I'm Not Afraid
Three Lives Hang In The Balance!
The silver Hummer H2 came zooming into the crowded scene. Reporters were badgering other CSI, Detectives were asking witnesses questions, and the swat team were looking at a map of the area. "What's going on?" Callie asked as she slid from the high Hummer. "We came here to ask the dad a question about the kidnapping of his daughter. When we walked up to the door, everything appeared to be fine. He let us in, next thing I know… He's got a revolver to Speed's head. He told me to get out or he was going to shoot." Eric explained as they could only watch helplessly from behind the yellow 'caution' tape. "Is the little girl with them?" Sam spoke up, looking through a pair of binoculars. "I think. The door to her room was closed." He rubbed his forehead, trying not to panic. "What does he want for the girl's return?" Callie asked confused about Mr. Clifton's intentions. "That's just it. He wants the girl. Him and his wife are going through a hellish divorce. This guy's under a lot of distress. We need to get both the girl and Speed out of there before he starts shooting." Eric spoke as he paced back and forth. "Great. Then we don't have much time." Sam mumbled, handing the binoculars to Callie before dashing off. "Wait! Where are you going?!" Callie yelled after her. "To find Horatio!" She smiled over her shoulder as she disappeared into a crowd.
Sam spotted her uncle standing over a cop car with Detective Tripp and some swat members. "Caine!" She came huffing, stopping beside her uncle. "This isn't the time…" He sounded irritated as he looked over the map with the swat team. "But I have a plan!" She spoke up again, her cheeks slightly pink. "Leave this to the professionals, sweetheart." Detective Tripp shook his head. "I may not be experienced… But I know there's a scared little girl in there and I'm not willing to let her down!" She exploded, her anger rising immensely, "While you guys stand here thinking of a way to get in there with all your men, that little girl could be dead, and one of your own as well. Are you willing to risk that? Because I sure the Hell aren't." She clenched her fists, a determined look in her sapphire eyes. They all looked at each other, knowing the answer already. "Mr. Clifton wants us to bring five million to him, alone… And the deliverer must be a female." Caine finally spoke up as he turned to his niece. A grin lit up her face, "At your service!" "Alright. Suit her up." Caine commanded the swat officers. Tripp watched as they led her to a small van, "Are you sure this is the right thing to do? I mean, she's your niece… And she just started today." Caine slid on his sunglasses, "She's not experienced, but I've known her all her life. I have faith, she'll get the job done. Sam's exactly like her mother, and her mother won't let the girl or our CSI die…" He trailed off, "I just hope she doesn't give her life up." He muttered as he turned back to the huge Miami home in front of him.
Sam steadied her hand as she pressed the doorbell. She was dressed in black slacks, black boots, and a CSI jacket over her sleeveless shirt. In her left hand was the brief case with five mill in it. She took a deep breath as the door knob turned and slowly opened. "Mr. Clifton?" She raised a brow, her voice steady. "Do you have the money?" He asked, his hands slightly raised, no gun in sight. 'This isn't him. It must be the CSI.' She thought, seeing if she could glance around him. She noticed the reflection of another man in the mirror on the wall. The real Mr. Clifton stood a little ways behind Speed. The deranged man held a semi-automatic to the mid section of Speed's back. "Keh. Yes, sir. It's all here. Should I come in, or do you wish to come out?" She spoke slightly cocky. "Well, I'd prefer to come out but--" Speed began, "In! Get in here!" The man ordered. With that, she slid in around Speed, and stood in the hall. Speed closed the door on command. The man known as Mr. Clifton looked like he was sleep deprived and on Cocaine. He wore a dress suit that was messed up, the tie hanging loosely, and his shirt half tucked in. "I'm unarmed, sir." She spoke up after taking in his appearance. "I don't trust you. You there, search her." He motioned with his gun from Speed to Sam. With a slow nod, Speed approached Sam, coming to a halt in front of her. She looked off to the side, spreading her arms and her legs slightly. He kept eye contact with her as he patted her arms down, her sides, and her legs. "She's clean." He took a step back. "Good. Now open the briefcase." He instructed, his hand shaking as he held the gun pointed at her. "Alright…" She slowly got onto one knee and flipped the case open, moving it sideways for him to see. Mr. Clifton took a step towards the money, but Sam slammed the briefcase shut. "Not until I see the girl." Her voice was stern. Speed gave her a look like 'what the Hell are you doing?' but she didn't give it a second thought. "My daughter? You can't have her. No one can. If I can't have her… I'll take her with me… To the grave." He cocked his gun as he rambled. "Now, there's no need for that. She just wants to make sure your daughter's alright." Speed quickly spoke. "Lindsey! Come out here, honey." He called out, looking in the direction of the girl's room. There was a slight pause before the door slowly creaked open and a small girl peeked out. Lindsey appeared to be about six with blonde curly hair and baby blue eyes; she held a white snow teddy close to her as she walked over to her father. "Hey there, sweetie. Are you alright?" Sam spoke softly, looking the small child over. She nodded quickly. "See she's fine." Mr. Clifton sneered. Sam's eyes flickered with annoyance by the man's behavior. "I can see that. But you're not." A small smirk tugged at the corner's of her lips.