Disclaimer: I obviously do not own CSI: NY. I just own my car, my laptop and my crazy muse who seems to want to write 4 different stories at a time. I also do own any characters that you do not recognize. You can borrow them if you ask permission first!

A/N: Here's the next chappie!! Thanks to all who reviewed. As always, please R&R. My muse loves the attention. :D Okay guys...I know that this is early...but my muse was uber creative this weekend and I have lots of chapters written!!! So enjoy...I'll probably post the next chapter either Wednesday or Thursday (depending on the response to this one.) (:p)

Chapter 20.

Connections

When Cory, Danny, and Alexis stepped off the plane at JFK, all three immediately turned on their cell phones. Cory was astounded to find that she had four voicemails. Quickly she called in and became concerned when all four messages were from Lydia, begging her to call her.

Danny looked at his and was relieved to find that he didn't have any messages. He turned to say as much to Cory, only to find her calling a number with a worried expression on her face. "Bella? Is everything okay?"

Cory just held up her hand as Lydia answered the phone. "Lydia, it's Cory."

"Why the hell haven't you been answering the phone?"

Cory rolled her eyes. "I just got off a plane, Lyd. You know that you can't have cell phones on in flight."

"Oh. Anyway. I have good news, good news and bad news. What do you want first?"

Cory sighed. "I'll take the bad news first."

"Javier Martinez is dead."

Cory furrowed her brow. "Dead? How?"

"Execution. NYPD found him in the East River this morning. Detective Flack is working the case."

"Okay. What's the good news?"

Lydia laughed. "We have Gabriel Martinez in custody and he's willing to roll over on Javier Montoya."

Cory's eyes widened in her surprise. "You're joking. Right?"

"Nope. Now, are you going to get your Texan butt here so you can interrogate him or what?"

Cory shook her head. "Of course! I'll be there as soon as New York Traffic will allow! I'll see in you in a bit. Bye!" Cory quickly hung up the phone and turned to Danny and Alexis who were waiting patiently. "Mom, Danny, I hate to do this to you, but I've got to go into work. Danny, can you take Mom to our apartment?"

Danny nodded his head. "Sure."

Alexis looked at her daughter. "Good news, dear?"

Cory smiled. "Yeah. I think I just got a break in my case." She turned to Danny. "If you'll drop me off, I'll have Lydia drive me home when I'm done."

Danny nodded, understanding her obsession.

Cory strode into FBI headquarters feeling excited. She quickly made her way to her office, thanking the powers that be the entire way that she had dressed up on the flight back. As soon as she put her purse away, she walked into the Lydia's office.

Lydia, who was on the phone, held up her hand to motion to Cory that she would be right with her. "Okay. Thanks, Detective. If I get any information from Gabriel, I'll let you know."

Cory sat, waiting patiently for Lydia to finish her call. When Lydia finally hung up the phone, Cory raised her eyebrows. "Well?"

Lydia smiled. "Well, what?"

Cory rolled her eyes. "How did you catch him?"

Lydia sighed. "Believe it or not, he turned himself in."

"What?"

Lydia nodded. "Yeah. I was a shocked as you are. It all happened so fast. NYPD got a call about a floater and when they got there, Gabriel was standing there. He said that he was wanted for drug trafficking and wanted to turn himself into the FBI."

Cory shook her head. "Um…um…Wow. I'm stunned."

"Yeah. So, anyway, Detective Flack arrested him, after running his prints and pretty much delivered him to me gift wrapped." Lydia shook her head again. "So, I tried to interrogate him when he got here, but he's only willing to talk to you. Thus my panicked calls."

Cory grunted softly. "Well. What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Together, the two women walked into an interrogation room, to find the criminal sitting there, calmly.

"Mr. Martinez," Cory began. "I'm Special Agent Corrine Reid. I hear that you wanted to talk to me?"

The Hispanic man nodded his head. "Yes."

Cory looked at him. "Why me?"

"Carlos always said that you were good at your job. I would like your help."

Cory decided to proceed cautiously. "With what?"

"Bringing my brother's killer to justice."

"What will you give me in return?" she queried.

"Information."

Cory thought for a moment. "What kind of information? I do warn you, if the information is not useful, then you will not get any help from the FBI."

He nodded and settled back in his chair. "That is fair. What would you like to know?"

"Why don't you began telling my about Javier Montoya and why there is a contract out on my life?"

"You are a threat. It's a simple as that."

Cory's brow furrowed. "A threat to what? The drug trade?"

Gabriel sighed. "Yes and no. What do you know about Montoya?"

Cory shook her head. "Not much."

"He is the manager of the largest drug cartel to come out of Columbia in the last twenty years. He is also…" he trailed off, searching for the correct words. "He is also insane. After September 11, he jumped on the hating America bandwagon. It makes no sense to me."

"Why?"

"America is his largest 'customer'. This is where he makes most of his money. Still, I've heard rumors that he is helping to finance a branch of Al Queda."

Cory grew serious at that threat. "How?"

Gabriel shrugged his shoulders. "Mostly money, but he was the one supplying Mala Suerte with their weapons. I'm sure that he is helping there also."

Cory nodded. "Alright. So far you've given me a good story, but how do I know that it's not a load of horse manure?"

"There are some warehouses, down on the docks, that he uses to store the guns. I'll give you the locations."

Cory handed him a piece of paper and a pen so he could write down the locations. "Write down the locations of the warehouses." She decided to change topics. "Who killed your brother?"

Gabriel grew more somber. "Montoya," he whispered.

"Why?" Cory asked, her tone gentle.

"We wanted out," he said simply.

Cory nodded in understanding. She thought for a moment. "Okay. Here's what I can offer you for now, until this information is verified. I can get you into protective custody, pending your trial for drug trafficking. That's the most I can do."

Gabriel nodded. "That's…not what I hoped for, but I'll accept it."

Cory stood up and nodded to the agent standing guard. "Take him back to his cell. I want him on isolation, no visitors whatsoever. High priority."

"Yes, ma'am," the agent said while leading Gabriel out of the room.

Cory picked up the notepad and glanced at the locations. She was contemplating how best to raid the warehouses, when Lydia walked back in.

"Good work," she said.

Cory glanced up. "Thanks. I think we're going to need help to raid all of these. I'm thinking NYPD and Homeland Security. There are three different warehouses, so each of us can take one? Sound good?"

Lydia nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Why don't I contact Homeland Security, while you contact NYPD?"

Cory nodded and stood. "I guess I'll go back to my office then."

Cory began to make plans while she walked. As soon as she got to her office, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Flack."

"Hey, Flack. It's Cory."

"Hey. What's going on? Have you and Danny landed yet?"

Cory laughed. "A couple of hours ago. I'm calling because I need a favor."

"What's it going to cost me? The last time you asked me to do a favor for you, I lost a hundred bucks."

Cory rolled her eyes. "A professional favor, Don."

"Oh. What's going on?"

"You know the guy you pulled from the river?" At Flack's acknowledgement she continued, "He was killed by Javier Montoya. Major player in the drug cartel. I got some info on some warehouses that he owns which he is using to house weapons. We need to raid them, but I don't have enough manpower. I'm thinking we need a coordinated strike and take them all out at the same time."

Flack thought about it for a moment. "I think that it possible. How many warehouses and where are they?"

"There are three. They're on the docks. I figure FBI takes one, NYPD the second and Homeland Security the third."

"Why Homeland Security?" Flack growled, his distaste for the organization apparent in his voice.

Cory sighed, not surprised at his reaction. "Because national security is at stake, Flack. I know you don't like them, but I have to bring them in on it."

"Fine. I'll get together a task force. Anything else?"

Cory was taken aback by the abruptness in his tone. She decided to let it slide. "Yeah, actually I do have a request, personal this time." She paused. "We need to have a movie night. My mom is in town now and I think that this is the best way to introduce her to everyone. Do you know if everyone has the same night off anytime soon?"

Flack thought for a moment. "I think everyone is off Tuesday."

Cory smiled. "Good. Tell everyone to meet at my place at six. Mom and I will cook, then we'll watch movies."

Flack laughed. "It's a date!"

AN: Okay guys...Good news is fluff is on the way! Even better news...my muse has been on a roll lately and I've got so many chapters written, so I will definitely be updated regularly!!! Yeah!!

CSI Junkie - I'm glad I could provide you with your fix, at no cost!!!

brainDamage - So? What did ya think of my HP fic??? If only my muse would come back for it! If you think this is good...you should see the upcoming chapters!! ;p

Axellia - Of course Danny showed up! He's just that way! I don't know how we do it either...Our muses have been on CRACK of the last week!

Aphina - Yeah!!! You're caught up!!! (blushing) Well thanks! Yeah, Cory's mom was a biatch to her...but she had issues, that I do hope are worked out now! I do try to be realistic, just keep in mind I've still got many suprises up ahead!