January 20

"I'm surprised to see you here, Mister Marquez," Horatio commented in a confused voice as he came into his office and saw Bernard sitting at the desk in a wheelchair while a woman in scrubs sat on the couch. "When you called and said you had information about Raymond..."

Bernard sighed, "I have several legitimate businesses to run and I have to keep my nose clean," he replied in a tight voice. "I am the owner of Club Cruz and I let Clavo run things legally because I am not physically well and my doctor said I need to take things very easy."

"You said you had information about Raymond," Horatio observed. "This late at night..."

Bernard nodded, "Ray came into Club Cruz with a kid and some skinny guy," he explained in a tired voice. "He was demanding a plane to take his son to Brazil. He threatened me with a gun."

Horatio looked surprised, but nodded, "I told him that I'd arrange for a plane to meet them at the edge of the Everglades near the county line, but I never ordered a plane," Bernard continued in a tired voice. "There's a shack out there and I'm sure Ray's found it by now."

"Witnesses said that my nephew was driving," Horatio stated anxiously. "Robert Caine."

Bernard nodded and sighed before coughing, "Excuse me," he spoke weakly. "I have no doubt that Ray's holding on to your nephew to make sure he gets what he wants. I don't know, however, how badly your nephew will be injured by the time the police get to him."

"What condition do you have that makes you physically unable to work?" Horatio asked.

Bernard scoffed, "A heart condition," he replied coolly. "Everyone who matters knows of it."

Horatio nodded and looked at the woman, "I want to be allowed to leave without any reference to my past sins," Bernard said sternly. "There is a road in the back of Club Cruz that will lead to the spot where I sent Ray. A plane can't land in there and there's not really a way to escape."

"I'll be taking Mister Marquez home so he can rest," Dr. Price spoke softly. "He needs it."

Horatio nodded and the woman stood up, "I'll send cars out that way," he replied softly.

Nodding, Bernard allowed himself to be rolled out of the office and down the hallway.


The Everglades

Thunder rumbled overhead as Ray swore and threw another empty bottle at the chair where Bobby had been tied up for the last two days. Ray had quickly figured out that there was no plane coming and had taken it out on Bobby while Ray Jr. was forced to watch and cry. The shack was dilapidated, but Ray was grateful that they at least had somewhere to hide.

Bobby gasped as the glass bottle connected with his head and shattered, but he couldn't do anything about his wounds, "I like your cell-phone, Robert," Ray said in an enthused voice as he held up the cell-phone that he had taken from his nephew's pocket. "I also like your wallet."

Ray Jr. whimpered as Ray looked through the wallet and plucked a credit card out as well as a list of numbers that Bobby had been given when he first transferred to the MDPD, "I'll be using this to plan an escape for Ray Junior and I. I don't know what I'm going to do with you yet."

"Dad, why don't you just let him go?" Ray Jr. cried anxiously. "You've got his car and his..."

Ray smirked as Bobby threw up on the floor, "I do have his car and I do have his wallet," he replied in an amused voice. "I also have a cell-phone that I can use to book us transportation."

There was a silence and Ray walked over to Bobby, "Time to go for a walk, nephew," he hissed, scratching Bobby's face as he touched him. "Do not attack me when I untie you or I'll kill you."

Bobby remained silent and still as he was untied and then winced as Ray forced him to his feet by the collar of his shirt, "Let's take a walk," Ray hissed. "Ray Junior, stay in this house!"

Ray Junior nodded and looked scared as he was left alone, "It's storming pretty badly, Robert," Ray hissed as he dragged his nephew out into the rain. "I'll keep your card, the phone, and the phone list, but you can have your wallet back. Take it and start walking back to your house before I decide to shoot you and make sure you see your mother in the afterlife."

Even though Bobby knew that Miami was a fair distance from where they were, Bobby remained quiet as Ray shoved the wallet into his pants pocket and shoved him away from the dilapidated shack, causing him to fall over. Ray's laughter filled the air as he went back inside.

Trembling anxiously, Bobby pulled himself to his feet and began to slowly walk away from the shack and towards the more dangerous part of the Everglades that separated him from Miami.


Downtown Miami

"Are you okay, Yelina?" Sully asked softly as he watched Yelina gaze down at the plate of food she had ordered for their supper together. "I know it's been a rough couple of days..."

Yelina shrugged and sighed, "I'm scared for my son and for Robert," she replied softly. "I don't know exactly what Robert has been through, but I know Ray Junior has been through a lot."

"Robert worked very hard to provide for his family when they lived in New York, but he didn't have a lot of friends outside of work besides Bosco and I," Sully explained softly, taking a swig of his coffee. "Danielle and a friend of hers helped Robert and his children get to safety."

Yelina frowned, deeply confused, "Robert's wife, Amanda Stetler, was mentally ill and on medication, but she refused to take it," Sully explained softly. "Only a few of us knew."

"I knew that Robert had married Stetler's sister, but I never knew it was bad," Yelina replied.

Sully nodded and took a bite of his meal, "Robert didn't ever badmouth Amanda to anyone and he still doesn't even though she died last year," he replied calmly. "He's a strong young man."

Yelina nodded and suddenly caught sight of Horatio and Marisol across the street looking rather relaxed, "That's Horatio and Marisol Delko," she spoke softly to Sully. "Look across the road."

Sully looked and grinned when he saw Horatio reach into his pocket and pull out a small velvet box, causing Marisol to gasp and say something quietly, "Did Horatio just propose?" he asked.

Yelina smiled just as Marisol nodded, opened the box, took out a ring that she immediately slipped on to her ring finger, "I guess Horatio needs some happiness right now," she said softly.

There was another silence and Sully sighed, "I know we talked about taking that next step, but I also know you want Ray Junior there, so I think we should wait until he's found," he said in a nervous voice, knowing it could mean the end of the relationship. "I don't want you upset."

Yelina nodded and sighed, "I couldn't even think about that until my son is found anyway," she replied in a shaken voice. "I would, however, like to keep seeing you for as long as I can."

"I'd like that too, Yelina," Sully replied softly. "Danielle's so relieved that I have a girlfriend."

Despite the fact that she was scared for Ray Jr and for Robert., Yelina chuckled softly and took a bite of her food, knowing that she needed to go back to the apartment soon. Sully sighed and as he ate, he gently took his free hand and gently placed it over Yelina's free hand.


Downtown Miami Condos

"Daddy, are you okay?" Lenny Stetler asked softly as he walked over to the chair where Rick was sitting, silently reading his email on his laptop and massaging his head rather slowly.

Rick sighed warily and pulled Lenny close for a hug, "Daddy's just got a headache and is very tired," he replied gently, not wanting to tell Lenny that he had gotten an email from Catherine.

"Officer Ryan is cooking some supper," Lenny replied softly. "Can I please go eat it?"

Rick nodded and sighed, "Go ahead, kiddo," he replied gently. "I'll be there soon."

Lenny nodded and Rick returned his attention to the email from Catherine, which included a confession from Catherine that she had emailed Ray in desperation over Lindsay's prolonged absence, as she had remembered his presence from Victims Assistance when both Lenny and Lindsay were kidnapped. Rick had also read that Catherine had been given email privileges and was looking to do whatever she could to get Lindsey back alive. The fact that made Rick sick was that Catherine had mentioned hearing from Ray a promise that he would help her do that.

"And Ray Junior paid the price," Rick murmured, horrified that Ray had kept his promise.

What made it worse, Rick thought, that Robert had been an innocent bystander and had been dragged into a conflict simply for being there and behind the wheel of a car. Deeply irritated that Catherine wouldn't just focus on recovery instead of on trying to get Lindsey back no matter who she hurt along the way, Rick sighed and pressed his fingers against his forehead.

Swallowing hard, Rick saved the email, closed his laptop, and quickly got up, "I'm going out for a bit of air," he called out as he quickly walked outside and stared up at the starry night's sky.

Deeply troubled over Catherine's involvement, Rick crossed his arms and gazed around the quiet downtown area. He frowned when he suddenly spotted Horatio and Marisol Delko.

"Rick, good evening," Horatio said in a clipped voice. "How are you enjoying the safehouse?"

Rick sighed, "I know how Ray decided to come after Ray Junior and this was planned long before he was arrested, I believe," he replied in a somber voice. "Catherine's still at the hospital in New York, but she somehow got computer privileges and communicated with Raymond some time before he was arrested and he faked his death to get access to Ray Junior. Catherine asked Ray to help her find Lindsey and Ray took Ray Junior to trade for Lindsey in Brazil."

"I've got patrols looking for Robert," Horatio replied calmly. "How do you know this?"

Rick sighed, "Catherine sent me an email," he replied anxiously. "I now have a migraine."

"I'm going to need to look at that email," Horatio said in a concerned voice. "Is that okay?"

Rick nodded, "Ryan and Lenny are eating dinner, but you and your friend can come in," he replied, nodding politely at Marisol. "Yelina is out on a date with John Sullivan Senior."

Horatio looked amused, but he and Marisol followed Rick into the house. Marisol sat on the couch while Horatio looked on the laptop. Rick silently wandered into the bathroom and Marisol frowned when retching suddenly came from the bathroom, "Rick?" Ryan called out.

A moment later, Rick came out of the bathroom looking pale and weak, "I haven't eaten or slept in two days," he spoke in an anxious, tired voice. "Catherine's email just kills me."

Horatio frowned as Rick silently went into his bedroom and closed the door, "Dad, what about supper?" he heard Lenny call out in a worried voice. "Officer Ryan, I'm worried about my dad..."

Quickly skimming the email, Horatio got up and walked over to Rick's closed door, "Rick, I've got information from an informant about where Ray, Robert, and Ray Junior might be," he said.


"Are all the kids in bed?" Bosco asked softly as she came up the stairs of Bobby's mansion to find Danielle standing in the hallway with her arms crossed. "I finished cleaning the kitchen."

Danielle nodded, "BJ and Adam are in bed and so is Ellie, but I haven't looked in on John and David yet," she replied softly. "I'm grateful that David improved enough so he could be here."

"Me too," Danielle replied softly as she and Bosco walked down the hallway. "John, David?"

Danielle opened the door to John and David's room and was surprised to see John, who was in his pajamas, making David, who was asleep in bed, comfortable with pillows and blankets, "David got tired while you guys were checking on Adam, BJ, and Ellie," John explained softly.

"How are your ribs?" Danielle asked in a concerned voice, noticing that John was wincing.

John shrugged, "Better than David's," he replied softly. "I'm happy he's out of the hospital."

"You should go to bed," Bosco commented gently. "I can tell by your wincing that you hurt."

John sighed, but went over to his bed and sat down, "Any news on BJ and Adam's dad?" he asked as he tucked himself into bed. "I'd hate for them to lose their dad like they lost..."

"Detective Caine will be all right," Danielle spoke up firmly. "He's very much a fighter."

John nodded and laid down, remaining silent as his parents kissed both him and David goodnight and left the room. He hoped that his mother would end up being right.


"Yes, I know there's a road behind Club Cruz, but I never had reason to ask about it," Rick snapped as he followed Horatio over to the Hummer that had been parked in the lot of the safehouse while Horatio had been entertaining Marisol. "That road leads to the glades?"

Horatio nodded, "According to my source, it does and there's a shack out there," he explained anxiously, recalling what Bernard had told him earlier. "Ray, Ray Junior, and Bobby are there."

"It's been two days, how can you be sure?" Rick asked sharply. "They could have left..."

Horatio shook his head, "Take Ryan with you as backup," Rick snapped. "I'm ordering it."

"Tommy Wolfe has charges against Ryan," Horatio replied. "I've got Eric and Calleigh..."

Rick scowled, "I don't give a crap about Tommy Wolfe," he replied harshly. "Consider this an order and I will deal with Tommy Wolfe. Speedle's busy doing some guard detail tonight..."

"For Miss Wolfe, I assume?" Horatio asked, knowing the Speedles had Emily's children.

Rick nodded as Ryan came out of the house, "Mister Wolfe, you're back on duty," Horatio said in an official voice. "Don't say anything right now, we have to get out to the county line area."

"Okay," Ryan replied in a surprised voice as he walked over to the Hummer. "Are you...?"

Rick shook his head, "I'm going to stay here with Lenny and I can't be anywhere near Ray if you find him too," he replied in an anxious voice. "Go and call me once you find something out."

Before Horatio or Ryan could reply, Rick turned and hurried back into the safehouse, "Get in the car, Mister Wolfe, I'll explain on the way and I'll need you to call the Sullivan-Boscorelli family at my nephew's house on the way to where we're going," Horatio said anxiously. "Get in the car."


Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital

Emily sighed softly as she felt James and Julliet cuddle up to her on either side, "I'm grateful that your parents brought James and Julliet by," she spoke softly, happy that she was in something other than a hospital gown for a visit with her kids. "I'm also glad you came."

Tim nodded and gently took Emily's hand as he sat in a chair beside the bed, "I should try and eat something," she spoke softly even though she had no appetite. "I know I should, but..."

"I won't tell anyone that they started another round of chemo on you yesterday just to make sure they get it all," Tim replied gently, noting that Emily looked tired. "Do you want water?"

Emily shook her head and swallowed hard as she stroked James and Julliet's hair, "I managed to drink a little juice after today's session," she replied softly. "I talked to Ryan about it and he..."

Tim's cell-phone suddenly rang and giving Emily an apologetic look, he released her hand and pulled his phone out of his pocket, "Tim Speedle," he spoke calmly. "Horatio, what's up?"

There was a heavy silence and Tim's eyes widened, "What?" he asked softly. "You're kidding."

Emily frowned as Tim hung up, "They have a lead on where Raymond Caine might have taken Detective Caine and Raymond Caine Junior," Tim explained softly. "They're going to check it."

"Do you need to go?" Emily asked in a concerned voice. "If you need to go, that's okay."

Tim shook his head and pocketed his cell-phone, "Horatio's got Eric, Calliegh, and Ryan on it," he replied in a calming voice so not to scare James and Julliet. "I guess Ryan's back on duty."

Emily nodded and sighed tiredly, prompting James and Julliet to get off the bed after delivering kisses to her face, "You should rest," Tim spoke softly. "I can entertain James and Julliet."

Nodding, Emily allowed her eyes to close and gently massaged her bandaged chest as she drifted into a sleep. Tim reached into the kids' bag that his parents had left with them while they went to the cafeteria and pulled out a few books. He then led James and Julliet over to a plush chair and put them both on his lap before he began to quietly read a story to them.


Coconut Grove

"Yes?" Danielle asked softly as she opened the door and saw Natalia. "Miss Boa Vista?"

Natalia sighed, "I have news," she replied softly. "About Detective Caine."

"Maurice is on the phone about it now," Danielle replied softly. "Please, come in."

Natalia nodded and came into the house, closing the door behind her, "John, David, Ellie, BJ, and Adam are all in bed and I don't want to wake them up if there's no news," Danielle explained in a concerned voice as she and Natalia sat on the couch. "I'm very tired myself."

"Not only is the CSI Team going, but Victims' Assistance also sent Grissom and Grissom took Detective Tripp since he's Detective Caine's partner," Natalia explained softly. "Protocol."

Danielle nodded as Bosco came into the living room, "Lieutenant Caine also called on Rescue to follow them out there in case there are injured people, but he wants us to stay here and look..."

The door suddenly opened and Sully and Yelina came into the house, "Sully, Yelina, the Crime Lab got a lead on where Raymond Caine took Ray Junior and Bobby," Bosco said in a soft voice.

Yelina gasped and nearly collapsed from shock, but Sully caught her, "It'll be okay," he whispered softly as he guided Yelina over to a chair and sat her down. "Just take a breath."

As Sully sat on the arm of the chair, Yelina tried to speak, but her words were lost in sobs and Sully gently drew her close to him. Bosco immediately went into the kitchen to make tea for everyone, as they knew nobody could leave until news about Bobby's fate was given to them.


Everglades - Near the County Line

Thunder roared as several Hummers, police cars, and an ambulance arrived in an area very close to the abandoned shack that Bernard had described, "There's no car here," Horatio observed as he got out and saw that Eric and Calleigh were already inside the shack.

"Horatio, Calleigh found blood inside and stained ropes," Eric replied in an anxious voice as Horatio came into the shack and looked over the damaged furniture and saw the chair, stained ropes, and wood that was in the corner. "I found some identification among the mess."

Horatio frowned as Eric showed him the wallet and the student ID card, "I found Raymond's ID in this and this is Ray Junior's student identification card from his school," Eric explained.

"Anything that indicates Detective Caine's presence here?" Horatio asked in a worried voice.

There was a silence and Horatio silently went outside and was about to return to his Hummer for his own kit when he suddenly noticed Ryan using a flashlight to follow something he could obviously see on the ground, "Mister Wolfe," Horatio called out. "What are you doing?"

"Wolfe found a trail of blood," Grissom, who had watched Ryan work, spoke up.

Just then, Frank shone his light on a spot close to the shack, "There was a car here, but it's not now," he observed. "Might be the rental car that John Sullivan Senior reported being stolen."

Horatio frowned, but his attention was on Ryan, "Get Eric or Calleigh to deal with it," he replied as he followed alongside Ryan. "How far does this blood trail seem to go, Mister Wolfe?"

"You should probably get EMS and Victims' Assistance," Ryan replied grimly. "A long way."

Grissom sighed, "Lieutenant Caine, you and Ryan follow the blood trail and I'll get EMS to follow you two at close range," he replied, quickly taking charge. "Are you two armed for a fight?"

Horatio nodded and kept quiet as he and Ryan followed the blood trail away from the chaos.


Everglades - Swamp Area

Several hours later, Horatio and Ryan found themselves several miles from the shack and spotting the blood trail was considerably easier because the sun had begun to rise. EMS was following from a distance, but the PD, Eric, and Calleigh were still back at the house because they were trying to figure out where the car that had been there before had gone.

As Horatio and Ryan entered the swampy area, they noticed more blood and footprints in the muddy areas, "Looks like Detective Caine was here," Ryan observed, eyeing the footprints.

Horatio nodded and frowned when he suddenly noticed movement nearly half a mile away against a tree that was very close to the water, "BOBBY!" he shouted, recognizing him.

Alarmed when Bobby didn't respond, Horatio and Ryan tore through the swamp towards the tree just as Bobby collapsed against the tree, "Uncle Horatio, Ryan?" Bobby whispered weakly.

"Can you stand?" Ryan asked in a concerned voice, frowning as Bobby shook his head.

Horatio sighed and gently lifted Bobby to his feet, frowning when he saw the blood on Bobby's face and bruising on his neck, "Let's do a fireman's carry, Mister Wolfe, since the paramedics can't get in here," he instructed in a soothing voice. "Bobby, we're going to lift you now."

Too weak to speak, Bobby nodded and fought to stay awake as Horatio and Ryan carried him out of the swamp and towards the waiting ambulance, where Grissom and Tripp waited.

"Careful," Horatio instructed as the paramedics gently eased Bobby from him and Ryan's arms to the clean gurney, frowning as Bobby began to shiver uncontrollably and quickly vomited.

The paramedics quickly went into action, "Put the clothes into bags!" Horatio ordered as the paramedics began to remove the wet clothing from Bobby's body. "Good work, Mister Wolfe."

"Do you want me to stay on scene while you follow your nephew to the hospital?" Ryan asked.

Horatio nodded, sighing as Bobby was carefully swaddled in blankets to dry him off and quickly given an oxygen mask, "Take it easy, please," he repeated. "Detective Caine has been missing for two days and there is no doubt that he's been through a great deal at the hands of his kidnapper. I'll be accompanying you to the hospital so that I can collect the evidence."

As the paramedics lifted the gurney, Bobby whimpered through the mask and it was then that Horatio noticed that there was blood coming from his mouth, "Internal injuries," he observed.

Noise filled the air was the paramedics and Horatio loaded the gurney into the ambulance, "Ryan, let's go back to the shack and we'll take pictures of the blood trail on the way," Grissom said, determined to make sure that the CSI team treated Ryan with respect like he deserved.


Everglades - Near the County Line

"...Detective Caine was found in the swamp and is being taken to Miami-Dade University Hospital as we speak," Horatio's voice echoed through the police radio. "I am with him."

Eric sighed heavily as he replaced his radio and quickly used his gloved hands to get a sample of the bloody vomit that had been found near the chair, "They didn't say if Detective Caine was alive," Calleigh spoke in a somber voice as she frowned at Eric. "Do you think he is?"

"I don't even know if Ray Caine or Ray Junior is still alive judging by the blood and these ID cards, but I'm not about to say anything until we find any bodies," Calleigh replied in a concerned voice. "Horatio didn't happen to say who his source was and I can't help..."

Eric sighed softly, "I'm sure Detective Caine will be okay because I know how much he cares for those two little boys of his," Tripp commented, overhearing Calleigh's comments as he came into the shack holding a piece of paper in the sleeve that was covering his hand. "I found this outside in some of the tire treads that seemed to be heading away from the shack."

"There are tire treads heading away from the track?" Eric asked sharply. "Where to?"

Tripp sighed, "No idea, but this paper might give a clue," he replied, offering the paper to Eric.

"Boat docks," Eric spoke as he read the messy writing on the paper. "Marquez lied about the plane, so I am driving to where they have boats who are captained by those who take bribes."

There was a cough, "Bernard Marquez?" Grissom asked as he and Ryan came into the shack with a camera around Grissom's neck. "Ryan is working for me, so nobody say anything."

"Grissom, since this falls under Victims' Assistance's jurisdiction, do you want to interview him by yourself or do you want a Miami officer with you?" Tripp spoke up in a respectful voice.

Grissom sighed, "I don't know where in Miami Bernard Marquez currently is, so I need someone who can come with me to talk to Emily Wolfe about where he is," he replied. "Who wants to?"

"Take Wolfe," Eric replied as he continued looking for evidence. "He's not on duty here."

Grissom scowled, but nodded and motioned to Ryan, "Come on, Ryan," he said calmly.

Swallowing hard, Ryan silently turned and followed Grissom out of the dilapidated shack.


Miami-Dade University Hospital

"If I give you Bernard's location, I want to be there," Emily replied in a stern voice as she sat up in her hospital bed and began to eat the breakfast she had been brought. "Tim's in the cafeteria and he'll be back soon, so we can go. I don't trust the PD to keep Bernard away from jail."

Grissom sighed, "According to a note we found out at the shack, Bernard somehow lied to Ray Caine about some sort of escape plane," he explained in a quiet voice. "Any ideas about that?"

"Bernard has money and maybe Ray knows that?" Emily asked in a surprised voice.

Grissom shrugged, "Lieutenant Caine's with Detective Caine right now and I think they're somewhere in the hospital," he replied calmly. "Do you think Ray went to a business that Bernard owns since nobody seems to know where he lives but you? I'm just curious."

"Bernard owns a lot of clubs," Emily replied softly, suddenly frowning. "Club Cruz."

Grissom raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, "Ray probably went to Club Cruz and Bernard was there, but I don't know how long he'd stay with his illness," Emily explained softly. "Oh man."

"Yet, the note at the site said Bernard lied," Grissom reasoned softly. "Why would that be?"

Emily sighed, "Bernard is trying to make up for his past sins," she explained softly, finishing the meal before pushing the tray away. "I'm not going to go into detail, but that is why he lied."

Just then, Tim came into the room looking concerned, "I just saw Detective Caine being taken into surgery while Horatio went to the observation theatre," he explained in a concerned voice.

"Yes, Detective Caine was found in the swampy area of the Everglades this morning around sunrise," Ryan spoke as he came into the room. "Emily, I'm working with Grissom on this."

Emily sighed and sat up, hugging Ryan as he approached the bed, "Stetler ordered Horatio to put me on the case, but he was reluctant until Grissom said I was working for Victims' Assistance," Ryan explained in a calm voice. "I'm still officially on suspension with the lab."

"It's good to see you at any rate," Emily replied, showing the shunt in her arm. "Doctor Loman decided to give me another round of chemo to make sure that they get all of the cancer."

Ryan sighed, but nodded with a compassionate expression on his face, "I'll help you, James, and Julliet any way I can," he promised in a sincere voice. "Even if I can't work with the lab..."

Grissom and Tim watched silently as Ryan and Emily cried together, both of them painfully aware that current life circumstances would make things difficult emotionally and financially.


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