, took off his sunglasses and looked at Annabel through his lashes. "Never pointless, Bella."
Annabel clucked her tongue. "Uh-huh." She started to walk away from the pair. "Let me know what you need," she called over her shoulder. Annabel left the taped off zone and caught a cab back to headquarters.
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Annabel walked into the AV room. She peered past Horatio and over Dan Cooper's shoulder at the surveillance video from the parking garage.
"Found something on our friend?" she asked.
"Maybe. Try the stairs."
The AV tech tapped a few keys and changed the view. "H, there he is. He's got someone with him." Cooper glanced slightly over his shoulder as the trio watched Cruz pushing a woman in front of him.
"He's got his ride, Mr. Cooper." They watched the car with Cruz and his hostage pull away. "227. Let's call the courthouse and find out who belongs to that space. Thank you, Mr. Cooper." Horatio strode into the hall. Annabel scurried to keep up.
"I'll get the info to Frank."
"I've got to see what else we've gotten on the shooter." stated Horatio.
Annabel glanced over. "You've got an ID then?"
"Natalia was running his DNA. Should be done by now," he confirmed.
Annabel nodded. "Give me a name and I'll cross-check his friends with Cruz'."
"Concentrate on the hostage first."
"Good as found, Horatio," said Annabel confidently. She was sounding slightly out of breath.
Horatio stopped and looked at Annabel. Worry that had nothing to do with the case etched his features. "Don't overwork yourself, Bella."
Annabel smiled brightly. "I'm fine. Really. Actually, I'm feeling..." She waved her cast slightly. "It would be better if I didn't still have this thing on, but..." She looked up at Horatio, eyes shining. "It's good...good to feel useful again." They reached the door to the DNA lab. "I'll talk to you later." Annabel hurried away. All of the excited energy swirled away behind her. A heavy mood settled over Horatio. Nothing involving Clavo Cruz was going to be good.
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"What have we got on the parking space, Frank?" Horatio as the two men walked quickly from the building to the parking lot. The sun was bright and the day quickly heating up.
"The parking place belongs to a Cathy Gibson. She was a court stenographer working Cruz's arraignment."
"Contact information?"
"Yea." Frank stopped, opened his notebook and showed Horatio. "Home phone and cell."
Horatio flipped his phone open and dialed. It rang and connected. "Cathy? Cathy, this is Horatio Caine." Instead of the stenographer, he was greeted by Cruz's taunting.
"Cathy? Cathy are you there? No. It's me, Dude. Clavo." Horatio could picture the cocky grin on his face. A strong desire to wipe the grin from the other man's face burned inside him. "I knew you'd find me. Looks like we're in play again." His staccato delivery rubbed Horatio's nerves raw.
"What do you want, Clavo?" he growled.
"What do I want? What do I want?" Clavo mocked. "Just be in front of the Golden Beach National Bank on Eleventh Street in an hour and I'll get you up to speed, Compadre. Oh, and Horatio, come alone and don't be late. Or she dies."
Horatio bent his head. "Clavo, I need you to listen to me," he spoke slowly, wanting his words to penetrate. "If you harm this woman, you will die."
Cruz snorted derisively. "You makin' threats or you gonna catch me?" He hung up. Horatio snapped his phone shut.
"We've got a deadline, Frank," he said tightly. He opened his phone and dialed quickly. "Eric? I need your help."
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"We're wasting time," rumbled Horatio as Eric carefully, but quickly attached the listening device to his boss. He checked the power supply and turned it on. Eric stepped back and Horatio redressed.
Annabel uncrossed her arms and stepped away from the wall. "Protest noted, but since we can't have back-up in sight…"
"If they check for a wire, it will endanger the hostage."
"Then let's hope they're too cocky to check. We're not going to send you off like a lamb to slaughter, Horatio," said Annabel firmly.
"I will…"
"Be wearing a wire so if things go south, we can get to you as soon as possible," finished Annabel. She reached out and fiddled with Horatio's collar, then stepped back to assess how concealed things were. "It'll just be broadcasting. Without an earpiece, we won't be able to talk to you." She picked an imaginary piece of lint from his shirt front and kept staring at the cobalt blue. "Eric will be a couple of blocks away. Frank and I, a little closer in an unmarked." She looked up, daring him to tell her no. Horatio just looked at her, mouth grim. Annabel gnawed her lip briefly. "We'd better get going. Time's flying."
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Horatio casually walked up behind Cruz, who paced a little nervously. The detective leaned on the rail of the walkway, hoping to throw the criminal off with his seeming nonchalance.
"Clavo," Horatio said slowly.
Cruz spun around and smiled nastily. "You recognize this bank, Caine? You should," he leered. "It's where you deposit your little city wage." Horatio maintained his casual pose as he scanned the area looking for some sign of where Cruz had stashed the hostage or placed accomplices.
Horatio stood up straight and glared at Cruz. "Where's the girl?"
"She's safe," Clavo smirked. "For now."
"Why don't you take me to her?" Horatio suggested calmly, still looking for some sign of Cruz's plan.
The other man shrugged. "Take it easy. First, I need you to do a little business for me." He flashed a wolfish grin. "Now, I need you to go inside that bank and withdraw one million dollars from your account."
Horatio slowly removed his sunglasses, turned them over in his hands and looked back at Cruz. "Quite a city wage."
Clavo stepped closer to Horatio. "I had it wired from overseas." Contempt dripped from every word. Horatio huffed and rolled his eyes at Clavo. "The banks in this country have no love for me thanks to you." Clavo glowered at Horatio. "So I was forced to improvise," he growled slightly.
Horatio leaned his back against the rail. "And why would I do this?"
Cruz rolled his eyes, but pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. He opened it and showed a picture of Cathy Gibson tied up in her trunk. "That's why." Horatio scanned the picture looking for signs of life or a clue to the location in the background of the picture. Cruz grinned. "She's cute, huh? Kinda like your wife. But she's tied up in the trunk of her Mercedes." Cruz shrugged. "As soon as I get my Benjamins, you get her. Oh and Caine, my people are watching. You use your phone, she's all done."
Horatio shifted his weight and leaned closer to the criminal. "Clavo, this is between you and me. Let's leave her out of it."
Clavo shook his head hard. "You...took...everything..from...me. Now, it's time for you to give something back. Be glad I'm just needing a little delivery work. The girl. She's just insurance."
"You can't pull this off, Clavo," Horatio assured him.
Clavo just clucked his tongue. "Giddy up, Cowboy." He nodded his head toward the bank and walked away. Horatio put his sunglasses back on and walked toward the doors. "Hey, Caine. Get me a Mojito while you're in there," Clavo mocked.
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Horatio carried the large, orange money bag out to the curb. He waited, not quite sure what the next move was going to be. Horatio saw no sign of Clavo. He slid his cellphone out of his pocket and fingered it as if he was contemplating using it, but instead put it away. He scanned the area around the bank.
"Eric, be ready to move. Frank, Bella. Stay put. For now." His voice was tight as he tried to keep his lips as still as possible. He dropped the bag to the ground. A black SUV pulled up in front of him. The window opened to show Cruz sitting in the passenger's seat. Horatio slid his sunglasses off.
Clavo jerked his head toward the bag. "How's it feel to be a millionaire, Detective? Kinda puts a spring in your step." He turned slightly. "Get the bag," he ordered a henchman in the backseat.
"Where's the girl?" demanded Horatio.
Clavo huffed. "I already told you," he replied slowly, eyes scanning the area. "She's in the trunk of her Mercedes waiting for you, Hero. Right over in that garage." Clavo pointed across the street. Horatio followed his indication. Clavo started to roll up his window. "Oh and Lieutenant Caine? She's only got five minutes of air left." He gave one last grin as the window closed and the SUV pulled away. Horatio started to sprint toward the garage.
"Eric, the garage. Eleventh and Colby. We're on the clock." Horatio let the wire pick up his instructions. "Annabel. I want you two to follow Cruz. Carefully." Without an earpiece he couldn't hear Annabel's protests, but he anticipated them. "We don't want to lose him. Eric and I will find Ms. Gibson. I need you to do this, Bella. And I need you to be careful." He jogged up the stairs.
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Horatio made it to the roof before Eric caught up to him. "She's not here." He stepped up on to the outside rail of the Hummer. "Let's go." Eric pulled forward and over to the other side of the garage. He stopped the truck. Eric grabbed a lock punch and the two men started searching on foot. They spotted a lemon colored Mercedes and carefully approached it.
"Call for back-up?" inquired Horatio.
"Yeah. And an ambulance." Eric answered. "I hope she's still alive."
Horatio drew his gun as Eric punched out the lock. He popped the trunk. It was empty. They both released quick frustrated breaths. The two men spun, taking in all the parked cars.
"This could take hours, H."
Horatio spotted a silver Mercedes across the aisle and down about half way. "Eric... Not necessarily." Eric turned and spotted the same car. They rushed forward.
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Annabel had forgotten the listening device was still live when the first shot cracked sharply in her ear. She cranked the volume. More gunfire. Her breath caught and she felt lightheaded. Several more shots rang out.
"Frank, turn around. Head back to the garage."
"We'll lose Cruz."
"Someone's shooting at Horatio and Eric. Go back NOW!" She started to reach for the steering wheel.
Frank swore. "Are you tryin' to get us killed? I'm going." He whipped the car around and sped back in the direction they came.
Annabel grabbed the radio. "Shots fired. Eleventh and Colby. Officers in distress," she reported. The crackle of gunfire kept coming over the feed from Horatio's wire. She could hear him calling out to Eric and Delko's muffled replies. She ground her teeth together and willed the car to go faster.
They were still a couple of blocks away when she heard the pained cry from Eric. Annabel's heart squeezed painfully as she listened to Horatio getting Eric's attention and the two men taking cover again. She relaxed slightly as the sounds of sirens drew closer to them. Hang on, help is almost there.
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"Eric?" Horatio asked several questions in that one word. He watched reflection of the gunman that had them pinned down in the car door just inches from his friend. The man grew over confident and exposed himself. Horatio watched his movements as he tried to get into position to hit them again.
"I'm gonna be fine," Eric answered through gritted teeth. He pressed hard on the wound in his thigh. Horatio glanced at him and then back at the reflection of their opponent. He changed clips in his gun. Turned and fired once. The bullet found its target. The gunman jerked and fell from his perch.
Before Horatio could turn to check Eric's condition, another shot rang out and Eric slumped over. Horatio spun and fired in the direction that shot came from. Scattered shots and squealing tires answered his fire. Horatio turned back to Eric. He was sprawled on the ground, blood pooling behind his head. Sirens screamed down below. Horatio stood there in frozen horror.
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