Title: Shattered Lives
Author: csimiamilover
Rating: K+
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. I am sorry this update came so late and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 6- I'm Fine, Really!
She wanted to scream. Wanted to yell at the top of her lungs until she couldn't breathe anymore. No scratch that, Calleigh Duquesne wanted to scream her head off. The blonde wanted to erase the moment she walked through the victim's front door. Erase every single trace of this day. But the bloody photograph wouldn't vanish from her mind. The image seemed to linger there, dominating her vision until she could no longer see the two men standing before her with concern in their eyes.
That damn photograph was the only thing Calleigh could see. If she concentrated hard enough she could focus on the fine details- the lines and shapes, the vibrant colors and the crimson-colored blood seemed to be magnified as if Calleigh could see the cells living within the blood. To add insult to injury all her thoughts revolved around the photo and the possibility she was being stalked. So when Eric gently called her name Calleigh didn't hear him the first time. "Calleigh?" Eric repeated, the concern evident in his tone.
Snapping out of her shock-induced trance Calleigh tilted her head slightly, the young Cuban and redhead once again in her line of vision. "Are you alright?" Calleigh nodded, then sensing the simple gesture wasn't enough the green-eyed blonde added: "I'm fine." Too bad Horatio and Eric had heard the two words come out of her mouth before. They didn't believe her.
Horatio spoke next. "Are you sure Calleigh?" You can-"
Calleigh cut him off. "I'm fine, really. Can we just process the scene?" She said, her tone bright as she tried to convince him. He looked at her unsure at first then nodded his head. Without speaking Horatio lead the way through the main portion of the house, the pair following behind. Cutting through the small and cluttered kitchen they reached the master bedroom at the end of the hallway where the victim was found.
Sucking in one huge gulp of air Calleigh entered the room behind the two men. As soon as she stepped onto the hardwood floor and glanced around a feeling of familiarity overwhelmed her. Horatio was right, the scene did have a strong resemblance to the Shelton crime scene. The ballistics expert soaked in all the details of the room, pushing the image of the photo to the back of her mind. The room was of medium size. Pictures of the victim and her family hung on the cream-colored walls. In the center the queen-sized bed dominated the room with it's white as snow bedding and matching pillows. And smack dab in the middle a young blonde woman lay with her arms crossed over her chest and a white rose placed on her abdomen. Just like Jennifer. Another familiar detail- Alexx was already examining the body.
Walking deeper into the room the platinum blonde went through all the familiar motions- setting her field kit down and retrieving her camera with gloved hands. She placed her camera around her neck and walked over to the body. To her left Eric was getting his camera out too. Horatio was speaking with Alexx. She listened to the conversation as she photographed the young woman's wounds.
"What do we have Alexx?" Horatio asked softly.
Alexx glanced up from the body. "Baby girl was stabbed in the abdomen. There was skin under her nails so she must have fought with someone." She explained, casting a long glance back at her pale, round face.
"Thanks Alexx." Horatio said, looking at the victim's face sadly. When he looked back up Detective Frank Tripp materialized in front of him. "Frank. Do you have an ID?" He asked, with his hands on hips in the usual Caine fashion.
Frank referred to the notebook in his hands before answering the question: "Vita Hamburg, 25. Lived here alone. Neighbors heard screaming and called 911. No one saw anyone entering or leaving the house."
Horatio looked down at the hardwood thoughtfully. Then meeting the Texan's stare he added: "Alexx found skin under her nails. She fought with someone. Possibly her killer."
Yes she fought with someone, but the question was who?
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Calleigh finished photographing the body and stepped aside to let the attendants carry the body away. With her eyes she followed the black body bag until it disappeared out of sight. The blonde let out a long sigh then returned to her work. She was examining the bed when something caught her eye. It was a man's ring. Reaching across the bedding the ballistics expert picked it up and examined it more closely. The ring was plain, and gold in color. She dropped it into an evidence baggie.
As she studied every surface in the room she could feel Eric's eyes on her. Calleigh knew he was concerned about her. He cared about her. But right now she just wanted to focus on the case. Focus on getting justice for the victims. Yet the woman didn't know she was a victim herself. But a victim of a different crime than murder. "Calleigh I found a fingerprint on the door handle." Eric said from across the room where he was snapping photos of the print. She turned around, her gaze landing on him. "Maybe that will tell us who else was in the room. I'm pretty sure it was a man. I found a man's ring on the bed." Calleigh explained.
"Who ever it was, they tidied up pretty good."
They sure did.
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An hour later found Calleigh heading down to the morgue to retrieve the autopsy report on Vita. She quickened her pace and pushed through the morgue doors, greeted by a rush of cold air. Alexx finished stitching up the incision she had made moments before. The medical examiner looked up and flashed the blonde a small smile.
"Hey Alexx, what can you tell me about our victim?" Calleigh asked, coming to a standstill in front of the attractive African-American woman, her eyes briefly flicking toward the body on the stainless steel table then returning to Alexx.
"She was stabbed in the abdomen. But the wound wasn't deep enough to kill her. Poor baby bled out. I sent the skin cells under her nails to DNA." Alexx explained.
Calleigh nodded thoughtfully then turned on her heel to leave. "Thanks Alexx." She called over her shoulder.
Alexx smiled. "Anytime sweetie."
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5 minutes later, Calleigh entered the DNA lab where Maxine Valera was pulling the DNA report from the printer. Valera turned around and headed over to the blonde, handing over the printout over the glass-topped table.
"DNA under the vic's nails belonged to Jarrod Benton." Valera said.
Calleigh thanked her and with the report in hand stepped out into the hallway running into Eric. Literally. She looked up, staring into his eyes, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Eric was grinning, amused. "I'm sorry Cal, I didn't see you there for a second."
"No it was my fault." Anyway we have our first suspect. Jarrod Benton." Calleigh said, handing him the printout.
He looked it over. " Time to call Frank and have a little chat with Mr. Benton."
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TBC?
Do you guys like where this story is headed? I need the readers opinion.