Chapter 6

When Steve Michaels walked into the interrogation room Horatio almost mistook him for a teenage kid. Tall and slim, Steve was baby-faced with short wispy blond hair and blue eyes. His Australian accent was thick and full of worry as he shook Horatio's hand and asked, "Is there something wrong, Officer? Your patrol picked me up of the hospital."

Horatio motioned for him to sit and sat down himself across from his guest. "I just need to ask you some questions, Mr. McDaniels," he replied. "How are Bethany and the baby?"

"They're fine, Lieutenant Caine," answered Steve in a nervous tone of voice. "But that's not what you're asking me about isn't it? This is about Wing Commander Shannon's death." When Horatio began to speak he shook his head and held up a hand. "I know what you're thinking, and I can assure you that Derek wasn't the one who shot him down…he's too weak."

"How close were you to Shannon?" Horatio asked.

"We weren't best friends but we were comrades," said Steve. "We flew God knows how many missions together in Iraq before he decided to do this air show bit. I liked him, Lieutenant; I thought he was a very brave man and a gifted pilot."

"But not all of his comrades liked him," remarked Horatio.

Steve swallowed and Horatio noticed that he was sweating. "No, about half of them didn't like the way he did things," he said. "Kyle was a strict disciplinarian and expected everyone to follow him to the letter. Some thought he was too supercilious and rude, but you have to understand…that was the way he was." Steve rubbed his eyes. "Did Beth ever tell you that he got post-traumatic stress disorder while over in Iraq?"

She didn't. Horatio looked at Steve. "I've never seen him take medication for it," he said.

"He was almost finished with his treatment before he crashed," replied Steve. "He was supposed to end it once he got back to England." He looked up at Horatio. "Are you sure Kyle was shot down? What if he went into a suicidal tendency and crashed on purpose?"

"Evidence points to someone who has a gun that shoots nine millimeter bullets," said Horatio. "Calleigh is trying to match the gun with the bullet."

"Well then you should ask everyone in his squadron about that, every one of them carry a gun."

Horatio raised an eyebrow. "Including you?"

Steve shook his head. "I'm the only exception," he said.

"How do I know that you're not lying to me?"

Steve looked shocked. "Bethany can tell you that I don't shoot guns," he said. "Please, Lieutenant, just ask her."

"Then I will," said Horatio.

- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bethany was cuddling the baby when he walked in. She greeted him with a smile as he pulled up a chair beside her. "Thank you for coming to see us," she said.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired, but I'm hanging in there. This little one is quite a handful," said Bethany, looking down at the baby girl nursing at her left breast. She looked back up at Horatio. "Is Steve still at Miami-Dade P.D.?"

"He is," said Horatio. "Beth, I need to know if you've ever seen him with a gun."

"Heavens no," said Bethany. "Steve is as gentle as a lamb."

"But everyone in Kyle's squadron did."

Bethany frowned, as if she was reliving an unpleasant memory. "Yes," she said softly. "Some used to fool about with them whenever I visited Kyle on base while I was still pregnant. Some…used to put the barrels of their guns to my belly. Kyle was furious and had them court-martialed."

"Do you remember their names?"

"Only three. Tommy Mayberry, Francis Burke, and Michael Winters." The baby gurgled and Bethany smiled down at her.

"Any idea if they're still in Miami?" asked Horatio.

Bethany shook her head. "Tommy and Michael are, but Francis had to leave." She looked at Horatio. "Wait…Horatio; are you saying that one of them shot my husband down?"

"Only one way to find out," said Horatio. "Where are they?"

Bethany was pale but she answered, "Two doors down from where my room is at the hotel. Steve can show you."

"OK. Thank you, Bethany." Horatio leaned over slightly to whisper, "What's her name now?"

"I named her Calleigh," she replied with a smile. "After Miss Duquesne."

"I'll let her know," said Horatio as he stood up to leave. "I'll come back later to check on you."