A/N This is a simple story, no crime involved and is an event following on immediately from my story Coincidences, and at the onset we learn a little more about Chief James Burton.
Miami Dade Policy Training Academy
Chapter 1.
A few days prior to Christmas 2014, Chief James Burton returned to the Miami Dade Police Department his job of troubleshooting at both the Richmond and Virginia Police Departments completed successfully, and slightly earlier than anticipated. He knew that Horatio his so worthy Captain and Assistant Chief had helped to a large extent by covering so well for him. He had never had any doubts about him, but he had handled everything extremely well and hadn't bothered him once while he was elsewhere, and because of this he had been able to spend extra time at Richmond especially, and get the job done quicker. It had been hard work, with far too much traveling, and checking into hotels, but at the end of the day it had been worth the effort; he felt satisfied with all that had been achieved. The staff at Richmond and Virginia had understood the need for him to be there, and had in the main cooperated well. But he was so glad to be back in Miami. He was 56, two years older than Horatio, and like Horatio was born a New Yorker and had moved to Miami in the course of his career, which he also now thought of as home.
He had been married once but it had not worked out, he and his wife had different ambitions, and after eight years they had divorced. It had been an amicable split and she had since remarried. The only thing he regretted was that he had no children but in the circumstances perhaps it had been a good thing. But unlike his ex wife he had never met anyone else, not to commit to anyway, and gave all his energy to his job, which kept him happy enough.
His mother Irene Burton, now 85 still lived in New York, and he and his younger sister had had no choice but to put her in a care home two years ago when she became a danger to herself. Their father had died ten years earlier. It was an excellent home, he had made sure of that, he loved his mother dearly and had wanted the very best for her, and he willingly footed the bill, though most of the initial cost had been paid from the sale of her small apartment. Care homes in New York were expensive. He returned to New York every so often to make sure all was well and to make sure Joanne his sister, 3 years younger than him was coping, she supported him by making regular visits to see their mother, this was as she said her way of helping him. He was very fond of his sister, she was not married; she liked her independence too much.
On his return he had thanked Horatio for covering his back and they updated each other on a variety of things concerning the Department, and at this stage he could not have been happier; everything appeared to be running along smoothly.
On December 22nd, however, just two days after his return to Miami he had to rush to New York after he received a message from his sister telling him their mother was ailing, she had pneumonia and had been moved to hospital and was not expected to live much longer, she was very frail. So he had no choice but to ask Horatio to cover for him again and so soon. But Horatio had told him not to worry about work and to take as many days as he needed, he would cover for as long as necessary. "Your mother needs you James," he had said with genuine sympathy reflecting in his eyes. So he booked his flight, luckily he managed to get a cancellation for a late afternoon flight, at this time of year the airlines were busy. He dashed home; packed a case, and then Horatio having insisted he would, picked him up a 4.30pm and drove him to Miami International Airport himself. He was traveling with a heavy heart he knew his mother was not long for this world and it hurt. Horatio had kindly waited with him until it was time to go through to the departure gate, and he had appreciated his company.
On the flight to JFK, James thought about Horatio more than once. He was well aware that Horatio had had many ups and downs in his life, and had been sorely tested at times. And from the look of compassion he had given him at the airport as he moved to the departure gate he guessed that Horatio had probably given his own late mother a thought. He knew all about the incident of his parent's deaths, it was on his file, it had to be. But Horatio had been cleared of his father's death, and had been allowed to continue his career, and thank god for that he thought. He was his right hand man now and could not have anyone better working alongside him, and he was pleased that behind the scenes they had become friends.
On landing at JFK, James caught a cab straight to the hospital and arrived just in time to be by his mother's side for three hours before she died. The next morning he phoned Horatio to let him know and to apologise for the fact that he would not be returning for close to three weeks, as apart from his Christmas leave entitlement he was taking some extra holiday leave to cover things that now needed to be done, and would be staying at his sisters. Then he and his sister worked together in making funeral arrangements and tidying up legalities that needed sorting out while he was around. Not too much to sort out though in truth as a lot of things had been handled, like selling her apartment when she went into the home. Neither of them knew too much about Christmas.
On Monday, 5th January 2015, he received a call from Michael Hayes offering his and Maeves condolences and sympathy for his mother's death. When he asked how he knew, Michael told him Horatio had let him know. When he had told Michael he would be at his sisters all the week, Michael had come back to him later inviting him and his sister to dinner at his place on Friday evening if convenient, and he accepted gratefully, it would be nice to see Michael and Maeve and they did enjoy the evening, It was just what they had needed.
On Monday 12th January, 2015 he returned to Miami Dade Police Department and immediately made his way to Horatio's office, tapped on the door and entering asked, "Got a minute Horatio?"
Horatio sitting at his desk immediately stood up and said, "I am so sorry for your loss James. Aileen and I have been thinking about you and she asked me to pass on her sympathy to you."
James sat down telling Horatio to do likewise, and then said, "Thank you Horatio, and thank Aileen for me please. It was sad, but being honest, I think my mother is in a better place now, she looked terribly frail. But do you know Horatio, she hasn't always known us when visiting, but just before she died she actually recognised me and my sister, told us she loved us, and not to be sad. It made it a little easier. I will always treasure the memory of her knowing us at the end, and she passed away with a smile on her face."
Horatio nodded his head in understanding. He could feel James pain right now.
"My mother was the one who encouraged me to go to law school, which as you know Horatio is how I got to know yours and my friend Michael Hayes. But whereas Michael was always going to be a brilliant prosecutor, he took to law so easily, I much preferred policing at the end of the day and dropped out. But, I like to think that what I did learn helped me out somewhat in my job, so not totally wasted."Then smiling, he added, "It helped seeing as I have overall control of our legal department. A bit ironical don't you think?"
Horatio smiled he saw the amusing side to James comment.
"When we met up with Michael he told me they had enjoyed themselves down here at Christmas."
"Yes it was good James. But I wasn't going to mention Christmas to you."
"It's alright Horatio life goes on. Michael only mentioned it when I asked what they had done over Christmas."
"Anyway Horatio, I want to thank you once again for having my back so well while I was in Richmond and Virginia, and for my time in New York. I would have been hard pressed without your total and loyal support."
Then standing up James said, "Better get to my own office now."
Thirty minutes later he was back. "Horatio, there is a County Council Function this coming Friday, the 16th. It is an annual event, starts at 7.30 pm and I would like you to attend with me and bring Aileen along with you if you could both manage it?"
"Sorry for the short notice, just had a notification myself by email. It is usually a week later than this, guess this is the only date they could book the VIP lounge at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel, Coconut Grove. The lounge has access to an open air terrace if the weather allows. It is a sumptuous cocktail, buffet affair, and local councillors, plus the Chiefs of departments such as this, Fire and Rescue, and Police Training Academy who get invited and we can take along two guests that we think might add to the value of the evening, and I would like to take you and Aileen? It is a nice evening and it would also be a thank you from me for all your help."
Horatio noting James pleading expression answered."Okay James I will anyway, and I am sure Aileen would be delighted if we can get a baby sitter. Give me a few minutes. Horatio phoned Aileen immediately, and she said she would be happy to go and to leave it to her to find a babysitter. She would try Alexx first. Alexx just loved any opportunity coming her way to babysit for them.
Closing his call, Horatio said, "Okay James, Aileen says she will be happy to attend so I confirm we will both be able to join you on Friday."
"Just one question - that is an up market hotel, so is it formal or informal dress code?"
"Well most will go formal but you don't have to Horatio...a suit and bow tie would do as well."
"It's okay James I have a tuxedo." But later that evening when Horatio checked it he decided he needed a new one, it didn't fit as well as it once had, and it was looking aged now, so in his lunch break on Tuesday, he managed to get to Manny's store in downtown Miami that catered for men's dress suits, and was lucky as he managed to get an Ike Behar tuxedo that didn't need any alterations. It wasn't a waste of money in his mind as it looked like he was going to have to attend functions more often now.
As he was trying it on he smiled as he thought about Aileen agreeing with him the night before that he needed one and telling him she liked a man in a tux. Preening in front of the mirror he then grinned broadly as he muttered, "Let's hope this one does it for you Sweetheart." Then he chuckled causing the male assistant to give him a curious look. The assistant may well have blushed male or not if he had known what thoughts were going through Horatio's mind.
TBC