Eye on Crime - Chapter 2
By Celtic Lady
The Miami sun was bright overhead as several police cars, with sirens blaring, were in hot pursuit of Frank's stolen car followed by Eric, Ryan and the entire camera crew packed in a Hummer. The second film crew was filming everything as the thieves lead them on a high speed chase through street after street in an attempt to loose them.
Dan Cooper was on the radio with Eric directing him to the car using the GPS (Global Positioning System). He was able to stay on the vehicle through every turn but before the lead police car could use the Road Patriot (electronic vehicle disabling device) to disable the car, the driver lost control and landed in the canal. Three teenagers immediately bailed out and fled the scene on foot in different directions with several patrolmen giving chase behind them. The camera crew was catching everything on tape as the action happened and seemed quite satisfied with the excitement.
When Frank Tripp arrived and discovered his new car was under water, he couldn't contain himself anymore and let rip several hard core curse words which Troy Maxwell was more than happy to record.
An hour later, Eric had hooked the car up to a tow truck and motioned for them to start pulling it out of the water. It was a slow process but all Frank could do was wait. As the top of the car broke through the water, everyone discovered that another surprise was in store for them. Hanging half in the slightly opened passenger window was a large alligator and he appeared to be stuck.
Eric scratched his head then finally walked over and opened the driver's door to let the water run out along with a full box of soaked donuts – no doubt the reason for the alligator's interest in the car. The gator thrashed wildly upon seeing Eric causing him to jump back startled.
The camera crew were elated that they were finally catching some good action and zoomed in on the gator like it was the story of the century. Ultimately the alligator wiggled free and climbed out of the car to make a mad dash for the canal. After things settled down, the crew began to take inventory of their damaged equipment as each piece was laid out on the ground. Meanwhile, Malinda Armstrong approached Eric. She flirtatiously smiled as she asked him, "weren't you scared going into alligator infested waters to retrieve the car?"
Eric smiled as he tried to play down the danger. "It's my job. Besides, I had Ryan Wolfe to cover my back." He gestured over to Ryan.
"Can you tell us what is going to happen to the teenagers and how often this happens?" She had the camera aimed to film his response.
Eric smiled, "the youths will be taken to booking where they will be fingerprinted and photographed. Then they will be able to call their parents." Looking at Frank's car, Eric continued, "as to the car, about all we can do is let the insurance take care of it. The good news is that no one got hurt."
--OO--
After having to listen to the moans and groans of the camera crew, Eric had put in a phone call to Cooper to see if the lab had any spare video cameras he could lend to "Eye on Crime." Cooper didn't have any but knew of someone who might. He made a quick call to Jade Reno who worked the night shift in the AV lab - cameras and surveillance were her specialty. After several apologies for waking her up in the middle of the day, he had what they needed.
Jade arrived about an hour later in torn, faded jeans and a faded red T-shirt with sage green paint spots on it. She had her usual pair of sunglasses propped up on the top of her sandy blonde head but her disposition was far from normal. She spoke very little and it was obvious she wasn't a day person by her lack of enthusiasm.
"Okay Cooper, here are the cameras you wanted." She sat them down on the table. "You owe me for this!" She covered her mouth as she gave a big yawn and was about to leave when Eric and the camera crew came walking down the hallway all talking at once and all excited over the recovered film.
"I can't believe the car thieves were so stupid to film themselves with our cameras. Talk about a great break for us." Troy beamed. "I sure hope you found us some decent cameras." He looked over at Eric as he spoke.
As Eric looked through the glass at Jade and Dan in the AV lab, he quickly responded, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I found you some replacement cameras . . . on loan."
"What is the bad news?" inquired Troy.
"The film of the teenagers joy riding is evidence and I need the tape." He held out his hand for the tape.
"No way!" Troy was beside himself. "Having that tape of the teenagers view is critical. This will be the best episode yet!"
While Eric and Troy were bickering back and forth, Dan and Jade were watching the whole thing from inside the room. "Looks like the kids filmed themselves with the stolen cameras," offered Jade. Still tired, she pulled up a seat next to Dan and sat down.
"How do you know that?" Dan was puzzled. He couldn't hear a thing inside the AV room.
Jade leaned over towards him and whispered, "I can read lips . . . but don't tell anyone." She smiled before continuing, "I get the best gossip this way."
"Cool! What else are they saying?" Dan leaned in as he curiously inquired.
Jade looked at each person before continuing, "the blonde guy, on the phone, is gay and is talking 'sweet nothings' with his boyfriend." She then looked at the girl who was also on the phone. "The girl must be talking to one of her girlfriends." Jade paused and watched her for a few minutes then chuckled, "she thinks Delko is 'Oh so hot!' and is telling her friend about him." She made a finger in the throat gesture and simulated gagging.
Dan laughed, "what, you don't think he's hot?"
"Do you?" She asked mockingly.
She continued, "I find him more annoying than hot. He just gets on my nerves."
"Wow." Dan was surprised to hear this. "Every other girl I know would kill for a date with him."
Jade retorted, "Well not me."
Dan laughed, "hey, if you read any lips of any girls hot for me, let me know okay."
"Oh, you mean like when Maxine Valera was checking out your butt and making sexy remarks about it?"
His eyes widened, "she was?"
Jade coolly responded, "Oh . . . yeah!"
"Man, we need to get you on days so you can really get the good gossip!" Dan could think of all sorts of ways that her ability could come in handy.
She shrugged her shoulders again, "I'm pretty much a night owl. I don't know if I can even function on the day shift." She then waved goodbye as she trudged out the door. "My work here is done."
Before heading back home to finish her sleeping, Jade thought she'd poke her head into Horatio Caine's office. She always tried to find an opportunity to talk to him even if it was only to say hello. You never knew when a little brown-nosing might come in handy. As she stood in his doorway, she was startled to see him rocking a little red headed girl in his arms while trying to comfort her.
"Jade," Madison weakly spoke as she held out her little arm.
"Hey Madison, what are you doing here?" Jade compassionately inquired.
"You know Madison?" Horatio queried.
"Sure. She and her mom live in my apartment building," Jade explained. "I baby-sit her sometimes."
Madison softly spoke up, "I'm sick . . . I threw up."
"Oh, you poor baby." Jade took Madison from Horatio's lap and held her close to her chest while rubbing her back. Madison seemed to quiet down and closed her eyes.
Horatio finally answered Jade's question. "I'm babysitting while Susie goes to two days of training." He continued, "but I wasn't expecting Madison to get sick and have to bring her to work."
Understanding Horatio's problem and thinking it would be a good way to get to know him better, Jade offered, "well, I don't come in till midnight tonight. Do you want me to take her till you get off work?"
Horatio was surprised and grateful to find someone to help with Madison, especially while she was sick, plus Jade had watched her before which he figured would be helpful. The day care center didn't want a sick child transmitting the illness to the other children and Horatio really didn't think bringing her to work was the best way to take care of her so he decided to take Jade up on her offer.
"That would be a big help to me if you don't mind."
Jade was more than happy to watch Madison. "If she's still sick tomorrow, bring her to work. I get off at 8:30 and I can take her then. I'll check with you before I leave in the morning."
"Great!" Horatio grabbed a pen and paper. "Give me your address and phone number. I'll probably be by around 6:00 or so to get her."
Jade gave him the information, including her cell and home phone numbers, and even drew a little map to help him find the building. Then she and Madison left.
Author's Note: Please don't forget to leave a review of my story. Thanks.