High Stakes

Chapter 4

Nick's POV

"What are you two still doing here?" I turned around and saw Michelle putting her coat on. "It's late! Go home and be with your families!" I sipped the already cold coffee on my hand then checked the clock. It's almost midnight. "Anyway... that's quite a number!" She added as she saw the murder board.

"Lexi and I have managed to get information for the past crimes." I placed the cold cup of coffee back to my desk and walked towards the board. From right to left, I started. "These six students were dead on the scene earlier while these three were in the hospital." I then pointed at the picture on top. "The assailant was obviously Ben O'Neal."

Lexi then added. "The next two were found in an alley in the suburbs near the red district. John Mckane and Oscar Roy, both juvenile delinquent. Been in and out of juvi for possession, petty theft and prostitution. Then they graduated to running crystal meth and armed robbery." She paused. "According to Medical Examiner's report, they were both killed while on their knees when a bullet hit their head at point blank."

"Jeffreys' the lead in that case. Both were killed execution style. There's no lead and it's still open." Michelle explained.

"Yes." I confirmed. "We have talked to him about that and he gave us everything he got." Moving forward, I pointed at the next victim. "This man is Edward Morales also known as 'Blue'. Three bullet shot to the chest. He was found in an abandoned warehouse."

"It was case from Narcs." Lexi added. "He was believed to be a lieutenant of the Valdez Cartel. There were no leads from them. It was either a deal gone wrong or he did something to piss of his boss.

Then I pointed at the last two picture to the left. "Christopher Smith, a real estate agent and Frank Ryan, a security guard. They were both killed at an armed robbery four months ago. Robbery-homicide caught the case." I paused and took a deep breath. "Apparently, three armed men went to rob the bank and Mr. Smith played the hero and died. When Mr. Ryan saw what was happening, he tried to interfere but was also shot. Both dead on the scene."

"Any leads from the robbery-homicide division?"

Lexi replied. "None. All robbers wore gloves and masked. There's no unique feature that could lead to their arrest. They left before the police arrived. They sent us all their findings and up to this moment, we don't have any leads.

The captain breath and sighed. This was the most annoying part of the job. Having no lead. "Okay. Keep me posted but for now go home!"

"Okay captain!" Be both responded.

"Give my love to Nat and the kids." I added and she just waved her hands in response. "Let's call it a night."

"You go ahead. I'll wait for Sandy."

"How many more?"

"Last time I checked, she's on her last body. It such a bad timing, two of her assistant were out while the chief M.E is on vacation."

"Bad timing indeed." I took my coat from the back of my chair and put in on. "I'll be going then. See you tomorrow."

"I'll walk with you to the elevator." She said, getting her own coat. "I'll just wait in the morgue."

"Suit yourself! Just don't do anything I wouldn't do." I grinned and she very well know what I'm talking about.

"Shut up!" She punched my arms as we entered the elevator.

Emilia's POV

I looked at the clock and sighed. It was almost midnight but I can't sleep. It had been a long and tiring day at the hospital and I knew that my body was ready to succumb to tiredness but my consciousness was still very much awake.

Patting the cold and empty side of the bed, I wonder what time my wife's going to be home. Whenever she had caught a case as big as this, she and her partner always tend to loose track of time.

Admitting that I won't be sleeping anytime soon, I put my robe on to get some tea.

As the water was about to boil, I heard the click of the door. "Hi." I greeted the new comer.

"Can't sleep?" She concluded when she saw the cup if tea on my hand.

"Yes." I replied and kissed her to the lips. "Have you eaten anything?"

"I think so..." She responded.

"Come on... Let me make you a sandwich." I placed my cup of tea at the nearby side table and helped her took off her coat. These simple gestures of affection was what made us stronger as a couple. Simple act but from the heart.

"Thank you."

I held her hand, guided her to the kitchen and prepared her a new cup of tea. "Here, it will sooth you." She mouthed 'thanks' then I proceed to open the fridge.

"What would you like?"

"Peanut butter, jelly and fluff." I smiled as I really shouldn't have bothered to asked. She always asked for the same thing given the opportunity. I took two pieces of bread and placed them on a plate. Then I took the peanut butter, strawberry jam from the fridge then took out the marshmallows from the cupboard. When I was done, I sliced them in half and placed them in front of my wife. "Yummy!"

She dug in to her food with gusto as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. And with the blink of an eye, the plate was empty. "You want another one?"

"No thanks, I'm good."

"Okay... Why don't you get ready for bed while I clean this up." She nodded and exited the kitchen.

When I went upstairs, I saw that the twin's room was open. Taking a peek, my heart melted at the scene. Nick was caressing the hair on Michael's forehead then gave him a good night's kiss. He must have already done it to Matthew because he went out after a few more seconds. "It could have been them."

"I know." School's shooting have been becoming rampant. There was even an incident before that happened in s pre-K. A father had gone a crazy and decided to shoot everyone at the school then shot himself. That was one of the most painful sight I have ever seen. The emergency rooms were full of wounded children. "Come on. Let's go to bed."

She nodded and I lead her to out bedroom. Perhaps with her on my side, I could get my much needed rest.

Lexi's POV

Sandy was still buried deep on the last body that she was working on. "Hey."

She looked up upon hearing my voice and smiled. "Hey you." She then continued. "I'm just done with her. I'll just need a couple more minutes to close her up."

"It's okay. Take all the time you need."

"She was shot twice. One was a through and through but the other one hit her heart. She died on the spot." I could feel the sadness in her voice. "Such a wasted life."

"I know." I paused. "Are you okay?"

"Yes I am. She just reminded me of Sharon."

"Sharon Morgan?"

"Yes."

"You know it wasn't your fault."

"I know... But still." I saw the building pool in my wife's eyes. The subject regarding Sharon still affected her. "What if..."

"Shhh..." I placed a comforting hand on her back. "It's not your fault and this girl's death wasn't your fault either."

"I know."

"Come on... sew her up so you can release the body tomorrow so that her parents could have closure."

"Okay. It won't take long. Thank you."

"There's nothing to thank. I'm your wife. I'm always here for you."

"I love you."