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Post by jessica on Dec 12, 2008 11:37:46 GMT -10
;D I loved the scene in the sandwich bar and I can just agree with Cal and the girls. He's a hunk of a man hehe...
So let's see what the PT will say about his guns. I'm sure he has them as collector pieces.. or hmmm.. maybe he's in some group who's interested in such times.. and they have "fights" with them. I don't know how to explain.
Jess
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Post by gonsy on Dec 17, 2008 12:47:40 GMT -10
Hey NvOracle, great chap! Thanks and waiting for more! Gonsy
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Post by NV Oracle on Dec 19, 2008 17:57:57 GMT -10
Hey, there, ladies.
Jess, you're absolutely right. He is involved with two different groups. The term you were looking for, at least here in the States, is a 'Living History' troupe. One that does old west towns and gunfights, and things of this nature, and another that 'lives' in the times, of the 7 Years Wars (our 'part' was the French and Indian War Period), or the period from approximately 1750 to approximately the U.S. Revolutionary War period (approx 1776). Anyway, that's why Ernie had two different types of guns. He will explain himself, a little bit later, when he has his meeting with the team to talk about Stevie.
I'm trying to shorten my chapters, but hopefully it doesn't ruin the flow of the action or the story.
Anyway, here's the next installment. Please enjoy. Here we go.
********************
Chapter 72
All three of the young men were white. Two were blonde, and the third had light brown hair. One of the blonde’s and the brunette were the two men that had held on to Horatio when the other man had been hitting Horatio with the bat, the one’s that he had scratched. The other blonde was the apparent ring leader, and had been the owner of the hair that had been found on Horatio’s jacket.
All three of the young men were college students. They, along with Diana Weller, all attended University of Miami.
Horatio and Calleigh stood in the hallway, observing all four young people, when Frank walked up to them.
“Who’s the lucky one to be first, H?”
Horatio looked from one to the other for a moment, then pointed to the blonde young man that had held on to him. “He’ll be first, Frank. Young Ian Tanner.“
Horatio walked toward the Interrogation room, and opened the door.
The younger man looked up at the door opening, and his jaw dropped when he noticed that it was the man they had worked over.
“What are you doing here? How did you get in here?“ Ian asked.
Horatio’s eyebrows climbed into his hair. “I belong here. I told you guys yesterday, before you worked me over, that I was a Police officer. What, you didn’t believe me?“ Horatio pulled off his badge and ID, and pushed them across the table at the younger man.
Ian picked them up, and looked them over, then looked up at the red head. It took him a minute for his brain to register what his eyes were seeing, and when he did, he went as white as a ghost. “Oh, my god.” Ian whispered to himself.
Horatio, although amused at the younger man’s reaction, attempted to keep his expression neutral. “You’re trying to tell me that you didn’t know that I was a Police Officer, or that you didn’t believe it when I told you that I was?“ Horatio asked.
“She said that you would claim that you were a cop, but to ignore it.“ Ian admitted.
“She?“ Frank asked before Horatio had the chance to.
Ian nodded. “Yeah. Diana.“
“How do you know Diana, Ian.” Horatio asked.
“She’s a friend from school.“ The younger man admitted.
“Do you hang out together, or do anything away from school?” Horatio asked.
“Sometimes.” The younger man admitted.
“Is that how she picked the four of you to help her work me over?“ Horatio asked, trying to move the interrogation forward.
“Partially. We all know each other from school.”
Horatio traded a look with Frank. “Ok. Ian, who was the fourth guy, the one with the bat?“
The younger man immediately began shaking his head. “Oh, no, you don’t. I’m not going to be the group snitch.”
“Ian, if you need to talk to a lawyer, I can get you one, but let me explain something to you. The four of you are going to go to jail, ok? My friends found me unconscious yesterday after you left. They brought me back here and checked me out. Do you remember when I scratched you and Cory Lancaster?”
Ian nodded.
“I had some of your skin cells, and Cory’s under my fingernails, and one of my friends found one of Brad’s hairs on my jacket. With Diana already accounted for, that only leaves the guy hitting me with the bat. If you tell me who that was, I will probably be able to get some of your sentence reduced. It’s only a matter of time before I found out who that was. And why me. Save yourself some jail time. Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll be able to get your sentence reduced.”
The younger man looked down at his hands for a long moment, then slowly nodded. “The dude’s name is Max Brumfield.”
“Is he also one of the gang from school?“
Ian nodded. “We all have two of our classes together.”
Horatio nodded. “How did the group of you plan to work me over?”
Ian sighed. “Diana said that her uncle knew you, and that he wanted us to work you over as part of a joke, a lesson.”
Horatio looked out the window, for a moment, then turned back to the younger man. “A joke? What kind of lesson was I supposed to learn?”
Ian shrugged. “I’m not sure. All Diana said was something about choosing friends, and cementing alliances more carefully.”
Each of the other three men told a similar story.
Horatio stood in the hallway with Calleigh and Frank “What do you think?”
“I’m not quite sure what to think, Handsome.“
“It’s all still pointing to Stevie, Sweetheart. None of this was happening until it became known that I had any kind of interest in Stevie, and that didn’t start happening until we arrested the men from Winter’s Construction. Maybe Stan was able to get in contact with some of the men we let go?“
“That’s possible. We didn’t think to tell them not to say anything to anyone. Sorry about that, H.”
“Not to worry, Frank. None of us thought anything about it. Let’s go see how quickly we can rattle her cage.“
“Let’s go.“ Frank agreed.
“I’m going to wait out here.“ Calleigh reminded the men.
“That’s fine, sweetheart. If you think of anything I need to ask her, text me, or call me, ok?“
******************
Please let me know what you think.
Your friend NV Oracle
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Post by sanne on Dec 19, 2008 22:03:36 GMT -10
This was a very nice length, NV Oracle and a wonderful chap. So they didn't know he was a policeofficer or at least they were told, though not in so many words, he would be lying about that to scare them away......And H needed to learn a lesson?....well I guess those boys better had stayed in school and learn their lessons, instead of "teaching" H...... ;D Sandra
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Post by margaret1234 on Dec 20, 2008 3:25:47 GMT -10
No wonder Ian's jaw dropped when Horatio walked in........didn't believe he was a policeman. Well now he is in trouble for his disbelieving. Not a nice person anyway to work someone over just for a friend. So who thinks H needs a lesson? Hmm...think someone will soon be learning a lesson from H.
Nice chapter NV........and whilst I don't mind long chapters.........I have to agree this one was a nice length and did not spoil the flow of the story.
Margaret
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Post by jessica on Dec 20, 2008 12:28:24 GMT -10
I agree with the others, it was a nice length and definitely didn't ruin the flow.
I really liked this chapter, I bet Ian wants to turn back time.. hehe...but I guess he has learned his lesson and has time in jail to think about it.
Jess
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Post by gonsy on Dec 21, 2008 9:41:06 GMT -10
Good chapter NV Oracle! Gonsy
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Post by NV Oracle on Dec 21, 2008 12:29:40 GMT -10
Hey there gang. I have the other part of this interrogation scene ready for you. H and Frank get their answers out of Diana, but it also creates more questions.
Please enjoy. Here we go.
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Chapter 73
Calleigh stayed out in the hallway to ‘observe’, as Horatio and Frank opened the door and walked in to the interrogation room.
She noticed that, although the younger woman looked up at the door opening, that Diana didn’t look surprised when Horatio walked into the Interrogation Room.
Horatio sat across the table from Diana and Frank stood against the wall, next to the door. He pulled out his notebook from his inner coat pocket and opened it to a blank page.
Horatio looked over at Diana for a long moment, then asked. “You are related to Stan Miller, aren’t you?”
She nodded.
“How?”
“He’s my Mom’s older brother, my Uncle.”
“Did your Uncle say why he wanted me off the Douglas case?”
Diana shook her head. “He didn’t. It was my idea.”
“No, it wasn’t, Diana.” Horatio shook his head. His voice inched towards the ‘Danger Zone’. “You’re not the master mind.” His tone left no room for debate. “Did your Uncle say why he wanted me off the Douglas case?”
The young woman shook her head. “No. All he said was that the kid needed to learn some sort of lesson about the value of friends and family.”
Frank traded confused looks with Horatio, then watched as Horatio’s face grew cloudy.
“That’s not a lesson Stevie needs to learn.” Horatio mumbled, mostly to himself, as he stared off into space. He turned back to look over at Diana and asked. “Did anything unusual, or out of the ordinary happen about two years ago?”
Now, it was Diana’s turn to look confused at the two men. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
“I mean did he come home mad, or upset, or unusually happy from work?”
Diana thought about it for a long minute, then replied.
“Now that you mention it, I seem to remember one night, Uncle Stan did come over highly upset over something. When my Mom asked him about it, Uncle Stan said something about that one of the boys had gotten into trouble at work.”
That had Horatio’s attention. “When you say ‘the boys’, who do you mean? One of his sons, or who?”
Diana nodded. “Yes, sir. One of his sons. About six months, roughly, before all of this happened, he had got one of his sons, one of my cousins, a job at the lab.”
Horatio and Frank shared a knowing look.
“Which one of your cousins was it?” Frank asked.
“It was his oldest son, Jordan.” Diana admitted.
“Did your Uncle say anything about what happened at the lab?”
She shook her head. “No, sir, he didn’t. All he did say was that Jordan apparently goofed pretty big. He didn’t say what Jordan had done, but what ever it was, Uncle Stan was as mad as I think I’d ever seen him get.”
Horatio felt his phone vibrate. “Excuse me.” He opened his phone and saw the text message from Calleigh. Ask her where in the lab her cousin worked.
Horatio looked up in surprise, and toward the one way glass at her for a moment, then turned back to Diana, and repeated Calleigh’s question. “What part of the lab did your cousin work in?”
She thought for a moment, then replied “I’m not sure. I think he worked in either the Diamond lab or the Emerald lab.”
Horatio traded looks with Frank, then looked back to the young woman “Diana, do you mean that he worked in the lab where the gems were made?”
She nodded. “I’m not sure, but, yes, I think so. Why?”
Horatio sat there for a moment, just staring off into space, out the window.
Frank looked over at the red head. “H?”
Suddenly, Horatio blinked back to the here and now. “Do me a favor, Frank, and take her statement, then go ahead and book her for Assault on a Police Officer, and Conspiracy to Commit Assault, then come find me, when your done. I’ll probably be in my office, but come find me, ok?”
“I’m on it, H.”
“Thank you, sir.” Horatio got up, and walked out the door. He noticed Calleigh’s confused look.
She looked up at him as he approached her. “What are you thinking, Handsome?”
Horatio quirked a grin, then told her. “I’m thinking that all those raw gems would be a heck of a temptation, even for someone who was wealthy to begin with.”
Frank approached the two, just as Calleigh caught on to where Horatio was going.
“You’re thinking some kind of heist?”
Horatio shook his head. “I’m thinking some kind of attempted heist, one that went wrong, somewhere.” He turned to Frank. “See what you find on the name ‘Jordan Miller‘, please Frank?”
“Sure thing, H. I’m on it.” Frank told him, then turned and walked away.
***************** Please let me know what you think.
Your friend NV Oracle
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Post by jessica on Dec 21, 2008 12:52:18 GMT -10
Well it's getting more and more interesting. Right now, I'm not sure what has happened.. maybe Stevie's dad had "interrupted" this heist and told the officials...and that's why the Miller's are mad at him and his son? I'm just wild guessing here.. actually I don't even know if it would fit in the chronically order but oh well, it's worth a try.
Great chapter Oracle, can't wait for more.
Jess
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Post by sanne on Dec 21, 2008 22:21:26 GMT -10
Great chap (and a very nice length again ). Smart question from Calleigh.......Things are falling into place...something happened at the lab that has upset Miller AND Stevie's father, most likely for different reasons........Very curious what you'll do with it next. Sandra
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Post by margaret1234 on Dec 22, 2008 3:37:41 GMT -10
Great chapter and so the mystery is slowly starting to unfold. Can't wait to see how this develops.
Margaret
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Post by NV Oracle on Dec 27, 2008 20:31:33 GMT -10
Hey, there, ladies. Hope all of you had a nice holiday with your families, and/or friends. Ours was very nice as well. We had a white Christmas here, which for this part of the United States is relatively unusual.
Anyway, here's the next part of the story. The first part of the team's interview with Ernie, Ryan's friend, for Stevie's PT.
Please enjoy. Here we go.
********************
Chapter 74
Just before 3pm, a 20 something young man, Caucasian, with shoulder length light brown hair in a pony tail stepped off the elevator, and walked over to Reception Desk. “Hi.” He greeted Paula. “I’m here to see Ryan Wolfe. Is he here, by any chance?”
Paula smiled. “Yes, sir he is. Who do I tell him is here to see him?”
The young man smiled. “Ernie, please?“
Paula motioned towards the chairs against the wall. “Please take a seat over there, and I’ll tell him you’re here.”
“Thank you.“ Ernie replied, then turned, and walked over towards the chairs, then took a seat to wait.
He didn’t have to wait very long. Ryan hurried out of one of the labs.
“Ernie!“
He stood up and met his friend with his hand held out. “Hey, there, Ryan. What’s going on?”
Ryan shook his friend’s hand. “Not much. Thanks for agreeing to meet with us.”
“No problem.“ Ernie returned the handshake. “What was it you needed to talk about?“
“Hold on a minute.“ Ryan reached for his phone and speed dialed someone, then put the device to his ear.
“Horatio.“
“Hey, H. Ernie’s here. Where are you?“
“I’m in my office, Mr Wolfe.” Horatio told him. “Please bring Ernie up here.“
“We’re on our way, H.“ Ryan put his phone away and motioned his friend to follow him.
Ryan led the way up the stairs and around the corner. As they approached H’s office, both young men noticed the crowd inside.
Ryan moved to open the door, and Ernie grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“What’s going on Ry?“
Ryan grinned. “We’re all friends of the young man I was telling you about that needs your help. Don’t worry, Ernie. They don’t bite, much.“ Ryan winked at him.
“Uh, huh.“ Was all Ernie would say to that.
Ryan chuckled as he opened the door.
Horatio stood up and walked around his desk.
“H, this is my buddy, Ernie.” Ryan added, to Ernie. “Ernie, this is my boss, Lt Horatio Caine.”
Ernie shook hands with Horatio as he told the man. “It’s my pleasure to finally meet you, Lt. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
Horatio shook the younger man’s hand in return, as he looked down at the floor. “Don‘t believe everything you hear.”
Ryan continued the introductions, ending with Calleigh, explaining that she was the youngster’s adopted Aunt/Godmother.
Ernie nodded, as he sat in the chair across from Horatio. “Which youngster is it we are talking about here?”
Horatio looked over at Ryan, who nodded. “What do you know about Stevie Douglas?”
“Stevie Douglas? That‘s who we’re talking about?” Ernie asked incredulously, his eyebrows climbing into his hair. After a moment, Ernie commented, softly, almost to himself. “I wondered when someone would say something.”
The group traded confused looks.
“What are you talking about Ernie?” Ryan asked his friend.
Ernie thought about it for a minute, then explained. “Shortly after Stevie had regained consciousness from his coma, I overheard him and Dennis in what I’m going to call a ‘heated debate’. When I approached Mrs Menendez about it, I was told, very pointedly, to mind my own business.”
The team traded concerned looks.
“What do you think of Dennis?” Horatio asked.
Ernie chuckled softly. “I’m not entirely sure exactly what to make of him, Lt. I mean, I get along just fine with him, but I don’t have a spinal cord injury and I’m not dependent on him to teach me how to live with it.“
Horatio looked over at Ernie. “That’s an interesting concept. Do you really think that it can be lived with and not as an obstacle to work around?”
“Yes, sir, absolutely. From what I can tell, Stevie isn’t as severely paralyzed as he could be. I will grant you that any paralysis is life altering, but his is not as serious as it could have been. The few times I’ve seen Stevie, he strikes me as the type of person who will work his hardest to be as independent as possible.”
The team traded smiles.
Calleigh nodded. “Stevie is exactly like that, Ernie.”
Horatio also nodded. “Normally that would not be a problem, however, recently there was an incident. Stevie and his mother were going out. There was a robbery nearby and the robbers stole Stevie‘s van and used it as the getaway car. They dumped Stevie out of the van and he landed on some broken glass. Needless to say, it cut him up pretty badly, and he developed an infection relatively quickly that ran rampant through his little body.
“Dr Fitzgerald says that the infection is starting to go away. As soon as he gives us the word, we’re going to ease Stevie into the pool and the gym as gently as possible, but we may have to reign Stevie’s horses in.”
The group laughed at Horatio’s attempt at a joke.
Just as Ernie started to say something, the phone on Horatio’s desk rang. They looked at each other, for a moment, then looked at the phone.
*********************
Please let me know what you think.
Your friend NV Oracle
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Post by sanne on Dec 27, 2008 22:00:42 GMT -10
"Please let me know what you think"...... PLEASE, LET ME KNOW WHO'S ON THE PHONE!!! What a cliffhanger you have here......and I think this Ernie is the right guy to help Stevie. But wasn't he also the guy with the guns? If so, they still have to talk about that, don't they.........This is very interesting, NV Oracle, and again a very nice chapter-length. Sandra
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Post by margaret1234 on Dec 28, 2008 4:36:11 GMT -10
Doesn't the phone always go at the wrong time.......so I am left in mid air wondering about what Ernie was about to say.....will it be helpful or not is my question. Great chapter as usual NV.
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Post by lucymalta on Dec 28, 2008 7:24:49 GMT -10
Hmmmm... The mystery thickens......
Lucy
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