*Chapter 4*
Ryan and Calleigh arrive at Daniel Martin's apartment, the 42 year old male identified as Natalia's attacker.
"Hey ~~ do you think maybe this was just a robbery gone bad?" Ryan asked Calleigh.
" I don't think so. Eric said Natalia told him that the perp went directly for her right arm, pulling it behind her back.." she replied, searching the room.
"..and Natalia's ex broke her arm over 3 years ago." he said, then took a deep breath and looked around. " So, we're looking for a connection here; someone who might have known Natalia's past."
"I can't believe she was able to stab this guy with a sore arm!" Ryan said, thumbing through papers.
Calleigh stared into the room... "You'd be surprised, the strength you have when you're facing that kind of danger."
Ryan knew Calleigh was speaking from her own experience.
"Are you ok, Cal?" he asked placing his hand on her back to comfort her.
Calleigh gave him a nod and a slight smile. "Im fine, Ryan."
The 2 CSIs rummaged through the apartment, only to find nothing but a scattered stack of unpaid bills, and a small black book noting bets that Daniel lost. Ryan soon came to the conclusion that he had an excessive gambling problem and owed money; leading the CSI to wonder if Daniel Martin was hired to kill Natalia.
Ryan called Frank to check Martin's bank account records, while Calleigh and Horatio went back to the crime scene. It was there they found the evidence that cracked the case - a hundred dollar bill fallen from Daniel's pocket during the struggle, that carried two sets of prints.
One belonging to Daniel Martin, the other was Mike Farallon; an ex FBI agent who worked with Natalia 3 and a half years ago. Her and the agent once had a close friendship until his recent involvement with an informant's murder.
Agent Farallon had lost his wife, and his job, but managed to weasel his way out from being put behind bars. He blamed Natalia for letting out his secret that he had previous affairs with the CIs.
Eric sat face to face with Farallon in the interrogation room. He fumed, wanting to jump across the table and tear him apart. Ryan sat beside him and began the interrogation.
"How do you know Daniel Martin?"
Mike sat back in his chair wearing a devious smile, with his hands folded in his lap. "I helped him out, about a year ago or so. He was in trouble with some debts ~~ so what ~~ is that a crime?"
"Paying him to kill Boa Vista is." Eric spoke calmly, containing himself. "We found a bill at the crime scene where she was attacked ~~ your fingerprints were on it."
"You can't tie me to that! I told you, I gave him a loan for his debts.."
Ryan interrupted, sliding a paper in front of him. "We checked Daniel's bank account ~~ five thousand dollars is a generous loan."
Eric grew frustrated with his lies, and threw his hands down on the table.
"WHAT DID YOU GET IN RETURN ~~ REVENGE ON NATALIA?!" Eric shouted.
Mike sat forward in his chair; his jaws clenched. He made direct eye contact with Eric and spoke slowly..." I trusted her and she betrayed me."
"SHE WAS JUST DOING HER JOB!" Eric yelled, inching closer towards Mike's face.
"I CAN'T FORGIVE HER FOR THAT!" Mike snapped back at him, almost overlapping the end of Eric's comment.
Eric took his hands off the table and thought briefly of his own relationship with Natalia.
"I can." he then replied, moving towards the door.
"Delko, where are you going?" Ryan asked.
" You can finish this Wolfe ~~ I'm goin' home."
A half hour later, Calleigh and Ryan wrapped up the case, complete with Mike Farallon's confession.
"Have you heard anything on Natalia ~~ she alright?" he asked her, as they watched two officers escort Mike to the police car.
"Yeah, I just spoke with Eric ~~ she'll be fine ~~ she's in the right hands."
*end of chapter*
