Elisa and Goliath landed on the roof of the 23rd precinct house a short time later.

There were times when Elisa really missed the old station building. The old clock tower that had sat on top of the station had become a home for the Gargoyle clan for a couple of years. Until the Hunters had targeted it in an effort to eliminate the clan.

The resulting damage in both property and humans was a good reason why the Canmore siblings were going to be doing such a long stint in the state prison…

To be fair, both Jason and Robyn would be up for release soon. Jon, not so much. Jon had gone off the deep end, kidnapping Elisa and trying to use her as bait to kill the rest of the clan… Goliath especially, as he held Goliath responsible for Jason's being injured. In reality, it was Jon who was responsible for his brother's paralysis.

Then, there was the kidnapping incident outside of the bar…

Matt, Xanatos and a few others that Elisa didn't know, had decided that Jon was a serious danger. Various members of the illuminati had arranged for an extended stay for the youngest Canmore in a maximum security prison that was in an unknown location. She had heard stories of a few of the Illuminati locations, the Hotel Cabal for one, and Elisa felt it was best to not ask questions about where he was.

She had asked once, and was given an assurance that he was alive and healthy, even if he wasn't mentally stable. That was good enough for her.

Elisa shook her head once, sharply, dismissing the memories of the past in favor of the present.

Goliath seemed to sense where her mind had wandered, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"We've come a long way, Big Guy." Elisa said.

"Yes."

Elisa dug her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Maria's direct line. Two rings later, and Maria picked up.

"We're here," Elisa said.

"Good to hear," Maria said, and that was all.

Elisa hesitated. "Is he there?"

"Yes, ma'am," Maria answered, sounding all the world like she was talking to a civilian on the telephone.

"Do you have your communicator?" Elisa asked.

"Yes, I do."

"Put it in as soon as you get a chance," Elisa said. "It will be easier and quieter for us to communicate with."

"I will certainly look into that," Maria responded, sounding almost bored.

"Talk to you soon, Maria."

"Have a good night, ma'am."

Elisa chuckled as she hung up the phone. "Ma'am?"

Goliath laughed.

"She called me 'Ma'am'" Elisa laughed. "That must have killed her. She hates calling people ma'am."

Goliath chuckled quietly. He put one foot on the edge of the building and started scanning the area around them.

"Elisa?"

Elisa jumped a little at the sudden call in her ear. "Yeah, chief."

"We had some cameras in the evidence room, and I have gotten the confirmation that he took the bait." Maria said. "It's up to you guys to follow him."

"Who, exactly, is 'him'?" Elisa asked.

"Officer Scott."

Elisa was shocked. "Are you… No, you must be sure," Elisa caught herself. "Sorry, but… Scott?"

"I know," Maria said sadly. "If I hadn't seen the camera footage, I wouldn't have believed it, either."

"Wow," Elisa said softly. "Alright. We will follow him and see where he takes the stuff."

Elisa looked at Goliath. "We're looking for a younger guy, kind of reddish blonde hair."

"He's carrying his gym bag." Maria tossed into the description.

Goliath began scanning the traffic in and out of the station.

"There," Elisa pointed. "That's him."

Goliath nodded, following the man with his eyes. Once the man in question had tossed the gym bag into his car and started the engine, Goliath scooped Elisa into his arms and took to the air. Elisa was keeping the Captain updated as far as their location as they soared.

Finally, the officer turned into an older brick home that had its windows covered in layers of newspaper. The officer got out of the car, grabbed the small duffle bag and walked into the building.

Goliath gently landed on the roof of the building across the street, letting Elisa down beside him.

Elisa let Maria know the address, and received the reply that a few units were on the way.

Maria had the units talking to each other via cell phone in order to avoid Officer Scott overhearing on the police radio channels.

"Can you get close enough to see what he's doing in there?" Maria asked.

"I can try," Elisa said. "What I can see is pretty run down, boarded and covered up. I will see if I can't get in closer."

Goliath growled softly.

Elisa put her hand on his arm. "I need your help, Big Guy. Until the other good guys get here, I'm going to need you up on the roof to keep an eye out in case they try to run."

"Elisa," He said in a low warning.

"I'll be fine." She hurried to reassure him. "I just need to take a peek, see if there's a window or something I can look through. We need to have an idea what we are walking in to."

Goliath nodded. He did not like it, but he understood it. He placed his hands under her arms and glided close enough to the ground to put her gently on her feet. He caught a slight updraft and allowed it to take him high enough for him to get to the rooftop of the old house.

He folded his wings close, and knelt down to stay as hidden as he could while watching out for his wife. He abhorred the need for her to have to take such risks, even as he understood it at the same time.

Elisa ran to the house in a crouch, taking her time and making as little noise as was possible. As she had expected, the windows in the front were completely covered. She huffed a frustrated breath. "Front windows are completely covered. I am going to make my way around the North side and see if there is anything there."

"Be careful Maza," Captain Chavez's voice over loud and clear.

Elisa crept her way around the side of the building, and found only more of the same. "Damn it," she swore in frustration. If they had to go in blind, it could potentially go very bad for everyone. "I'm going to keep looking."

She continued to the rear of the building and found one corner, of one window, where the paper had come loose enough that she could see a good portion of what was probably a dining room. She could see kitchen appliances through a doorway in the back of the room. There were beakers, tubes and bunsen burners as far as she could see.

"Jesus," Elisa breathed. "Goliath, get off of this house and onto a different rooftop."

"What is going on?" The Chief demanded.

"I'm looking at what could potentially be the most crowded Meth Lab I have ever seen. Clutter and open flames everywhere. This is a prime candidate for blowing sky high."

"Could you see how many people are in there?"

"At least two," Elisa said. "I can't hear voices, but I only see two shadows moving."

"Your backup is less than a minute away. They are running silent, so no lights or sirens obviously."

"Alright," Elisa said. "Let them know that I am in the back by the rear entrance, can you?"

"I've been relaying the information to them as you gave it to me, but I will have someone come around and join you."

"Thanks for the heads up," Elisa said. "You hear that one, Goliath?"

"Yes," came the rumbling reply.

"Okay," Elisa said, taking a breath. She still had her gun out and ready, lowered in front of herself in case of an emergency. "Let me know when they get here."

Elisa kept her gaze on that one corner of the window.

"They are here," Goliath said. "There are two at the side of the house, but only one is coming around the side towards you."

"Thanks, Goliath." Elisa was thankful for the heads up.

To make herself more visible to the incoming officers, she took off her dark red jacket , leaving her in her white shirt.

She was prepared when the officer came around the corner.

The officer nodded a silent greeting to her. Elisa returned the gesture, and together they waited. They were to watch the rear of the building, crouching on either side of the rear door in case of someone making a break for it.

There was the sound of splintering wood as the police in the front broke the door down. Cries of "NYPD", "Get down" and "Put your hands up" rang through the quiet night.

Elisa and the unknown officer stayed still and silent while the team inside went from room to room and cleaning house of anyone in the house.

"Two in custody," came the radio call. "All Clear."

Elisa gratefully dropped her gun. Her arms were stiff and a little sore from holding it in her two handed ready stance for so long. It was a relief to let loose the tension in her arms. Elisa looked up just in time to see Goliath's form visibly relax.

Now that the situation was under control, She turned to look at the officer and recognized him with a start. "Hey Carver."

Officer Brandon Carver was short for a man, spiky blonde hair, a goofy smile and a face full of freckles. He looked like he was in high school, but Elisa knew he was actually in his mid twenties. While he wasn't a rookie, was still new and had just come to the 23rd precinct. He had transferred from another precinct, making it known that he wanted to work his way up to detective someday. He had cornered Elisa one day and quizzed her so hard that Elisa felt as if she had just re-taken the qualification test herself. He was hungry, determined and knew exactly what he wanted…

He reminded Elisa of herself. She had done something similar when she had joined the force and had become something of a legend for years as the youngest person within the NYPD to test into becoming a detective.

If Carver continued the pace he had going, he very well may beat her record.

"Detective Maza," He said with a grin. "I didn't see your car. You need a ride back to the station?"

"Yeah, I'd better get a ride," Elisa said. "I'll catch a ride home from there."

The slight, almost inaudible whoosh of Goliath taking flight caught her ears.

"I will meet you there, Elisa." His voice rumbled into her ears.

Elisa removed her communicator, powering it off before tucking it into the pocket of her jeans. Carver got to his feet with a stretch and a groan. Elisa knew that she may well need to do some stretching when she got up herself. She had been crouching there longer than he had.

Carver straightened up, offering her his hand so that he could help her to her feet. Elisa thanked him, and accepted the help up.

One minute he was standing in front of her, grinning that dopey grin…

The next, a gunshot shattered the night.