Chapter 37
Early Thursday morning, Aileen woke up to find Horatio leaning up on his left elbow looking at her his eyes breaking into a soft smile, the minute she opened her eyes. "Good morning Sweetheart," he said as using his right hand he gently brushed some strands of hair away from her face.
"How long have you been awake Horatio?"
"About ten minutes. I was just enjoying looking at you as I thought about last night." Then he kissed her tenderly on her lips as his right hand slowly wandered over her body, making her shiver in anticipation. Then he added, "I could make love to you again right now." Moving away suddenly however, and getting out of bed he chuckled and said, "But I'm afraid we just don't have time."
As he stood there giving her a boyish grin Aileen threw a pillow at him, then smiling she said, "You are a big tease Horatio...you know what your hands do to me. You're not playing fair."
Laughing he leaned over the bed planted a kiss on her lips and said, "Thank you for last night you were incredible as always."
At this point Hannah who had not been disturbed by their love making during the night let them know she was now awake and sitting up in the cot that Maeve had provided for her use she looked at Horatio as he walked towards the cot and stretched her arms up, saying "Daddy."
He lifted her up, kissed her on the cheek and said, "Come on Hannah let's go and wake Madison and Tommy up now, we all have to get ready early to go and see your Grandfather this morning."
They were all ready when the cab arrived dead on 11:00am, Michael and Maeve having joined them a few minutes earlier. As they had no choice but to take the children with them, Horatio and Aileen were pleased the signing of Daniels Will was to take place at his apartment rather than some office. Daniel was happy to see them when they all arrived shortly before 12 noon and Horatio and Aileen immediately thanked him for the champagne and told him they had enjoyed their evening. Madison and Tommy knew they had to be quiet when the solicitor arrived so they sat down in armchairs in the far corner of the lounge, while Michael introduced Maeve to Daniel. He had personally already met Daniel at John's office.
When the solicitor arrived a few minutes later, he instantly recognised Michael and looking at Daniel said, "Well you can't beat having Mr Hayes signature as a witness." Then he shook hands with everyone, and then explained the formalities of signing the will. Horatio and Aileen had to sit and independently read the Will so they knew and understood their precise duties as executors before adding their signatures to the document. Aileen sat down and read it first then as she finished, Horatio, who had been holding on to Hannah passed her to Maeve, sat down and putting his glasses on carefully read the document. Then when Aileen and Horatio declared they understood what was required of them, they signed the document with Maeve and Michael watching, and then they signed the document themselves, declaring the signatures they had just witnessed were the true signatures of the executors. Then the solicitor departed, the whole exercise having been completed within just one hour.
After coffees and cold drinks for the young ones, they all left one hour later now 2:00pm, with many thanks from Daniel ringing in their ears. That is apart from Aileen. As this was the last occasion for her to have some time alone with her father she stayed for the rest of the afternoon Daniel sending her home at 5.00pm.
In the meantime when Horatio and the others arrived back at his apartment, and by prior arrangement, John and Sharon joined them soon after, coming in their own car, and the friends spent a relaxing afternoon together, which was then changed when Madison suddenly but tentatively asked, "Uncle Horatio can I ask you a question?"
Horatio nodded his head.
"You have already done so much for me, and I know we don't have much time left now but I was wondering if there is any chance of me going to see Francesca Ellis before we go home."
Horatio looked at her surprised and sharply asked, "Why?"
"She was kind to me...and as I may never come to New York again I thought it would be nice to just say hello and thank her again while we are here."
But Horatio was not happy as he was thinking, "Yes - and so kind she didn't let you go, and yes he knew she had helped Colin and John at the end of the day, and Colin had been high in his praise for her, but she had still kept Madison under lock and key for several weeks, and she was running nothing more than a prostitution racket in the disguise of a legalised club. He was actually starting to feel angry, and in an effort to hide it he stood up and made his way to the kitchen, and poured himself a glass of ice cold bottled water. As he stood there he knew he was in the wrong right now. Madison had startled him and he was wondering why on earth the girl would want to go back to the place where she had been locked up and though she hadn't been hurt, she had been in imminent danger, and he could not let that go lightly.
Meanwhile, Madison was worried, and feeling unsure of herself now and looking at Sharon anxiously she said, "I've made him angry haven't I, and I don't know why, Francesca was truly kind to me."
John was puzzled as well and whispered to Sharon, "She really was okay, what's got into Horatio?"
"Put yourself in his shoes John; they were worried sick in Miami, and he won't want Madison going back there for a single moment...no danger now of course, but it is a club not fit for Madison to step inside, even if he were to get there this afternoon before the club opens."
"It's called tough love John. I think he will say no, and it is too late to get there this afternoon now anyway. And to be honest with you I would agree with him."
Maeve and Michael were just on lookers at this point.
Returning a few minutes later now calm Horatio said, "Sorry Madison the answer is no, we really don't have the time, and you certainly wouldn't be allowed in to see her tonight anyway, and even if you were, while in my care, you won't put a foot in that club ever again...sorry but that is how it has to be."
Seeing Madison looking upset, he continued, "However, Francesca is the one person I haven't thanked personally, so how about I go to the club myself tonight, if John could possibly manage to come with me and providing Aileen has no plans for us for the rest of the evening, and I'll tell her you were here and have been thinking of her. Would that help to settle your mind Madison?"
"Yes please. I'm sorry I made you angry Uncle Horatio."
"You didn't, I was just concerned for a moment." Horatio replied with a soft smile for her on his face.
John piped up then and said, "Sure I can come with you Horatio, probably best if I do anyway as she will know me, and that will make it easier for you. You will need to wear a suit, it is an upmarket club." Horatio nodded his head in response.
"Horatio if you don't mind us hanging around a bit longer you can come with me directly from here, and I'll take Sharon home first, and quickly change into a suit, and then we can go on to the club from my place, and I'll bring you back."
"Well that is good of you John, but I can get a cab back."
"It's no problem to bring you back my friend. No problem at all." What Horatio did not know was that after dropping Horatio off, John had elsewhere to be later that night, and having his car out was necessary.
At this point Maeve and Michel left, and ten minutes later, now 5:30 pm Aileen arrived home, looking happy, and when Horatio told her what he wanted to do she was happy enough and said, "Go ahead, I can start some early packing tonight as we will be busy tomorrow." Then out of hearing of the others she teasingly whispered in his ear, "Just don't get tempted Horatio."
Teasing her in return he whispered up close to her ear, "Now why would I get tempted, when I have a very hot sexy wife to give me just what I want, when I want, and just as she did last night?" Then he chuckled and walked away to get ready for going out later on.
Three hours later, John found a convenient parking space in a street opposite Francesca's club, and after walking up the fifteen steps to the entrance at 8:15 pm; and as John had warned Horatio, they were duly frisked by the security guards. Being cleared they were allowed to enter and as there was no male usher around they made their own way to the lounge area.
Horatio out of habit more than anything stood at the entrance to the lounge with his right hand on his hip stance and gave a cursory look around; and thinking it was certainly a smart set up, and already, though pretty early in the evening he observed a fair number of clients sitting around. He didn't instantly know whether Francesca was there as he had no idea what she looked like and there were a few scantily dressed girls wandering about amongst the clients. John saw her immediately though, she was sitting at the bar talking to the barman. Francesca had a sudden feeling that someone was looking at her and turning she smiled when she recognised John, and immediately walked across to him noticing the presence of the striking man with him. But talking to John she said, "Mr Kelly, how nice to see you again, but I'm sure you're not here for any of my girls, so I hope your visit does not mean trouble of any kind for me this time?"
"Not this time Francesca, my friend here wants to..."
But before John could finish; Francesca taking another look at Horatio gasped..."Are you Madison's uncle...Horatio Caine?"
"Yes ma'am."
"OMG...she looks so like you."
Horatio rolled his eyes at John, but he managed a grin, as he wondered how many more times he was going to hear this comment.
Then Francesca said, "Please come with me gentleman...following her she showed them to a table in strangely the same corner John and Colin had sat on their first visit to the club. Then she asked, "What would you like to drink - on the house?" They both asked for Club Sodas, John because he was driving and Horatio by normal choice when not really wanting to drink anything stronger. He had drunk more than usual the previous evening and was not really in the mood.
Francesca went to the bar and gave instructions for the drinks to be delivered to their table and she joined them a few seconds later; sat down and asked, "So why are you both here? I hope young Madison is well?"
Looking at her thoughtfully Horatio had to admit she was a striking woman, and though he hated these clubs he could see why she made the perfect hostess. Then he answered, "Madison is extremely well. I'm here with my family until Saturday, and Madison joined us for this trip. She wanted to come and see you, but only asked this afternoon and therefore too late to try and make arrangements to meet up with you somewhere other than at this club, and no offence to you personally Ms Ellis I was never going to let her set a foot inside this club day time or not."
"None taken Mr Caine, I understand your reasons, I didn't want her here either."
Then Horatio continued, "I came because she wanted to thank you and to let you know she thinks of you a lot, and sends her love. I also personally wish to thank you for all the help you gave Colin Johnson and John Kelly here in assisting them in their plans to rescue her. For that I will be forever grateful."
"She is a sweet kid Mr Caine...I am very fond of her, and I know you must be thinking why the fuck I didn't help her escape...well the simple answer is Vadim knew how to beat the hell out of you. She tried twice and she was so upset when he hit me, she didn't want to try anymore."
"I'm sorry you got hurt Ms Ellis; Colin did pass all that information on to me. I know well what Vadim Zalesky was capable of, and he is now where he belongs. But I do admit to having wondered why in all those weeks some one could not have helped her get away. The only good thing to come out of that whole episode is that she wasn't physically hurt and it is a damned good job she wasn't, but with his rages I have wondered why she wasn't. Madison told me he never laid a finger on her."
"No he didn't, and it was strange to me as well, because she clearly showed she didn't like him but he seemed to have a genuine soft spot for her, and I mean genuine. Who knows what was going on in his mind about her? The one thing I can tell you is he never looked at her in a lecherous way in case you are worried about that."
"That's as maybe Ms Ellis, but he did offer her, a child to Colin Johnson for him to have sex with her."
John interrupted, "Horatio, in fairness to Francesca she was never going to let that happen, and in stopping him he hurt her, we saw it. And then he suddenly backed down on the offer."
"I'm sorry Ms Ellis, Colin did tell me you had intervened...just being here is raising some ugly thoughts in my mind."
"Not to worry, I understand, but Mr Caine can you please stop being so proper? Everyone calls me Francesca."
"Okay, then you must call me Horatio," said Horatio finally giving this woman one of his warm sweet friendly smiles, which she thought was incredible and also thought that any woman at the end of that smile would go weak at the knees.
"Madison spoke about you a lot Horatio, and I don't know how but just a few days before Colin and John came here she swore you would find her, she was absolutely convinced...do you have telepathic powers?"
Horatio chuckled, and answered, "Not to my knowledge, but if any one could have willed her to be safe it was me, every minute of every day I was praying for her safety."
Francesca watching his expressive face thought to herself..."Yes you do, Madison heard your prayers."
Then looking at John she asked, "How are you John? You were such a liar the first time you visited."
John instantly knowing what she meant grinned all over his face, and Horatio looked perplexed.
"Did you know Horatio that on his first visit here your friend here was gay...for a few hours anyway?"
Horatio burst out laughing, a few clients looking around at him as he did so.
John chuckled, "Well I had to say something to get that girl off my lap and it worked. Colin at least held on to his laughter until we were outside Horatio. Mind you he did splutter over his drink."
Horatio didn't respond, as he couldn't stop chuckling.
John watching his friend, smiled, it was good to see Horatio laughing, and muttered, "Well that gave you a laugh at my expense, didn't it my friend?"
Horatio now back in control replied, "Yes John, I needed that. Haven't laughed like that for a while."
Then a look of distaste passed across Horatio's face as he saw a couple of the clients walking off with girls through a door to the left of the bar, and shook his head from side to side in disgust. Francesca noticed, and she knew he couldn't wait to get away from her club. Although he had lightened up a bit since arriving he clearly felt uncomfortable here.
Ten minutes later, exotic music started playing and the lap dancers appeared, and now 9:30pm Horatio and John who had previously agreed they would not stay any later than that stood up ready to leave.
But Francesca had enjoyed their company and asked, "Won't you both stay for a while?"
Then she realised that was a stupid question, these were decent men and didn't haunt clubs for thrills. They were both so handsome, that they could pick up a woman anywhere if they were so inclined and she guessed these two weren't. They were faithful to their wives.
Being polite Horatio said, "Sorry we really do have to go now, but thank you once again for your assistance Francesca. I also apologise for being a bit insensitive with you but being totally honest, I see too many clubs like this in Miami, where trouble erupts and we have to pick up the pieces or try to anyway."
Then Horatio shook hands with her; walked out of the lounge and started to walk down the steps, John lagging behind a bit as he stopped to whisper."It's the job Francesca; he sees all the shit out there day after day."
"It's alright John, I understand. He sure cares about Madison; she is a very lucky girl to have him as an uncle." John nodded his head in response and then dashed after Horatio.
John dropped Horatio off at 10:00 pm and declined his offer to go in for a coffee; he had to get to JFK by 10:45 pm.
Madison was still up when Horatio arrived home and the minute he stepped inside the hallway Aileen told him quietly that Madison had had a little cry while he had been out, still upset thinking that she had made him angry, despite him having told her he wasn't. He sighed, he had not wanted to upset her, but what he said about not allowing her to go to the club he had meant. She was in the lounge watching television and she looked at him apprehensively when he sat down next to her.
"What are the tears for Sweetheart?" he asked seeing moisture flooding her eyes.
"I'm sorry; I have spoilt things haven't I?"
"No Madison - if you remember I told you not so long ago us adults don't always get it right. I didn't today, so come on smile for me...I'm not cross."
Madison wiped her eyes with her fingers and gave him a watery smile, and asked, "Did you see Francesca?"
"Yes, I met her, and she immediately asked how you were and sends her love to you, she is clearly very fond of you Madison."
"But did you like her?"
"As a matter of fact I did. It wasn't Francesca I was worried about personally, as I know she was kind and helped you, but you are grown up enough for me to tell you that what I am unhappy about is what she does for a living. That is of course her business, but those clubs are not nice places and you know what I mean Madison, and especially for young girls."
Madison flung her arms around his neck, "I understand, and thank you for going Uncle Horatio."
"Okay," Horatio said as kissed her on the cheek and added, "Right, now run along to bed, we will be busy tomorrow. We just run out of time to get to arrange for you to meet Francesca somewhere else. Perhaps you can another time?"
Madison dashed off then calling out good night, "Aunty Aileen" as she passed the kitchen on the way to her bedroom.
A few minutes later, Aileen joined him with their nightcaps, and sitting down said, "John didn't want to come in for a drink then?"
"No, I did offer, but he seemed in a hurry to get away."
"So what was it like at the club?"
"The club was clearly upmarket and sparkling clean, and Francesca Ellis was in fact as nice as Madison reckons she is. But I hate those clubs Aileen, and looking at the men sitting waiting for the lap dancers and with lewd looks on their faces as the scantily dressed girls wandered around made me feel sick. Some are not married of course, but a lot of them frequenting such clubs are men cheating on their wives. And how the girls let themselves be mauled and poked by any Tom, Dick or Harry is beyond my understanding. Some poor unfortunate girls get forced into prostitution against their will by sex traffickers, and in Miami we do our best to crack down on such institutions, but in clubs like I saw tonight the women are there because they want to be."
Pulling Aileen into his arms he said, "Sorry for that outburst Sweetheart one of my pet hates."
Then he chuckled and said, "Just like I am where I want to be," and gave her a long hard kiss on the mouth. Then they called it a night.
Elsewhere, John had just reached JFK airport and made his way to the arrivals gate.
TBC