CJ's arm throbbed as she felt the warm blood slowly dry on her skin.
"Don't worry, it will all be over soon," her abductor hissed close to her ear, sending a shiver through her. "I just can't decide if I want to kill you first and make Houston suffer or kill him first and have fun with you before killing you."
Tears slid down her cheeks when she felt the cold blade glide gently down her neck.
"Let's hope Houston figures it out soon. I hate waiting."
Houston sped through the downtown traffic towards his destination. He only prayed he was right but the knife – there was no mistaking that knife. It had the blood of many victims on it. It had almost included CJ among those victims' years ago. After the death of the killer, the knife had disappeared and no one thought anything more of it.
Narrowly missing the car beside him, Houston quickly veered onto the freeway that led to a place long forgotten.
The sun was slowly setting behind him when the dirt road came into view. Giving in, he had called Novelli and filled him in on his suspicions and where he was heading simply because if he were right, he would most likely need backup. One thing he was sure of, CJ would remain alive at least until he got there.
With no way to avoid a confrontation, Houston pulled up in front of the rustic cabin with the headlights on. Grabbing his gun, he was halfway to the door when it flew open. "CJ!"
She stood in the doorway, held up by her captor, and was only able to move her lips, mouthing his name.
"You figured it out faster than I gave you credit for," snarled the masked man from behind CJ.
Houston saw the reflection of light off the blade and realized it was pressed firmly against CJ's neck. "Let her go. I'm the one responsible for your father's death, not her."
"Oh, I disagree, Houston. She is just as much, if not more, responsible. It was because he chose her as 'the one' that you went after him like you did." He looked at CJ. "Maybe he was right. She certainly does seem different from all the others he introduced me to."
Houston ran forward with gun drawn but stopped just short of the door when the man looked back at him, pressing the knife further against CJ's neck, causing her to cry out when a droplet of blood flowed down her skin.
"Any closer and I kill you both right here, right now."
"You can take the mask off, Raymond."
The man froze for a moment then slowly removed his mask. "I'm even more impressed. Didn't think you'd figure out the first name too."
"Houston," CJ managed to whisper.
"I'm here, CJ. It's going to be okay." Houston's trigger finger twitched.
"Do it and I jab this knife in her before your bullet even reaches me," Raymond warned. "I am my father's son so you know I'm fully capable. Now, throw the gun away and come on in. You're missing out on all the fun."
"Castanos…"
CJ's tired eyes widened at the mention of the name and it suddenly all made sense. The case that had brought a true madman back into Houston's life. Having killed eighteen women by mutilation, Houston had managed to capture him. Set on killing Houston, Castanos had escaped from the mental hospital, taken CJ and nearly succeeded in killing them both.
Pressing the knife sharply against her neck once again, Raymond nodded to Houston's gun. "Lose it or lose her. The choice is yours."
AN: Again, a huge thanks to all of you who are reading it and to those who have left reviews!!! I really thought I'd be the only one who remembered and loved this show. And a big apology. Normally I have a story completely written before I start posting but I really wanted to get this one up quickly so it's not done. I think I'm heading into the last bit so the next part should be the last hehe.