Miami, Florida
Miami-Dade Crime lab
Ryan Wolfe walks into the medical lab on his way to see Cynthia Well's body which was being handled by the medical examiners in the lab. He walked in on Tom Loman and Alexx Woods operating on Cynthia Wells, her body was pale under the light as they went to work on her. Her face once contained a beautiful now is forever a blank stare that had no light whatsoever. When he came up to them Cynthia's ribcage was made open for everyone to see, Ryan turned his back a little even though he had been near bodies that had been dissected before, it was not easy seeing comrades on these tables. "Hello Tom, hey Alexx, how are we doing here?"
Alexx looked at him with a sad face as they stopped what they were doing. Alexx "Not good now Ryan but we do have a cause of death."
"We do, what is it?" He asks quickly stepping closer to them to hear their answer.
"Ventricular arrhythmia, post mortem signs, are asphyxia, you can tell by her lips." Dr. Loman said. He moved her head so that Ryan could see it. Ryan saw the marks and signatures that had shown signs of Asphyxia but what was strange was the puncture mark on her neck that was getting Mr. Wolfe. The site was covered in a purple substance which was curious but to Ryan, it was very familiar.
"Do any of you have an idea of what this purple substance is?" Ryan asked. Alexx turned Cynthia's head toward her and Tom's way to see what substance Ryan was talking about.
"Oh yeah, what is that?" Alexx asked eyeing the purple substance. Seeing it Tom uses a cotton swab and collects it to get a closer look.
"I don't know, it could be makeup," Tom replied.
"No, it doesn't smudge like makeup it is too powdery." Alexx Woods says. She takes the cotton swab from Tom and puts it in a container and hands it to Ryan Wolfe to take to the lab. Ryan eyes the purple substance intensely certain that he may have seen this kind of stuff before.
"Is it possible that it came from a plant, maybe?" Ryan asks. Alexx and Tom think for a second about Ryan's question.
"It's possible, that some plants have been known to leave a residue when being handled or touched," Alexx replies.
"Yes, but the question is what?" Tom asks.
"I'll take it up to trace, see what we got," Ryan walks away "Let me know if you two find anything more."
"Will do Ryan." Alexx Woods replies. Ryan takes his leave and heads straight to trace in the labs. When he gets there he sees Michael Travers looking at something through a microscope Ryan knocks on the door to get his attention.
Michael looks up "Hello Ryan, how may I help you?"
"I'm here about Cynthia's case, we found some purple residue on her neck and I was wondering if you could be able to identify it," Ryan says.
"Sure, anything to find her killer." Michael takes the sample from Ryan "What do you suppose it is?"
"I'm betting it's something from a plant, it seems to have an organic substance to it." Ryan Wolfe.
"What gives you that idea?" Michael asks.
"Just a feeling," Ryan replies. As Michael runs his test, Ryan waits patiently for the results. Eventually, the results come in and Micahel pulls out the paper and reads the results.
"Huh," Michael said aloud.
"What?" Ryan asks.
"The trace found on Cynthia is Aconitum," Michael answers. Ryan's heart skips a beat at what he just heard.
"What did you say?" Ryan says.
"Aconitum, you know aconite or monkshood, queen of poisons or by its most common name wolf-," Ryan interrupts him.
"Wolfsbane. A highly poisonous plant." Ryan finishes.
"What's highly poisonous?"
Ryan turns around and sees Calleigh and Horatio Caine coming from behind him. Ryan responds to Calleigh's question.
"Uh, wolfsbane. It's a highly poisonous plant that grows in mountain regions in Europe, Asia, and here in North America." Ryan replied.
"Yes, but how dangerous is it?" Horatio asked coming into the lab.
"The entire plant is poisonous. The roots, stems, petals, everything, even touching this plant is enough to poison you," Ryan explains.
"The Europeans, Native Americans, and early settlers would use wolfsbane to handle nuisance wolves and foxes." Michael chimed in.
"My God, how long does it kill you?" Calleigh asks. Ryan thought for a minute.
"It depends on the exposure and how much of it." Ryan states.
"How do you get a hold of a plant like this," Horatio asked.
"Well it's not a pottery plant, you need a license to handle this plant, especially since there are over 250 species of wolfsbane," Michael told them while typing on the computer. "But there is a store where you can buy some in downtown Miami."
"Is there any way to tell what kind, Michael?" Ryan asks.
"Yes, this one comes from certain areas in Asia," Michael said.
"Is this what possibly killed Cynthia, Ryan?" Calleigh asked.
"More than likely yes, the cause of death was consistent with aconite poisoning," Ryan replied.
"Alright, so here's what we'll do. Calleigh, Wolfe you two meet Erik at the shop that sells aconite while Walter and I head to Cynthia's house where Frank is to see if she may have known our killer." Horatio said.
"Sending three investigators to one location is that necessary?" Calleigh asked.
Yes, because whoever killed Cynthia in such a way out near a public area is not only bold but dangerous." Horatio replies.
"You go it H," Ryan says. Horatio went on his way to grab Walter while Ryan and Calleigh left for the shop, he was driving while she was in the passenger seat. For the first half of the drive, it was silent with Ryan pondering his thoughts about the recent discovery when Calleigh spoke.
"So how was it?" She asks.
"How was what?" Ryan asked back.
"The date that I arranged for you, Ryan?" Calleigh said smiling.
"Oh, that," Ryan Wolfe says taking a deep breath "It went well, I guess."
"It was a disaster wasn't it?"
"Yup, big time." Ryan answers.
"What was the matter, Jordan was nice?" Calleigh questions.
"He was, he was nice until Jordan started talking about his ex, then he went and had one too many martinis," Ryan explained.
Calleigh responds "I get the feeling it wasn't all him?"
"No, it wasn't. I tried but I did not feel anything for him." Ryan replied.
"You've said that with every guy and girl me, Erik, and Natalia have tried setting up for you, come on Ryan one of them had to have pulled you in?" Calleigh continues "When are you to know who is the one if you keep rejecting them?"
"Look, I promise you that when I meet the one, you will be the first to know," Ryan says laughing.
"You better," Calleigh replies in agreement. They arrive at the shop where the aconitum could be bought. When they pull up, they see Erik Delko waiting for them with a police car next to him. They go to meet them, there in the parking lot of the shop. "Hello, Erik."
"Hey, Calleigh, Ryan, what took you all so long?" Erik asks.
"A little traffic but nothing major," Ryan says. Ryan notices the two detectives behind Erik. "Hey Bernstein and Martin you old man, how are you two doing?
"Old Man? Son, I'm in the prime of my life and can still kick your ass!" Martin replies laughing.
"I don't know Martin, you are showing grey after all." Bernstein jokes.
"I hate you all, one day you will be my age," Marin said.
"So why are you guys here, we were told Erik would be the only ones here?" Ryan asked.
"On our patrol, we got a call about gunfire being heard near a gardening shop down here, so we were sent to investigate," Martin answered.
"You guys were called here?" Erik asks.
"Yeah, why is that a problem?" Bernstein said.
"I don't know, five investigators from the Miami-Dade Police at one location isn't always a coincidence," Ryan Wolfe replies. Ryan turns to Calleigh and Erik "It could be a trap."
"Possibly, but we won't know till we go in," Erik says. All five detectives start walking toward the entrance to the flower shop called "Miami Exotic Plants". Ryan was the first to go into the shop while the others followed, closely behind. Ryan saw no one inside which was strange but whoever was working there could just be in the back, so he called out.
"Hello, my name is Ryan Wolfe, CSI with Miami-Dade Police is anyone here?" Ryan says aloud. There is no answer so Ryan says again. "My name is Ryan Wolf, CSI with Miami-Dade Police is anyone here?"
"Doesn't seem like anyone's here Ryan," Calleigh tells him. Ryan nods in agreement, something is not right here.
"Ok, this is what we will do. Calleigh, Bernstein, and I will look around in here for the owner or any evidence while Erik, you, and Martin go out back and see if you can find something," Ryan gives orders to everyone. Erik and Martin went outside to look for evidence. Bernstein and Calleigh were staying in the main section of the shop while Ryan would focus on the office of the shop. On his way through he saw a lot of exotic plants throughout the building most used for decoration and gardening purposes. Right, when he passed the counter Ryan saw the wolfsbane sitting on a shelf, blue, yellow, green, and many types of aconitum were everywhere. So, this is the shop Ryan Wolfe thought. He headed into the office expecting to find it empty, however, it was anything but empty. Ryan spots her legs first, it is the owner of the shop and she is lying in a pool of blood, the woman wasn't moving at all.
"Oh my God, Calleigh, Bernstein, get in here quick!" Ryan calls out. Within seconds both Calleigh and Bernstein came rushing in with guns drawn. Both were stunned to find a dead body in there.
"Is she dead?" Calleigh asks.
"Yeah, she's dead." Ryan notices the gunshot wound in her neck "Looks like she was shot in the throat."
"I'll call it in," Bernstein said. While Bernstein began to call the Miami-Dade, Ryan called Erik and Martin.
"Erik, Martin come in quick we have a body." Ryan says into his radio.
"Understood, we're on our way." Ryan got up from the floor and started walking with Calleigh as they went to the entrance to meet them. When Erik and Martin had come in the door, they were right next to Bernstein when the shots started coming in. A shot had come in and nailed Bernstein right in the head, he went down instantly, his body crashing into the glass door breaking it. Seeing Bernstein's body go down from the shot Ryan immediately ducks for cover, Calleigh is grabbed by Erik who hides them behind a wall shielding them from gunfire.
Martin was not so lucky, however, he tried to duck for cover too but was shot through the back several times. Ryan took a chance and ran closer to the shattered door pinning himself on the wall for cover, he planned to see if he could see where their attacker was shooting from. He pokes his head out to see but pulls his head back in when a bullet nearly hits him. "Fuck, this getting bad," Ryan yells.
"I am already calling it in!" Erik yells pulling his radio from his waist. "Attention, this is csi Erik Delko! We need all available units right now at Miami's Exotic Plants! An active shooter has killed two officers we need backup stat!"
"Delko this Frank, I'm coming with a full squad of swat we are on the way now," Frank says over the radio.
Another window breaks as bullets continue flying through the shop, Ryan wasn't sure what to do, the shooter had them pinned, and without knowing where the shooter was he and the others were blind.
"We got to do something fast!" Calleigh shouts.
"Like what?" Ryan questions Glock in hand. When Ryan turns his head, he notices something strange. The gun firing has stopped, and Calleigh and Erik take note of it as well.
"The firing, it stopped?" Erik speaks.
"Yeah, but why?" Calleigh asks.
"Wait, listen," Ryan says. They all sat in silence for a few moments, not hearing anything but soon started to hear the familiar sounds of police sirens. Taking a risk Ryan Wolfe steps out of the shop door, taking care not to step on Bernstein's body. Calleigh and Erik are not far behind, all three CSIs step out of the shot-up plant store in the direction of the waiting police cars and ambulances. The police work to secure the area so that another team of CSIs and a coroner inspect the crime scene when they arrive. Frank approaches Ryan Wolfe.
"Ryan, what the hell happened?" Frank speaks in both a worried and an angry tone.
"We got three bodies, one that looks to be the owner, and the other two are Martin and Berstein." Ryan trying to tell him amid an EMT trying to examine him.
Frank puts his hand to his forehead "You can't be serious?"
"No Frank, we're not," Calleigh hugs Frank "I'm so sorry."
Erik looks down at the ground and then at Ryan who also has the same sad look on his face. Calleigh lets go of Frank who pats her on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Calleigh I'll be fine." Frank wiped his face.
"This was a set-up. Whoever the sniper was, they had this all planned out," Erik tells them.
"Yeah, how'd you figure?" Frank asks.
"Because me, Calleigh, and Ryan were following a lead in Cynthia's death. But when we got here Bernstein and Martin were here saying that they responded to shots being fired and were sent to investigate. Then we all get inside that's when our shooter shooters start unloading on us killing Bernstein and Martin." Said Erik.
"Yeah, it's a setup alright, and no doubt Cynthia's murder is connected to it."
"You think we have a killer targeting cops?" Frank asks bitterly.
"More than likely, yes, but we don't know the who and why," Calleigh replies.
"So, what's the plan what do we do?" Ryan asks.
"Ok, Calleigh and Ryan, you guys head back to the lab and get the others briefed and be ready for any evidence we might have. I'll stay with Frank and help the next team process this mess," Erik orders.
"Got you, we'll see you there," Ryan said turning towards the car. Calleigh was about to follow him but she turned around to Erik and hugged him. He returns the hug.
"Stay safe," She says patting his side.
Erik Delko smiles "Thanks, you too,"
Ryan watched the two's embrace, smiling as he saw how happy they were together. "Why can't I have some of that?" Calleigh walks up next to Ryan as they head towards their car. When they get in the car, Ryan can't help but smile at Calleigh.
"What?" Calleigh asked.
"I think I need a kiss," Ryan says.
"Forget it," She laughs. The drive to the lab is silent. Ryan keeps thinking about what happened at the plant store and how close he came to being dead. Ryan also thought about Martin and Bernstein and how good men lost their lives. But the big thing that was bothering Ryan was why? When they got to the PD, the entire building was in a frenzy. The press was there asking questions to the spokesperson about the recent police deaths. They were quick to find that out, must have been tipped. The inside was busy too, cops, investigators, and a few CSIs were running around as well. Something big was happening.
When Ryan and Calleigh walked into the lab, they were shocked at how crazy the lab was. The Windows in the labs were reinforced, shuttered, and closed, all the exits were guarded, and additional surveillance was put up. Ryan saw Natalia walk by and pull her to him. "Hey Nat, what's going on?"
"We have two more of our guys dead. One was Joseph Kayle our fingerprints, he was burned alive on a basketball court. While Samantha Barrish was shot through her car window on her way here," Natalie sighed "Please, tell me you guys had better?"
"No, Martin and Bernstein were killed at the Miami Exotic's, the shooter nearly took us out," Ryan replied as they walked together.
"Jesus, this day is becoming a nightmare," Natalie swore.
"Where's Horatio we need to inform him of what's happened?" Calleigh asked.
"He just got back from the morgue, went straight to his office afterward something big about Vegas and New York," Natalie said.
"What's going over those two that's more important here?" Ryan asked.
"I don't know, but I-" BANG, BANG! That was all Natalie could say when she, Calleigh, and Ryan ducked for cover when they heard the gunshots. Calleigh and Natalia ducked into the lab Walter was in while Ryan Wolfe hid in the room with Michael Travers. Looking up from his cover, Ryan saw the two shooters, one Mexican man and the other a blonde woman who had entered from the elevator, pistols in hand. The two gunmen were opening fire on every CSI that came into view. Aaron Peters, their trace technician, was the first to die. He was in front of the elevator when they came in, and he took three bullets to the chest. The next two were Carrie Delgado from Blood and Ian Sutter from Accounting, both were killed trying to get away. Both shooters split off in different directions, the Mexican taking the left, and the blonde woman going the right. Seeing more of his comrades die pissed Ryan Wolfe off to dear heaven. Pulling his gun out, Ryan tip-toed his way out into the hall, hugging the glass wall. He turns the corner and sees the blonde woman walking down while the other guy has turned a corner in his direction. Taking his chance, Ryan Wolfe jumps out of cover.
"Miami-Dade Police, drop the gun now!" He shouts, pointing his gun at the woman's back. She turns around and points her gun at Ryan, eyes locking with his. The woman tries to shoot Ryan, but the CSI responds first and shoots her twice, once in the neck, and the second one hits her in the throat. She falls to the ground dead, blood pouring out from her wounds.
Ryan Wolfe sighs, glad that he stopped that psycho chick from killing any more of his friends. But that still left the other one running around.
"No, you motherfucker!" Yells an angry voice from behind Ryan. He spins and sees the other shooter. The guy must have come back just in time to see Ryan shoot his girlfriend. The man points his gun at Ryan to shoot him, Wolfe also lifts his gun, but he is not fast enough, the shooter is already there. Just when it seems like this is it for Ryan, a shot is fired from the right striking the gunman and knocking his gun out. Ryan turns his head to see who fired. Standing straight ahead as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, gun out. He takes a step forward, his gun trained on the man as he walks. Horatio looks at Ryan.
"Wolfe, are you ok?" Horatio asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine," He comes out as well gun trained on the disarmed shooter. He spots Aaron, Ian, and Carrie's bodies across the lobby. "But that guy and his psycho bitch killed our friends,"
"Well, we will make sure he fries for this," Horatio says in an angry tone. The guy looks at his gun on the floor. Horatio looks at the gun on the floor. "Son. If you pick up that gun, I promise you it will be the last thing you ever do."
The man looks down at the gun, then at Horatio and Ryan. Deciding that his life is not worth risking, the guy tries to run but he is stopped by Calleigh Duquesne and Natalia Boa Vista. Calleigh has her gun pointed at him, and before the guy can try anything else, Natalia punches the man and he falls to the ground. Ryan and Horatio put their guns away and walk towards the man being cuffed on the floor by Natalia.
"You ladies alright?" Ryan speaking.
"Yeah, I'll be fine, but I'll be a whole lot better when I get this bastard into lock-up," Natalia replies angrily pulling the man up from the floor. Calleigh says nothing though. She holsters her gun and walks past them all. Calleigh looks at the bullets on the floor, the blood splattered on the lab windows, and more importantly the bodies on the floor. She looks at her friends with whom she had worked many cases over the years lying dead in front of her. She cries a little to herself, the tears coming down her face. Ryan slowly walks up behind her, laying his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, Calleigh, you going to be ok?" Ryan asks. She takes a deep breath and turns to him, wiping her tears away.
"Yes, I'll be ok. I just need a moment," said Calleigh. The elevator door opens and a squad of heavily armored police officers marches in, guns ready for any potential threat. One of the officers walks to Ryan Wolfe.
"Sir, is the area secured?" He says in a heavy tone.
"Yeah, everything is fine. But we got five dead, four our own, the other one of the shooters, and the other shooter here is apprehended," Ryan says breathing heavily. Two officers approached the downed gunman and lifted him in front of Horatio. Horatio stares him down with a menacing look.
"Let me go you motherfucking, pendejoes!" He yells.
"Sir, if you do NOT stop yelling at me right now, I promise you you will be leaving. In a body bag," Horatio turns away from "Take him out of my sight, now."
The officers escort the shooter to his cell while the medics come in and start attending to Ryan, Natalie, and Calleigh. After the shootout, the entire police department was on lockdown; guards were at all entrances, nobody was allowed into the building without authorization, and barricades were put up around the precinct. Even the National Guard was called in. Outside the window, Ryan could see all kinds of news and media stations waiting to get answers as to what was going on. A couple of hours later, Horatio Caine brought in the shooter for questioning. Ryan and Natalia would be questioning him while Erik stood guard and everyone else was watching behind the glass door. Alexx had patched up the bastard and he had a black eye where his right eye was. The man did not look happy, not that Wolfe cared.
"So Hector Hidalgo," Ryan speaks calling him by his full name. "Do you want to tell me why you and your dead friend came in and shot four members of our team?"
"Man, I ain't nothing to say to you, pigs." Hector spits.
"Well, you better get talking because the next place you're going is the electric chair after the shit you just pulled," Natalia responded. The man scoffed at Natalia and him like he was tough but Ryan had no patience, however, it was Delko who spoke up.
"Do you think this is a game? We have six officers dead; one last night, two today at a flower shop, and four here which you just played a part in." Erik nearly yelled.
"So?" Hector replies.
"So you piece of shit, you're going down for this hard, no way around it. There ain't a jury that won't convict you for this stunt you just pulled," Ryan tells Hector. "Did you and your girlfriend kill Cynthia, Martin, Bernstein?"
Hector's eyes lit up wide as he turned his attention to Ryan and Natalia. "Hey, no way man, I didn't kill those guys," Hector speaks holding up his one good hand.
"Oh, yeah? You come into a police station and shoot three CSIs with the intent to kill more but conveniently did not kill three more." Natalia replied.
"Honestly, Miranda and I did not wack them cops, someone else had gotten to them before we did. Ok, our plan was just to take out a couple of you guys, then cash in our pay and leave while the fire was still hot." Hector spoke fast to plead his case. However, before he could say more Ryan and Natalia share a shocked look and stop him.
"Wait, wait, hold on a second. What do you mean by "cash in your pay"?" Ryan said leaning in close. Hector looks at Wolfe for a moment, contemplating whether he should tell them what he knows but Erik speaks up.
"Look, if you know something you better tell us now because if not, we won't be able to help you if things get worse." He tells Hector. The shooter looks at all three of them and sighs.
"Yesterday I had gotten a call from one of my buddies up in Vegas, Louise, talking about how he was about five million dollars easy. At first, I thought his ass was lying, no way his butt was about to get 5 million. See, then he told me about this list with all these officers, cops, and CSIs on it, and that the one investigator who died in New York was blown up in the streets. Now I was about to tell him to piss off and quit wasting my time but then he told me that another CSI was shot to death outside a bar and that he and the one in New York were both on the list." Hector explained.
Ryan started getting worried, as he heard what the gunman was telling him. A list of CSIs, and other investigators, and two of them were dead like Cynthia, Bernstein, and the rest. And not just here but in Las Vegas and New York City; Ryan and the team had worked with the labs there on a few occasions but to find out this was going on. Something big was brewing but what?
"Keep going." Ryan told Hector.
"Right, so my buddy told me that this list had all these people on it and that I could get in on it. Louise told me that there was a list of people here in Miami and he told me about how I and Miranda could get in on it. He said that all I had to do was cap as many science nerds in the lab room and we'd be set. And after I saw your guys' woman on the news I realized he was straight with me. So my girlfriend and I got together and bought some pieces, and we came, snuck into the bathrooms, then when we noticed how crazy it was, we went up into the labs to strike. Our plan, as I said was to take out six of you at max then dip out as fast we can." Hector finished.
"I see, did Louise ever send you the list?" Ryan asked.
"No, no he didn't." Answered Hector.
"What, so you just take your friend at his word and just go on a killing spree?" Erik responded angrily. Hector couldn't meet his eyes.
"Ok, and just to recap," Natalia spoke raising her hands to emphasize. "You get a call from your friend Louise, who told you about a hit on officers here in Vegas, New York, and one here in Miami. And after that, you and your girlfriend decide to make a few million, go into a police station, and shoot at random people without even finding out if this list is real or even with an actual escape plan, am I right?" Natalia finishes.
Hector uses his good arm to scratch the back of his head, ashamed of what she said. "Yeah, that's pretty much it."
"One last question Hector, your contact Louise, what's his last name?" Ryan asked.
"Gonzalez." Hector replied.
Ryan nods his head "Thank you, take him away boys." Two officers approach grab Hector by his arms and take him out of the interrogation room. As he left the room, Ryan, Erik, and Natalia stayed there in the room quiet as they contemplated what Hector had said to them. Ryan Wolfe dropped his head in his hands as he thought about what he just heard. "It's happening again, only this time it is on a bigger scale." he thought.
"There are other CSI's dead, and not just here." Erik said speaking quietly.
"Yeah, that's scary but how many are dead, and where? Natalia asked standing up, turning around, and leaning on the glass table to look at the boys.
"He said his friend contacted him about hits that took place in both Vegas and New York that had both happened just recently. That is more than likely where all this is happening." Ryan spoke lifting his head and looking at them.
"Hector also said that there was also a list with CSIs, officers, and investigators on it." Erik said.
"Which means there is a hit out on all of us." Wolfe replied standing up.
"Yeah, but the problem is, the idiot said he had never gotten the list, that he just came here and started shooting." Natalia pointed out.
"Then we need to find that list." Ryan said leaving the room, Erik and Natalia chased after him.
"Where are you going?" Natalia asked.
"Going to talk to Horatio, see if he can get into contact with the labs in Las Vegas and New York City," Ryan turns and faces them. "There is a hit out on us and we need help if we are to stop this."
XX
Greg Sanders watched as Al Robbins pulled the last rounds from Bobby's lifeless body. His body was riddled with gunshot wounds, all of them were quite big, so Greg could tell that they were not ordinary rounds. He could not believe that this had happened to Dawson, he was a really pleasant guy and could not have done anything to deserve this type of treatment. Al gave the rounds to David who then passed the rounds to Greg whose face was a mixture of sadness and anger. "Hey, Greg."
Greg turned to David who also had an angry look on his face. "Yeah?" he muttered.
"Find the guy who did this, please?"
"I promise you, the bastard won't get away with it," Greg replied. He patted the man on the shoulder and David gave him a slight nod. Greg wipes a stray tear that manages to find its way out of his eye and turns to Al. "So, Al is there anything else you can tell me about what happened to Bobby?"
"No, everything is what you'd expect. Cod was a gunshot wound to the head death was instantaneous," Al replied. "If it were not for the headshot, he would have bled out."
"These wounds are huge, what could have caused these?" David asked curiously.
"They were caused by hollow point bullets. Very nasty things, these rounds can cause serious damage." Al explained.
"Our killer knows guns and ammunition. And then he used that knowledge to kill Bobby.
Greg Sanders wiped his face. This was the worst thing to happen to the crime lab in a very long time the last being Julia Finlay. After the attack on her, she never came out of her coma and would sadly pass away. It seemed like fortune was on their side because the lab was blessed with no more deaths but sadly they were wrong. The sad realities of their jobs came crashing down on them without remorse. Whoever did this to Bobby had no worries about killing at all, especially did not care about making him suffer excruciatingly. Greg could tell this killer was a professional considering how well he placed his shots. Sanders can only imagine what happened for Bobby to get this treatment. "Alright, let me know if you find anything more."
"Sure thing." Al Robbin's responses. Greg walks out of the coroner's lab and towards the direction of the main lab where everyone is running around busy trying to solve their cases. He is approached by Catherine Willows and D.B. Russell both curious about an update.
"Anything yet?" D.B. Russell asks.
"Bobby was killed by hollow points bullets." Greg flashes the bullets as proof. "The shooter worked to immobilize Bobby by shooting various fatal blows at his body. The killer made him suffer, shooting his legs out and his arms before finally killing him."
"So our guy is a pro who knows guns and knows how to torture with them. He enjoys killing otherwise he would have just gone for the kill." D.B. states.
"Yes, but he is also a bold one our shooter. I mean, to go after someone and kill them so close to a public space like a bar is incredibly risky." Catherine points out. She takes the bullets from Greg who had his hand out to her. "I will get these to Xiomara and have them analyzed, see if our killer has been involved in other shootings."
She walks away into one of the labs, leaving Greg and D.B. alone. The two men walk together as they try to figure out the case.
"Ok, so witnesses saw Bobby leave the bar the night of the attack, his killer sees Bobby and shoots him repeatedly until he is dead. And once the job, leaves before anyone can see what happens." Greg summarizes.
"Our killer knew where Dawson was, he didn't just randomly attack him." D.B. replies.
"But why kill Bobby, I don't understand that." Greg pondered
"Nothing is a good enough reason to kill someone," D.B. said flatly as they stopped near the supervisor's office. "Anything on the tire tracks?"
"Still waiting for an identification of a model but witnesses say they a giant SUV speeding out like a bat out of hell. It's probably our suspects." Greg speaks leaning on the wall.
"Right, but this still doesn't get us our killer." D.B. Russel points out. They stood there in the hall in silence for a moment and plotted their next move. "OK, this is what you will do. I want you to take David and meet Morgan back out to the crime scene, to see if we missed anything."
"Understood we will head right away." Greg says firmly. However, before D.B. can enter the room Greg stops him, he doesn't want to sound selfish but still, he has to shoot his shot. "Just one thing, sir. Morgan, does it have to be her? I mean she is my ex and isn't Nick supposed to be coming back?"
"There are some things we cannot avoid Greg. And while I know this may be hard for you, I ask you and Morgan to put your differences aside. At least until the case is over." D.B. Russell pleads.
Greg drops his but straightens up at his superior's request. "Yes, sir I can."
"Good. Also, who knows Greg you may find someone just as special if not more." He assures Greg. All Greg does is nod in agreement and with that as confirmation, D.B. heads into his office. Greg heads towards David's lab to fetch the eccentric man for their assignment. When he sees David he taps on the glass alarming him to his presence. David comes to Greg.
"Grab your kit, we are headed to the crime scene to see if we can find anything more." Greg tells him. David nods and grabs his gear then leaves with Greg.
"So we're heading back?" David asks.
"Yeah, we are going to meet Morgan there to see what might still be there." Greg tells him.
"Good, I haven't been in out in a while, this should be good use of it." David said enthusiastically.
"Yeah, anything helps till we find this jerk who did it. Let's hope something is still there we hadn't seen before." Greg says. As they walk towards the door, both Greg and David try to move past the various people running through the lobby when the building is rocked hard by an explosion. Many of the visitors and personnel were thrown about including Greg Sanders and David Hodges to the floor. When Greg gets up off the ground, another explosion hits the building knocking him down to the ground again. David manages to stay on his feet and help Greg to his feet. "What the fuck is going on?"
Greg watches as many of the officers armed with assault rifles come out from the armory issuing orders as they run outside. The sounds of gunfire can be heard outside as multiple firearms are being discharged. Greg spots Jim Brass running out with his vest all suited up and stops him. Greg nearly screams "Jim what is happening out there?"
"A couple of vans just pulled up and started open fire on our guys outside killing some of our people already. One of those assholes even has a rocket launcher." Jim said fast. He is joined by Catherine and D.B. Russell who came out of the labs brandishing their pistols, no doubt responding to the explosions. He turns to them. "You guys ready for some action?"
D.B. Russell nodded his head "David, get back to the labs, and make sure everyone is secured and bunkered down. Understand?"
"Got it, Russell." David replies and runs back towards the labs. Greg pulls out his sidearm and takes the safety off, signaling he is ready.
"Alright, I'm ready." Greg said firmly. All ready for the chaos outside, the four investigators charge out the doors and immediately scramble for cover as they seek secure places to return fire. Greg Sanders was joined by Catherine behind some turned benches while Jim and D.B. were down by a police car shooting at two gunmen who were trying to come up the stairs into the building. Greg could see the layout of the battlefield before him and it was not a pretty sight. There were burning cars everywhere, debris from the area, multiple dead bodies from civilians, armed attackers, and their own. One of the shooters managed to get past the police and tried to jump him and Catherine, but Greg saw him and managed to fire twice into his chest, bringing him down. Greg didn't have time to take a breather as more gunfire rained down on them, he could count four more shooters that they had to deal with. Greg Sanders shouted, "This is getting out of control, we need to do this now!"
As he finished his sentence, Greg barely had time to grab Catherine out of the way as one of the shooters pulled the rocket launcher that Jim warned about and fired in their direction. The rocket hit the department behind them sending glass and brick flying everywhere. The man was finally taken out by a police sniper on top of the building giving the two CSI's a short reprieve.
"Nick is on his way with backup from all available units closing in, we just have to deal with them until they arrive." Catherine responds ducking for cover. So Nick was bringing in the cavalry for his return? Greg thought.
As they continued to shoot back at their armed assailants, Jim Brass managed to take another down before the sound of police sirens caught everyone's attention. A dozen police and swat vehicles were seen coming down the road in full force. Both Greg Sanders and Catherine Willows smiled brightly as they saw reinforcements coming their way. As the authorities advanced on the final two suspects, the gunmen realized that they had lost the fight and were about to be surrounded. They immediately stopped firing and tried to run but did not make it more than a few steps before one of them caught a bullet in the side taking him down, and the other was tackled to the ground by Nick Stokes who had jumped out of his police car. The guy tried to fight Nick but was swiftly taken down and had cuffs thrown on him, Nick had to punch the man just to get him to cooperate. The other shooter, however, was apprehended but the police to question him had to administer aid to keep him alive. The fighting over, Greg helped Catherine to her feet and with guns still in hand, left down the stairs to join the others.
When they got to Nick, he and Greg shared a hug that seemed to last a lifetime, they finally let go and Nick went and hugged Catherine as well. He nods to Jim and D.B. Russell as they all take a minute to rest and catch their breaths.
"Hey Greg, how have you been?" Nicke asked.
"Been better, Morgan dumped me, and just dodging bullets but other than that I am fine." Greg said sadly. He tried to joke but it all came out flat. Jim Brass turned from the group surveying the destruction done to the Police Department.
"How bad is it?" Nick asks.
"Bad? It's horrible." Jim said nearly yelling. He points to the carnage behind him. "So many are dead. Seven of these assholes, 4 civilians, and six of our own."
"Oh my God, who?" Catherine asks.
"We've lost Sofia Curtis, Kevin Crawford, Lou Vartann, Brian Mobley, Rory Atwater, and Ben Burdick." Jim replied gravely.
"Jesus." D.B. Russell replied. Greg wiped his face, sweat dripping from his hand as he sighed.
"This is a fucking mess. First, we lose Bobby, then we have this attack, and now so many of us are dead. Why the hell is this happening?" Greg ranted.
"No way this is all a coincidence, something else is happening here." D.B. Russell said.
"Yeah, but what is going on though is the question?" Greg questioned sadly. As they talked amongst themselves, David approached from behind careful not to step on anything that could be potential evidence.
"My gosh, this looks like a war zone out here." David says looking at everything. He turns towards Nick Stokes. "Hi, Nick."
"Hello, David." Nick says shortly.
"D.B. you have an incoming call, it's urgent." David said quickly.
"Who is it?" D.B. Russell asks.
"Someone from the Miami Crime Lab said it's important that they talk to someone ASAP, they said they had information about Bobby Dawson's murder." David explained. That caught Greg's attention right there. What could the Miami Crime Lab know about Bobby's murder? Probably another murder too he figured. Something was wrong.
"Got it, I am on my way. Catherine, help Jim Brass find information about this attack, David you and Nick collect evidence, Greg you are with me in the conference room." Everyone went to their respective tasks, while Greg and D.B. Russell went back into the Police Department. They walked fast with determination as they went to the conference room. Both men were desperate for answers as they walked past their colleagues in the labs, all of them were trying to make sense of what had just happened that day. Greg could make out Henry in one of the rooms watching them as they moved. When they got to the conference room, D.B. Russell shut the door and instructed Greg to turn on the TV to begin the meeting. When he does turn it on, Greg is met with the face of a very handsome man on the other end of the screen. He was talking to someone at first, but when he turned to Greg he stood frozen for a second later their eyes locked on each other. Greg was the first to speak.
"Hello, I'm Greg Sanders of the Las Vegas Crime Lab." He tells the man. The handsome man smiles.
"A pleasure to meet you, Greg Sanders, I am Ryan Wolfe of the Miami Crime Lab." The man introduces himself.
"We were told your lab has some information about one of the deaths of our CSI's." Greg said.
"Yes we do, it relates to a murder and an attack that happened here, plus another murder in New York." Ryan Wolfe tells Greg. More CSIs and officers were killed? This was much bigger than Greg realized. The situation was escalating faster than anyone could have expected. Ryan turns his head to the left, talking to someone offscreen. "Please, allow me to introduce Horatio Caine, head of the Miami Crime Lab."
An older man walks into focus, he is wearing all black and is blonde. Horatio looks weary.
"Good evening, I am Horatio Caine." He introduces himself. Greg steps aside and allows D.B. Russell to take his place.
"Hello Horatio Caine, I'm D. of the LAs Vegas Crime Lab. We just suffered an attack by gunmen a few minutes ago. And I understand you guys did too." D.B. explains.
"Indeed, we have and so has the NYPD. We are trying to get in touch with the New York Crime Lab, we must be all here to explain what is going on with each." Horatio tells him.
As the two men talked, both Greg Sanders and Ryan Wolfe looked at each other. Though they couldn't read minds, both men could tell what the other was thinking. They would both need each other's labs in hopes of stopping whatever madness was happening to them and killing their friends.
