Grissom was walking towards layout, beginning to feel like this was going to be a long night, when one of the double entrance doors was pulled back. Glancing up from the file in his hand, he paused as a man with a most stunning shock of red hair entered the lab.
Horatio had put on a fresh suite and a clean shirt before heading to the airport so, for someone who hadn't slept in almost 24 hours, he looked impeccable. Grissom ran his eyes over the stranger, starting with the hair, noting square shoulders, the lack of a tie and the polished dress shoes. His jacket slung over one arm and a small rolling suite case set beside him, Horatio looked about the reception and locked eyes with Grissom.
Horatio scanned Grissom just as quickly, the somewhat wild curls of his hair, neatly trimmed beard with traces of grey, casual long sleeve shirt, pressed slacks and dress shoes. Both men took only a second to do what came naturally to them by now, assess people for the tiny details that might only become important later.
"Can I help you?" Grissom called out softly. He couldn't bring himself to be any louder in the lab at night, especially when it seemed so tense with this case.
"Yes, I'm looking for Doctor Grissom." Horatio rumbled. There was no sleep in his voice though the unobservant might have taken his usually deep voice for just that.
"You're Lieutenant Caine."
Horatio may have smiled with his eyes, Grissom couldn't be sure. He held up the hand clutching the file towards layout anyway. "Let's get started. My team is just ready to sit down and discuss what we've got so far."
"Thank you." Horatio inclined his head slightly before tipping his suite case and following Grissom down the hall. He was grateful for the Doctor's cutting to the chase. The chase was really all he was interested in.
Entering the glass-walled room, Horatio had a sense of familiarity as he looked around the room at the faces of the thirty-something CSIs gathered around the table.
The youngest of them had frosted blonde tips and looked like he was busy coming into his own, eager and observant, standing on the shoulders of giants. A brunette stood next to him, high cheek bones, arms crossed and full of intensity. Catherine stood next to her and she gave him a welcoming smile when their eyes met. She caught the smile in his eyes as he noticed her and inclined his head slightly in greeting. He did the same for Warrick who stood, hands on his hips, next to her. Another young man was to Warrick's left, jet black hair and strong jaw, arms crossed and standing tall. Horatio looked around the table at all of them and sensed their apprehension and anxiousness. They were chomping at the bit.
"Lieutenant Horatio Caine, this is Greg Sanders, Sara Sidle. you know Catherine, Warrick and Nick Stokes." Grissom held up a hand and indicated each of his crime scene analysts to Horatio. Each of them gave him a "hi," or, "hello" or a nod. "Lieutenant Caine heads the Miami-Dade Crime lab. His team caught the case down there."
Turning slightly to Grissom and then around the table as he spoke, Horatio followed with, "Thank you for having me in your lab, I appreciate how disruptive it can be to have someone unfamiliar around when you're trying to work a case. Let me assure you all, I'm here to catch this man, just like you." He paused for a second, looked down a moment, then carried on, "If it couldn't be my lab that finished this case, I'm glad Callum made the mistake of coming to Vegas so that you can." His voice was low and his words metered.
Grissom had fixed Horatio with one of his intense stares as the man spoke. He got the feeling these were more words than you might hear Horatio speak in a week and that he was being sincere. Sure enough, he turned to Grissom and briefly looked at him before turning his attention to the table.
"All right," Grissom said, "what do we have?"
Greg looked around the table somewhat shyly before he started. "Sara, Catherine and myself did a basic knock and talk of the gas stations and corner stores within a five mile radius of where the van was found. We got nothing. No one remembers seeing Callum, the van or the kids."
"We did, however, manage to score about 10 hours worth of video surveillance from those business' as well as from any business along Horizon Ridge Way that had cameras facing the road," Sara added, "Needless to say, we haven't gone through any of it yet but there's a good chance that, around one in the morning? One of them caught that van."
"If we can figure out what direction Callum was going or coming from, it might give us a place to start," finished Catherine.
Warrick rubbed his hand over his mouth before flipping oven a file on the table and spreading out a few pages. "Nick and I processed the van and it was..." Warrick paused and Nick clenched his jaw as he looked away from his colleagues.
"We found a lot of bodily fluids," Warrick continued. "Wendy is still processing some of the samples but it looks like we've got contributions from Callum, Adam and Danny in the back of the van." He didn't go into any more detail than that. He didn't have to. "The um, the van's oil pump was worn right out. Couple that with 2500 miles of driving and Callum just plain seized the engine."
Nick cleared his throat. "The van was repainted, from forest green to black. There was a lot of dust on the outside of it, a lot of trace in the tires, few bugs in the grill. We've got Hodges backed right up with most of that. Grissom, we need your bug sense to see if you can make anything of the mangled critters from the grill."
While Nick was speaking, Jim quietly ducked in to join them. The room turned to look at him as soon as Nick was finished.
"Anything Jim?" Grissom asked.
The Captain shook his head, "nothing new." He offered his hand to Horatio who shook it firmly. "Jim Brass."
Horatio gave Jim his name before turning back to the table. The room now full, everyone in the circle about the table looked to Horatio. He could feel their energy. He could feel his own resonating with it.
"Andrew Callum did absolutely everything in his power to stay out of trouble in prison. If you look at his records, you'd never believe he was convicted of the sexual assault of a minor. He came out of lock up without a scratch on him." Horatio had this information memorised, Grissom noted. He filed that next to the fact that the Lieutenant had answered his phone at three in the morning. "Paroled early for good behaviour, every bureaucrat he came before was convinced he had reformed."
"He looked good on paper," Sara said softly.
Horatio nodded, "he moved from half-way house to a private residence in record time. The job he chose was low profile but relatively well paying for a convict. It gave him access to everything he would need to commit this crime: a vehicle, funds and victims. Other households he worked at where young boys were present never had the slightest problem with Callum."
"In other words, he was showing a a lot of restraint for a sexual predator," Catherine added.
"Yes. His planning was rigorous," Horatio rumbled.
"For all his planning, he's still susceptible to chance. There was nothing planned about the abandonment of that van," Grissom threw in.
"True but I think he'll have made contacts in Nevada as part of his plans. I don't think Callum came to Las Vegas by accident."
"You think he knows other pedophiles in the area?" Jim asked.
"I do," Horatio said quietly, "and it's there I'd like to start."
Grissom nodded his head and looked at his team. "Greg, Catherine, Sara, see if you can find anything on those surveillance videos. Warrick, Nick, start with what Hodges has managed to come up with so far, he'll need help putting that trace into context."
Grissom's team nodded and gathered their papers, leaving quickly and quietly. Their supervisor turned to the remaining men in the room.
"No offence Caine," Jim began, "but I know you have a good idea of how many registered sex offenders there are in Clark County."
Horatio looked at Jim briefly before turning his gaze to the floor. "I do, Jim, I do. If I have to find every one of them to get those kids from Callum, I will."
Jim shrugged and sighed as he looked to Grissom. "All right. Gil, I'll be talking to sex crimes if you need me."
Grissom's eyes followed Jim as he left, then slipped back to look at Horatio. The Lieutenant hadn't been looking at Grissom but had been focused on the table. He now met Grissom's gaze and the Vegas supervisor motioned for him to follow.
"Can I get you anything?" Grissom offered as they walked down the hall.
Horatio's eyes were roaming around the lab, observing the set up, the technicians, the bulletin boards. "No, thank you. Just a desk and internet access."
"You have a theory?" Grissom asked, studying Horatio from the side.
"If you're looking for assistance in committing a crime like this, you would want someone with resources and little to no criminal history, someone the authorities aren't actively tracking because they haven't done anything illegal yet."
Grissom let Horatio into his office and proceeded to move stacks of papers off of his desk and onto an nearby shelf. Horatio stored his luggage out of the way and was about to hang his jacket when he was distracted by a tarantula in an terrarium inches from his face.
Miami may have been a bustling centre of urbanization but the Everglades were it's backyard and Horatio had come to expect to meet all manner of critters while on cases. He hadn't expected to meet one here, in this gleaming and spotless lab. It thoroughly broke his concentration.
"Sorry, are you afraid of spiders?" Grissom asked.
Horatio favoured him with a genuine, if small, smile. "Of spiders? No. I've had the pleasure of meeting them in far less civilized circumstances." He paused and stared at the orange and brown arachnid. "It's beautiful," he murmured, tilting his head slightly to the side.
This last comment caused Grissom to fix the other man with another intense stare, like he was looking at a puzzle he couldn't quite piece together. He stepped towards Horatio who looked from the tarantula to Grissom. Grissom held that look for a moment before he took Horatio's coat and turned to place it on the coat rack. In an effort to refocus them both, he pointed towards his desk, "I've cleared a space for your laptop." Horatio nodded once and bent down towards his luggage.
As they sat next to one another, in front of separate lap tops, Grissom noted the number of files pertaining to the Callum case that Horatio has on his desk top. He could tell from some of the names that Horatio had been throwing everything he had at this, even off the clock. Lists of known associates, pedophilia promotion groups in the southern states, persons of possible interest. Grissom knew Horatio had to be exhausted on so many levels but he could not read it in the man. His focus was absolute and he set about opening documents and a search engine immediately.
Grissom followed suite and put the enigma of the Lieutenant out of his mind. When he didn't turn on his computer but instead pushed it towards the back of the desk, Horatio glanced at him. Grissom hefted a couple of large texts onto the desk and slipped his glasses on with one hand. Horatio watched the muscles of his jaw move underneath his beard before glancing slowly down at the titles of the books. 'American Beetles: Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea' was on the desk while 'Latin Amercian Insects and Entomology' was in Grissom's hand. Picking up a small plastic vial that obviously contained bits of bug from the vehicle, Grissom began comparing details of the insects to possible matches in the texts.
Horatio was momentarily fascinated and watched Grissom as he had watched Calleigh. Experts on some of the most minute details, their ability to tell bugs and bullets apart was case breaking and Horatio knew it. Horatio loved it.
The two men shortly drifted off into their own worlds, following their own paths to the same end.
####
As the sun started bleeding over the Sheep Range and into the lab's windows, Grissom gradually became aware that his team was returning from their various tasks towards the break room. His stomach grumbled as if on cue and he checked his watch.
Grissom's movements caused Horatio to stir as well. The red head rubbed his eyes and tried desperately to ignore the stiffness in his shoulders and neck. His body was telling him he needed to take care of the basics soon or he would collapse. He needed food, he needed water and a bathroom and if he didn't get some sleep, then he was going to need coffee too.
Grissom pushed his chair back and stood, briefly touching Horatio's shoulder as he did, "I think everyone's ready to reconnect on this."
Walking to the door, Grissom opened it for the Lieutenant and followed him out into the hall. All traces of Horatio's moment of exhaustion in his office were gone, Grissom noted. Shoulders square, he strode into layout ahead of Grissom.
Catherine, and Sara were already there and they were joined shortly by the rest of them team.
Grissom nodded at Warrick.
"Hodges came up with some interesting stuff from the outside of the car," Warrick began. His voice was hoarse and tired. "The dust definitely indicates he's been driving in and around Las Vegas but the soil we pulled from the tread has a high concentration of organic matter. Definitely inconsistent with the type of soil you'd typically find in Vegas. On top of that," He pulled a photo of a small green plant with yellow flowers from a file in his hand and placed it on the table, "Traces of pollen from Ranunculus triternatus were found in the front, driver's side tire. This plant is native to Oregon. It would take a very green thumb to keep it growing in this climate." Warrick cleared his throat and stepped back from the table.
"Good. Sara?" Grissom shifted focus to her.
"We have what appears to be Callum's Van heading south along Horizon Ridge Way on a liquor store's camera. That tells us he was trying to get out of Vegas when the van broke down." She said softly. She, Catherine and Greg had red eyes.
"The bugs are telling us he came from Arizona," Grissom placed the plastic vial on the table. "The evidence is pointing us in the same direction as Lieutenant Caine. Callum wouldn't drive up to Vegas through Arizona just to head south again. He came here for a reason, that's what we need to focus on next."
Horatio was standing behind Grissom and to his right, his arms crossed. He was impressed with how this lab had managed to turn next to nothing into some tangible leads.
Grissom placed his hands on the table and looked at his team over the rims of his glasses. "Shift ended two hours ago and we're all tired. Go home and get some rest. I'm authorizing overtime on this for anyone who can join me back here in five hours."
Warrick looked around the room, at each of his co-workers before speaking up. "We'll be here Griss."
Grissom again looked at each of them, "Thank you."
Out in the hall as the room emptied, Horatio moved away for some privacy, flipped open his cell and dialled Eric's number.
Grissom stood waiting for him when he noticed Nick hadn't left with everyone else. The young man stood looking unsteadily at his supervisor.
"Nicky?"
"Uh, Griss, I'm gonna..." He ran his hand through his hair, "I'm gonna stay and map out where we might find that flower that trace dug up, give you guys somethin' to go with when y'all get back."
Grissom's brow furrowed. "Nick, you need rest too-"
Nick sniffed and screwed up his face to hold back tears he feared might fall. "I'm not coming back...I'm gonna...gonna step back from this one, Griss." He looked down at his feet then up at Grissom.
The older man fixed Nick with what he hoped was a reassuring look. "Of course. Nick...you know you never need to feel guilty for not working a case you're uncomfortable with."
Nick sniffed again as tears slid down his face, "I want to be here for everyone-"
Grissom put his hand on Nick's shoulder and looked him squarely in the eye. "And the best way for you to do that is to not put yourself in a situation where you might not be able to," he said softly.
Nick nodded to himself, then to Grissom, then walked down the hall towards trace.
Horatio had watched the scene unfold as he spoke to Eric. As he stood looking at this supervisor in the moment between hanging up and Nick leaving, he felt a kinship with him. Both men knew what it was like to be close to these people and to have to send them out to do and deal with things no one should have to.
Grissom inhaled deeply and turned to Horatio. "If you'd be comfortable with it, you can sleep at my place."
Horatio's brow went up in surprise before he nodded, "That's very kind of you."
Shaking his head, Grissom replied, "I don't want to loose any more time on this case than you do, this just makes the most sense. Let's go."
####
The drive to Grissom's apartment in the Denali was mostly quiet. Horatio was, as Grissom had suspected, not much for talking unless he felt he needed to.
He looked from the passenger window to Grissom as something came to him. "On the phone this morning," he paused, choosing his words, "I didn't mean to be rude."
Grissom looked briefly at the other man, catching his reflection in Horatio's sunglasses, before focusing on the road again. "You were being rude?"
Horatio smiled slightly to himself before responding, "I wouldn't let you finish your sentences. It's...I've been working on this case for four days and I am...," He swallowed, "I have spent every moment trying to find those kids." He glanced at Grissom before returning his gaze to the houses they were driving by.
"Then there's nothing to apologize for," Grissom replied simply.
Grissom let Horatio into his house when they arrived and immediately showed him to the master, indeed the only, bedroom. "Bathroom's just down the hall. Would you like to shower?"
"Yes, please." Horatio said firmly. A shower seemed like a great idea to him. Nevada was dry and his fair skin was irritated by it.
As Horatio opened his slim toiletry kit, he silently cursed to himself.
Grissom opened a cupboard next to the bedroom and pulled a towel from it which he handed to Horatio. "Use whatever you need to in there, I'll make us something quick to eat."
As Grissom turned to leave, Horatio cleared his throat and Grissom looked back at him. "Do you have an extra razor?"
Grissom thought for a moment, the skin around his eyes crinkling as his brow furrowed. "I have fresh blades." He offered.
"Thank you." Horatio looked down, almost sheepishly Grissom thought.
Grissom waited until he could catch Horatio's eyes before replying, "it's not a problem." He noticed for the first time that along with his red hair, Horatio possessed incredibly blue eyes. The colour of blue the ocean is over shallow, sandy beaches when it's calm.
As quickly as the thought came, it was replaced by concern over whether or not there was actually enough food in his fridge to feed two people and he left Horatio in his room.
Horatio closed the door and slowly looked about what he assumed was Grissom's guest room as he unbuttoned his dress shirt. Light grey paint and dark grey carpet accented with dark wood cupboards gave the space a calming feel. There were no pictures on the night stands, only a pad of paper, pen and phone on one. It was neat and clean and comforted Horatio because it reminded him of his apartment in that it barely looked lived in. This was mostly true excepting the half finished crossword puzzle he saw on the other night stand. This made Horatio smile as he wrapped the towel around his waste and walked to the bathroom.
Horatio walked quietly into the kitchen, phone in his hand, hair damp but combed. Grissom looked up and could not suppress a smile when he saw the orange, white and blue NYC Knicks sweats coupled with a plain grey T-shirt to be the Lieutenant's attire.
"Knicks fan?" He asked, still smiling.
Horatio, feeling somewhat more human after a shower and shave, shook his head and smiled back. "If you're going to work the beat in New York, you gotta be."
Grissom spooned some stew into a bowl next to the salad he had set in front of Horatio. "You worked in New York?"
Picking up the cup of tea that had also been set in front of him, Horatio nodded. "I was born in New York."
Grissom sat down across the counter from Horatio and dug into his own food. Gesturing with his fork before he finished swallowing, Grissom asked "What precipitated the move to Florida?"
"My family is in Miami."
"Kids?" Grissom asked because he had seen no wedding ring and was curious.
Horatio cleared his throat and Grissom could see the question had thrown him. "Um."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Grissom quickly said.
Horatio smiled slightly, "No, it's just, um, I recently found out I have a son." As he finished speaking he looked directly at Grissom and noted the further questions in his face. The other man chose not to ask them though, instead letting Horatio decide if he would continue.
Possibly because he wanted to see what this man he seemed to have something in common with would think, Horatio did continue. He stumbled over the explanation. "Almost 20 years ago, I was working undercover when I met this woman and thought, um, thought it could be serious."
Grissom had stopped chewing and was paying close attention, feeling like this information was somehow privileged.
"Except, after three months of seeing one another," one of his eyebrows went up briefly, "she disappeared. I couldn't...find her, didn't hear from her. And then...chance brings this child who looks just like me into interrogation."
"Interrogation?" Grissom asked, surprised.
Horatio didn't answer for a few moments. He looked, if anything, sad but it was hard to see. Clearing his throat, he continued, "He's in prison, waiting for an evidentiary hearing on charges of kidnapping."
Grissom was a little dumbfounded, Horatio looked at the plate in front of him.
"What's his name?" Grissom asked after a few minutes had passed.
"Kyle." Horatio said, a hint of pride behind the name.
Grissom took another bite of food and chewed thoughtfully. Swallowing, he said "I'm not one to...make character judgements often or to..." Horatio watched Grissom's lips and jaw move as he spoke, "give comfort where I know I can provide none but, If Kyle is anything like his father, Horatio, he'll be all right." Grissom wasn't sure what made him say it or why he believed it so strongly but Horatio seemed to take some comfort in his words.
After some time passed with only the sound of food being chewed, Horatio broke the silence. "You've never been married, never had kids."
Grissom smiled deeply, "what makes you say that?"
"Your fridge is as empty as mine."
Both men looked at one another before laughing quietly.
After setting the dishes to the side of the sink, Grissom went to his bedroom and began removing his own pajamas from a drawer. Horatio watched him with a frown.
"I'll be on the couch but please, avail yourself of anything in the house and don't worry about waking me." Grissom stated as he was about to leave.
"You only have one bed?" Horatio asked, concerned.
"I do. I don't want you to worry about it." Grissom saw that was exactly how Horatio felt.
Grissom shook his head and pointed to his bed, "Sleep, you've only got about four hours before we need to be awake again." With that, he turned to leave.
"Gil?"
"Mmm?" Grissom turned back and met those pools of ocean blue once more.
"Thank you." Horatio said simply.
"Your welcome," he replied, his tone in and of itself welcoming and reassuring.
Both men were asleep as soon as their heads hit their respective pillows. Neither of them could remember dreaming.