A/N...I wish to publically thank Daxy and Arlene for their reviews of chapter 8, which for some reason that I can't fathom have not appeared in the published reviews. I have seen their reviews in my email notifications and acknowledged them. I hope this is nothing more than a very temporary glitch.
Chapter 9
"Sit down Jeremy," said Horatio as he sat down himself, and leaning his arms on the table with hands clasped in front of him said, "Let us have a little talk."
"First - This is Eric Delko CSI; joining us now."
Jeremy nodded his head and sat down quietly, suddenly sensing there was a change in the atmosphere. Eric sat down next to him.
Horatio, in a deliberate softer tone now than he had been talking to Martin Stanton, began, "I get the feeling that despite you committed crimes that have certain custodial sentences, you are none too keen on going to prison."
"Why is that Jeremy?"
"Don't you think you deserve to go to prison for trying to kill Brian Meadows on the Venetian Causeway, last week, and for being in possession of ten bags of cocaine, which we now understand you stole from Ramon Escalade. Personally, I think you deserve to go to prison, but perhaps you can tell me what reason you have for not wanting to go. I may just be able to help you."
Jeremy looked at Horatio with startled eyes and then answered. "I wouldn't be able to hack it in prison. I may have done wrong but I am not a hard-nosed criminal."
"Before Escalade threatened Gerald Sinclair, he was going to try and cut a deal with us, to presumably get you off scot free, or to at least lighten your sentence. Would you like to enlighten me on what the proposed deal was? What was on offer from your end Jeremy?"
"And how do you know Ron Saris?"
Jeremy smiled - he had thought the red head had not paid any attention to what he said earlier on and did not answer immediately. He did not have a clue why the Lieutenant was interested in Saris but he clearly was.
"Come on Jeremy, give me some help here. Do you want my help, or not? Or shall I just let you get up and walk out of here and fend for yourself."
"If I have anything to tell you, can you guarantee you can help me, and if so how?"
"I cannot make any guarantees Jeremy, but I can promise to see what I can do to help if you give me something worthwhile. You know that cutting a deal means you give us something for helping to get your sentence reduced or squashed. So what was Sinclair considering, even though he ultimately refused before he died?"
Jeremy decided to cooperate. Sitting there thinking about it he knew this was his last chance now to get a reduced sentence at least, and the Lieutenant seemed sincere in suggesting he might be able to help.
"He was going to tell you that I could give you some information, not a lot, but probably useful about an impending big drugs shipment coming to Miami soon."
Eric sat up straight and placed his arms on the table now listening with great interest and giving Horatio a glimmer of a smile.
"Okay Jeremy, I am listening,"
"Well, I got close with a couple of people who work for Ramon Escalade, and they introduced me and then I occasionally purchased cocaine from him to pass on to my acquaintances. I always played it cool, and never asked for too much, and Escalade seemed to trust me. He never seemed bothered by me being around, and I picked up occasional loose talk, not that I was ever going to repeat any of it. I knew better than that at least. He has a few hard men in his employ. Anyway, we were all at his house, in Coconut Grove, about three weeks ago, when he asked me to go with some of his mates, to help clear some rubbish, and to re site a pile of cocaine bags, in an old warehouse, he owns. I overheard one of the older guys there telling another guy that space was being made for a big shipment of drugs coming down from New York in about three weeks time. I also heard them say that Ron Saris would be coming with the drugs, to ensure the driver made no mistakes in reaching the intended destination."
Horatio, looking thoughtful, with his arms now moved so that his elbows were resting on the table, and hands grasped together under his chin said, "This is indeed interesting Jeremy."
"What can you tell me about Saris now?"
"I actually met him, one day about a month ago now. I was visiting a friend in New York, who introduced me to him at some club, and when he knew I came from Miami, he laughed and said he knew Miami well, and especially a red headed Lieutenant Horatio Caine, who he always called "Red" and who I should be very wary of if you crossed my path. After Saris left us, my friend told me he was a nasty piece of work, and I should be more wary of him than any Miami police officer - Then I found out he was involved with Ramon Escalade...a small world any way you look at it."
"Who is your friend in New York?"
"Jeremy Grainger."
Horatio looked at Eric startled. Jeremy Grainger was the one trying to cut a deal in New York, with Trevor Carson and claiming he had never met Saris.
"How do you know Grainger?"
"We were friends through college, but his family moved to New York; his father who was a friend of my father relocated his business dealings to New York so we only get to see each other occasionally now."
Horatio then asked, "Can you tell us the exact day the drugs are coming down from New York?"
"No, and I didn't ask...I was not meant to be listening as it was. Although I did hear, as I already said, that it would be in about three week's time, that would now be two of course."
"Where is the warehouse?"
"It's the last private small warehouse, with light blue doors on North West, 54th Street. It has two entrances. Double doors on both the front and rear of the warehouse."
"Jeremy, why did you steal cocaine from Escalade? You are the son of a very wealthy father and could well pay for what you needed, not that I think for one minute you should have been dealing in drugs. I detest drug dealers, they are the worst kind of scum," said Horatio, causing Jeremy to give a wry smile.
"It was a rash moment, I was bored and I was at the warehouse on a second occasion, and was left alone for a few minutes, and it seemed just too easy. I know it was a stupid thing to do, but the risk factor caused the adrenaline to kick in and I felt on a high. It was as good as taking a drug any day."
"Everyone tells me I have a cushy life and that I am lucky to be able to have anything I want, but no one guesses how fucking boring that can be."
Not at all sure what the Lieutenant was thinking right now, Jeremy started to get desperate." Have I told you enough to gain your help? I just cannot go to prison...Escalade has people inside that would give me a rough time, that is why the bastard wants me to go to prison, that is what he means when he says he wants me punished."
"Do you think he has any idea that you know about the drugs shipment?"
"No, I don't believe he does. I was not ever in view of the people I overheard talking."
Horatio stood up, and said, "Well it must be your lucky day. I think we can help you."
"I'll be back in a minute," he said as he made to leave the room.
Outside the room, he phoned James Burton and quickly told him what he had learned and then asked, "Can we cut a deal James? All what Stanton is saying seems to be fitting in with what they have learned in New York, and we have the warehouse address this end now."
"Yes go ahead Horatio, I will call Dan Burgess now to come and talk to Stanton. He is in here today as it happens."
"Thanks James."
"Horatio, come and see me when you have finished with Stanton."
Meanwhile, Jeremy was talking to Eric, "He isn't as bad as Saris made out is he?"
"No, but he can be ruthless and dogged in protecting people from crime in this city, although he is absolutely fair and always keeps his word. As you have provided information that is of real interest to us, he will get you a deal if he can."
A few minutes later Horatio returned to the interview room, and sitting down opposite Stanton again he said, "Okay, we can offer you a deal, but our prosecutor, Mr Burgess, will make the necessary arrangements as to the best way to handle this. Arrangements are in hand to get him to come and talk to you in a few minutes."
"However, I will be recommending, for your own safety, that you at least go to court on Tuesday, and that you get a probation order, for two years, and that you do some voluntary work in the community. This way, Escalade will know you have not got off scot free."
"For reasons I cannot tell you we need him not to suspect you have spoken to us. Do you understand Jeremy?"
Jeremy nodded his head in understanding.
Then with a smile Horatio added, "He will think we have been a bit soft on you. It won't be what he wants, but why should we accommodate him?"
"I just hope that Brian Meadows will be satisfied at the result, you nearly took him out."
"Don't I need a defense lawyer?"
"I doubt it, but our prosecutor will arrange what-ever is needed for you."
"Thank you Lieutenant Caine."
"Jeremy - try to learn from this. Kick the drug dealing. If you do not then I will surely bring you down one day, because I will, with my colleagues, relentlessly continue with our aim to rid the streets of drug dealers and their suppliers. It is a battle, but we will not let up in our determination to make this a safe and clean city."
Before Jeremy could reply, Dan Burgess arrived. Horatio introduced him to Stanton, told him his thoughts on what should happen and then left with Eric.
Horatio then asked Eric to call Yelina in to make her written statement. "Don't you want to see her yourself Horatio," asked Eric.
"No Eric, you handle it please."
Horatio then made his way to James Burton's office.
When he arrived, he found that James had arranged a conference call to Michael Hayes, and for the next thirty minutes, Horatio updated him on the events of the past 24 hours, including the fact that Jeremy Grainger had been lying when he had told Trevor Carson he had never seen Saris.
As he returned to his own office, Eric followed him in a few minutes later bringing him a coffee, and a sandwich. "Got something for you H; thought you might be in need of some refreshment by now."
Horatio, removing his jacket and hanging it on the back of his chair, sat down saying, "Thank you Eric, much appreciated."
Late afternoon, Dan Burgess caught up with Horatio, and told him that Jeremy Stanton's best bet, to make things look like the real deal, was for Stanton to plead guilty in court, refusing a defense lawyer, and to apologise in court for what he had done. As he was pleading guilty, and was going to show signs of remorse, there would be no need for a jury verdict. He would inform the judge in privacy about the deal and why the lenient sentence of probation and community work must be publically, handed out to Stanton.
Later still and just before he went home, Horatio walked down the lab hallway to find Natalia, to see if she had managed to perform the fabric test on Sinclair' gray shirt.
He found her chatting away excitedly to Eric.
"Did you manage the test Natalia?"
Natalia beamed. "Yes, I did Horatio, and we got a perfect fabric palm and finger print sample, which matches Martin Stanton's hand with the cut clearly showing across the palm as well. The test works perfectly, and shows the palm fully open as if in a push hard movement. That cut was clearly bleeding at the time, and he was not wearing a plaster. He must have put that on later.
"Good work Natalia; let me see the results." On seeing the perfect results, Horatio was happy that he had authorised the test.
"I know you didn't really need this test done Horatio with the visual evidence that came in, but thank you for giving me the chance to do the test."
"Maybe not, but if the visual evidence hadn't come in, which came in after I asked you to perform the test, it would have been good evidence, to support our other findings, and may still be, in the event Stanton gets a new lawyer."
"And now we know it works extremely well don't we?"
Turning to Eric he asked, "Did you contact Yelina?"
"Yes, she is coming in tomorrow morning."
"Good, once we have her statement on file that is about all we need to do as far as Martin Stanton is concerned, he cracked easy."
"Okay, I am off home now, we have had a good day today," said Horatio already walking away from them and on his phone to Aileen letting her know he was just leaving.
When he arrived home he garaged the car, but Aileen was not immediately at the front door to greet him as usual. Feeling a sense of alarm he hastened his pace across the paving slabs of the driveway, and was just about to place his key in the door lock, when the door opened, and with a sense of utter relief, he smiled and said, "There she is."
Taking her in his arms, he whispered, "You frightened me for a minute, I have got so used to you being at the door to greet me with that beautiful smile of yours, it is the highlight of my day."
"Sorry Darling...I was just finishing cleaning Hannah up, she gave me a nice little present, and screamed until I changed her."
Stepping inside then he asked, "Where's Tommy?"
"Outside on the patio, I picked Mark up today, as you know, and he is still here. I hope that is okay with you?"
"Sure, do I need to run him home yet?"
"No, you have a rest Horatio; I'll take him now you are home. I didn't want to take him earlier as I didn't want to take Hannah with me, she has been a bit crotchety today, and obviously had tummy trouble."
"We will have dinner first though. Mark can join us, and then we will make a move. I'll just let Stephanie know he will be staying for something to eat with us. I did tell her earlier that he probably would."
"Ok Sweetheart, I'll just go and get your car out ready for you," said Horatio as he picked her keys up from the hall table and made his way out to the double garage.
Aileen watched him fondly through the lounge window as he walked across to the garage, and as she phoned Stephanie. Closing her phone after her call, she lingered by the window watching him expertly manoeuvring the car in position ready for her to drive away. She was happy that for once, he had not argued the point about taking Mark home; he must be tired she thought. She was well aware that what was going on at work was taking his full attention.
Two hours later, after dinner, and when Aileen had left to take Mark home, Horatio sat in the lounge cuddling Hannah as he and Tommy sat watching a television show about animals and Tommy suddenly asked," Dad, why is mom taking Mark home, you usually do?"
"I know Tommy, but your mom offered to and it has given me the chance to sit here with you and Hannah for a while. I don't get to see enough of you both on working days."
Satisfied with his answer Tommy snuggled up to Horatio who wrapped his free arm around him and they were still there, the three of them on the sofa, when Aileen came home.
Horatio looked up on hearing her and made a move to stand up; he hadn't heard her arrive in his relaxed state, and with the television on. "Sorry Sweetheart, I didn't hear you."
"Stay there Horatio, I have put the car in the garage, and I want to take a picture of the three of you looking so comfortable together," Aileen said as she took the picture on her cell phone, and looking at the result smiled in satisfaction, this was another one for keeping. She then asked, "Has Hannah been playing up Horatio?"
"Not at all, I went to look at her and when she smiled at me, I just had to pick her up. She is asleep now though, so best we get her to bed I suppose," Horatio said with a sheepish look on his face.
Chuckling Aileen responded, "Horatio, don't look at me like that as if you have been a naughty boy. She is your daughter to love and hold whenever you like."
Aileen gently removed their daughter from his arms and as she started to leave the lounge to take her to their bedroom to lay her down in her cot, Tommy started singing, "Dad has been a naughty boy – Dad has been a naughty boy – Dad has been a naughty boy," and doubled up with the giggles.
Horatio stood up now, and shaking his head from side to side, picked Tommy up under one arm saying, "Right bed for you also young man." He carried him to his bedroom, and pulling the top sheet aside flung him gently on the bed. Tommy had been ready for bed anyway, and he made no fuss as Horatio covered him over and kissed him goodnight. When Aileen followed in to give him a kiss a few minutes later he was already asleep.
Then she made a chocolate nightcap, and Horatio told her about his successful day. Then he decided to have an early night, he had relaxed just a bit too much and his eyes were feeling heavy, so he went to bed a little ahead of Aileen, but pulled her into his arms the minute she climbed into bed next to him. "Come here, I can't go to sleep without you in my arms."
Wrapped in his arms Aileen whispered, "You are taking Tommy out tomorrow evening do you want dinner before you leave?"
"No, I will skip dinner, but make sure he has his before we go Sweetheart. I do not know what time we will be home."
"Will do," said Aileen as she lifted his hands to her lips, kissed them and wished him goodnight, he kissed her neck in response and within a few minutes, they were both asleep.
TBC
