Chapter 12
Aileen opened the front door when they arrived and John stepped inside first as Horatio was putting his car in the garage, and she immediately asked, "How is he John?"
"Not too good Aileen, sounds like he had a tough time. We sat outside the MDPD building for a while and he told me everything, so he has talked some of his anguish out of his system, this is why we are a bit later than Horatio wanted to be. He was smiling a little while ago though...think it was the sound of your voice."
Horatio wandered in a few minutes later and wrapped his arms around Aileen saying, "It's so good to be home." Then stepping away from her he asked, "Where's Tommy?"
"Here Dad," said Tommy appearing from the lounge.
Horatio knelt down on one knee. "Come here son, I need to give you a hug."Tommy walked into his arms and Horatio shutting his eyes held him tight for a minute and being the sensitive boy he was Tommy understood his dad needed a hug from him as well and he stretched his arms around his neck.
Sharon, catching sight of Horatio hugging Tommy as she came out of the kitchen for a minute to say hello, had a flashback to the day when Danny, her late former husband was killed, and John had gone to her place to help her explain to her two boys, Jimmy and Peter, what had happened. John had taken both of them in his arms and hugged them so tight, just as Horatio was hugging Tommy now. She wondered if something was wrong, as the hug he was giving Tommy seemed to be saying something. It didn't look like Horatio wanted to let go of him. Then she discreetly returned to the kitchen. At the same time John went outside and settled on one of the sun loungers.
Then Horatio opened his eyes, and looking up, noticed Aileen's look of concern. He stood up and whispered," I needed to do that. You know I love him as if he was my own. I would never, ever hurt him."
"I know Horatio...I know," said Aileen as she stroked his face with her finger tips and looked at him with sympathy. She knew he was suffering from the events of the afternoon, and he would talk to her about it later in the evening, so for now she asked no questions.
"Dad is something wrong?"
"There was something wrong Tommy, but all is good now I am home with you and your mom."
"Anyway, let's go and join the others, something smells really good...guess that is Sharon cooking one of her special meals."
"Sharon is cooking a roast dinner Horatio, but she is timing it to be ready for when Kyle arrives, so go and join John out on patio, and in a minute I'll bring coffees out to you."
Stepping outside Horatio found John lying on his back on one of the loungers with his hands behind his head. When he saw Horatio he said, "This is the life - nice warm evening, and two beautiful women, waiting on us."
Horatio laughed and sat down on another lounger, just as Aileen brought their drinks out to them and overheard Horatio reply, "Yes, we are spoiled John. You and I are very lucky to have such wonderful women in our lives." Aileen smiled at him affectionately and grabbing her right hand and lifting it to his mouth to kiss he whispered, "I love you."
Then Aileen left them to attend to Hannah. Sharon was happy being busy in the kitchen, and Tommy was in the lounge watching television. The men sat there talking for a while and were then interrupted by Kyle arriving. He joined them on the patio, holding a mug of coffee, which Sharon had made for him, and he sat down on the lounger next to his dad.
"You okay Dad," he asked. "I know you were called in to deal with Alan Clayton. I didn't get in touch with you last night to let you know what had happened yesterday afternoon as Eric thought it would spoil your time away from work, but apparently James Burton insisted on calling you in today."
"Frank told me that it hadn't been an easy time for you, but that is all he said."
Horatio immediately thanked Frank in his mind for not saying too much.
"Don't worry Kyle; Eric was right and so was Frank. Let us forget the Claytons for now though, and enjoy the evening with our friends. I just noticed Sharon beckoned us in, so let us go and do justice to her cooking." They were all sitting down to eat at just on 7:30 pm, and had roast leg of lamb, roast potatoes, broccoli spears, and carrots. Rather than cook the lamb in port wine, Sharon had made a separate port wine sauce, as Aileen while she was breast feeding, carefully watched what she ate and anything rich was off the menu for her.
Horatio and John had second helpings of everything, it had been a long day, and they hadn't stopped to eat at all. Kyle had a second helping simply because he was always a hungry young man. This pleased Sharon, as she liked to see men with healthy appetites. Simple ice cream was on the menu for dessert.
When they finished eating, Horatio stood up, walked around the table and placing his left arm around Sharon's shoulders said, "Thank you for a delicious meal, and for being such a help to us today," and then bending forward kissed her on the cheek."It certainly wasn't meant for you to work on your visit. But, Sharon, please know I am very grateful."
"No problem Horatio, it was my pleasure, and this is what friends are for. I have enjoyed my day, as I know John enjoyed his trip around your lab today." Now standing up Sharon was about to start clearing the table when Horatio stopped her."You have done enough. I will clear this lot away, and load it into the dishwasher, and I will make the drinks for a change."
Aileen made a move to help him, but Horatio told her to join their guests.
While he cleared away, the rest of them moved into the lounge and sat down making themselves comfortable. When Horatio brought them their coffees and cold milk for Tommy, they chatted for a while, and then Hannah started to whimper, she had been in her crib in the lounge fast asleep while they were eating. Sharon went over to the crib and looking at Aileen she asked, "Can I pick her up?" Aileen smiled and nodded her head.
Picking her up gently, Sharon returned with her to the sofa, sitting next to John, who placed his right arm around her shoulders as she smiled at him saying, "This princess is just too cute...I want to take her home."
Tommy piped up, "You can't Sharon. She's my sister, and Dad won't let you anyway."
Horatio looking at Tommy smiled at him fondly.
"I know Tommy, but I would love to, she is so sweet and smells gorgeous."
"She doesn't smell nice when she does a poop," said Tommy screwing up his nose, making them all laugh.
"Tommy, I think it is time for bed for you young man," said Aileen. It is way past your bedtime and you have to get up for school in the morning."
"Okay Mom."
Tommy had already had a bath, while they had waited for Horatio and John to get home, so he gave Sharon and John a kiss goodnight, then he bent over Hannah in Sharon's arms and gave her a gentle cuddle and a kiss on her cheek saying, "Goodnight Hannah, I love you."
Then as he started to make his way to his bedroom, he stopped and asked, "Could you read to me in bed for a while please Dad?"
Aileen butted in. "No Tommy, Horatio has had a long busy day, he needs some rest now."
"It's okay Aileen, I'll read to him for a few minutes...so Horatio went to his study, picked his glasses up from his desk, and followed Tommy to his bedroom, where he had the book 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' on the bed ready for him. They were about a third of the way through the book now. Horatio settled himself on the bed, leaning back against a pillow, with his knees' up in front of him to balance the book; he put his glasses on and turned to the bookmarked page, and started reading. Fifteen minutes later he noticed his son was finding it hard to keep his eyes open so he closed the book, placed it on the bedside cabinet, and moving off the bed he bent over and kissed Tommy on the forehead and whispered, "Sleep tight son," and left the room shutting the door quietly behind him.
When he returned to the lounge he wandered out on to the patio, stood there with his hands in his trouser pockets, and looking up at the night sky wished he could get out from under the cloud that had been over his head most of the day. After a while he sighed, went back inside, and smiling asked them all if they wanted a nightcap. They all did. This time he made chocolate drinks.
While sipping their drinks Horatio told John and Sharon he would pick them up the next day after he dropped Tommy off at school. They both protested, saying they would find something to do on their own the next day to give him and Aileen some time to themselves. Horatio and Aileen wouldn't listen, and told them that they looked forward to seeing them the next day.
"Not sure what we will do though," said Horatio. "We will talk about it tomorrow."
"Horatio, we don't have to do anything at all," said Sharon, "We will be happy enough just sitting out there on the patio, it's beautiful here."
"I agree Horatio," said John, "It's very pleasant sitting out there, and a lazy day would be good."
"Okay guys, we will have a relaxing day tomorrow then," and smiling Horatio added, "I will try not to answer the phone to a single person."
When Kyle, John and Sharon left, Horatio and Aileen sat down on the sofa, and pulling Aileen in close to him, wrapped his left arm around her, and as she rested her head on his chest, he told her about his afternoon at the MDPD. He told her everything apart from the fact that Clayton had made a threat against Tommy...there was no need for her to know, he was sure it was an empty threat, but now he had a family of his own he couldn't help being uneasy, and couldn't let the image of Clayton making the threat go away.
Aileen had been listening quietly without interruption sensing Horatio just wanted to get this all off his chest, but when she heard his voice suddenly croak as he finished talking, she looked up at him and caressing his face with her right hand, she felt some dampness on his face and saw moisture in his eyes. She immediately sat up properly, and turning towards him, placed her hands either side of his face saying, "Horatio, I know this was a bad day for you, but what is really wrong? I hate to see you like this. Something about this case is bothering you even more than usual." She then gently wiped his eyes with her thumbs and after kissing him softly on the cheek she added, "Come on darling, please, tell me what is upsetting you so much, because I know something is."
Horatio answered, but couldn't help his eyes filling up, "I'm sorry Aileen, this Clayton business has really got under my skin. You know I hate this sort of case, but this one has been much too close to home. It badly affected Tommy, made him anxious and he worried about telling me. It wasn't right that he was made to feel on edge, and ended up having a nightmare, although I am glad that Mark told him in the circumstances."
"When I saw the second set of pictures that Eric took yesterday, I got so angry and watching Clayton through the interview room window for a minute, looking clearly hostile; my father's drunken image came up right in front of my face. I can't stand abusive drunken baastards.
"Aileen what if Tommy had been there on Friday? I keep thinking about that."
"Is that why you hugged Tommy so tight when you came home?"
Horatio stood up then, and drawing Aileen up into his arms whispered, "Yes, I needed to feel the boy in my arms and to feel that I was protecting him from the evil out there. God forbid anything ever happened to him, I couldn't bear it Sweetheart."
Aileen responded by kissing him softly on the lips, and running her fingers through his hair she whispered "Thank you for loving him so much."
Then in an attempt to lighten things Aileen pulled away from him and asked, "So did you enjoy having your leg over Stephanie?"
Horatio laughed and replied, "Didn't get the chance."
Aileen raised her eyes.
Placing his hands on her shoulders and looking deeply into her eyes Horatio asked, "Now why would I want to do that when I have you Sweetheart?"
"Oh! I know what your game is...you're fishing for compliments?"
Pleased to see Horatio looking better now Aileen chuckled and muttered, "Maybe."
"Horatio cupped her face in his hands saying, "Well you are the love of my life, and you know that."
"Thank you for listening. You always know how to bring me out of my gloomy thoughts."
Then he hugged her and they went to bed, and Horatio surprisingly fell asleep within minutes with Aileen gently smoothing her hands over several scars on his back, including the one that ran the whole length down the right hand side of his back. It was a faint scar now having calmed down in color over the years, but you could feel a ridge all the way down. It was a horrible relic for him from his childhood. Aileen softly kissed a path down the scar, wrapped her right arm over his body and fell asleep soon after, and for the first time Hannah unexpectedly slept through the night.
Back at Kyle's though, there had also been some unrest
Kyle had made everyone a drink before retiring to bed, and as they were sitting there and relaxing Sharon said, "Horatio wasn't himself at times tonight; what really went on at the MDPD John?"
Kyle's ears pricked up. "Did something go wrong today John?"
John sighed; he didn't want to get into this conversation at all. "I can't tell you."
"Why" chorused Sharon and Kyle.
"Look you two, you know how child abuse cases get to Horatio, so just please accept that he had a bad day at the office. I will just tell you that this case is much too close to home for him, with young Mark being a friend of Tommy's."
"Does this have anything to do with Tommy?" Kyle asked.
John sighed again; he was wishing his darling wife hadn't started this conversation, he hated lying, but he wasn't going to spill the beans to anyone if he could help it out of loyalty to his friend, and he definitely didn't want the news to get back to Aileen...and it surely would if he told his beautiful wife.
"Tommy is only involved because of what he told your dad Sunday evening Kyle."
"Well, I'm not sure I believe you John, I have seen Horatio give Tommy a big hug many times, but that hug he gave him when he came home today, was different. I got the feeling he was scared to let him leave the safety of his arms so tightly wrapped around him.
John really wished his wife would let it drop, but she could be as stubborn as they come when she got the bit between her teeth. She had herself been a detective at the NYPD and seen many abuse cases, and later became a trained victim support officer, and he guessed she was seeing Horatio and Tommy as victims of something right now...damn her trained eye.
"I know that sort of hug," said Kyle. "He gave me one like that when I went back to Afghanistan, and I knew he was scared for me. He holds you extra tight...it is almost like he is trying to protect you and to pass his strength on to you."
"Shit - has Tommy been threatened? Frank was pretty evasive when he spoke to me earlier."
"Kyle, don't panic. Nothing is going to happen to Tommy. If you want to know anymore you will have to ask your dad."
Sharon looked John in the eye, and decided to push him further, "John you might as well tell us now, as something bad obviously happened today."
Kyle echoed, "Yes John, please tell us. I need to know."
"Okay, okay"...said John as he put his hands up in mock surrender. "But I swear if you tell Aileen I will never forgive either of you. Horatio doesn't want her to know."
"You have both placed me in a very awkward position. But as I understand it from what Horatio told me, he received a real tirade from Clayton when he entered the interview room, but as Horatio was getting the better of him, Clayton lashing out, now in a tight corner, told Horatio that if he got bail he would perhaps, and I emphasize perhaps, go after Tommy. He was just mouthing off...his sort always do, he was winding Horatio up and Horatio knew this, but he still let it get to him."
"Tommy will be fine. Horatio just needed to give him an extra big hug today."
"Horatio will also be fine. He just needs a good night's sleep. I understand he hasn't had much of that lately."
"But Aileen must not be told, the last thing she needs right now is to have unwarranted fears about Tommy, she has only just had a baby for goodness sake. He wants to keep her protected from this by not giving her anything to worry about while she has to care about Hannah so much at the moment."
"I agree with Horatio on this John. In normal circumstances, I would have said he should tell her. We all know Aileen is a strong woman, but she is breastfeeding and worry could cause problems with that, and she is in her post- natal period at that. This can be a testing time without worrying about something that is possibly, and hopefully not warranted. Horatio is always so thoughtful."
"Anyway, Horatio will be very angry if this gets through to her...so do you both understand - you must keep quiet."
Sharon and Kyle nodded their heads in unison.
Then they went to bed.
Curled up in bed though, Sharon who had been thinking deeply about everything asked, "John, did Horatio suffer being abused as a kid?"
John sat up, turned on the bedside lamp, and then turning to face his wife and propping himself up on an elbow asked, "Why can't you leave this alone Sharon? - What makes you ask such a question?"
"Because he has signs of having been abused; He is extremely sensitive to abuse cases, as he should be; being a law enforcement officer, but he has more sensitivity than anyone else I have ever known, and believe me I have seen some cases over the years. I swear he knows what these kids go through for real. When they came to New York that time before they were married, Aileen told me how upset he gets when having to deal with child abuse cases, and I know from what she told me today, he is very upset about this Clayton situation. I just feel so much for him. I can't bear the thought that wonderful man may have been through hell when he was a kid."
"Sharon, I honestly don't know, if he had suffered he never ever let on about it."
However, when John turned the bedside lamp off, he lay there thinking for a few minutes as he suddenly recalled he had seen Horatio at school with bruises more than once and was often away from school supposedly not well. God had his friend suffered and no one had known about it.
Then pulling Sharon into his arms he muttered, "You may be right, but we have to keep these thoughts to ourselves...promise me. If it is the case, he has obviously never wanted anyone to know, so don't go opening up any can of worms."
"I promise; I would never do that John, I was just worried about him today. I wonder if Aileen knows... she seems to understand him so well. My guess is she does, and my guess is he knows about her past history as well."
In the other bedroom, Kyle was restless...the conversation about Clayton had set of some uncomfortable thoughts in his mind. He didn't sleep well, tossing and turning most of the night. Something was really bothering him.
TBC
