Part 3...thanks for all the reviews so far...be sure to keep those coming!!
Back at the crime scene…
"So the killer came back to the scene but why?" asked Tripp "I mean there are cops and CSI's everywhere. The perp would've been pretty desperate"
"There is a void here in the victim's blood pool. It is possible that is what he came back for" speculated Ryan as he snapped photos
"Hey wait a second, there was a computer disc there" Natalia stated as she approached
"You're sure?" asked Ryan
"Yeah, Calleigh snapped pictures of it"
"Is it possible she collected it as evidence already?" asked Tripp
"I already checked her kit; she hadn't gotten past lifting a few prints and taking photos. So I guess we know why the killer came back"
"Yes and the question now is what is on that disk that makes it worth killing for" replied Horatio as he entered the foyer.
"Horatio" acknowledged Ryan.
"Any news on Calleigh?" asked Tripp
"She is in surgery. Natalia I need you to go to the hospital and collect her clothes as evidence and take them straight to the lab for processing"
"You got it" she replied gathering her things and heading out.
Horatio nodded to her as she passed "Ryan what else can you tell me?"
"I managed to lift a partial print from a large piece of the broken vase. Hopefully our assailant is in the system. Also, Calleigh lifted some prints from the pillar near where the body was discovered. Natalia said she may have some blood DNA not belonging to our vic in the sink. I'm just trying to pick up where she might have left off before…" he left the sentence hanging.
"So he might have cut himself. Ok, keep me posted. Tripp?" Ryan nodded and went back to collecting evidence trying not to get distracted by the sight of his friend's blood on the floor.
"Yeah"
"Did anyone see anything?"
"None of the patrol officers saw the guy Eric described enter the house. But a neighbor around the block said she a man about 5'8", Caucasian, wearing a white jumper, run through her backyard and hop an adjacent fence. She didn't get a good look at his face but I've got officers canvassing the neighborhood."
"Ok, I want you on that too"
"What are you gonna do?"
"I am going to see Alexx. I'm hoping our vic has some DNA on her that doesn't belong to her" He replied putting his sunglasses on and heading out the front door.
Alexx tried to concentrate but she couldn't. She did, however, take the small grace she'd been granted that her friend wasn't laid out on one of the other tables. It had been exceptionally hard to do Tim's autopsy and she was sure it would mean her resignation if she had to Calleigh's.
She nearly collapsed when Horatio told her what happened. It wasn't bad enough the scumbag had to snuff out a young woman but to attack a police officer as well. She hoped when they caught the bastard someone gave him a taste of his own medicine.
The door to her morgue swung open and Horatio sauntered in "Alexx what have you got?"
"There are some skin cells under her fingernails." She replied handing him an envelope containing the evidence.
"Cause of death?"
"Blood loss. She bled to death from the five inflicted stab wounds. The one to her carotid artery was the one that did her in. Our perp gave her a nice shiner too but no residual brain trauma from that"
"He probably hit her to distract her and then stabbed her"
"She didn't know what hit her"
"How's Calleigh?"
"She is in surgery."
"How bad is it, Horatio? Really?"
Horatio knew he wouldn't be able to put anything past Alexx "Subdural hematoma"
"I'd like to have five minutes alone with this guy when you catch him"
"So would I Alexx, so would I"
TBC…..Don't forget to use that magic button!!