Chapter 3 Assessing the Situation

Disclaimer: I do not lay claim to any of the characters as seen in CSI Miami, and my fic is written to be fun and enjoyable and not meant to offend the writers/creators of CSI Miami or the actors who play the different characters. I do ask that no one use my original character as she is my own creation. My fic is not to be posted anywhere else unless written permission is obtained from me.

Acknowledgements: I'd like to thank my collaborator, Flora Belle Jardiniere, for all the help they've given me during the draft process of this piece of fiction. She contributed both encouragement and content when I was stuck.

Author's Note - the Dolphin is known to represent family, togetherness, and happiness as well as freedom, playfulness, peace and love.

Mr. Cooper completed the enhancement of the photo Detective Salas had brought in. Calling Horatio on his cell phone, he asked that he come down to the A/V lab, and Caine appeared quickly.

"Wow. Where were you that you go here so fast?" Cooper jokingly asked.

"Just down the hall. What do you have?" Horatio asked enthusiastically.

"Looks like Detective Salas was right. This guy definitely has the tat of the Mala Noche. I double checked against the records," Cooper said.

Horatio peered at the computer monitor. The image showed a young Hispanic man in his early twenties handing off a package to a gentleman in his late forties.

"That's got to be Waterson," Horatio said pointing to the older man in the picture. "I don't recognize the boy from any previous dealings with Mala Noche."

"I can have Delko run a make on the kid – see if he comes up with anything. He'll have to do the mug shot thing since we don't have prints to go on."

"Sounds like a plan," Horatio said as he pulled his cell phone from the inside pocket of his black blazer. "Yelina, the tat is confirmed – Mala Noche."

Yelina stated she'd be right over.

"Thank you, Mr. Cooper. Excellent work."

Meeting Horatio in the front of CSI, he showed her the enhanced image Cooper printed out.

"Ah, yes, Mala Noche. Horatio, we don't need them back. Any suggestions on how to prepare for this?" she asked cautiously.

"Has anything new surfaced with your undercover agent?"

"No. Actually, she took a couple of weeks off to assist with a short research project."

Horatio shifted his weight standing sideways and squinted curiously.

"She's not there?" he asked unable to comprehend the current course of events.

"No. It's ok. SeaQuarium approved her leave, and it keeps Waterson from suspecting her in any odd behaviors. Besides, they will be privy to her work as she collaborates with their research team."

Horatio couldn't help but feel strange about this whole situation.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Ah, nothing. Sorry," he apologized as he snapped back to attention.

Yelina cocked her head curiously. Somehow, she knew he was again reminded of Sara.

"I'm sorry, Horatio. There are just constant reminders being tossed your way."

He gazed sadly into her eyes without uttering one word.

"Oh, Horatio," she said hugging him.

"It's ok. I'm fine. Hey, why don't we go grab a bite to eat? It's lunchtime. We can review what you have again."

"Sure. I'd like that."

They walked down the sidewalk to his Hummer.

Sitting outside at one of the umbrella-covered tables, Yelina dug into her salad as Horatio dove into a tuna sandwich.

"So, we got a guy at SeaQuarium receiving packages from a boy with Mala Noche ink. Where are they coming from and what is contained in the packages?" Horatio mused.

"I can't say. It can't be good, that's all I know."

"Where did your original information come from?" he asked before taking another bite of his sandwich.

"A young man by the name of Thomas Sanders was caught peddling some small packets of pure heroine. He confessed that he stole them from Waterson's locker."

"And Waterson pleaded innocent?"

"Yes."

"Typical. And, there was no proof to make any indictment stick."

"No. No charges made. Sanders had two charges for possession against him, so it seemed likely that he was lying and the drugs were his and he was attempting to draw Waterson in."

"So, Waterson's free and clear but is now seen associating with potential drug carriers."

Horatio finished the last bite and looked intensely at the photo.

"Who is this boy and what is he up to?" Horatio asked thinking out loud. "Have your insider try to determine exactly what is in the boxes. Don't have her swipe any – you don't want to raise any suspicion."

"I had asked her to keep her eyes peeled. While she's been away, I've stepped in periodically on stake out. The drops seem to occur at the same time every few days and in the same fashion. The boy comes in with one box – and they all seem to be of the same size – and he hands them off to Waterson."

"How big a box?"

"Oh, maybe about the size of a video cassette box."

"Just big enough to hold a pound of pure heroine and small enough to stash inside his shirt without being seen. OK, have your person continue surveillance and keep me posted."

"That was the game plan. I figured by the time she gets back, he'll be ready for another drop."

"Plenty of time to mule more heroine over from South America."

"That's if it is indeed coming from there. I am wondering if the distribution man is Waterson and they boy brings the drugs in from the lab itself."

"Well, I'll count on you to try to figure that out."

Yelina smiled. It was always good to hear him so enthusiastic about work. She took his hand in hers. He glanced off into the distance noticing a familiar face – Kyle. Horatio stood up wishing he could get his attention. The boy happened to look his way and noted his father's presence. Quickly, he tapped the shoulder of his friend and ran off into the crowd breaking Horatio's heart.

"He's still really sore at you," she said.

"I know. He's cold and distant every time we speak."

"Horatio, he's coming around slowly. I feel it. At least he lets me mention your name without throwing a total fit these days."

"This isn't what I wanted for him."

"I know. He is still very immature. I am sure it's all due to his not having a stable family life. Horatio, you have to realize that boy has faced constant abandonment and has issues trusting anyone."

"I wish if I could just talk to him beyond 'hi, what did you do today?' then maybe I could make some headway with him."

"He's got to be ready, Horatio. I've asked the school counselor to begin pushing him a little harder – to try to get him to really open up about what happened with his needing to be sent to England to maintain his safety."

"Has anything come of it yet?"

"No. But, I will keep you informed. I am sure the counselor will ask for a family meeting to lay it all out on the table. I'm just happy he's going faithfully to those appointments. He wants to feel better about this but he doesn't know how."

"If he'd just hear me out, it wouldn't have to be this way."

"It's easy for us to rationalize, but not for him. Horatio, you need to know that what he's been through has totally disrupted his ability to trust."

No matter what Yelina said, it wasn't really helping. They drove back to CSI where Horatio parked near her car. He held her hand as she got into the car and closed the door when she was belted in.

"So, maybe you might think about coming over for dinner tomorrow night? Richard asked why you haven't been around lately," Yelina said.

"Um, I'd love to. Will you give the boy a heads up? I'd hate to spring my presence on him considering how previous visits have gone south when he wasn't informed ahead of time."

"I always do. Maybe this time will be different."

"So, what time would you like me?"

"How about 7?"

"Fine. I'll… I'll see you all then."

Yelina drove off leaving Horatio standing there in the parking lot. He was so happy that she had someone in her life – and he was a good man. Although no matter what, he'd always be looking out for her. That's when his mind drifted off again…