Ok, final chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Making that loud and clear... And because I forgot the disclaimer, I'll say it here...
I don't own CSI: Miami, or any of its characters, however, Jade, Riers, Corman, and various other made-ups are mine, along with the plot.
"Who's this you brought in, Eric?" Horatio asked as he met with his CSI outside the interrogation room.
"Mr. Corman. Manager of the club I was at last night. I noticed a black substance on his hands, I wanted to know if it was gunshot residue, but I didn't have a kit. To say the least, it took convincing for him to come with me."
"Would this be Mr. Corman of Corman Jewelers?" Horatio asked, his tone soft, head tilted to the side, gazing towards the suspect.
"I'm not sure. He said he had past dealings with Mr. Riers and Jade if that means anything."
"It does, it means quite a lot. Good work, Eric."
Horatio left and went into the interrogation room. Eric stood watching from the outside when a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Could I have a word, Delko?"
Stetler. Eric inwardly cringed.
Eric turned to face the notorious agent from the IAB, and in Eric's opinion, the devil himself.
"Yeah, you can have a word, you can have three; get off me," Eric growled. He removed Stetler's fingers from his shoulders and continued to watch as Horatio paced in the room while he continued to question Mr. Corman.
"I think you owe me a chat, Delko. After what's happened?" Stetler's voice felt like a razor blade digging inside Eric's ears.
"I don't owe you a thing, Stetler." Eric started to walk away but Stetler continued to follow him.
"You don't have Duquesne to protect you, or Horatio this time, so, I think you will come with me, Delko. You can make this easy, or you can make this hard. Make this easy, and it'll be pain free, make this hard, and we'll have to see what happens."
"Are you threatening me, Stetler?" Eric growled.
"All I'm asking is for five minutes of your time," Stetler said, narrowing his eyes. "Let's go."
Eric found himself sitting in Stetler's office, on the side of the table he'd already seen in a similar issue; when his badge had been stolen. Stolen while he was toothing. Well, he'd dropped it, but someone else had gone and taken it afterwards.
"Why don't you tell me exactly what happened last night after you left work." Stetler started.
Eric paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He needed this to come out right, but there was no way he could afford lying. Horatio would protect him, so long as he went by protocol. If he failed in that, he was fair game for Stetler.
"I went home to my apartment, showered, changed, and got ready to go out for the night. When I left my place, it was around eleven."
"Why so late?" Stetler quipped.
"Because I didn't get off work until nine thirty. I had to process evidence and make sure it was put back properly."
"I see. Continue," Just that tone made Eric furious, but he forced himself to calm down.
"I left my apartment and went to five clubs that night. I stayed for about an hour at each one, except the last. The last being where I met Mrs. Riers."
"And what were you doing with her?"
Eric cursed Stetler to the deepest pits of hell. The man was making him humiliate himself. Having to deal with him was bad enough, now rub his nose into the mess he'd made? It made him feel lower than a whipped dog.
"We danced together for a while, but then we left the club at about four thirty. We didn't go far, just to the Mustang in the parking lot. We had sex, but afterwards, I saw her wedding band, upon which time, I dressed, and left her in the car. By the time I got back home, it was five fifteen. I answered the call out at seven AM."
Stetler listened intently to everything Eric stated, his eyes boring into the Cuban's.
"Had you been drinking during the course of the evening, Delko?"
"Why should that matter? I recalled everything in detail."
"Because, if you had, I could write off your incompetence due to the fact you were intoxicated. As it is, this doesn't look good for you."
"I didn't see anything when I left!" Eric cried, standing up. "When I left, I walked straight to the Hummer and drove off; I didn't look back. Jade was the last one to see the victim alive, not me!"
"You've talked to her since then?" Stetler questioned, his tone dripping with relish of a predator about to sink its teeth into prey.
"Yes. Yes I have. But that's not the point, Stetler. I had absolutely no motive to kill Mr. Riers. None."
"Except for the fact that maybe he caught you with his wife? Maybe you two had a fight, and you shot him in defense?"
Eric was half a breath away of actually committing a murder. The murder of Rick Stetler. Nobody would miss him. In fact, Eric was quite sure the entire lab would be dancing on his grave.
"I had never seen, nor had any conflict with the victim. Not once. When I left, Jade was alone. Besides, there is no evidence to suggest that I came anywhere close to Mr. Riers."
"The meeting is over, Stetler," Eric growled, going for the door, but Stetler stopped him.
"I don't think so," he hissed, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I do think so. Now, get off me." Eric walked out the door, moving determinedly away.
"Get back here, Delko!" Stetler yelled to him as Eric made his way down the hall.
Eric turned back around, slowly, and approached Stetler. "Come near me again, I dare you to. I just dare you, Stetler. Pry into my personal life again, and you'll get what you get." Eric's tone was full of malice that he wasn't sure was coming from, but he liked the power all the same.
"It's not personal when it involves murder," Stetler whispered, his tone low but suave.
"But it didn't. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. Because, unlike you, I spend my time trying to improve things. While you, on the other hand, live only to make people miserable and angry. If I feel you breathing down my neck again, you'll get what you get. Remember that," Eric growled before he turned on his heel and stalked away.
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"I heard you were at my store earlier in the day. Pity I couldn't have talked to you there, then maybe we wouldn't be going through this mess." Mr. Corman's words were smooth and cool. His tone didn't give the essence of fear, but Horatio saw into the depths of his eyes. And they held fear. Fear of what, H was determined to find out.
"Yes, we talked to your employee, Jason Shod. He informed us you have quite the temper, Mr. Corman," Horatio said, keeping his voice light, but with just enough color in it to be irritating.
"Really? Why do you think he'd say that?"
"According to him, you had a conflict with my victim over a bracelet he'd purchased." Horatio slid a photo of the bracelet across the table, upon which Mr. Corman inspected it.
"Yes, Mr. Riers and I had disagreements over it. He said I'd cheated him of his money, but he was the one with the temper, not me. Besides, this was over a year ago." Mr. Corman tossed the picture back at Horatio and folded his hands to his lap.
Just then, Horatio's phone rang. Horatio smiled when he saw the caller ID. "Excuse me for one moment," he said, before he walked out of the room and stood just outside the door.
"What did you get for me, Mr. Wolfe?" he asked quickly.
"Ok, I went back to the store like you said. Shod was there, and he told me that he had defiantly seen Jade and Corman together. He said it appeared like they were talking about the price of the bracelet. 'I'll pay five thousand, and not a penny more' he heard Jade say. Jason told me that the bracelet they were looking at was a much more valuable version of what was actually purchased."
"Ok, thank you Mr. Wolfe."
"Anything else, H?"
"Yeah, find Jason and bring him to the station. If we can't hold Corman, then I don't want him to catch Jason on his own."
"You think he'd try something?" Ryan asked quietly.
"Maybe, maybe not, but let's be safe, ok?"
"You got it." Ryan hung up, and Horatio walked back into the room.
"Well, well, well, Mr. Corman. I just got word that you were seen discussing the price of a bracelet with Jade Riers. But it was a much more valuable piece than the one that was actually purchased. Do you want to tell me why?"
Mr. Corman gained a flustered look. "I wanted more money for the better quality bracelet, but she refused to pay more. It was her husband's money, she said, and she said he had a budget to keep. So, when the purchase was made, I exchanged the better stones for lesser quality. It's not illegal."
"No, but murder for higher is," Horatio hissed. "You see, here's what I think happened. I think you and Jade were not discussing the stones, but how much she was willing to pay for her husband's murder. Am I right?" Horatio whispered.
Just then Eric came into the room, his kit in hand. He set it on the table, popped it open, removed a swab, and a small spray bottle full of clear fluid. Without a word, he started to rub the swab against the powder on Corman's hands.
"Wait, what is he doing?" the suspect asked, his voice rising in pitch, and definite nervousness.
"Testing your hands for GSR. Gun shot residue," Eric stated. He lifted the swab up and sprayed one pump of the clear fluid onto the cotton fibers. When it almost instantly changed its color, Horatio smirked.
"Positive for GSR, Mr. Corman. So, are you going to tell me where the gun is that shot Mr. Riers, or am I going to have to tear your home and businesses apart to find it?"
When Mr. Corman didn't answer, Horatio changed tactics.
"Did Jade place the murder for higher, or did you shoot him because of your temper?" Horatio asked, staring deep into the man's eyes. "Make it better for yourself, give her up, and maybe you won't get life."
"I'm not saying another word. I want my lawyer." A slightly satisfied, and slightly nervous expression settled onto his face as Horatio and Eric headed out of the room.
"Ok, so we know that Corman is our shooter, but what about Jade? Can we pin this on her?" Eric asked quickly.
"A jury wouldn't believe his testimony. The prosecution would discredit him, even if they weren't trying to." Horatio's eyes were chips of flint.
"So, you're telling me, she walks?"
"We don't have enough to secure a warrant of the premises to search for the weapon. And her defense can always pass off the fact they were discussing money because of the jewels. The only witness said that is exactly what they were dealing with at the time."
"So, she walks."
"Yes, Eric. She walks."
"Is there anything we can do?" Eric pleaded. "Something, can we get her for anything?" the desperation in his voice made Horatio sick inside. Sick that he could do nothing but stand and watch as a killer got away with murder.
"I'm sorry, Eric."
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By the time what evidence they had was processed, and all the papers were filed it was getting close to evening. Eric walked outside of the building, longing for fresh air to try and clear his head. Ever since the grim conclusion of the case, he hadn't been able to calm down.
He sat on the steps of the building, but when a brilliant red Mustang pulled up, top down, he stood up. Music was coming from its speakers, loud and clear. Nelly Furtado's "Maneater."
Eric approached Jade who hadn't stepped out of the car. She turned the music down a little bit, but Eric could hear it clearly still as he came closer.
"Remember this?" she asked, titling her head towards the speakers. Eric felt his stomach twist around. Yes, of course he remembered. This was the song he and Jade had been dancing to last night.
"What do you want, Jade?" Eric asked, his tone weary, but still cold.
"Just to let you know, I'll still be around." she whispered. But her tone was filled with desire. She tossed her mane of flaming red hair behind her shoulders and gave him a smirk.
"Why would I care? You killed your husband, do I look like the kind of man who deals with people like you?"
"You've got no proof of that. So don't go there, Eric." But her tone was playful, almost. Just a hint of seriousness, just enough to make her voice dark.
"Still, I figured I'd let you know," she purred.
"Why's that?"
"Because you'll come back to me," she laughed. "You always have, and you always will." She winked at him, and then cranked the music back up. "See you later, Eric." she whispered before she revved the engine and drove off. He watched her until she'd rounded the corner and sped away.
"Won't be seeing you," he muttered as he turned around.
"She seems attached to you, Eric. Be careful, from everything we've learned, if any girl's a maneater, she is."
Ryan met him on the step and looked towards him. Eric's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he glared fiercely at the youngest member of the team.
"Get this through your head, Wolfe. I made mistakes, but I didn't do it on purpose. I screwed around, yeah, haven't we all? If I had any idea, do you think I would have even looked at her?"
Ryan wasn't intimidated. In fact, Eric's tone made him angry.
"You just won't learn to control yourself, will you! I thought for sure after that whole incident with your badge, you'd of gotten it through your head. Why don't you do yourself a favor. Back the hell off of me and start paying attention to your job, Delko. Then maybe, screw ups like this won't happen!"
"Are you saying it's my fault she got away with it!" Eric's voice had risen, and so had Ryan's.
"I'm saying you have the badge that says you're a CSI. Act like one!"
The last thread that was tying together Eric's self control snapped. Between Jade, Stetler, and their real killer getting away with it, and now, Ryan attacking him, he couldn't take it any more.
He launched himself at the CSI and grabbed his shirt collar. With a shout and a yell, they both went down the stone steps, grabbing and wrestling with each other as they did. They rolled off the steps and were still tearing at each other when they came to a halt on the flat concrete.
Fists were flying, along with feet, knees, and elbows; any part of their bodies that could be used as weapons. When Eric's fist came flying at Ryan's face, Wolfe dodged but when the arm didn't withdraw, his teeth reached out and bit as hard as he could. Eric cried out and backhanded Ryan with his free arm, but with the release of the restriction, Ryan was able to throw Eric off.
"BOYS!"
The shout made them both stand up and spin around. Alexx and Horatio stood on the steps. Murder lay within Alexx's eyes, and Horatio was as angry as Ryan had ever seen him.
"What in the hell do you think you two are doing!" Alexx demanded, storming up to them, Horatio barely on her heels.
Neither one could answer as they heaved for breath. Ryan was about to speak, but Alexx cut him off.
"If I ever, and I mean, ever see you two acting like that again, you'll both be on my tables, got me?" Alexx demanded. "I don't care what the hell you were fighting about, you're both grown, or should be, you need to act like it! This pissing contest between you two is ridiculous, it's time to grow up!"
With that, she stormed off, leaving both Eric and Ryan standing there about five feet apart, ashamed, but still angry.
The uncomfortable silence was finally broken by Horatio.
"Mr. Wolfe, go to your Hummer and wait there until I come to you. Eric, you stay put."
"Sorry, I have work in the lab to do," Ryan growled as he turned away from Horatio.
"Not anymore you don't. Stetler's in their prowling around, and with the evidence you two have left on each other, he'll be sure to swarm in to feed, and I can't have that. Not with everything that's already happened." His eyes narrowed dangerously at Eric.
"What are you saying, I'm fired?" Ryan asked, for the first time, his tone shaky.
"I'm saying, go and wait in your Hummer until I come to you." Horatio's tone was softer now.
Ryan stalked away, and Horatio turned to face Eric. Eric was a several inches taller than Horatio, but the stare his boss gave him made Eric want to cringe.
"Eric. You're a good CSI, and I do honestly believe that you want to do your job right, but that means controlling yourself! Controlling yourself in every aspect of your life! I don't care how angry you are, never, ever make threats at IAB, and what gives you the right to attack a colleague?"
"He provoked me." Eric growled.
"I don't care if he did. Don't sink that low. And as far as IAB goes, I just had to go and do a week's worth of damage control to make sure Stetler didn't try and have you fired from the lab."
The reality of what Horatio had just said didn't even have time to sink in before he continued, his voice lower, and his tone even more serious, if that was possible.
"We all have emotions, we all have ways of coping, but you can't let them interfere with work. You cannot. I don't want to take away your badge, Eric. I don't. So please, don't make me. If anything like this happens again, I'm going to have no choice."
"I've seen you threaten Stetler, and I've seen you shoot down criminals without mercy, and I've seen you threaten suspects. What gives you the right to do the same?" Eric hissed.
"I've paid my penance for what I've done, Eric." Horatio said quietly. "And I'm still paying. Don't think Stetler doesn't haunt me. Don't think things I've done don't stalk me. I'm still paying for things I've done. I just don't want you to have to pay the way I'm paying."
"How are you paying, Horatio? Tell me that. How are you paying for what you've done?" Eric demanded.
"With things that will never be replaced."
Horatio sighed, dropped his gaze, but then lifted it back up. "Go home, Eric. Go home and stay there. I expect you back at work tomorrow morning, and I expect it to be like nothing has happened. I don't care if that's not how you feel, and I don't care if that's not reality, but I will do anything to keep this lab from going down. So, go home, clear your head, and be ready to work tomorrow."
With Horatio's dismissal, Eric turned on his heel and stalked away towards his Hummer. He threw himself into the driver's seat, gunned the engine, and headed for home, like he was supposed to. Like he had been told to.
When he reached his apartment, he slammed the door behind him. Somehow, it didn't relieve the anger. He stood still for a long time in his living room, trying to decide how to release the pent up energy he felt coursing through him. His instinct was to head back out and throw himself into the arms of the Miami night life. But that's not what he needed. Nor what he should do.
He locked the door and then went into the kitchen. Digging into his pantry, he found his liquor and a glass. Pouring himself a measurable amount, he began to swig at it. He didn't care that it burned. The burning felt good. The pain felt normal. It made the ceaseless whirlwind in his mind shut down.
He continued drinking long after night had fallen. He moved from room to room, but each time he moved, it was with less and less ease. The liquor sloshed inside its bottle as he poured himself yet another glass while he stumbled into his bedroom.
He was shuffling to his bed as he swallowed the contents of the glass. He was dizzy, feeling sick, and miserable inside. The burning was wearing him down now, not killing the pain. He dropped the glass onto the floor and the bottle onto the nightstand. It almost spilled because of the clumsy way he set it, but he didn't care. He collapsed onto his bed and lay still, wishing there was some way to make the aching in his heart go away.
Barely able to move because of how drunk he was, Eric managed to get himself under the blankets, and then he ceased to move. Motion made his head spin. But as he stopped moving, he again felt those helpless, degrading, miserable sensations squeeze his heart.
He didn't even realize he was crying until his pillow was soaked. But he didn't try to stop. He let his tears fall freely and without ceasing. It was over. He'd let go, broke down, and finally cried. Cried for the craziness of this day, cried for his stupidity, and cried just for the sheer relief it brought.
Over and over in his head, he listed off things that had been bothering him, from Speed's death, to his replacement, to the sheer frustrations of his life, to everything that had happened today and last night. He let it all run through his mind, and then through his eyes in the form of wet, salty tears.
After a while, his tears stopped. He didn't know how long it had taken, but long enough for the full moon to rise and pour out silver moonlight onto his bed. And it wasn't because he'd gotten a grip on himself. It wasn't because the pain had stopped. But he had accepted it. Finally. After spending so much time denying it, he accepted the pain, and released it.
His eyes remained open and he watched the sky remained such a deep, dark black. After what seemed an eternity of nothingness, he let himself fall into that dark blackness. That dark abyss that promised him the relief of sleep.
I didn't get near the reviews I wanted on this story, but I'm not going to complain, because I didn't figure that I would anyways. And the reviews I did get were good ones, so I'm happy and grateful for that. I appriceate all of those who have read, reviewed, and taken the time to share their thoughts with me. It helped to shape a plot that I was still a little shaky on.
That being said, I will start doing a little bit of an explination that I have not revealed to anybody. (No, not even to you, Addie, lol)
Another story is coming out soon, from Ryan's POV titled "Take it Easy", and will start from where this story left him off. I'm not exactly sure how long that story will be, or how long it will take, but I have plans for yet another tale after that one, and it will draw with it a connection to this story, my previous(Bring Me to Life), and "Take It Easy" And it will be a connection like nothing anybody is expecting. Trust me, you won't see what me and my plot bunnies have coming.
Having revealed that to you all, I would strongly suggest you read Bring Me to Life. And, I'm assuming if you're reading this, you've read Maneater. I'm not going to shamelessly beg for reviews (even though I'd like to) because that's not the point. But when I come out with my fourth story, I don't want you to be totally confused. And if you havn't read the previous three(third not being written yet), you will be completely lost.
I hope that made sense to you, and if it didn't, please, feel free to ask me questions in reviews, or PM. I'll try to have Take it Easy's first chapter up by the end of tonight, but I make no promises.
Well, thanks for coming, reading, and hopefully reviewing. And if not, oh well. But I hope you'll stay in tune! Cya 'round,
Rebellwithoutacause