T/W: Mentions death and stalking.

***

Before I begin this chapter, I want to give a HUGE shout out to SunHunterz23 who has been so awesome in being invested in The Miami Diaries. So thank you bestie! ❤️

***
Steve

"Do you think that Eric is somehow behind this?" I ask Lex. She shrugs. She'd told me what happened when  she'd went down to go look through those photos that Horatio had.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he were," I say. "I never did trust him." Lex is absently picking at a seam on her jeans. I know how protective she is of Eric Delko.

I don't see why she should be, though. He's been acting like a total ass since I've met him. I always thought the reason Eric didn't like me was because I was Tim's brother.

Turns out, the only reason he didn't like me was because he loves..Lex. I wonder what Tim would have thought about that. His best friend, pining away for his girlfriend. Talk about screwed up.

"Why would Eric do something like this?" Lex asks.

"Because he's a jealous douchebag who wants you for himself," I snap.

"Then why wouldn't Eric just get rid of you?" Lex looks at me. "Why would he go through the trouble of hiring some creeper who looks like Speed to stalk me?"

"Maybe he thinks if you're scared enough, you'll go running to him."

"Eric isn't that stupid," Lex says. "He should know if that happened, I'd obviously want my husband to comfort me, not him." Lex has a point.

"Well, maybe this dude is actually after me, but Eric told him to get inside your head first." Lex looks stricken. Shit. I shouldn't have said that. I forgot how vulnerable she is when it comes to me.

"Oh, baby," I whisper. "I'm sorry." Lex moves to me, clinging.

"I'd die if I lost you, Stevie. I just know I would."

"Ssh, ssh," I murmur. "You won't lose me. Don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of this, okay?"

"Okay."

***
Lex

Ugh. Why did Steve have to mention someone coming after..him? Truthfully, that scares me more something happening to me. And of course, there was his whole Eric's in love with you, so he's out to get me theory.

I admit it's odd that Eric said what he said and I was somewhat suspicious when he told me that. But I don't think even Eric would stoop to that level. I could be wrong. I just hope I'm not.

***
My cell is ringing. Aria's crying because I think she's coming down with something. I grab the phone, trying to soothe Aria at the same time.

We're at home, by ourselves today, because Mom had a dentist appointment and needed to run some errands. I check the phone. It's Horatio.

"Hello?" I say loudly.

"Lex, I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but I found something."

"Do you need me to come down there?" I ask, hoping he'll say no.

"No. Can I swing by your place, though?"

"Sure? When?" I ask, gently bouncing Aria, who's still crying.

"In about about hour?" Horatio says.

"That works," I say.

"All right. I'll see you in an hour."

"Great. Thanks, H."

"Of course." We hang up and I turn my attention to Aria, who looks miserable.

"Come on, baby," I murmur. "Let's go take a nice, hot bath."

***
Exactly an hour later, Horatio is walking into the house. Luckily Aria had fallen asleep after our bath. I was relieved.

"Aria's sleeping," I inform Horatio. "So if we could make this quick, I'd appreciate it."

"I understand," Horatio says. "This shouldn't take long." Horatio shows me a printed out photo of a man.

"Does this look like the man you've seen?" He asks. I stare at it.

"Isn't this just a picture of..Speed?" I ask.

"You can't see any difference?" Horatio asks.

"None." I'm frowning. Something is definitely off here.

"Okay." I hand the photo back to Horatio, who has this concerned look on his face.

"Is..this the..guy..after...me?" I ask in a whisper.

"He claims he's not," Horatio says.

"I need to..sit down," I mumble.

"All right." Horatio takes my arm, guiding me over to the couch. I sink down, covering my face with my hands, drawing in a shaky breath.

"You..talked with him?" I ask. Horatio nods.

"I personally went to speak with him."

"Who is...he?"

"Are you certain you want to know?" Horatio asks.

"No," I reply. "But I want to know who he is and why he's been...following me around."

"He says it's merely a coincidence that you've see each other," Horatio says.

"Did you believe him?" I ask.

"No," Horatio murmurs. "I didn't."

"So who is he?"

"His name is Knox Marshall. He's an E.M.T. with the Miami Dade Emergency Services," Horatio replies.

"Did he know..Speed?" I ask.

"They probably crossed paths on occasion, but they didn't really know each other," Horatio replies.

"I want to talk with him." Horatio frowns. I know he wants to protest. I know Steve will protest.

"Are you certain that's a wise decision, Lex?"

"No," I reply. "But I want to hear it from him." I look up at Horatio. "Can you arrange a meeting?" He nods.

"Will Steve be there as well?"

"Yes," I say. "I want Steve there with me."

***
Steve

I'm not happy with Lex. When I came home, she told me her news and I was relieved that Horatio had found the guy, but I wasn't too impressed when Lex told me that Horatio had set up a meeting with the idiot. However,  I am kinda curious about him and what he has to say for himself.

***
Lex and I meet Horatio at the crime lab. We'd left Aria with my parents this time to give Shari a bit of a break. Lex is clinging tightly to my hand as we follow Horatio down the long corridor to the room where this Knox Marshall is waiting.

I keep thinking to myself that he'll just feed Lex and I a load of crap and try to say he wasn't following my wife and had no intention of harming her or myself.

We reach the room and Horatio opens the door, letting Lex and myself go in first. Lex freezes as she sees Mr. Marshall, seated at the table. It even throws me for a loop. He really does look a lot like..Tim.

Horatio comes in and tells Lex and I to have a seat. We do, but Lex is still clinging to my hand.

"Mr. Marshall," Horatio begins. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Speedle. They requested this meeting because they had..concerns." Mr. Marshall nods. He looks very solemn. I half expected him to be smirking and acting cocky. He's doing neither.

"Uh, yes. I..I understand," Mr. Marshall says. He even sounds like Tim, which I find odd.

"Were you...stalking..me?" Lex says. She sounds nervous, but manages to keep her tone strong. Mr. Marshall shakes his head.

"I swear on my life, I wasn't."

"Did you know my brother?" I ask.

"In passing," Mr. Marshall replies.

"Forgive me," Lex says. "But I don't believe that it was simply a coincidence that we ran into each and that my husband saw you close to our..home."

"I live close by," Mr. Marshall replies. "I had no idea you lived that close to me."

"How do we know you're telling us the truth?" I ask.

"Lieutenant Caine can verify my address," Mr. Marshall says. "As for the other encounters, I guess either you'll believe me or you won't."

"Why'd you tell me that day at the beach that I looked like someone you used to know?" Lex asks.

"Because you do," Mr. Marshall replies.

"Did you know I was engaged to..Tim Speedle?" Lex asks. Mr. Marshall shakes his head.

"As I already stated, I only knew of Tim Speedle in passing. It wasn't as though we hung out on a regular basis."

"You seem to have all the answers, don't you?" I say.

"I have my answers," Mr. Marshall replies coolly. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"How about, stay away from my family?" I say, my tone just as cool.

"I have zero interest in your family, Mr. Speedle." Mr. Marshall looks at his watch. "Is there anything else 'Cause I have somewhere I have to be."

"Lex? Steve?" Horatio looks at us. "Do you have any other questions?"

"No," Lex says, staring at the floor.

"I can't think of anything else," I reply.

"You're free to go, Mr. Marshall," Horatio says. Mr. Marshall stands up.

"Just watch yourself," Horatio adds. "Because if I do find out you've been stalking Lex Speedle, I'm going to make your life very unpleasant." Mr. Marshall nods, leaving.

"I don't trust him," I tell Horatio.

"Nor do I," Horatio says. "But unless we have proof of a crime, there's nothing I can do."