The Call
Lieutenant Horatio Caine hated the cold. The Director of the Crime Lab was a hot-tempered, 45-year-old criminalist in the Miami Dade Police Department. He was hot-blooded from head to toe, with volcano red hair, and living in a hot city. So Lieutenant Caine hated a cold case, especially this one.
Science was Lieutenant Caine´s lifeline to sanity. He was naturally disposed to putting a bullet into the bad guy. But science had saved him from becoming a vigilante. Whenever he felt the urge to pull the trigger of his Beretta, he donned his white lab coat and gave himself over to the study of the evidence with an intensity that bordered on insanity. And there in the lab, with the quiet hum of his expensive, hi-tech equipment, and surrounded by his beloved team, he created the science that put away so many degenerates. But what about the times when the science failed? When the evidence was inconclusive? That´s when Lieutenant Caine became more dangerous than ever. And this case had him on the brink.
There was only one legal way to breathe life back into this case, but Lieutenant Caine was reluctant to do it. He wasn´t the type that asked for help. Not because he was too proud, but because of years of habit. Horatio was the one who always cleaned up after everyone else´s mess.
"Did you make the call?" Her clear, sing-song voice with the charming southern lilt filled the small space of the lieutenant´s office and brought him out of his brooding attitude.
"Caleigh," he said softly, in a thank-God-you´re-here kind of way. Horatio swiveled in his chair to meet her glance. God, those eyes! Gems of liquid green. Not long ago, how those very eyes, along with the innocent smile that accompanied them, had saved him from drowning in the tempest and guided him to safe waters.
"I´m trying… to find the will power," he responded in his characteristic broken speech.
"Why the hesitation?" she asked.
"I don´t think… Caleigh, I don´t think I can work with the Feds after what they put my family through." It was not his style to actually tell anyone what he was truly thinking, but ever since that night in the rain, he made an exception with Caleigh. That night he learned that she could never think him weak or inadequate. Precious Caleigh always saw the best in the people she loved. So he added, "I… despise them, Caleigh."
"Oh, Horatio," she sighed. After a long stride, she was by his side. Her hand on his shoulder sent an electric current through his blood. "I understand, but what about Amanda?" At the mention of the five-year-old victim´s name her tone merely skimmed the surface of a deep sadness. Caleigh didn´t need to say more. Horatio hit the send button on his phone while looking into Caleigh´s eyes. As of late, that´s where he found the strength to do what was right. On the fourth ring, the liaison picked up the phone.
"Behavioral Analysis Unit, this is SSA Jennifer Jareau. How may I help you?"
"Yes, this is Lieutenant Horatio Caine, MDPD, and I am hoping, Jennifer, that you… like a challenge."
Theme song
Yeah
We don´t get fooled again.
Don´t get fooled again.
No, no.
From the author
So, I´m not sure where this is going yet, but it was really fun to write this chapter! Please post a review if you liked it.