Chapter 25 - Mala Noche Revenge
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. She contributed a great portion of the writing to assist in fleshing out this chapter.
Author's Note - the Dolphin is known to represent family, togetherness, and happiness as well as freedom, playfulness, peace and love.
With Waterson neatly tucked away in his six by six cell awaiting trial next week, it would only be a short matter of time that Sara would have a green light put out on her head being the star witness. Salvador Guadalupe was not happy to have his drug business interrupted as it was, and Horatio was certain that retribution was just around the corner. One good thing was that Sara had moved in with him – at least he knew exactly where she was each night – safely in his arms. During the first week, Sara remained quietly at home in Horatio's apartment overlooking the city and didn't fret this time over having a guard posted outside his door. She busied herself with getting accustomed to living with this gem of a man and preparing to take on a new project close to home – studying the local monitor species on an incoming grant from US Fish and Wildlife. Sara took a lot of time surfing the internet reading up on the invasive species and why they were such a problem to local native species, and devising the methods with which to study previously tagged animals. And when she wasn't doing that, Sara went to SeaQuarium under Yelina's protection to check up on the two dolphins that she had a hand in saving. Sara bonded with the two cetaceans – and that bond was so deep that at times the dolphins faked being sick just to get Sara's special attention and treats – until she caught on to their little game. Linda, the new lead trainer, as well as Yelina, watched in awe whenever Sara swam with her sea-going friends.
One afternoon, Horatio met Yelina and Sara at the pier for lunch. In the meantime, Salvador Guadalupe and a small clan of Mala Noche soldiers were plotting their retaliation. No deed was done against them that wouldn't meet with a return of the favor.
"Hey,Hector, who's the chica with the heat?" Salvador asked his henchmen.
"She's the bitch who took down our pipeline," Hector replied.
"I want her – and the heat – eliminated."
"How do you want to do it?"
An evil glint began to shine in the man's eyes as his thoughts for revenge ran rampant in his mind. "I want them both to see each other die," Salvador said as he pondered the perfect plot.
"You want me to follow them – find out what the deal is with them?" Hector asked.
"Yes. Find out where the woman lives. Everyone knows of the famous Lieutenant Caine. He took down my cousin, Antonio."
Horatio noticed and instantly recognized the drug dealers in the distance. They had eluded the authorities and now the Lieutenant sensed they were preparing for a show down. It would not take much to build a case if he played his cards right. Feeling uncomfortable, he suggested Sara be taken back to the apartment and remain there stating he needed to take care of something not to draw concern from Sara. But, in typical Sara style, the lady balked.
"Sara, please. I really need you to go home and wait for me," he requested.
Putting her hands on her hips, she addressed him by saying "I thought all the trouble was over. I wanted to go see the dolphins."
"It's not going to be over until I have all of them in custody, Sweetheart."
"Are we being watched?" she asked as she noticed Horatio taking a look off into the distance. Sara tried to take note of exactly where his line of sight was.
Horatio hugged her. "I promise life will become somewhat normal once I get those guys."
Sara giggled. "Horatio, darling, life will never be normal with us! You've got plenty of angry criminals who love you so much, and I make enemies with the work I do." She glanced up into his eyes. "Great pairing we make – an obsessive cop and an obsessive tree hugger."
He leaned in for a kiss before releasing her into Yelina's custody.
"Go with Yelina and I'll see you later."
Before they parted ways, Salvador and Hector smiled at each other enjoying the idea of toying with the Lieutenant's spunky filly – to use her to draw him out into the open.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun," Salvador mused. "The Lieutenant has himself one fine piece of ass."
If there was anything Salvador knew, it was the desire of the good Lieutenant to do anything for family and friends. How wonderful a piece of bait his woman would make! Seeing the redhead and his feisty filly part ways, Guadalupe called another of his Mala Noche soldiers to follow her. Caine was easy enough to stay on top of, until they realized he quickly became lost in the crowd.
Just as they thought they would leave to further consider their plans, Horatio appeared behind them – gun pointed at them as he demanded they get down on the ground with their hands behind their heads. He called for back up. When assisting officers arrived on the scene, the two men were cuffed and brought down to the station house.
"Salvador, I understand you are the new Mala Noche king pin. What were you doing down on the pier?" Horatio asked while standing sideways to his subject.
With a soft snicker, the man replied "enjoying some sun on a beautiful day, Lieutenant. I didn't realize that was a crime."
"It's not. However, it's become common knowledge you are muscling in on the other area gangs for superiority. Now, that is a crime since drugs are involved. I thought it was Mala Noche policy to stay out of the drug business."
"It used to be. Antonio Riaz found ways to spread out."
"Are you admitting to your gang's involvement in such activity?"
"I say nothing of the sort." Guadalupe stood up. "Besides, what proof do you have?"
"Give me time and I will have plenty. However, your comrade, Hector Rivas, won't be so lucky. I do know he was involved in some drug trafficking with Sam Waterson. He managed to escape the cross fire."
The Mala Noche leader laughed again. "So, what's your game? Get Hector to flip on me?"
Horatio smiled. "Maybe, if he knows what's good for him."
"He won't. I can guarantee it."
"You're certain of that?"
"Absolutely."
Caine motioned for Eric to come in. "Cut Mr. Guadalupe loose."
Reluctantly, Eric removed the shackles and returned his belongings to him.
"Caine, better keep a tight rein on that little filly of yours," Salvador said. "She's quite a looker and certainly one that would be lured away by a real man. It would be a shame to loose her, you know."
Horatio went toe to toe with the man. "Is that a threat?" he asked in a low voice that strained as he tried to hide his anger.
"Take it any way you like. But a woman like that – they like men of power."
Checking his rising testosterone levels and recognizing the fact that Salvador was solely looking to entice him into a fight, Caine eyed the younger man. "Stay away from her if you know what is good for you."
As Salvador left, Eric noticed the anger in Horatio's eyes. Eric had never seen Horatio behave in this manner. "I want him watched," Caine snarled.
"Shall I call Frank to have an unmarked car follow him?"
"Yes."
Eric made the call right away requesting a radio car out on surveillance.
"You think he's going to put a hit out on Sara for bringing Waterson down?"
"The Mala Noche are known for their retaliation. I can guarantee she's in danger."
Sara got her funds from her superiors at USFW to begin her study of the local Nile Monitor population. It came just in time. She needed a diversion as she was getting nervous awaiting the trial next week. Horatio's protectiveness didn't help matters either. He wanted her under his care at all times, which began to make her feel a bit suffocated. She loved Horatio dearly, but there were times Sara needed her space.
Saturday arrived and Sara anxiously hopped right into her study. Horatio was off for the day and joined her. She wasn't sure if she was totally happy about it, but he insisted; and his insistence was hard to refuse – those intense blue eyes brought her to her knees every time he flashed that pitiful look her way.
The Nile Monitor, much like the Green Iguana, was yet another among hundreds of invaders who'd been released by pet owners who no longer wanted them, because they weren't the 'in' pet any longer or got too big to be handled or properly housed and cared for. Every time she thought about it, her blood boiled. These poor creatures had been kidnapped from their homes, brought in crates to an alien country, and then summarily dispatched when their masters were no longer pleased with them. It was like tossing away an unwanted child. Sadly, when Kyle learned of the study, he too became inflamed by the issues. Feeling like a throw away himself, he easily related to the animals fighting to survive in alien worlds.
She leaned over the edge of the canoe just as one of her subject's heads crested the surface, noosing him gently before he knew what hit him. She lovingly caressed the animal to gain its cooperation, murmuring calmly to it as she gathered her data. This wasn't the first time he'd seen her interact with an animal so closely; but it never ceased to amaze him on how she did, indeed, have a special way with them.
Sara was finished and had released the animal back to its new home long before he'd roused from his reverie. She looked calmly at the sleeping giant at the other end of her boat and smiled a soft smile of affection; and that's what he saw when he woke up. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless, but they were in a less than stable craft amidst a deep part of the Everglades so he restrained his baser instincts.
They rounded another bend and were greeted by a mama alligator and her dozens of offspring. The lady swam right up to the prow of the boat and practically danced to get Sara's attention; but she was focused on the monitor that was chasing the baby gators. This time, instead of gently caressing the animal, she rudely slapped the water to frighten mom and babies into hiding; boy did it work! There were tails flying and legs flapping all over the place.
"Sara, why did you do that? You almost caused the gators to capsize our boat."
"I'm sorry about that Horatio, but I'm not about to allow an invader to devour an entire clutch of newly hatched native animals. By slapping the water as I did, I alerted mama that she needed to get her babies to safety pronto; which she certainly did. You're drenched."
"Yeah, I know, and so are you." He shifted over grasping her hand inviting her to sit closer to him. "That muslin turns transparent when it's wet, so I know you're not wearing anything underneath it. It's been ages since I've touched you and you're becoming more irresistible by the second."
"Hold on, stud. It's only been six hours, twenty-three minutes, and… sixteen seconds," she teased gently, "and besides, we're not exactly in a hotel room here. I've only got three more animals to survey and then we can call it a day."
Horatio obeyed her commands, but only grudgingly. Those sprays of water had turned her peasant blouse gossamer, exposing every inch of the bosom he'd been so ardently caressing only hours ago. Sometimes he wondered if Sara knew how tempting she was to a fella; resisting his baser urges was getting more difficult by the second, especially since he'd already tasted the delights that blouse did so little to disguise!
Horatio almost lost it when Sara leaned carefully over the edge of the canoe with her tag reader to gather the monitor's data; he watched as she gently caressed the lizard with her soft hand to encourage its continued cooperation with her study. He saw her breast drape gently over the monitor's head and wanted to touch it very badly, but didn't dare.
He knew how wonderful it felt and wanted now, at this moment, to swoop down and gather her in his arms for a long, soul-searing kiss; but he knew better than to interrupt this woman at her task because she'd taught him that lesson rather forcefully a couple of days ago...
She'd been wool gathering at the little desk in the living room of the research house when he'd popped in unannounced. He'd booked the best table at Huarache's and wanted to see her tucking into Javier's best chili. Quickly and quietly he'd approached the door and had almost made it inside when she'd burst through it chasing a rare Canothenes Moth that had chosen to metamorphose among the impressive stack of entomology books. He'd been standing way too close and she'd given him a black eye that was still a bit swollen and tender.
The gang at MDPD had made his life miserable this morning when they'd seen the shiner. Since it was now common knowledge the Lieutenant and his lady were living together and engaged to be married, they hadn't known much of the interactions between Sara and Horatio since Horatio tended to maintain some distance with his team after hours – something Sara hoped to change once things settled down after the Waterson trial. Boldly, Ryan asked with a wink,
"Who smacked you? Mohammed Ali?"
"No, Ryan," he'd responded warily, "I had an unexpected encounter with a large, cypress door, complete with large brass knocker last evening."
"Oh, so you aren't as lucky in love as you'd like us to believe."
"I won't honor that comment with a reply, Ryan, as it's none of your business. For all you know I stood too close to the Miami Dade Library's entry while the kids were streaming out of it after school yesterday."
"Um, H," Eric began uncomfortably, "are you sure that you and Sara didn't get a wee bit too frisky last night?"
"Eric, really now. Like I would release that sort of information," Horatio replied.
Eric and Ryan laughed softly knowing full well that the boss was engaged in a healthy happy sex life.
"The Waterson case starts next week, so she's under protective custody until then," Horatio added.
"So, what is the little lady doing these days, besides giving you a black eye?" Eric asked.
"She's going to start investigating how quickly the Nile Monitor population is displacing our native species; so she can help the Feds develop a comprehensive plan to eliminate the surplus lizards before they overwhelm our fragile ecosystem."
Rick walked in needing to discuss a budgetary issue with the Chief when he noticed Horatio.
"How'd you..." Rick began, only to stop mid-question because Horatio's face had gone from merely irate to positively thunderous. The last time he'd had any discussion with the man he'd received a well-deserved beating. And since his attempt to bring charges against Caine failed to stick, he was ordered to maintain his distance – and to get into rehab for his drug problem as a condition of staying on the job – something he had not done just yet. He wasn't about to tread there, because he'd been forbidden any further contact with Sara after his last attempt at wooing her from the Lieutenant's side and Horatio absolutely put his foot down on the matter - not that she'd have taken him up on his offer anyway. She was immediately taken with the redhead to bother flirting with a low life like Rick Stetler in the first place. So, to avoid further embarrassment, Stetler quietly removed himself bringing quite a laugh from Ryan and Eric.
"I always knew that woman had a strong effect on you!" Eric said. "I just had no idea it was that good!"
"Did you see Rick's face?" Ryan asked with a snicker.
"Let's just say Rick and I have come to a very good understanding," Horatio stated.
As Horatio recalled the previous day's events and interactions, he smiled. Yes, his Sara did indeed have quite an effect on him. He quickly realized there was no real harm in sharing a little, although he would forever maintain complete respect for his lady when discussing her or their interactions. Caine wasn't into locker room chat – not of that nature anyway. If he were twenty years younger, that might have been the case, but the youthful years of skirt chasing had taught him well. He was a far better man these days than he had been in the past; and currently, he felt he was at his best – all because of a certain little lady he was planning to marry – soon.
Sara was the star witness for the trial. She was escorted under police protection to the court where she gave her testimony nailing Waterson with both verbal and photographic proof. There was no way anyone could say there was any sort of doubt of his involvement in the drug running. The evidence was further verified with tissue samples from the dead dolphins as well as blood samples taken from the animals that were rescued. Sympathy ran deep for the animals tugging at the heartstrings of many who learned the truth.
However, in the audience were two men Horatio kept a bead on. One he immediately recognized as Hector Rivas. He would soon become acquainted with Salvador Guadalupe. The Mala Noche men eagerly devoured the lanky Lieutenant's petite filly - every curve, inch, and curl. Hector began to wonder what his boss was devising as a way to get back at the Lieutenant and the bitch who interrupted his business. The smile on the man's face was unnerving to Sara, and Horatio recognized that nervous look in her eyes despite her putting on a façade that she was not upset. When she finished her testimony and was on her way out, Salvadore stared Sara down blowing her a kiss as she passed by him. Upon reaching Horatio's position where he took command of her safety, she refused to say anything about the things Salvador did to try to scare her.
It didn't take much effort to determine that Sara and Horatio were an item – how convenient for Salvador. He'd use the bitch to draw out the heat and neutralize the problem with great ease. Rounding up his troops, he decided on a surprise attack when the lovers least expected it.
There would be an extra bonus involved. Information surfaced that the young Cuban detective who generally worked side by side with the Lieutenant was Eric Delko – the other man who assisted in the murder of Guadalupe's kin.
Horatio and Eric were on their way to a quick lunch break at Huarache's when they ran into Missie. Missie, a thirty-something professional web designer, was in town on business in Miami. She was pregnant with her husband's second child and hadn't seen her cousin in several months. At the same time, Sara quickly met with Horatio before she headed to SeaQuarium to visit with her cetacean friends along with her armed guard. Missie demanded she and Eric get together later that week before she headed home to Sarasota. Sara kissed her fiancé goodbye and the two ladies walked outside while the men went in for lunch. Horatio had hoped Sara would join him but she hadn't been able to see the dolphins in several days and wanted to check up on them – and there was no stopping her when she had her mind made up. Horatio had kept her under tight wrap that she was itching for some swim time with the whales.
The two ladies and Sara's assigned guard walked down the street – Sara helped Missie carry a couple of shopping bags of gifts she had picked up to take home to her family. As they walked and became better acquainted, Sara asked Missie what it was like being married expressing her concern over being able to wrestle her professional life with a married life. Missie was quick to inform Sara that all would work out well. It took some juggling, but it could be done. The best thing was having a man like Horatio who was so supportive and understanding – that was the first hurdle to get over and Sara had no problem with that.
"So, are you and the Lieutenant going to plan a family as well?" Missie asked.
Shyly, Sara looked upon Missie's round belly wondering what it would be like to carry Horatio's child.
"I'd love to, but I know I'm beyond those years."
"Ah, don't believe that. How old are you? You can't be more than thirty-five."
Sara giggled. "Believe it or not, I'm forty-one."
"No way! I don't believe that."
A long moment of silence passed as Sara's face changed. Missie realized that Sara really hoped she'd be blessed with just one child. Being a responsible woman not only to herself but the Earth she loved so much, she would be happy to accept Kyle to be as much her child as he was Horatio's. Yet, part of her yearned for even just one child she could produce for her man.
After placing the bags in the trunk of Missie's car, Missie hugged Sara recognizing the sadness in the marine biologist's heart. She let her lay her hand on her belly feeling the baby kicking.
"How much longer do you have?" Sara asked.
"Hopefully two weeks."
"Oh, and you are traveling? You don't worry about something happening?"
"No. I traveled right up until I was ready to give birth with the first one. Besides, it's not like there isn't a hospital close by and I do carry a cell phone in case I run into a problem. I gave birth at home to my son, so I'm ready for anything."
Just when Sara was going to ask another question, she caught sight of a familiar face – one that she had hoped would leave her alone. But, with a gang of Mala Noches on their heels, the one guard assigned to protect Sara certainly wasn't enough to handle the situation and the kidnapping happened so fast that he didn't have time to put a call in for help before he was pistol-whipped unconscious.
A note was delivered to Horatio saying "Come outside or the bitch dies." There was a necklace attached to the card – a necklace that Sara had been wearing. Instantly, his face paled and Eric realized it had to mean trouble. Pulling his service pistol, Horatio slowly scanned the restaurant.
The loud rat-a-tat-tat of ricocheting machine gun fire split the afternoon, as Horatio and Eric ran out of the restaurant with guns drawn. Diving for cover, Horatio's gut instinct informed him this was a Mala Noche assault. Knowing they were the intended targets of the attack, the men quickly assessed their enemies' positions in the streets between Boa Constrictor Place and Henchman Avenue. They gasped at the sheer number of men assigned to kill them, for it did not bode well for the rest of the team.
"You might as well surrender, Caine," an evil voice demanded from the shadows, "we'll keep shooting up this neighborhood until you give up. My boys could use a little target practice, so take your time."
"As if I'd let that happen, Salvador," Horatio replied, a decided chill creeping into his voice. "You're attacking my neighborhood, my friends, and now my family members as well. We ALL know what happened to Antonio Riaz and Clavo Cruz when they dared to do the same."
The voice laughed out loud. "So, you know who I really am?"
"Yes, I do," Horatio quickly replied. "You are Riaz's cousin. I strongly suggest you find a different line of work – preferably an honest one."
"I intend on doing just that – after I dispatch you and the bitch who had to nose into my business."
Horatio and Eric looked at each other knowing what he meant.
"We've got you cornered, Caine. And I know Mr. Delco is with you. All of you will pay for what you did to my cousin, Antonio."
Horatio laughed. "Is that what this is really all about? Revenge for Riaz?"
"Not just revenge, Dog. Revenge for getting in the way. My cousin was sloppy. I'm not. By the way, I have another little surprise, Caine. We got a little chica here with something to tell you, Mr. Daddy to Be."
Horatio paled dramatically at this announcement. Did Sara have news she hadn't shared with him yet?
"Sara, honey, are you all right?" He asked nervously.
"I'm fine, Horatio, just a little dinged up. And, unlike your assailant would have you believe, I'm not expecting."
A sharp gasp in the darkness told Horatio all he needed to know. His spitfire was giving the enemy hell and wouldn't go down unless she took several of them with her.
"Damn it, woman, quit your squirming!" A youthful voice shouted in frustration. "I've got you pinned pretty good now, so you'll only hurt yourself trying to escape."
"Don't bet on that, bub!" Sara screeched right into his already aching ear. "I'm not going to let you abuse me any further this evening, if I can possibly help it. There, that should do nicely," she whispered on an evil chuckle as she bit him in the family jewels for good measure.
"Ai carumba, girlie, that's gonna cost you big time!" Hector yelled in agony as his quarry again got to her feet, this time scampering into a tight corner that he couldn't squeeze himself into, no matter how hard he tried. Horatio almost laughed aloud in relief at her movements, as they distracted the attackers just long enough for he and Eric to change to more advantageous positions without exciting the gang's notice.
"BANG, BANG, BANG!!" Horatio's newest mistress, a Beretta 9 mil automatic fired staccato shots into several gang members before they knew what hit them. Man he loved this beauty! And she was lethal, too. Quietly, he checked his raging testosterone so he wouldn't go overboard.
He was pleased and proud when Eric popped off three more Mala Noches before they could rearm and reload. Sara had given them just the opportunity they'd needed to storm the enemy's position and take out their best marksmen.
"H," Eric whispered hoarsely, "he's got Missie in there. I saw a flash of auburn curls as they hustled her out of sight. He doesn't realize she's my cousin. I bet they meant for her to speak, and not Sara. Damn, but we're in a mess this time."
"Just calm down and focus on getting them out of here," Horatio muttered in monotone. "I want to save them as badly as you do, but they might become collateral damage if we don't focus our entire attention on the enemy gunmen fleeing down Ninth Street West."
"Officers under heavy fire; send backup immediately," he rasped into his cell. "Send four units to the corner of Flagler and Elm, as that's our attackers' chosen escape route. It's a Mala Noche assassination attempt and they've got hostages; so go as easy as you can."
Sighing heavily in tense relief, the men sagged to the ground behind Horatio's shot up Hummer. He was just about to check out the crevice where Sara had managed to secrete herself, when the lady gently laid a hand on his arm; startling him badly in the process. She had Missie in tow, much to Eric's profound relief.
Her heavily rounded abdomen tensed briefly and then relaxed, with the baby's movements. She moaned in pain and Eric gently lifted her into the passenger seat to rest. Sara, amazed at his gentleness, sighed deeply in longing. How she wished that she and Horatio could settle down with a family of their own; but such was not to be...
With the Calvary on the way, Horatio and Eric continued to keep the gang busy.
"Your bitch is crafty – but I assure you, Caine, none of you are getting out of here alive," Salvador stated proudly.
"That's what you think," Frank said as he and a SWAT team came up from behind trapping the remaining Mala Noches.
Collecting all members of the gang together, it wasn't long before all were cuffed and loaded into a paddy wagon to be taken to jail. Horatio checked his Sara over as Eric made sure Missie was ok. A medic was called to assist with Missie due to her delicate condition. Eric insisted she go to the hospital and make sure she and the baby were ok. In the meantime, Salvador managed to slip away from Frank's grip. Horatio was quick to intercept. In the middle of the street, the redheaded cop faced the self-proclaimed leader of the Mala Noche.
Sara panicked seeing a fire in Horatio's eyes that she had never seen before. He had tasted blood before and Eric knew this was going to be settled mano a mano. She wanted to run to Horatio to stop him from engaging in a fist fight with the younger man.
"Let him go, Sara," Frank said. "He's got to settle this up his way."
As Guadalupe sized up Caine, he smiled. Horatio removed his blazer and tossed it aside feeling his adrenaline racing through his veins. Sara knew by his stance that her man meant business.
"So, you think you are leaving here to go back to your little bitch, huh?" he asked with a laugh. "Bet she's a great lay with all that spirit she has."
With little enthusiasm for the conversation, Horatio went into protective mode of his Sara.
"I think you need to surrender before you get hurt," Horatio said as he prowled around the younger man.
"I'm not surrendering, Dog. You and I are so much alike. We are warriors, and warriors fight until death."
"Then, say your final prayers," Horatio stated in a low voice.
Horatio and Salvador circled each other until Guadalupe leaped forward charging at Horatio with a loud yell. The two men fought in hand to hand combat. Sara buried her face into Eric's chest not wanting to watch. Despite the age difference, Horatio showed just how fit and strong he was even though Salvador got in a few lucky shots. The fight was over as quickly as it started when Horatio landed an upper cut putting Guadalupe down unconscious. Horatio sank to his knees exhausted and battered but feeling like a champion. Sara ran to him quickly assessing his condition. She didn't need to be a medic to realize the man had taken a few body shots that bruised his ribs and the laceration over his eye would need stitches. Sara put her arms around him helping him to his feet as the medic demanded he be taken to the hospital.
"Well, at least you will have a good reason for having a black eye this time," Eric joked.
With a soft smile, Horatio was set into the passenger side of his Hummer with Sara taking the wheel this time.