Below the Radar
Chapter 10
The three women walked in one of the hottest dinner spots in Miami Beach, The Anvil. Odd name, but their menu offered diners excellent selections all the way to its prized dessert, the chocolate soufflé. Alexx had called the day before and reserved a table, a definite requirement for dinner. What appealed most to those who frequented the restaurant was the fact the chefs used locally grown produce and served only daily, fresh from the boats seafood.
To say The Anvil was opulent would be an understatement. Large, gorgeous chandeliers hung from the ceiling throughout the entire dining room. The wood was a deep rich mahogany that lined the walls. The horseshoe-shaped bar appeared carved from mahogany as well. It was the center point of the main spacious dining room, sparkling long stem glasses hung from an overhead rack above the bar itself, reflecting the lighting of the room. The floor, covered in carpeting, resembled a continuous oriental rug and showed the management took great care to keep it clean.
Diners were not required to be formally dressed, but there was an understanding that the establishment expected acceptable attire, with their wishes posted at the door. While there were usually a few tourists mingled throughout, it was predominantly filled with locals – those who wanted a place that they trusted to serve only the finest food.
After being seated at their table, which afforded them a gorgeous view of the dimming sunlight over the bay and the lights of downtown, Natalia leaned close to Alexx beside her and excitedly acknowledged,
"I have been dying to try this place… it has excellent reviews."
Alexx smiled as she answered, "They are all true. I've only been here twice, but each time the food and service were both spectacular," as she placed great emphasis on the last word.
Calleigh sat silently on the other side of Alexx with a concerned expression. Alexx reached over and lightly laid her hand on top of Calleigh's.
"Relax Honey, Horatio will be just fine. Besides, Frank will probably talk his ears off," Alexx chuckled.
"I can't help it Alexx. With Ricardo running around God knows where… I…"
With a determined sharp tone, Alexx responded,
"Calleigh, Frank is with him, two armed officers are standing outside the door of the condo. The condo is on the eighth floor… please explain to me how Ricardo would be able to reach him?"
The blonde let out a nervous laugh, dipped her head and squeezed her friend's hand before admitting,
"You're right. I'm… I'm just scared of losing him… after all that's happened."
"That's natural Honey… just don't let those feelings control you." Calleigh smiled, "I'll try not to."
The waiter appeared and they all ordered drinks and then checked out the menu.
Alexx chimed up, "This will be on me tonight ladies, order whatever you like."
Both Calleigh and Natalia protested, but Alexx cut them off by holding up a hand.
"This is just a small gesture on my part to express how much I've missed being with both of you and the fact we can be together again. It's been far too long since we've just had fun so, I don't want to hear another word."
Calleigh and Natalia looked at each other with raised eyebrows and big smiles replied, almost in unison, "Thank you Alexx," both hugged their friend and then began to discuss the choices offered on the menu.
Frank sat on the couch nursing a beer while Horatio sipped on a club soda. Frank observed his friend as he pondered I never have been able to get Horatio to drink. I recall years ago when I tried to coax him to join me for a drink he and he told me that he didn't touch the stuff, only the occasional wine with dinner, due to growing up with an old man who drank heavily, causing him to be abusive.
"How ya doing H… for real?"
Horatio swallowed the sip he'd just taken from the soda before answering,
"Better than I thought I would. If Calleigh wasn't here… well, let's just say I wouldn't have the same motivation." Frank nodded his head in understanding.
"Yeah," Frank blew out a breath and chuckled, "I hear ya. Same here. Alexx is one strong woman. Won't let me get down on myself, least I better not around her. She'd be quick to rake me over the coals if I did."
"About Alexx; where do you see your relationship going?"
Frank almost choked on his beer, until he finally managed to swallow the amber liquid, at Horatio's question. Horatio's ears picked up on the effect his question had on the big detective and it made him smile. Just as I thought, the big guy has plans.
"Uh," Frank stuttered, "H, you know how uncomfortable it makes me sharing feelings and all..."
"Hey, I didn't mean to pry and you certainly don't have to give details, it's just… I think the two of you are good together. Alexx needs a man in her life and I couldn't think of a better one than you my friend."
Frank was glad his friend couldn't see the blush that he could feel spreading across his face.
"Thanks, that means a lot to me Horatio. Before the crash, I was beginning to wonder if she'd ever accept me. Something changed… now she seems more open to the idea of our relationship developing."
Horatio turned his head away from where he knew Frank was sitting as the memory of Calleigh losing their baby caused a deep ache in his chest.
Without turning back, Horatio answered almost distractedly, "We're not the only two people injured in that crash…." He paused before continuing, "Calleigh found out she was pregnant the day our plane went down. With all the stress of dealing with that and then afterward with me feeling sorry for myself… she… uh… she lost the baby."
"Oh man… I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"I thought Alexx would have told you."
"She doesn't discuss people's medical problems… confidentiality and all."
Horatio only nodded his head. Not surprised. Alexx takes her position seriously, as she should.
"Y'all can try again… can't you?"
"Thankfully, yes. Calleigh is fine… just have to wait a few months. Maybe then, I'll be adjusted to my new life and can help more."
"Speaking of a new life, Alexx told me how you can get around here on your own now. That's great." Frank really wanted to ask about who would be leading the lab, but he thought best not to bring that subject up tonight.
"Doing better," Horatio answered as he took another pull from his bottle.
Frank slowly pushed up from the sofa and exclaimed, "How about some chow? Alexx helped me make my famous Texas bar-b-q chicken and potato salad… you hungry?"
Horatio really wasn't, but answered, "Sure. Wouldn't pass on that."
Frank had just taken a step toward the kitchen when the doorbell rang. He eyed the door, then turned back toward Horatio asking,
"Expecting someone?"
Frank noticed the concerned look on Horatio's face as the redhead answered, "No."
The detective hobbled over to the door and peered through the security hole and saw a Hispanic man, dressed as a worker on the other side. Knowing there were two officers outside in the hallway, Frank opened the door.
With an officer on each side of the nervous looking man, he spoke up, "Is this Horatio Caine's residence?"
By this time, Horatio had ventured over to the door. "It is. What business do you have here?"
"I uh," he quickly pulled off his ID badge and handed it to one of the officers for his approval, "I need to check the back corner of the master bedroom. There may be a leak in the drain pipe coming down from the roof. Other tenants have had damage and the HOA called us to come inspect."
In a questionable tone, Horatio replied, "This is the first I've heard of any trouble. When did this occur?"
"Last week," the man answered rather quickly.
Something's not right about this, but how can I know for sure – we weren't here last week.
"Frank, would you mind escorting the young man to where he needs to go?"
"Not at all… our food 'll keep."
"Thank you officers," Horatio said before closing the door.
Walking toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms along with the young man, Frank abruptly stopped and turned looking surprised by Horatio's response,
"How'd you know officers were out there H?"
Horatio smiled, "Knowing Calleigh, I'd been shocked if there hadn't been."
Frank walked into the master bedroom with the worker and stood close by and watched. The guy seems legitimate… but why is he so nervous?
Outside in a parked car -
"Why are we going to this much trouble Ricardo?" an eager voice asked from the backseat of the car. "Why don't we just go up there and do it?"
Ricardo's anger immediately flared as he jerked around and glared at the man who dared to question his tactics, the dim streetlights adding to his sinister look.
"Because you idiot, Caine is a force to be reckoned with whether he's blind or not… we're going to do this my way. Jesus is checking on how things are up there and then we'll make our move when it's right. This time, I'm gonna make sure he's finished for good."
Horatio made a mental note to check with the HOA Monday morning about the problem. After several minutes, Frank and the worker returned to the living room.
"Seems everything checked ok, H," Frank announced letting Horatio know they were back.
Figured it would. Horatio followed along, "That's good. Young man, who in the HOA engaged you to do this work?"
"I… I didn't talk with the person myself. My boss did. So, I couldn't tell you."
Horatio nodded his head in understanding. "What's your boss's name?"
"Jose. I'll be going. Sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Caine."
Frank shut the door after the young man and then turned to Horatio.
"What in the hell do you think that was about?"
Horatio straightened, then took a deep breath before answering, "I haven't a clue." But I have my suspicions.
The two men made their way into the kitchen and Frank began dipping up their plates.
After they'd finished dinner, the women chatted while enjoying an after dinner drink.
Natalia spoke up, "I know one thing, this place serves the best seared Tuna that I've ever eaten. Just fantastic!"
Calleigh, more relaxed after the enjoyable drinks and meal spoke up, "My orzo and scallops were divine! Great choice Alexx – I hope we didn't break the bank, you know these prices aren't the most reasonable."
"Worth every penny to be together again and enjoying ourselves," Alexx answered before growing quiet, thinking of her proposal.
"What do you ladies think about the three of us making a short trip to Biloxi, Mississippi in a few months and hit the casinos? I've heard a lot of folks that go, come back raving about their trip. Sounds like it'd be fun. We could even catch a show – they have some big names appearing all through the year."
"Oh Alexx, that sounds great. Don't you think Calleigh?" Natalia responded as she looked across the table at her friend.
Calleigh's excitement quickly faded as she thought of Horatio.
"I couldn't do that Alexx… Horatio…"
"Girl, by that time Horatio will be fine alone. You'd be surprised how resilient that man can be."
"I know he is Alexx, he's strong, but I just wouldn't feel right."
"Tell you what; we'll talk about it further in a couple of months. By that time you'll see how well Horatio is adapting to his condition."
A couple of hours later, the condo's front door opened and Calleigh walked in, followed by Alexx and Natalia. Natalia had asked Calleigh if it would be alright to come in and speak to Horatio.
Horatio spoke up from where he sat in the recliner as Frank muted the football game on the TV.
"Judging by the laughter, I'd say the ladies enjoyed themselves Francis."
Calleigh walked over and sat down on the arm of the recliner and planted a soft kiss on Horatio's smiling lips.
"We did. How about y'all?"
"Good company, good food and a somewhat good game between the Dolphins and Patriots… so I'd say we have too."
Alexx walked over and sat down by a grinning Frank, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey H," Natalia spoke up. "You're looking so much better and I hear you're getting around good too."
"Thank you Miss Boa Vista. I do feel better."
Natalia had to bite her lower lip to keep it still, thinking about how the lab wouldn't be the same without Horatio.
Ricardo and his men watched as the company left through the main entrance of the building.
"That big guy might be a problem boss."
Ricardo sneered as he watched the man hobble to the car with Dr. Woods as Natalia walked away to her car.
"He won't be if you do what I tell you." Turning to his man driving, he ordered, "Follow the car… that's Brian Wood's mother. Maybe she'll lead us to her little twerp of a son."
TBC…