Story: Sacrifices to Lady Justice: 2 of ?

Series: A Crime Lab Romance

Disclaimer: I don't in any way own the series CSI: NY. Those are the sole property of Anthony E. Zuiker, Jerry Bruckheimer, CBS and Paramount Home Entertainment.

Note: I would like to thank my beta reader Sam for all the help in review my work. I would also like to thank those that reviewed.

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. merriannadragon@yahoo.com

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/samwise_baggins/index.html

Mac looked down at the second paper, it was written in the same bloody script as the one with Lady Justice on a piece of plain white lined paper that could be bought at any store that sold such things. Innocuous by its self, but when a person put the written language down on it, that same paper had the capacity to do wondrous things, whether for entertainment, business or great declarations. It could also cause harm and fear. Fear was something that Mac Taylor didn't show often, but the words that this paper held struck a chord that had him more afraid than he'd ever been before.

"Mac?" Don Flack's voice broke into his thoughts, drawing him back to the crime scene.

"Ah... Sorry." Mac cringed inside knowing that he hadn't heard most of the conversation.

Don's expression was one of deep worry as he asked, "What's on the paper?"

However, Mac was ill-at-ease with letting Danny and Don look at the sheet. It had already been a rough year for everyone: Danny's brother was now in a coma; Don was just getting back from forced sick leave due to an injury from the bombing; Aiden had been killed trying to bring in a rapist/killer; and Stella... Stella had been violently attacked in her own home, forcing her to defend herself, ultimately killing her former boyfriend.

This paper was evidence and potentially the best lead that would give them a clear picture of their suspect. It certainly showed his motive.

Mac bagged the message in a sealed evidence bag before he held it out for either Danny or Don to take. Mac just couldn't bring himself to read it out loud. It was disturbing very disturbing.

Don took it first, being closer to Mac. He looked over the message that appeared to be written in blood and felt his stomach drop.

Mac had certainly hit the mark: this guy wasn't just getting started but also had an obsession with one of the lab’s CSI's, specifically Stella. Don felt sick and very worried.

Danny swore as he read around Don's arm. Stella didn't need this crap right now. The young Italian felt the same amount of fear as his two companions, though his first instinct was anger. In his mind, he knew that Mac would do anything to keep any member of his team safe, but knowing that it was Stella, his supervisor would take even more precautions. The two had a natural bond that came across to all those who worked in the lab, even Montana had sensed it.

"So how are you going to handle this?" Don inquired anxiously.

Mac frowned confused, "What do you mean? We process the scene and investigate as usual."

Danny shook his head getting to the real issue that the detective was referring to. "What Don means is, what are you going to do about Stella?"

At the mention of his partner, Mac's face closed off; no emotion could be seen now. The dark-haired investigator fell back on his training and his habit of shutting down. "Why would I need to do anything about Stella?"

Danny and Don gave each other surprised looks before the taller man spoke up, "It just that she's involved in the case. Don't you think we should question her about any knowledge she might have?"

"That's just what this person wants, for us to have to involve Stella personally. Yes, I think Stella should be questioned but in a subtle way. I don't want her to know all the details of this case. I want to have police protection for, but without her knowing about it." Standing, Mac fixed each man with a fierce stare that had the two shying away from his gaze.

"Mac, that's not going to be that easy; you know how the lab gossip is." Danny was uncomfortable with the thought of not being able to discuss elements of the case in front of Stella.

"Yeah, Mac, and what about Sheldon, Monroe and even Sid? Are we going to have to exclude them as well?" Don was all for putting a guard on Stella, but he thought it would be best if the curly-haired woman was told so she could be on the alert... though he could understand why Mac wanted to keep his partner out of it. The notes were specifically directed to Stella with the idea of getting her attention.

"I know what you’re both saying, but this case has to have as little publicity as possible. Right now its just going to be Danny and I on this one; all evidence will only be worked on by us. Sid isn't going to know anything more than what the body's condition will tell him." Mac's face was set in a stern line. There wasn't going to be any way of talking the man out of his plan.

Don and Danny looked at each. Both knew that they were going to agree even if they didn't like it. It was Mac's call and heaven help them all if his partner found out.

With that issue taken care of, the three men went back to work: the two CSI's taking in the evidence while the young blue-eyed detective going to interview the staff of the restaurant.

The lab was a silent hive of activity; the night shift was in full swing when Mac and Danny came in with the evidence they'd collected from the crime scene. They had quite literally taken apart everything in the alley and looked at everything twice before Mac decided that it was time to go back to the lab. He'd also gone briefly with Don to interview the busboy once more before letting the young man go with a card, in case he came up with any other information. Now that they were back, they each headed to a different area to begin taking apart the evidence to see if they could come up with a clue as to the identity of the perpetrator. It was going to take them longer to process the stuff they'd found at the scene with only two men doing all the work. But they'd made a silent vow to contain the knowledge that one of their own might be in danger; that view included Flack.

Danny headed off to the darkroom to develop the film.

Mac set off to the main lab with a cart full of the evidence that was collected. Those who were watching saw that he went to a drawer that was marked 'confidential'; it had a combination lock that few had the code for and was constantly changing. If anyone thought it was odd, they didn't have the audacity to confront the head of the crime lab.

Through the night, the atmosphere of the lab subtly changed with the anxiety that was being projected from the two men. A few brave techs would steal an occasional glance at the two investigators. Neither acknowledged these silent inquires, merely sifting through the mounds of potential clues. They worked tirelessly not so much as taking a break. Eventually the tech staff would drift back to their normal duties.

Both investigators were very aware of the fact that they'd stirred some interest in their case by being so focused. Four hours into the dissecting of items that had been found in the alley, even those without any obvious connections to the case. They'd set aside the two bloody pieces of paper, cloth and the knife for last.

"So, which do you want to take?" Danny asked, speaking for the first time after having joined his boss since finishing with the development of the crime scene photos.

Mac looked up from the microscope he was using. The long night was noticeable defined on the man's face, almost as if by magic new lines had appeared and dark circles ringed tired blue eyes. "You can take the knife and bloody cloth."

Danny hesitated slightly before going to work on the knife first. He'd been reluctant to have the ex-Marine scrutinizing the message again that night, but he knew better than to question Mac on it. An hour later and neither the knife nor the bloody cloth revealed anything. There wasn't a fingerprint, hair or other trace of the suspect on either item. Danny growled in frustration; he'd almost think this guy was a professional hit man, but even they made mistakes... small ones but mistakes none the less.

"Nothing?" It was more of a statement than a question as Mac looked over at his young colleague. He couldn't blame Danny for getting more emotional on this one. On regular cases, Danny was always volatile, letting his feelings guide him rather than the facts. Sometimes it got the young man into trouble, but for the most part it helped him visualize what the victim must have gone through. With this case, however, it wasn't the victim so much as the fact that the perpetrator had singled out a friend to star in his or her sick fantasy.

A light knock came from the plexiglas partition, on the other stood Don Flack. He didn't enter this particular room. Not versed in the protocols he opted to stay out of the way. Mac halfheartedly stood, making sure the evidence he was working was stored away so one would be able to see it. He made his way to the door to meet up with the tall blue-eyed detective.

"Hey, Mac. I've got a rotation going on Stella," Don quietly commented, making sure that no one was around to over hear.

"Good. Thanks, Don." Some of the lines seemed to lessen on the older man's face.

"You know that I’m not going to be able to keep them on her for long. Either she's going to figure it out, or my superiors are going to call me on it." Flack's voice held concern that they wouldn't catch the guy before the surveillance was discovered.

Mac's face was set in determined lines. "I don't plan on it taking that long, but if that happens I'll think of something else to keep Stella safe." With that said, the dark-haired man turned and strode back into the lab with renewed purpose.