Note: There is an announcement on my profile regarding fictions.

Chapter Eighteen: The One

Speed made his appointment. As he walked the halls toward the department psychologist he thought about letting the matter drop and staying in the lab. What could it hurt? He'd get a lot of evidence processed without being in danger. Maybe it was what he needed to help him readjust. He had spent only a week confined to the lab before pressuring Horatio to let him back out into the field. He felt the need to prove to everyone that he was still capable of doing his job even though he nearly died. But while he was busy trying to convince them he forgot to convince himself. There was a part of him that feared going out into the field. Every single time he set foot on a crime scene he thought about that day, thought about the bullet tearing through his chest. He'd find himself in near panic. He was fine if he went from the lab to his apartment and back again. The panic attacks remained at bay. And he confessed all of this to the psychologist, leaving none of it out. What he didn't share with her was his problem with Delko. He tried not to think about that while on the job. He tried not to think about it all.

He shared more than he really wanted to with the psychologist and when their time was up he was pretty much convinced that she would recommend he be removed from his job. But she surprised him by explaining that what he was going through was completely normal for someone in his position. A lot of what she said he didn't remember as soon as he walked out the door but the simple fact that he wasn't going crazy made him feel better. What didn't make him happy was that along with his pain medication she wanted him to try antidepressants. He wanted to have a word with Horatio first. If word got out that he was taking antidepressants he was sure his job would be good as gone. That was something that he didn't want, even if he was afraid of going out in the field.

So he went in search of his boss. He walked through the lab but didn't find hide or hair of the lieutenant. When he ran into Jake the detective mentioned something about seeing Horatio headed out of the lab about five minutes ago. Speed knew that if he hurried he could catch him. Outside the sun was quickly disappearing behind a blanket of clouds that promised much needed rain. But the wind that kicked up promised something even more. Looking around the parking lot to see if he could locate his boss he was dismayed to see that all the company Hummers were still in the parking lot. He frowned, wondering what his next move would be. Turning to go back inside he noticed someone standing on the sidewalk near the entrance of the parking lot.

It was Horatio.

Speed made his way over to him as the sun vanished completely. "H, what are you doing out here?" The sudden gust of wind forced Speed to holler in order to be heard.

Horatio turned to watch him approach. Ignoring his question he said, "How did your appointment go?"

"She wants to put me on medication," he said, quickly explaining how things went. The meeting between him and the doctor was strictly confidential but Speed knew that he could share with Horatio what she'd said. If anyone understood it would be his boss. When he was done running through things he asked, "What do you think?"

"Try the medication for a week," Horatio suggested. "Then we'll take it from there."

"You're the boss," Speed muttered, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. The wind picked up again and a rumble of thunder rolled across the sky as lightning flashed in the distance. A heartbeat later it began to rain, starting out as a sprinkle and turning into a downpour. Horatio and Speed were able to make it to cover before the worst of the storm hit. Before going back into the lab, though, Speed placed a hand on his boss's shoulder. "H, something's been bothering me about this case you put me on."

"Explain."

"Well both victims work for the militia that's threatened the lab," he stated. "What has been bothering me is the tape. Why would a member of their own militia feel the need to tape them?"

"Sounds like a motive for murder to me," Horatio said. "Have we got the names of our victims?"

"Yeah, but Calleigh ran them through the database," Speed replied. "Nothing came up. It's almost like they don't exist."

"False names," Horatio stated as he pushed open the front door. "Check everything; AFIS, missing persons, even the FBI list. These people have names and history and families that love them. Let's find out who they are."

--

An hour later Speed was no closer to identifying any of the victims. But he had stumbled across a few more clues that proved he was right. They were trying to get out. He was beginning to think that the militia was like the mafia or a gang; easy to get into but once you wanted to leave it cost you your life. And that didn't sit well with him. Here he had four people that hated the cops for one reason or another. All of a sudden there's a plan that they don't agree with and they want out. Maybe they threaten to expose the plan which would make them a threat. That would be grounds for murder. But what he didn't understand is why four people that hated law enforcement wanted to help them, had sacrificed everything to get word out. It baffled him. He was heading toward Horatio's office, nearing the reception area when he heard someone talking. At first the voice didn't really register, his thoughts so wrapped up in other things. But as he drew closer and the words became more intelligible a warning bell went off in his head. The voice, he'd heard it only one time before.

On the tape threatening Horatio.

He moved faster, almost running into the reception area but by the time he got there the Australian man was already gone. Sitting on one corner of the receptionist's desk was a small brown box. Instantly he knew that whatever was in the box didn't bode well for any of them. Without missing a beat he pulled the alarm that meant everyone was to empty the building. Then he pulled out his cell phone to call Horatio and inform him of the package that had just been delivered.