MS Chapter 6

"What, so killing three kids just… happened?" Ryan said in disbelief.

Mr. Jepson was just about to advise his client not to say anything else when Steve interrupted him, "I need to get this out, they've near enough sussed it out anyway. What's the point of lying or being quiet?"

"Well, for the record, this is against my advice."

"Duly noted Mr. Jepson," Horatio turned back to Steve, "you were saying?"

"Craig owed my boss money for drugs; we're talking over $3,000. I knew he could get the money because his dad owns a shoe company in New York. I was told to go find him and rough him up a bit just to scare him."

Horatio's eyebrows lifted slightly, "what about the Kimber Ultra Carry that was in your posession? How did you come across that?"

"Some new guy who'd been with us for a few weeks, had looked very familiar to me. I had someone go check him out and it came back that he was a cop."

"So you used this information to your advantage. You knew of the Kimber in our possession because you were the other suspect in the robbery. It used to belong to you before you did the robbery. So, you blackmailed this new guy into getting your gun back. He had to get your gun back otherwise you'd tell the boss."

Steve started to look and feel a bit uncomfortable, "well, I just couldn't resist. Wolfe took it off me in the first place."

"Well he will do if it's used for a robbery and to kill someone."

"When he gave it back to me, I knew I could use it to scare Craig. I called to meet up with him and he came with his girlfriend and her sister. As Craig put his bags in the trunk I asked him what he had in them, he told me that he'd done a few houses whilst they were empty. I looked in them and saw that there must have at least six grand's worth of gear in those bags. He told me that once he had sold it all, I could have the money he owed. Also, not to let on to the girls about it."

"But you got greedy didn't you?"

"No, I just wanted a piece of the profits but he said no. So, I thought I'd teach him a lesson. The punk was way over his head in debt and had no idea what to do. So, I took him out to the Glades. I thought if I could get him alone out there, I could scare him with the gun. When we'd got to the Glades Craig wanted to stop for a pee. When he was stood there, I put the gun to his back and told him I wanted a piece of the profits, he laughed at me! He said I wouldn't have the guts and that I was just a weak, little coward. Next thing, I'd found that I'd shot him. Katy got out of the car and started screaming at me so I shot her so she'd shut up. I got into my car and Kay had seen everything and was screaming and shouting at me to go back. I stopped the car and shut her up as well."

"Then you dumped the car in the Glades and made a run for it. But the sun was too hot for your body to handle wasn't it? You had no water and so you looked for shade in the clearing where I found you."

"Yeah, and you should have left me there to die, I wouldn't have to put up with this then would I?"

"Now where would the fun be in that?"

"Mr. Jepson," started Ryan, "visiting time is over, shall I escort you out or you going to leave peacefully?"

Mr. Jepson snorted, "Steve, I'll be back in the morning."

Horatio stood in front of the lawyer, "well, you'd better come see him in booking because that's where he'll be."

Mr. Jepson scurried out of the room and left the building.

Horatio and Ryan left the room to be greeted by two uniforms.

"No-one comes in here unless you accompany them. I will be back tomorrow for Mr. Tillidge," Horatio put his shades on.

"Yes sir."

"Let's go Mr. Wolfe."

With that, they left the hospital.

Back at the lab, Eric was waiting for Horatio to get back. He seemed a bit distressed.

"Eric? What's going on?"

"Can we have that talk now, in private, please?"

"Certainly," and they both went into Horatio's office.

"Horatio, I'm in deep trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

"A few years ago, I had a one-night-stand with some woman. I don't even remember her name. Now she's turned up, out of the blue, a kid in tow saying that I'm the father and is demanding money off me."

Horatio wasn't ready for this; he had to collect his thoughts before advising Eric on what he should do.

"When did she turn up?"

"The day before you came home from England. I had just wished that your flight hadn't been delayed, I wasn't in a good way."

Horatio thought for a moment, if their flights weren't delayed then maybe he and Calleigh would never have got it together.

"Well that couldn't be helped Eric. Have you had a D.N.A test done to confirm whether this kid is in fact yours?"

"She won't until I give her money. I told her that she wasn't getting any till I've had a D.N.A test done, then she stormed out calling me an unreliable father, just like the rest. H, I'm not willing to pay a dime to that woman until I know for sure."

"I understand that. You need to sort out a court order demanding that the kid has a test done, and then she's bound by law to get it done."

"Thanks H, I owe you one."

Calleigh walked into her lab to collect her coat and purse. She was tired and just wanted to go home and relax with Horatio. It had been a long day. But, as she opened the door, she saw Jake standing there leant against the desk.

"Hiya Cal."

Calleigh looked up, she felt sick to her stomach.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well Stetler decided that I wasn't going to get sent down. I'm needed more undercover than in a cell."

"So let me get this straight, you steal a gun from lock-up whilst Eric was in charge and give it to a murderer. And they let you off? They should have let you rot in jail."

"Don't be like that, Cal"