Chapter 3: Past Rivalries

Tuesday, May 8th, 8:38 AM, The Hospital

Ryan Carter stood outside of Mac Taylor's room. The nurse had just gone in for a routine check-up, and had told him to wait outside. The door opened a few moments later and the nurse held the door open for him. He nodded his thanks and stepped inside. Ryan walked over and stood by Mac's bed, watching him.

"You just gonna stand there or say something?" Mac asked, not opening his eyes.

"Depends on if you want me to, Mac." Mac's eyes flew open at the sound of his voice and he tilted his head towards Ryan.

"Ryan."

"Good to see you too, Mac."

"Somehow I knew the DA was just waiting to bring you in."

"Well here I am."

"If it wasn't for my condition I'd have you on the ground right now."

"Now now, that's not the kind of talk that's good for your blood pressure," Ryan said jokingly.

"Carter, that's not what worries me. What worries me is that no one at CSI will know that you're probably up to something. As usual."

"What do you mean?" He asked innocently.

"Don't act innocent with me, Carter. I know you've got a scheme you're just begging to put into motion."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"We'll see."

"I'm glad you're not dead, Mac."

"What?"

"Otherwise, nothing would be fun anymore." He said happily before leaving. Mac sighed and closed his eyes. Just another rousing conversation with Ryan Carter.

--9:02 AM, CSI Lab--

Lindsay stood talking to Stella, thoroughly frustrated. "What do you mean you don't believe me?" Lindsay said.

"I just don't think that Detective Carter would be up to something."

"Why?"

"Because the DA picked him. You think the DA would pick someone who was going to pull something on CSI?"

"Maybe Ryan tipped him off."

"Maybe, but still, it's too unlikely to be considered." Stella turned and headed off, no doubt annoyed. Lindsay sighed and headed over to where Danny was.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I talked to Stella."

"Oh, right. I said I would do that, didn't I?"

"Yeah. Oh well, she doesn't think Ryan is up to something."

"What?"

"Exactly. She thinks that the DA trusts this guy."

"Have you asked Mac about it?"

"Uh, no."

"I'll ask him. And don't worry, I won't forget. Even if I have to superglue a Post-It to my forehead." Lindsay laughed a little.

"Well, alright. I'll see you later. Who knows, we might actually get something done today." Danny smiled and nodded.

"See you later, Montana." Lindsay turned and headed towards the morgue.

--9:26 PM, Clinton Street, NYC--

Stella pressed the accelerator on her car a little bit more, moving forward on the crowded road slowly. She sighed. Traffic. Suddenly a kid in a gray hoodie jogged by, looking like he was on a mission. She frowned and pulled her car over, parking it and getting out. She started walking after the kid, making sure to keep him in sight, but not look like she was following him. He kept jogging, and turned a corner.

She turned the corner in time to see the kid disappear into an alleyway. She frowned and entered the alley. She took a few cautious steps down the alley, keeping on her guard. She let her hand fall into her purse and clutch a Mace can tightly. The kid sprang out from behind a garbage can, gun raised and ready. He pointed it at her and said, "Don't move!" She froze and looked him in the eye.

"Why are you following me?" He asked.

She shrugged and remained silent.

"Answer me!" He said, jerking the gun slightly.

"You're the kid on the news."

"Yeah, and you're Detective Stella Bonasera."

"How do you know that?"

"They show you on the news occasionally."

"Ok."

"Are you going to turn me in?"

"How would I do that? Tell them I ran into you in an alleyway? I'm sure you've got a house."

"No."

"No?"

"I live in a...Why should I tell you? You'll just bust me and my friends."

"What if I promised not to?"

"How could I trust you?"

"You'd have to take my word for it."

"Well, alright. Me and my friends, we live in an old apartment building. No one's lived in it for a while."

"So how do you survive?"

"We steal."

"Did you steal the gun?"

"Yes, before I ran away from my father."

"Why did you run away?"

"Why would you run away from your dad? He was beating me, and a drunk. And a crack addict. And he always blew money in stripper joints."

"Sounds tough."

"Tough doesn't even begin to describe it. Can you imagine going to high school and having to work a night job?"

"Yes."

"No, you can't. Trust me. You probably can't even come close, detective."

"Alright. Where were you headed?"

"Home."

"To your father?"

"To my friends."

"Oh. I'm sorry I kept you." He shrugged, pocketed the gun, and hurried past her. She watched him go silently.

--12:42 PM, The Hospital, Mac's Room--

Danny sat next to Mac's bed. Mac was sleeping quietly, his breathing slow and rhythmic. Finally his breathing sped up and he opened his eyes slowly.

"Danny?"

"Yeah, Mac. I'm here."

"Good to have you here."

"I try."

"Glad to hear it."

"Uh, Mac?"

"What?"

"I've been meaning to ask you about this new guy the DA picked..."

"Ryan?"

"Yeah, how'd you know him?"

"We've been rivals for...forever, it seems."

"Rivals?"

"Yeah."

"But, me and Lindsay have been thinking, and we think he's up to something."

"He always is."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He's been trying to get my spot for a long time." Danny frowned and leaned back in his chair.

--1:21 PM, CSI Lab--

Lindsay watched Stella come in, looking slightly distracted. Lindsay sighed and followed Stella, "Hey, Stella?" Stella turned and looked at Lindsay.

"Yeah, kiddo?"

"Last night, I got a package."

"Okay...?"

"It was a box of cookies."

"How sweet, I guess Mac has a crush on you now," Stella said jokingly.

"The only problem is, I don't know who they're from. And I've already ruled out Danny and Mac. I've seen their handwriting."

"Maybe someone else then?"

"But who?"

"I don't know. You want an officer or two to stick around your apartment building? We can arrange for that."

"No, no. It's okay."

"Hey guys, what's up?" Ryan said, walking up.

"Ah, Detective Carter, I was just going to find you." Stella said.

"Really? Well, what's up?"

"Yeah, the DNA from the baseball bat we retrieved from the vic's house matched the vic. I sent the prints I lifted from it to Danny for analysis. I'm hoping we nail this guy fast. He seems to me to be the type to attack again."

"Or her." Ryan said.

"Or her." Stella agreed. Lindsay nodded to both of them and headed down the hall. Ryan nodded and headed off himself somewhere else.

Stella sighed and went down the third branch of the hallway.