FIGHTING BACK
Chapter 4
Horatio got into a sleeping-late, not-doing-anything-useful routine rather quickly. Too quickly, he thought. He realised it was partly that the doctor's cautious assessment of him had made him a little more aware of his health. Anyway, there was nothing to do at the moment. He was waiting…
Several of his answers came at once. Richard Evans, saying that yes, he fit the bill for angioplasty, and did he want to come in the next day to discuss. He agreed. Almost immediately, John Milton called.
"Horatio… How are you?"
"Fine. Being lazy… Waiting," he added pointedly.
"I know you are… Well… I can't tell you everything you want to know… but some of my investigation is done. Now, I have to put something to you…" He hesitated. "I believe you have a good case for constructive dismissal - even though it didn't get as far as that. I think, if it hadn't come to the Director's - and my - attention as quickly as it did, you would have seen yourself with no option but to go. Now, if you pursue that, Hernandez will face a serious misconduct charge." He paused. "And it may well become public."
"Not sure that does anyone much good, does it? Particularly the service." Horatio said quietly. "Alternative?"
"You get a formal apology. And Hernandez quietly takes early retirement… How do you feel about that?"
He didn't hesitate. "I can live with that."
He could hear that Milton was smiling. "Thank you. Now, I just spoke to the Medical Center, and I gather you're going in to see them…"
"Tomorrow, yes."
"Will you come up and see me afterwards? I hope I'll have more to tell you."
xxxxxxxxxx
"They make a tiny incision in the groin…" Richard Evans laughed. "You winced! Everyone does. Catheter up the main artery. It doesn't hurt… uncomfortable rather than painful… Probably home the next day, though you need to take it very very easy for a few days… Got someone to look after you?"
Horatio smiled. "My son seems determined to nurse me."
"Good. Then… as it's the first time you've had it done, you'll need to be monitored for a couple of months… Just in case you're one of the four percent it doesn't work on. And you'll be on drugs - blood thinners - for six months or more. So try not to get yourself shot."
"Thank you, Richard… You know how to cheer a man up."
"You'll be all right. In fact, you'll probably feel rejuvenated. The downside is, it doesn't always last - you may need it redone in a couple of years."
"In my business, I don't generally think a couple of years ahead. Can I work?"
"I'd suggest a month or so off… Have you got your old job back?"
Horatio sighed. "Don't know. I'm just off to see John Milton. I'm hoping he'll tell me. Tell you what, Richard, not knowing is far more stressful than doing the job."
xxxxxxxxxx
If he had hoped to know about his future, he was to be disappointed.
"I'm really sorry, Horatio… The decision's still with the Director…"
"Can't you tell me anything?"
"Well… I know that you're going to be recommended to take at least a month off…"
"Yes, Richard said."
"And I can tell you that while you're away, all the changes in your proposal will be effected."
"But it was my proposal…"
"What I'm talking about is building work, stripping out some areas, turning them into lab space… I'm talking about people leaving… Other people moving in… It's admin and logistics. It doesn't need a police captain, not till it's finished. In fact, you really don't want to be there. You know how these things go. Noisy, messy, and everyone gets bad-tempered."
"So who'll be in charge of it?"
"Buildings Management plus someone from Human Resources, I imagine. And the normal work of the lab will go on as it is now."
"So what about me?"
"I really haven't got an answer, Horatio…. I'm so sorry. I'm seeing the Director again later - at which point my work's just about done. I will strongly recommend that they don't keep you in limbo any longer."
"I wish you would. It's killing me."
He meant it metaphorically, but Milton said seriously, "I know it's not doing you any good. You're in hospital next week?"
He nodded.
"It doesn't really hurt, you know - I've had it done twice. The worst thing is the access point. You'll feel like you've been kicked in the… er…"
Horatio smiled. "I get it."
"And you should feel quite remarkably better once you get over it. I was surprised. Surprised at how far down I'd let my health go. I hope it's the same for you. Good luck, Captain." He held out his hand. "In every way."
"Thank you."
"I shouldn't say this, and don't quote me, but I believe everything's going to come right for you."
Horatio appreciated the sentiment, but he felt very alone as he waited for the elevator to take him downstairs. True, he had his rank - salary and pension secure - but no real job to do… and hospital… and convalescence… And no one apparently wanting to see him for a month or more…
The elevator stopped on the way down to let a woman in. He was so lost in thought, he didn't look at her immediately.
"Horatio?"
"Alicia! My God… Sorry, I was miles away… How are you?"
"I'm fine. Now." She chuckled. "I was fired. Then re-instated, with a pay rise. All your fault…"
"Mine?"
"No, not really. Are you in a rush, or have you got time for lunch?"
"Alicia, time is about all I've got."