FIGHTING BACK

Chapter 2

His inertia and depression dissipated overnight. Damn them - how could they just take the lab away from him! He had nothing against De Santos - in fact, he remembered liking the man - but that was no reason for him just to roll over. No doubt De Santos would do an excellent job, but - damn it - he already had the Los Angeles lab… Let him stay and do an excellent job there… So, he was ten years younger… Horatio wondered if that was the only reason for the decision. However talented the Californian was, he was sure he could more than match him, skill for skill. And, the new 'super-lab' - not his name for it; someone else had christened it so - was his baby.

He had decided to consult the union. In a way it went against the grain, but their lawyers would soon tell him if he had a case. He was just going to shave, and get ready to go to Headquarters, when his phone bleeped.

"Horatio Caine?" The voice was male, deep and mellow.

"Who is this?" His personal number was not widely available, which meant that either someone had given it out, or, whoever this was, was important enough to demand it.

"My name's John Milton."

"Like the poet."

There was a wry chuckle. "Exactly like the poet."

"Should I know you?"

"No reason you should. Our paths haven't crossed. I carry out internal investigations for MPD…"

"IAB?"

"Not exactly… I get brought in by the Director if things go badly awry… er… crisis management, if you will…"

"Am I a crisis?"

"You can probably guess why I'm involved…"

"Not really. I resigned, that's all. Can't imagine that would reach the Director's desk…"

"You do yourself a disservice. Anyway, let's clear one thing up - there hasn't been a formal letter of resignation… As far as I'm concerned, you're still a police captain."

"I can soon change that."

"Captain… Horatio… hear me out…" There was a calming, understanding quality to the man's voice - actually, not at all like IAB… "I'm aware of what Hernandez did. If I tell you he was completely out of order, and is currently suspended… Would it make you feel better?" Milton answered his own question. "Not much, I suspect. Look, I'd like for us to meet, have a chat. Off the record, if you like. Would you do that for me?"

He hesitated.

"Please, Horatio… Obviously, if you're determined to go, I can't stop you… But there are a few things I'd like to get straight… Just a chat."

Horatio sighed. "Okay. Guess I can do that."

"I'd like to say we could meet outside, have lunch… but almost everything I'm going to say is extremely sensitive… So it means Headquarters."

"I'll come in. Not a problem."

He was tempted to go in jeans and tee-shirt - a sort of up-yours gesture. But it was true he was still a police captain - albeit a captain without a badge… He put on a black silk shirt, and a black Armani suit. It seemed appropriate, if he was in mourning for his career… Was he though? He now couldn't decide what he was feeling - it seemed to swing between sadness, indignation, and a sort of relief, or at least acceptance.

John Milton was a tall, spare, black man, immaculate in appearance - the word 'dapper' came to mind. Crew-cut gray hair. Ex-military maybe… Horatio put him in his mid-sixties.

"Sir…" He shook hands.

"Call me John - you don't need to 'sir' me. Unlike you, I don't hold any rank now. In fact, I only get called in if…"

"There's big trouble."

The smile was warm. "Exactly. And before we start, let me say that you haven't done anything wrong… Well, a bit of a grandiose gesture, with the badge… but I can't say I blame you."

"At least I didn't ram it down his throat."

"No, nor did you… Horatio - I've got half the story… I'd like your version…"

"There isn't a version - he told me Alec De Santos was going to be running the lab." He shrugged. "I didn't think that left a place for me."

"Well… and all this is confidential… it's true that we have been in contact with De Santos. Also true that nothing was agreed, and it probably won't happen…"

"Then why did he say it?" Horatio was shocked.

"To hurt you. He feels - he says - that you rode roughshod over his plans, and made him look a fool…"

"It wasn't my intention."

"No, I don't think it was. You could, maybe, have been more diplomatic, but that's your only sin. You know the business of criminal investigation inside out, and acted accordingly… Producing, I have to say, a truly excellent proposal, which will be implemented in full. You're a very talented man, and I believe Hernandez severely underestimated you. He felt threatened by you."

"It was never personal. Well…" He looked down at his hands. "Until he made it so."

"I understand. He's not an easy man. But neither, I suspect, are you. Nevertheless, he overstepped the line, made a bad error of judgment, and he will pay for it… And that's my problem, not yours. It's you I want to talk about…"

Horatio waited. At that moment, he had no clear idea of what he wanted to happen, let alone what to expect.

Milton continued. "One thing Hernandez did say is that you have health issues, and that made you an unsuitable candidate to run the lab anyway. Now, I've looked at the reports, and all I see is a minor downgrading of your fitness… Is there more? I know health matters are confidential… but… did Hernandez know something that's not in your file?"

"No, definitely not. There's nothing else to know. That 'minor downgrading' was what started all this. An excuse to take me off front-line duties. I think he expected me just to implement his plans for the lab… Act as his hatchet man…" He remembered Alicia saying as much. "And then, presumably, go quietly."

Milton chuckled. "Then he's a singularly poor judge of character. So… your health… Do you want to trust me with more information? You don't have to…"

"I'll tell you… though you may think I should be resigning… I've got angina - narrowed arteries, I think… I'm on medication…"

"Is that all? Well, I have the same, as it happens. Who did you see? Richard Evans?"

Horatio nodded. "He said medication for now. Maybe surgery later… Actually, I intended to see him this afternoon… Find out a bit more…"

"Can I have your permission to talk to him about you?"

"Of course." Having gone this far…

Milton nodded. "I appreciate your trust. Now… this resignation… Would you like to put it off for a while?"

Horatio smiled ruefully. "If you like."

Milton reached into a drawer. "Then I think these are yours." He handed him his gun and badge. "But I also think you should stay on leave while we sort a few things out… There are a lot of ruffled feathers, in high places… I'd like you out of the firing line. Are you okay with that?"

He nodded.

"You're off sick at the moment?"

"Only yesterday…I just…"

"You don't have to justify yourself. I think you should stay on sick leave, at least for next week. I'll get some suitable message to the lab…"

"They don't know anything about my… heart problems… Or any of this."

"And I'm not going to tell them, don't worry. We'll cite a virus or something. I just want you out of the way while this settles down, and I work out what's going to happen." He paused, taking Horatio's silence for agreement. "Good. Talk to Evans - see what he recommends. Then go home, have a rest. One thing I've learnt about angina - it doesn't appreciate stress, and I suspect we've put more stress on you than was ever intended. I'll give you a call within the week…"