Taylor sat underneath a palm tree on the edge of the beach, staring out at the serene turquoise sea. It was hard to believe that such a brutal death had occurred in such a peaceful space. She shifted her weight so the crime scene was just out of her sight, and as she stared out across the white sand, she had a sudden feeling of déjà vu.
She let out a heavy sigh, pulling her legs up underneath her. If she was honest, the job situation was completely terrifying (and truthfully, she was going to regret the spur of the moment trip to Florida when the credit card statement hit her), but aside from that, she was quite content with her life. And the one thing the beautiful view was doing, was making her think about how happy she was with Flack – even with the arguments, she loved him. And she knew the only reason he protested to her activities as much as she did was because he loved her.
Riley soon began creeping into her thoughts. Ideally she wanted the girl to go to a private school – she deserved the best Taylor could give her, but realistically, the best didn’t look like what she wanted. If she could get her in the state of New York, then that would have to be better than a daily four hour commute – the kid could actually have a (heavily supervised and approved) social life.
She shook her head. Right now, her focus had to be on a ghost. Thoughts of Don and Riley could wait until she was in her motel room. She glanced over at the crime scene, surprised to see one of the CSIs studying her as his hands moved frantically behind a large notebook. He eventually noticed her staring at him, and he shifted away, pulling a previous sheet back over and resumed his focus on the crime scene. Taylor barely gave him a mental shrug before her eyes fell on the dead CSI.
He was standing a little way behind the burnt out Land Rover, staring out at the sea, his hands stuck in his pocket. Now, he was wearing jeans and a dark shirt.
With a resolve to help both CSIs, Taylor had wandered over to the spot she was currently located so that she might have a conversation with Speedle without Joe Public listening in. They had both agreed that the first step was to let Eric see him again, but without talking to him. If they could manage to help Eric without a single conversation taking place, then all the better, because, as Speed put it, there was no way that conversation was going to work out well.
The ghost in question disappeared from the horizon, only to appear in front of her, back in white. They had also agreed that Speed shouldn’t wear his white “uniform”. Taylor had pointed out that unless he looked as much like he did before he died, then the easier it might be for Eric to accept.
"Well?" Taylor asked him.
Speed just frowned at her, although Taylor was certain that was a normal expression for him.
"Look, we agreed – we can’t rush this. A full out conversation will have him checking into the loony bin, quicker than you can say Miami," Taylor pointed out.
Speed nodded. "I know. I just… I feel like I’m dragging this out. Maybe you should talk to him."
"And that will get me stuck in that loony bin," Taylor informed him. "And we don’t want that either. I have, however, been thinking," she added.
Speed cocked his head at her as she got to her feet.
"I think we should see Horatio," she told him, brushing the sand off her jeans. "He has a right to know what his team is doing, especially when they shouldn’t be doing it. And my gut is telling me we can trust him."
Speed nodded. "You can trust Horatio with your life. He will do anything he can to help his family. And his team is his family."
She let out a heavy sigh, pulling her legs up underneath her. If she was honest, the job situation was completely terrifying (and truthfully, she was going to regret the spur of the moment trip to Florida when the credit card statement hit her), but aside from that, she was quite content with her life. And the one thing the beautiful view was doing, was making her think about how happy she was with Flack – even with the arguments, she loved him. And she knew the only reason he protested to her activities as much as she did was because he loved her.
Riley soon began creeping into her thoughts. Ideally she wanted the girl to go to a private school – she deserved the best Taylor could give her, but realistically, the best didn’t look like what she wanted. If she could get her in the state of New York, then that would have to be better than a daily four hour commute – the kid could actually have a (heavily supervised and approved) social life.
She shook her head. Right now, her focus had to be on a ghost. Thoughts of Don and Riley could wait until she was in her motel room. She glanced over at the crime scene, surprised to see one of the CSIs studying her as his hands moved frantically behind a large notebook. He eventually noticed her staring at him, and he shifted away, pulling a previous sheet back over and resumed his focus on the crime scene. Taylor barely gave him a mental shrug before her eyes fell on the dead CSI.
He was standing a little way behind the burnt out Land Rover, staring out at the sea, his hands stuck in his pocket. Now, he was wearing jeans and a dark shirt.
With a resolve to help both CSIs, Taylor had wandered over to the spot she was currently located so that she might have a conversation with Speedle without Joe Public listening in. They had both agreed that the first step was to let Eric see him again, but without talking to him. If they could manage to help Eric without a single conversation taking place, then all the better, because, as Speed put it, there was no way that conversation was going to work out well.
The ghost in question disappeared from the horizon, only to appear in front of her, back in white. They had also agreed that Speed shouldn’t wear his white “uniform”. Taylor had pointed out that unless he looked as much like he did before he died, then the easier it might be for Eric to accept.
"Well?" Taylor asked him.
Speed just frowned at her, although Taylor was certain that was a normal expression for him.
"Look, we agreed – we can’t rush this. A full out conversation will have him checking into the loony bin, quicker than you can say Miami," Taylor pointed out.
Speed nodded. "I know. I just… I feel like I’m dragging this out. Maybe you should talk to him."
"And that will get me stuck in that loony bin," Taylor informed him. "And we don’t want that either. I have, however, been thinking," she added.
Speed cocked his head at her as she got to her feet.
"I think we should see Horatio," she told him, brushing the sand off her jeans. "He has a right to know what his team is doing, especially when they shouldn’t be doing it. And my gut is telling me we can trust him."
Speed nodded. "You can trust Horatio with your life. He will do anything he can to help his family. And his team is his family."
* * *
The Miami Dade Crime lab was completely different to both the New York one, and the Las Vegas one, Taylor noted as she walked in the building. This one was open planned, light, bright, and airy, and felt like it had been taken from the Mediterranean.
"I like this place," Taylor muttered under her breath as Speedle discreetly led her past the reception desk and through the corridors to Horatio’s office.
"It’s nice," Speed agreed.
"You don’t really say much, do you?" Taylor mumbled.
Speed shrugged at her. "Never really did. That’s it." He pointed at the door in front of them.
Taylor took a deep breath before walking up to it and knocking. After going to the beach, she had insisted that she check into the motel, shower and change before meeting Horatio again. She hadn’t come prepared for the Miami heat, and she had been feeling grimy, especially after the flight. Now, dressed in a white sun dress, she felt prepared for her conversation.
She heard Horatio call "enter," and she stepped in the room.
The red haired man looked up at her, and slowly, cocked his head as a warm smile spread over his face. "Ms. Turner," he greeted her, rising to his feet. "Ms. Turner, to what do I owe the pleasure of this reunion?"
Taylor walked over to his desk and sat in the chair opposite after Horatio had indicated to it. He sat back down as she did and waited for her to say something.
"In New York," Taylor started, reciting the speech she had planned in the shower. "When we met, you told me that everything would work out and that I could trust you."
Horatio nodded patiently at her.
"Well, I need to tell you something, and it’s going to sound beyond crazy, but I need you to trust me."
Horatio took a deep breath, cocked his head in the other direction and again, nodded. "Go on," he encouraged her softly.
Taylor returned her nod, never breaking eye contact. "You also said that you didn’t think I attended crime scenes because my editor sent me. And you were right. I didn’t. And I still don’t. I visit them because the ghosts of the victims visit me. And that’s why I’m here. Because of a ghost. The ghost of an old colleague of yours who needs my help to help him help a living colleague of yours."
He stared at her for a moment, processing what she had just blurted out in one breath. “Speedle," he said simply.
Taylor let out a breath, slumping into the chair. "Yeah. He’s your team’s guardian angel," she confessed. "But there’s only so much he can do."
"Which is why he came to you?" Horatio asked.
Taylor blinked. "You’re taking this a little better than I expected," she told him bluntly.
Horatio smiled gently. "And which, which member of my team is in trouble?"
"Actually," Taylor frowned, picking at her dress nervously. "It’s two of them. But Speed only wants me to help one of them. And after a conversation with Speed, I think you need to let me."
"I’m listening, Ms. Turner."
"Eric Delko. He’s struggling," Taylor explained.
Horatio nodded, the smile falling from his face. "I suspected he hadn’t been recovering from the shooting as well as he said he had."
"It’s not his work," Taylor quickly pointed out. "It’s him. He’s doubting himself, and apparently he’s not talking to anybody, particularly Callie."
"Calleigh," Horatio corrected her absently. "And I take it," he paused. "I take it this is related to the second person?"
Taylor nodded. "Yeah. Your A/V guy has basically stolen Tim’s credit cards and is racking up a huge bill on them."
"The main problem, from Eric’s point of view, is that he will think Tim is alive," Horatio stated.
Taylor blinked. "You’re good," she told him. "But yes."
"And Speedle came to you because he knew if he approached Eric himself that it might hinder his recovery, if not set him back."
Taylor blinked in amazement again. "Damn. It took me longer to work that out, and I was talking to Speed. But, again, yes. I also think that Eric needs to be the one to work out what Dan Cooper is doing, and that’s the part Speed is a little wary of, because if I do that, I need to be able to get into Dan and Eric’s lives to manipulate this somehow."
"And you need me to authorize your presence in the lab," Horatio finished.
Taylor’s mouth dropped open. "I have every respect in the world for Mac, but can I take you back to New York with me?"
"Unfortunately Taylor," Horatio smiled. "Unfortunately, my team needs me here." He reached into his drawer and pulled something out. "Normally, I would thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and I would see to it myself. However, in this instance," he paused and frowned. "Ms. Turner, can you prove that you can see Speedle for me?" he asked, almost reluctantly.
Taylor turned to the ghost and cocked her head. Her eyes grew large as she listened to what he said. "Oh come on," she groaned. "You can’t feed me that and not give me more." She sighed and turned to Horatio. "He said, he knows what you did in Rio, and it’s something I would love to know as a journalist, but I’m not allowed to know unless you want me to, and he suspects that you don’t want me to."
Horatio frowned. "I don’t you want to know that," he admitted. "And I’m sorry for asking. I just needed to make sure." He handed the item over he had pulled from the drawer. "This is a clearance pass. If anyone asks, you are from IAB. With Stetler taking a vacation, no one will question this."
Taylor looked down at the pass and pulled a face. "IAB? Great. Everyone’s going to hate me."
"You’re not here to make friends," Speed pointed out.
"No, I’m here to help yours," she sighed. “So what’s our next move?"
"We need to go back to the crime scene."
"I like this place," Taylor muttered under her breath as Speedle discreetly led her past the reception desk and through the corridors to Horatio’s office.
"It’s nice," Speed agreed.
"You don’t really say much, do you?" Taylor mumbled.
Speed shrugged at her. "Never really did. That’s it." He pointed at the door in front of them.
Taylor took a deep breath before walking up to it and knocking. After going to the beach, she had insisted that she check into the motel, shower and change before meeting Horatio again. She hadn’t come prepared for the Miami heat, and she had been feeling grimy, especially after the flight. Now, dressed in a white sun dress, she felt prepared for her conversation.
She heard Horatio call "enter," and she stepped in the room.
The red haired man looked up at her, and slowly, cocked his head as a warm smile spread over his face. "Ms. Turner," he greeted her, rising to his feet. "Ms. Turner, to what do I owe the pleasure of this reunion?"
Taylor walked over to his desk and sat in the chair opposite after Horatio had indicated to it. He sat back down as she did and waited for her to say something.
"In New York," Taylor started, reciting the speech she had planned in the shower. "When we met, you told me that everything would work out and that I could trust you."
Horatio nodded patiently at her.
"Well, I need to tell you something, and it’s going to sound beyond crazy, but I need you to trust me."
Horatio took a deep breath, cocked his head in the other direction and again, nodded. "Go on," he encouraged her softly.
Taylor returned her nod, never breaking eye contact. "You also said that you didn’t think I attended crime scenes because my editor sent me. And you were right. I didn’t. And I still don’t. I visit them because the ghosts of the victims visit me. And that’s why I’m here. Because of a ghost. The ghost of an old colleague of yours who needs my help to help him help a living colleague of yours."
He stared at her for a moment, processing what she had just blurted out in one breath. “Speedle," he said simply.
Taylor let out a breath, slumping into the chair. "Yeah. He’s your team’s guardian angel," she confessed. "But there’s only so much he can do."
"Which is why he came to you?" Horatio asked.
Taylor blinked. "You’re taking this a little better than I expected," she told him bluntly.
Horatio smiled gently. "And which, which member of my team is in trouble?"
"Actually," Taylor frowned, picking at her dress nervously. "It’s two of them. But Speed only wants me to help one of them. And after a conversation with Speed, I think you need to let me."
"I’m listening, Ms. Turner."
"Eric Delko. He’s struggling," Taylor explained.
Horatio nodded, the smile falling from his face. "I suspected he hadn’t been recovering from the shooting as well as he said he had."
"It’s not his work," Taylor quickly pointed out. "It’s him. He’s doubting himself, and apparently he’s not talking to anybody, particularly Callie."
"Calleigh," Horatio corrected her absently. "And I take it," he paused. "I take it this is related to the second person?"
Taylor nodded. "Yeah. Your A/V guy has basically stolen Tim’s credit cards and is racking up a huge bill on them."
"The main problem, from Eric’s point of view, is that he will think Tim is alive," Horatio stated.
Taylor blinked. "You’re good," she told him. "But yes."
"And Speedle came to you because he knew if he approached Eric himself that it might hinder his recovery, if not set him back."
Taylor blinked in amazement again. "Damn. It took me longer to work that out, and I was talking to Speed. But, again, yes. I also think that Eric needs to be the one to work out what Dan Cooper is doing, and that’s the part Speed is a little wary of, because if I do that, I need to be able to get into Dan and Eric’s lives to manipulate this somehow."
"And you need me to authorize your presence in the lab," Horatio finished.
Taylor’s mouth dropped open. "I have every respect in the world for Mac, but can I take you back to New York with me?"
"Unfortunately Taylor," Horatio smiled. "Unfortunately, my team needs me here." He reached into his drawer and pulled something out. "Normally, I would thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and I would see to it myself. However, in this instance," he paused and frowned. "Ms. Turner, can you prove that you can see Speedle for me?" he asked, almost reluctantly.
Taylor turned to the ghost and cocked her head. Her eyes grew large as she listened to what he said. "Oh come on," she groaned. "You can’t feed me that and not give me more." She sighed and turned to Horatio. "He said, he knows what you did in Rio, and it’s something I would love to know as a journalist, but I’m not allowed to know unless you want me to, and he suspects that you don’t want me to."
Horatio frowned. "I don’t you want to know that," he admitted. "And I’m sorry for asking. I just needed to make sure." He handed the item over he had pulled from the drawer. "This is a clearance pass. If anyone asks, you are from IAB. With Stetler taking a vacation, no one will question this."
Taylor looked down at the pass and pulled a face. "IAB? Great. Everyone’s going to hate me."
"You’re not here to make friends," Speed pointed out.
"No, I’m here to help yours," she sighed. “So what’s our next move?"
"We need to go back to the crime scene."
* * *
Taylor awoke the following morning and rolled onto her side, staring at the empty space beside her. It felt an age since the last time she had spent the night alone in her bed. She yawned and pulled back the covers, flicking the news on. Seeing there was very little of interest happening, she pulled herself out of bed, knowing that if she didn’t get showered sooner, rather than later, she would be being pestered by a ghost.
She was finishing braiding her hair when Speed finally appeared.
"We need to get the crime lab," he told her by way of greeting.
"Good morning Taylor," Taylor muttered to herself. "Good morning Tim. You’re looking good this morning – I feel good, thank you. You’re looking well yourself – Thanks, Tim. Yes, I did have a good night’s sleep, actually. I was a little wary of this motel, especially when I saw the price, but the sheets smell fresh and the room is clean."
Speed watched her, his face barely giving away a hint of emotion, before he glanced around the room. "I had a crime scene here one," he said, more to himself than Taylor. "If I remember rightly, there were double figures of bodily samples on those bed sheets."
Taylor leapt off the bed with a squeal. "Oh, dear god, that’s gross!"
"I was surprised," Speed said, nodding thoughtfully.
"And on that note," Taylor growled, snatching her purse from the side and striding the few paces to the door. "We are wrapping this up today, because I will be damned if I’m staying here another night." She shuddered and stepped out into the already humid air.
"I’m sorry," Speed apologized as he walked through the door. "I didn’t think."
Taylor rolled her eyes. "What have you been up to this morning?" she asked him, changing the subject. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting it, and shifted uncomfortably. Taylor stopped in her tracks, midway down the steps to the ground floor and narrowed her eyes at him. "What did you do?" she demanded.
"I saw Eric this morning," Speed admitted.
Taylor’s eyes narrowed. "Go on."
Speed stared back at her until he sighed suddenly. "Have you ever considered a career as a detective? You would get the perp to crack like that," he told her, clicking his fingers.
"No," she told him. "And what happened with Eric?"
"I spent the night by his bedside, convincing him to go back to the crime scene."
"Come again?" Taylor asked, resuming her trip down the stairs after spotting the cleaning lady who was giving her a funny look.
"I waited until he was asleep," Speed protested. "And then I spent the night by his bed whispering into his ear that he needed to go back to the beach." He waited for Taylor to step into the car before materializing through it and taking the seat next to her. "He missed something yesterday."
"What?" Taylor asked him.
"A piece of tubing." He gave Taylor a half smile. "Look, whilst he was processing that with Dan," he spat the name. "I was looking in Dan’s locker."
Taylor stared at him, unable to help rolling her eyes again. "And you couldn’t have looked in the locker when Eric was sleeping?"
Speed’s mouth flapped open and closed for a moment, before he managed a smug smile, settling back into the seat. "No, because I needed to know that was where Dan keeps his wallet while he’s at work."
"And why do you need to know where Dan keeps his wallet while he’s at work?"
This time it was Speed’s time to roll the eyes. "I take back the detective comment. Because," he told explained, "That is where my credit cards are kept while he’s working."
"And what?" Taylor asked him. "You expect me to break into his locker and give his cards to Eric?"
Speed shrugged. “Something like that."
She was finishing braiding her hair when Speed finally appeared.
"We need to get the crime lab," he told her by way of greeting.
"Good morning Taylor," Taylor muttered to herself. "Good morning Tim. You’re looking good this morning – I feel good, thank you. You’re looking well yourself – Thanks, Tim. Yes, I did have a good night’s sleep, actually. I was a little wary of this motel, especially when I saw the price, but the sheets smell fresh and the room is clean."
Speed watched her, his face barely giving away a hint of emotion, before he glanced around the room. "I had a crime scene here one," he said, more to himself than Taylor. "If I remember rightly, there were double figures of bodily samples on those bed sheets."
Taylor leapt off the bed with a squeal. "Oh, dear god, that’s gross!"
"I was surprised," Speed said, nodding thoughtfully.
"And on that note," Taylor growled, snatching her purse from the side and striding the few paces to the door. "We are wrapping this up today, because I will be damned if I’m staying here another night." She shuddered and stepped out into the already humid air.
"I’m sorry," Speed apologized as he walked through the door. "I didn’t think."
Taylor rolled her eyes. "What have you been up to this morning?" she asked him, changing the subject. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting it, and shifted uncomfortably. Taylor stopped in her tracks, midway down the steps to the ground floor and narrowed her eyes at him. "What did you do?" she demanded.
"I saw Eric this morning," Speed admitted.
Taylor’s eyes narrowed. "Go on."
Speed stared back at her until he sighed suddenly. "Have you ever considered a career as a detective? You would get the perp to crack like that," he told her, clicking his fingers.
"No," she told him. "And what happened with Eric?"
"I spent the night by his bedside, convincing him to go back to the crime scene."
"Come again?" Taylor asked, resuming her trip down the stairs after spotting the cleaning lady who was giving her a funny look.
"I waited until he was asleep," Speed protested. "And then I spent the night by his bed whispering into his ear that he needed to go back to the beach." He waited for Taylor to step into the car before materializing through it and taking the seat next to her. "He missed something yesterday."
"What?" Taylor asked him.
"A piece of tubing." He gave Taylor a half smile. "Look, whilst he was processing that with Dan," he spat the name. "I was looking in Dan’s locker."
Taylor stared at him, unable to help rolling her eyes again. "And you couldn’t have looked in the locker when Eric was sleeping?"
Speed’s mouth flapped open and closed for a moment, before he managed a smug smile, settling back into the seat. "No, because I needed to know that was where Dan keeps his wallet while he’s at work."
"And why do you need to know where Dan keeps his wallet while he’s at work?"
This time it was Speed’s time to roll the eyes. "I take back the detective comment. Because," he told explained, "That is where my credit cards are kept while he’s working."
"And what?" Taylor asked him. "You expect me to break into his locker and give his cards to Eric?"
Speed shrugged. “Something like that."
* * *
"I don’t like this," Taylor hissed at the ghost as she followed Speed’s instructions to unlock the locker.
"Well hurry up and you can get out of here," Speed shrugged, leaning against the locker behind her.
"Yeah, so I can go and break into a Hummer," she hissed. The lock clicked open and Taylor hastily unhooked it, pulling the door open and rooting through the items. The wallet wasn’t too hard to find, but it took a few attempts to pull the right card out. "I don’t see why I can’t just give this to Eric," she mumbled, locking the locker back up.
"Because you didn’t have a warrant," Speed pointed out.
"I don’t see how Eric is going to care," Taylor hissed as him as she hurried over to the door to the locker room and opened it a crack to see if the cost was clear.
"Because then you would have to explain to another person that you can see ghosts," Speed explained patiently. "I’ve already checked the logs – I know which Hummer Cooper was using last. This is the perfect opportunity."
"How are you going to ensure that he gets in the right one?" Taylor asked him. "I saw them lined up," she told him. "There were half a dozen – math was never my strong point, but I know the odds aren’t standing in our favour." She stood uptight and glared at the ghost. "And more to the point, why am I giving myself neck ache when you can walk through the door and tell me if it’s safe to go?"
Speed rolled his eyes at her and walked through the door. Seconds later he returned. "It’s clear. And I’ve already checked which Eric is assigned. Conveniently it’s the right one."
Taylor eyed him suspiciously as she walked down the corridor, refusing to respond less anyone spot her. Somehow, she wasn’t convinced of just how convenient that had been.
Her pace quickened as she neared the door, and she nearly bumped into someone. If she had given him a second look, she might have noticed that he was the CSI from the crime scene who had been sketching her the day before, and she might have noticed that he was giving her a look as if to say, I know you from somewhere.
She followed Speed into the parking lot, waiting for his all clear to approach the Hummer he was leading her to. She crept up beside it while Speed worked his ghostly magic on the central locking. Quickly, she opened the door and slipped the credit card in.
"Well hurry up and you can get out of here," Speed shrugged, leaning against the locker behind her.
"Yeah, so I can go and break into a Hummer," she hissed. The lock clicked open and Taylor hastily unhooked it, pulling the door open and rooting through the items. The wallet wasn’t too hard to find, but it took a few attempts to pull the right card out. "I don’t see why I can’t just give this to Eric," she mumbled, locking the locker back up.
"Because you didn’t have a warrant," Speed pointed out.
"I don’t see how Eric is going to care," Taylor hissed as him as she hurried over to the door to the locker room and opened it a crack to see if the cost was clear.
"Because then you would have to explain to another person that you can see ghosts," Speed explained patiently. "I’ve already checked the logs – I know which Hummer Cooper was using last. This is the perfect opportunity."
"How are you going to ensure that he gets in the right one?" Taylor asked him. "I saw them lined up," she told him. "There were half a dozen – math was never my strong point, but I know the odds aren’t standing in our favour." She stood uptight and glared at the ghost. "And more to the point, why am I giving myself neck ache when you can walk through the door and tell me if it’s safe to go?"
Speed rolled his eyes at her and walked through the door. Seconds later he returned. "It’s clear. And I’ve already checked which Eric is assigned. Conveniently it’s the right one."
Taylor eyed him suspiciously as she walked down the corridor, refusing to respond less anyone spot her. Somehow, she wasn’t convinced of just how convenient that had been.
Her pace quickened as she neared the door, and she nearly bumped into someone. If she had given him a second look, she might have noticed that he was the CSI from the crime scene who had been sketching her the day before, and she might have noticed that he was giving her a look as if to say, I know you from somewhere.
She followed Speed into the parking lot, waiting for his all clear to approach the Hummer he was leading her to. She crept up beside it while Speed worked his ghostly magic on the central locking. Quickly, she opened the door and slipped the credit card in.
* * *
"This is stupid," Taylor said into her phone. She had, under Speedle’s instruction, waited for Eric and the CSI she had learnt was Calleigh, to get in the Hummer, and followed it to the busy Dade University campus. Feeling like she was a PI from a dodgy film noir, she had followed the two CSIs onto the campus, trying not to look like she was following them amongst the dozens of students. In an attempt to not look insane, she had pulled her phone out to justify the “conversation” she was having with the ghost.
"You’re the one on the phone," Speed shrugged at her, his eyes not leaving Eric.
Taylor shot him a withering glare. "Talking on the phone isn’t stupid. Following those two around is. I can’t tell from this distance what they’re talking about. I’m going in closer." She slipped the phone into her pocket, ignored Speed’s protests, and ambled as inconspicuously as she could, closer to the two she was following. She was right behind the person they were talking to when a gunshot echoed clearly in the air.
Taylor stared down at herself, barely registering the person in front of her falling to the ground, as she stared at the bright red that was now stained across her once white tank top, thinking to herself that the person screaming needed to shut up. It wasn’t until Calleigh pushed her into the bushes that the screaming stopped and she realized it had been coming from her.
She took a shaky breath and looked around, spotting Speed straight away. "I didn’t see that coming," she half grinned at him.
Speed wasn’t paying attention. He was staring at Eric. "He’s looking in the wrong place," he muttered, before disappearing and leaving a bewildered Taylor.
"Idiot!" Taylor cursed. "This is not sticking to the plan." She gave her bloodied outfit another look over. "And I’m covered in blood."
"Are you okay?" Calleigh’s soft Southern twang asked her.
Taylor nodded. "It’s not my blood."
Calleigh gave her a reassuring smile before glancing over Taylor’s shoulder. "Hey! Bayden!"
The person she called hurried over. "Calleigh?"
"I need you to take a witness statement, collect any trace, and see if she saw anything," Calleigh instructed him as though Taylor was too in shock to actually know what she was talking about.
Taylor sighed and turned to face Bayden.
A look of realization flashed through his green eyes. "You!"
Taylor stared blankly at him. "You?"
"You were at the crime scene yesterday."
Taylor shook her head. "Not got a clue what you’re talking about," she mumbled.
Bayden dove into his bag and pulled a sketch pad from it, flicking through the pages until he came across the one that he wanted. He turned it around to show her.
Taylor stared in amazement at the pencil sketch in front of her. It was an exact likeness of her, sat under the tree. He had even caught her in a pensive moment, biting her lip. "You can’t possibly have done that yesterday."
"I finished it at home." Bayden shook his head. "You were at the crime scene yesterday. You were at the crime lab earlier. And now you’re here."
Taylor froze for half a second, before pulling the ID out of her pocket that Horatio had given her. "I’m with IAB," she told him.
Bayden’s eyes narrowed. "Doing what?"
"In..vestig..ating," she told him, sounding uncertain.
"Forgive me while I just check," he told her, pulling out his cell. After a short conversation with someone who was clearly Horatio, Bayden hung up and frowned at her. "He says your IAB."
"Which is what I told you," Taylor pointed out. She watched Bayden’s expression turned troubled. "What? Don’t you trust Horatio?"
"I trust Horatio," he told her without even contemplating the answer. "The thing is, I also know you’re not IAB."
"And what makes you say that?" Taylor asked him.
Bayden pointed at her feet. "If you’re IAB, why are you wearing flip flops?"
Taylor’s eyes fell to her feet and the bright orange nail polish that matched the orange trim on her tank top.
"You should tell him," Speed declared, suddenly appearing next to them and making Taylor jump slightly.
"He also said I should help you," Bayden added, looking uncomfortable.
"Now you really need to tell him," Speedle shrugged at her. "Come on, the poor kid has got to help IAB to arrest a colleague. He’s gonna think he’s a rat."
Taylor sucked in a deep breath, puffing up her cheeks, before slowly exhaling. "Look, you said you trust Horatio?"
Bayden nodded.
"Then trust me. Take what you need for evidence, and then let’s get out of here," Taylor told him.
“Sooner, rather than later," Speed added.
Bayden eyes her warily before jumping into action. Taylor was impressed – Horatio had clearly been training him well, and he certainly had potential. She was photographed quickly, her fingernails scraped, and then he led her to his Hummer to offer her some protection whilst she shed her top, before lending her a spare t-shirt.
"You’re the one on the phone," Speed shrugged at her, his eyes not leaving Eric.
Taylor shot him a withering glare. "Talking on the phone isn’t stupid. Following those two around is. I can’t tell from this distance what they’re talking about. I’m going in closer." She slipped the phone into her pocket, ignored Speed’s protests, and ambled as inconspicuously as she could, closer to the two she was following. She was right behind the person they were talking to when a gunshot echoed clearly in the air.
Taylor stared down at herself, barely registering the person in front of her falling to the ground, as she stared at the bright red that was now stained across her once white tank top, thinking to herself that the person screaming needed to shut up. It wasn’t until Calleigh pushed her into the bushes that the screaming stopped and she realized it had been coming from her.
She took a shaky breath and looked around, spotting Speed straight away. "I didn’t see that coming," she half grinned at him.
Speed wasn’t paying attention. He was staring at Eric. "He’s looking in the wrong place," he muttered, before disappearing and leaving a bewildered Taylor.
"Idiot!" Taylor cursed. "This is not sticking to the plan." She gave her bloodied outfit another look over. "And I’m covered in blood."
"Are you okay?" Calleigh’s soft Southern twang asked her.
Taylor nodded. "It’s not my blood."
Calleigh gave her a reassuring smile before glancing over Taylor’s shoulder. "Hey! Bayden!"
The person she called hurried over. "Calleigh?"
"I need you to take a witness statement, collect any trace, and see if she saw anything," Calleigh instructed him as though Taylor was too in shock to actually know what she was talking about.
Taylor sighed and turned to face Bayden.
A look of realization flashed through his green eyes. "You!"
Taylor stared blankly at him. "You?"
"You were at the crime scene yesterday."
Taylor shook her head. "Not got a clue what you’re talking about," she mumbled.
Bayden dove into his bag and pulled a sketch pad from it, flicking through the pages until he came across the one that he wanted. He turned it around to show her.
Taylor stared in amazement at the pencil sketch in front of her. It was an exact likeness of her, sat under the tree. He had even caught her in a pensive moment, biting her lip. "You can’t possibly have done that yesterday."
"I finished it at home." Bayden shook his head. "You were at the crime scene yesterday. You were at the crime lab earlier. And now you’re here."
Taylor froze for half a second, before pulling the ID out of her pocket that Horatio had given her. "I’m with IAB," she told him.
Bayden’s eyes narrowed. "Doing what?"
"In..vestig..ating," she told him, sounding uncertain.
"Forgive me while I just check," he told her, pulling out his cell. After a short conversation with someone who was clearly Horatio, Bayden hung up and frowned at her. "He says your IAB."
"Which is what I told you," Taylor pointed out. She watched Bayden’s expression turned troubled. "What? Don’t you trust Horatio?"
"I trust Horatio," he told her without even contemplating the answer. "The thing is, I also know you’re not IAB."
"And what makes you say that?" Taylor asked him.
Bayden pointed at her feet. "If you’re IAB, why are you wearing flip flops?"
Taylor’s eyes fell to her feet and the bright orange nail polish that matched the orange trim on her tank top.
"You should tell him," Speed declared, suddenly appearing next to them and making Taylor jump slightly.
"He also said I should help you," Bayden added, looking uncomfortable.
"Now you really need to tell him," Speedle shrugged at her. "Come on, the poor kid has got to help IAB to arrest a colleague. He’s gonna think he’s a rat."
Taylor sucked in a deep breath, puffing up her cheeks, before slowly exhaling. "Look, you said you trust Horatio?"
Bayden nodded.
"Then trust me. Take what you need for evidence, and then let’s get out of here," Taylor told him.
“Sooner, rather than later," Speed added.
Bayden eyes her warily before jumping into action. Taylor was impressed – Horatio had clearly been training him well, and he certainly had potential. She was photographed quickly, her fingernails scraped, and then he led her to his Hummer to offer her some protection whilst she shed her top, before lending her a spare t-shirt.
* * *
"I don’t understand," Bayden told her.
They had left the crime scene, made a pit stop at the motel for Taylor to shower and change, before heading to a beach front bar. Despite the fact it was only lunchtime, the bar was busy, and Taylor was paying more attention to the crowds than to the young CSI in front of her.
Finally, her eyes fell on Dan Cooper. He was sat in the back, enjoying a delicious looking wrap and a pint of beer.
"I’m not IAB," Taylor admitted. "But you could say this is Internal Affairs related."
"Yeah, I still don’t understand," Bayden told her, trying to work out where she was staring.
Taylor turned to face him. "When did you start?"
"A few years ago now," he said.
"A few years ago, a guy called Tim Speedle worked on your team," Taylor told him.
Speed rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, we worked together."
Bayden smiled sadly. "Yeah, I remember him."
Taylor glanced over at the ghost sitting beside Bayden. "Well, you know he died."
"His gun misfired," Bayden agreed. "He didn’t clean it properly."
Taylor shot Speed a glare, making a note to question that later. "Well, the thing is, his credit cards have become active."
"But he’s dead," Bayden blurted out.
Taylor nodded. "And one of your other colleagues is using the card."
Bayden shook his head. "No, I can’t believe that one of them would do something like that."
Taylor sighed and pointed over at Cooper.
"Cooper?" Bayden almost laughed. "Nah, he wouldn’t."
“Speedle!" the barmaid shouted over the crowds. "Hank says you owe him a beer?" she yelled, nodding her head in the direction of a guy at the bar.
Cooper looked over and grinned. “Stick it on my card, Tess," he yelled back.
Bayden’s mouth fell open. "No way," he said in disbelief.
"And now I need you to call Eric and get him over here."
Bayden shook his head venomously. "No, Eric does not need to see this."
Taylor shrugged. "Eric thinks Speed is alive."
"It would be easier if you told him I was here," Speed told her.
Taylor ignored him. "It’s going to be easier coming from a friend, and hopefully, with my presence in the lab, it won’t be a complete shock."
Bayden stared at her, his green eyes flickering several shades as his hand wiped his mouth. Finally, he silently rose to his feet and walked out of the bar.
Taylor started to follow him, but Speed shook his head. "Don’t. He’s going to make the call."
Taylor sat back down and reached for her Pepsi. She took a sip before setting the cup abruptly down on the ground. "You went back to him. Again," she hissed at him. She swiped at his arm, but it went straight through him. "You said-"
"I know what I said," Speed snapped. "But I can’t stand there and watch my friend suffer."
"How do you know that?" Taylor snapped back. "After everything you’ve told me-"
Speedle stood up and walked through the table. "Follow me."
They had left the crime scene, made a pit stop at the motel for Taylor to shower and change, before heading to a beach front bar. Despite the fact it was only lunchtime, the bar was busy, and Taylor was paying more attention to the crowds than to the young CSI in front of her.
Finally, her eyes fell on Dan Cooper. He was sat in the back, enjoying a delicious looking wrap and a pint of beer.
"I’m not IAB," Taylor admitted. "But you could say this is Internal Affairs related."
"Yeah, I still don’t understand," Bayden told her, trying to work out where she was staring.
Taylor turned to face him. "When did you start?"
"A few years ago now," he said.
"A few years ago, a guy called Tim Speedle worked on your team," Taylor told him.
Speed rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, we worked together."
Bayden smiled sadly. "Yeah, I remember him."
Taylor glanced over at the ghost sitting beside Bayden. "Well, you know he died."
"His gun misfired," Bayden agreed. "He didn’t clean it properly."
Taylor shot Speed a glare, making a note to question that later. "Well, the thing is, his credit cards have become active."
"But he’s dead," Bayden blurted out.
Taylor nodded. "And one of your other colleagues is using the card."
Bayden shook his head. "No, I can’t believe that one of them would do something like that."
Taylor sighed and pointed over at Cooper.
"Cooper?" Bayden almost laughed. "Nah, he wouldn’t."
“Speedle!" the barmaid shouted over the crowds. "Hank says you owe him a beer?" she yelled, nodding her head in the direction of a guy at the bar.
Cooper looked over and grinned. “Stick it on my card, Tess," he yelled back.
Bayden’s mouth fell open. "No way," he said in disbelief.
"And now I need you to call Eric and get him over here."
Bayden shook his head venomously. "No, Eric does not need to see this."
Taylor shrugged. "Eric thinks Speed is alive."
"It would be easier if you told him I was here," Speed told her.
Taylor ignored him. "It’s going to be easier coming from a friend, and hopefully, with my presence in the lab, it won’t be a complete shock."
Bayden stared at her, his green eyes flickering several shades as his hand wiped his mouth. Finally, he silently rose to his feet and walked out of the bar.
Taylor started to follow him, but Speed shook his head. "Don’t. He’s going to make the call."
Taylor sat back down and reached for her Pepsi. She took a sip before setting the cup abruptly down on the ground. "You went back to him. Again," she hissed at him. She swiped at his arm, but it went straight through him. "You said-"
"I know what I said," Speed snapped. "But I can’t stand there and watch my friend suffer."
"How do you know that?" Taylor snapped back. "After everything you’ve told me-"
Speedle stood up and walked through the table. "Follow me."
* * *
"What are we doing here?" Taylor sighed, looking around. Speed had directed her through Miami to a cemetery. Somehow, the fact it was full of palm trees made it feel eerie to Taylor, and she tried to rub the cold that flooded her, despite the heat of the day.
"Just wait," Speed told her. "You’re a little impatient, you know that?"
"And you’re actually a little annoying," Taylor retorted. "Do you ever actually smile?"
As she asked it, a genuine smile spread across Speed’s lips. At her questioning look, Speed pointed behind her, over her shoulder.
Taylor turned, spotting Eric straight away. "There’s something slightly morbid about this," she muttered.
Speed shrugged. "Technically, he’s talking to me."
Taylor glanced at him. "And now I suddenly see how you and Aiden ended up together."
"Heads up," Speed grinned, nodding at an approaching figure.
"Ms. Turner," Horatio greeted her, removing his sunglasses.
Taylor smiled at him. "How is he?"
"Talking," Horatio told her. "But I think he’s going to be okay."
"Good," Taylor sighed in relief. "Well, I’m not staying another night in that motel. I’m going back to my own bed and the fiancé I’m surprised at how much I’m missing."
Horatio put a hand on her shoulder. "You did good."
"The dead sometimes talk to me," Taylor shrugged. “Sometimes I listen."
"The dead sometimes talk to me," Horatio told her, slipping his sunglasses on. "But I always listen."
"Just wait," Speed told her. "You’re a little impatient, you know that?"
"And you’re actually a little annoying," Taylor retorted. "Do you ever actually smile?"
As she asked it, a genuine smile spread across Speed’s lips. At her questioning look, Speed pointed behind her, over her shoulder.
Taylor turned, spotting Eric straight away. "There’s something slightly morbid about this," she muttered.
Speed shrugged. "Technically, he’s talking to me."
Taylor glanced at him. "And now I suddenly see how you and Aiden ended up together."
"Heads up," Speed grinned, nodding at an approaching figure.
"Ms. Turner," Horatio greeted her, removing his sunglasses.
Taylor smiled at him. "How is he?"
"Talking," Horatio told her. "But I think he’s going to be okay."
"Good," Taylor sighed in relief. "Well, I’m not staying another night in that motel. I’m going back to my own bed and the fiancé I’m surprised at how much I’m missing."
Horatio put a hand on her shoulder. "You did good."
"The dead sometimes talk to me," Taylor shrugged. “Sometimes I listen."
"The dead sometimes talk to me," Horatio told her, slipping his sunglasses on. "But I always listen."
Chapter 233 | Contents | Chapter 235 |
Originally posted: 17/06/2010
This chapter features Bayden Michaels, an Original Character who has generously been leant to me by RK9. If you would like to know more about Bayden, including his originating story, please click here.