AN: I realize it's literally been years since I updated, but after a review (thanks, Krysnel Domeri Nicavis!) I went back to the story and discovered that I hadn't posted this! I have the next chapter as well, but after that no promises...

"There's always a clue."

Chapter Five: Rain

Catherine and Nick stood at the entrance to the alley where the shooting had occurred. Deserted except for police officers, the alley was dark and shadowy, illuminated only by flashlights and headlights. They looked at each other.

"Well," Nick said to break the silence, and began to walk into the alley.

"I think it's going to rain," Catherine murmured, looking up.

"This is Las Vegas. It won't rain," Nick said, and felt a drop on his head. "Wonderful," he said. "I hate it when I'm wrong."

"As much as I enjoy it when you're wrong, we're in trouble if we are going to get any evidence from this crime scene." They hurried into the alleyway as the rain began to fall faster and faster.

"David's right over there," Catherine said. "I'll take care of the body, you start on whatever you can."

"Right," said Nick, as Catherine hurried over to the victim. "Hey Brass!" he called.

"Yeah, Nick?"

"This is a gang shooting? There's only one victim and it doesn't look like there was much of a shootout."

"One of the neighbors identified the victim as a prominent gang member and drug dealer. Could've been a drive-by."

"Maybe," Nick said, bending down to pick up a can of spray paint. "Did you guys see anything else in this alley?" he asked Brass as the rain began to fall harder.

"Nope, sorry."

"Alright, thanks," Nick said and started a quick walk-through.

"Hey, David," Catherine shouted over the noise of the rain. "Anything I should know?"

"Vic was shot in the chest, but from the blood on the ground, it looks like he walked around before he died." David pointed, and Catherine immediately took several pictures. The rain was already washing everything away.

"Catherine!" Nick called, coming up behind her. "I can't see anything in this downpour. We should probably just go."

They got into the car, both soaking wet. "Ugh. Did you hear about this on the weather? I heard the usual 'bright, sunny skies!'" Catherine said, wringing out her hair.

"I heard it was supposed to sprinkle – tomorrow."

"Well," Catherine sighed, looking out at the alley. "Our evidence is gone."

"I don't know if there was any to begin with," Nick said. "It was probably a drive-by."

"You don't just shoot once during a drive-by! I didn't see any other bullets, or holes in the wall or anything, did you?"

"No..."

"Pretty good aim, don't you think? For a drive-by, I mean."

"What do you think happened, Catherine?" Nick asked, pulling out onto the road.

"I have no idea. Maybe it was an inside thing, someone from his own gang?"

Nick shrugged. "All I know is we've got a lot of work to do."