3 Weeks Later
Calleigh walked into the Chief's office confident as ever. People have been getting career boosting assignments while the lab is being brought up to code. She hopes she gets something exciting and in the lab. She could spend hours with her firearms. Something even boring like patrol would save her from the fallout of the Taunter case. Between the established news channels, magazine, bloggers and internet sleuths and conspiracy theorists(who were right)… she was exhausted mentally. The physical toll of having to run around Horatio's wild leads and picking up his paperwork.
Maybe her assignment could be somewhere far from here, like North Carolina.
Knocking on the open door before entering, she eyes the proud man. His posture is straight but relaxed as his smile makes a rare appearance through his thick mustache. "You wanted to see me Chief?" he stands up and makes his way to her, brown eyes twinkling with joy.
"Yes, I am. I'm glad you were able to find some time to make your way down here. It's been very hectic making sure your lab is in good condition before you leave it temporarily. Are you nervous? Fidgety? I know how you are when it comes to work." he's being warm and bright, like usual, but she can see the storm behind his eyes.
"I'm actually excited to get away for a bit. I wasn't too sure about taking time off, but I'm certain now I do. I- I still want to hear any offers or cases though." Calleigh and Rayaz both eye each other curiously.
"I'm afraid I'm not going to offer you any. You're well due for vacation time. Your lab is all the way in the back, it's going to be a long three weeks, maybe a little more. You're well overdue for a vacation. And HR has been giving me hell lately." Calleigh chuckles alongside him.
"I do have to say Calleigh, you've been doing exemplary work. You are well overdue for not only a raise, but a promotion. Don't think we haven't noticed. You may capture Horatio's voice very well but I can tell who writes what reports." she turns to him shocked, words unable to leave her mouth. "Chief, it's just that…"
"That's nothing for you to worry about, I will keep quiet. The Lieutenant does good work on the field and as long as you guys keep up the good work, we'll keep this to ourselves" he offers her a wink and she blushes lightly.
"I- Thank you Chief. I will make sure to enjoy this as much as possible. Not many chances to take a vacation. Well, maybe just a staycation. Usually I'd visit my dad but…" she feels the sadness well up in her chest thinking of him. He never overcame the drinking in the end and despite it being years since he passed, she still never truly got over it. The Chief reaches a supporting hand out to her, squeezing her upper arm, a warm smile making its way out of his mustache once more.
"It's okay Calleigh, all I ask is that you sit back and relax for the next few weeks. We all need a break from time to time. Your lab will be here when you get back, guns unharmed." she smiles warmly back at him, grateful for the need to not have to explain further.
"Thank you" she leaves his office happily, a part of her was scared she'd get offered an assignment that her morals would force her to accept.
Calleigh's feet hit the pavement hard as she jogged along the path on a calm early morning Sunday. For the first time in a long time, she wouldn't have to care about getting up the next day. It had been three weeks since her talk with the Chief and the only thing to happen was reporters trying to get a response out of her. Besides dodging the reporters, she tried her best to dodge Esteban as well, and it's been going well so far. Choosing this moment to tie her shoelace, she sits comfortably on a bench, overlooking the harbor in all its beauty. It was early morning and the sky was a mix of pink, oranges and red, the blue starting to peek through as well. It was peaceful, she was very lucky to be able to live where she does. Despite the ferocity of crimes taking place, Bal Harbor always felt like a little getaway.
But her luck was bound to run out eventually.
"Hola stranger! It's been a while." she turns her head to watch Esteban make his way towards her. He sped up a bit when they made eye contact. She took this moment to appreciate the form of the man advancing towards her, suddenly missing the mornings she spent with Eric. He was wearing the infamous shoes that got him caught in the first place. His arms and legs free with the casual jogging set he adorned. Horatio's words of trying to get information out of him once again break through her thoughts and she readies herself.
"I could say the same thing for you, though I guess it's good that you haven't been seen around since I've been stuck at work." Calleigh quips at him. And she was mostly honest when she said it. She was delighted in not having to interact with the man. The self admitted serial killer from a powerful family was such a cliche. But here was one right in front of her.
"I guess work has been pretty boring without me there." he reaches her with a bright smile. He's in a good mood, I see. "Well even at the height of your… popularity, I was bit by a man who was convinced he was a vampire. I've had more than my fair share of excitement without you adding to it." The smile on his face turns from happy and bright to confused and amused.
"I read about that, you were the officer facing 'non life threatening' injuries? Something about an obsessed fan" he sits down next to her, being more than friendly but familiar even. He sat right next to her to the point where their thighs were mere centimeters apart. His right arm came behind her, to an outsider this would look like a couple enjoying a break from a walk. But this was much more than that.
"The case is technically still ongoing but yea, I was bit. I had to get a rabies shot and much more. The man had some issues though. I'm not the first person he's bitten apparently." she smiles up at him. This man is too close. He lets out a small laugh, his bright eyes scrunching up at the corners as they continue to hold eye contact.
"That's very disturbing but I'm not surprised. I get a lot of bite victims that come in too. I've never been bitten myself, fortunately. Your job has some interesting risks." his little cackle of a laugh is infectious enough and Calleigh finds herself chuckling alongside him. Something about this wasn't right.
"You'd be surprised at how dangerous anything can be in the hands of those willing to commit acts of violence. Vampire teeth though? That's a new one for me. Can't wait to see what other dangers are lurking around me." She gives him a pointed stare and he holds his hands up in resignation.
"Don't look at me like that! I've been cleared, by your own department nonetheless" it's Calleigh's turn to laugh out loud.
"You've all but admitted to Horatio. The evidence might be circumstantial and your case has been very messy, but something tells me you have *something* to do with all this. Your family has a lot of power and even the Chief and O'Shay have been very adamant on us treading lightly when it comes to interactions with you guys. Galliver taking credit and then immediately being murdered by your own driver? It's all conspiracy worthy." she smiles at him calmly despite knowing how direct her words were.
"Well, since we're being honest,I don't plan on any harm befalling you. I- I've never had to do this before. But I have a romantic interest in you and I plan on pursuing you." she scoots back from him, shocked by his brazen admittance. "Even if I say no?". He almost looks apologetic while he nods his head.
"You're not going to blackmail or extort me into a relationship are you? Something tells me this is the only way a Navarro operates." he looks down guiltily, scratching the back of his neck as he tries to find the words.
'Well when a Navrro sets their mind and has a clear goal. We make it happen. I have no intentions of any of that. But "no"… I'm not used to hearing that." he has absolutely zero shame admitting any of this and Calleigh's thrown off momentarily. Why is he being so honest?
"Esteban, as flattered as I am about your- interest in me. I will have to respectfully decline. After all, you are a self admitted serial killer. No matter what the evidence says." she shakes her head so hard her ponytail swung wildly. He continues to smile at her gently. Something behind his eyes told her he was being genuine but still…
"It's okay Leigh, I'll be on my best behavior and we'll take it from there. Would you like to jog? I see your laces are tied. I am very patient, I can wait for you to come to your senses." he takes off again in a fast walk, waiting for her to catch up. Noting the fact he was being honest and wanting to get information out of him, she plays along. "I would consider all this but I'm not too sure my father would approve" he turns to look at her and in that moment immediately crashes to the ground, an audible snap could be heard followed by his hiss of pain.
Taking a moment to enjoy the obvious pain, she catches up to him and tends to what appears to be a broken ankle. "You okay?" she asks, unable to keep the laugh back. He shoots daggers at her but is otherwise unharmed. "I'm fairly certain it's broken. Don't worry, it's painful but I'm pretty strong, thanks for your obvious worry" his tone drips with sarcasm. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his keys. "Can you get my car at the end of this path?" she takes a second to look at his foot again, unsure if it's a ruse or not. The joint was swollen and turning purple… He actually hurt himself
"Yea, I couldn't with good consciousness let you suffer like this. If only you'd spared your victims the same way" he looks to her sheepishly before a wave of pain causes him to groan.
Running down the path she is quick to find his Rolls parked by the path exit. Getting in she takes a second to appreciate the luxury vehicle, the interior was leather, the detailing incredibly precise. She surveys her surroundings before turning the key and heading back for the injured man. Taking her time to savor the pain he's in, she casually heads down the road while taking in the still pink and orange guess of the rising sun. Pulling up calmly, she spies him dragging himself up to the curb, his face dejected though deep in thought.
He looks up and smiles at her "I see you took your time" she laughs and goes to help him up. "I could have continued on with my jogging instead. And gotten an upgraded car." he laughs out loud until they both misstep and he puts pressure on his injured foot. "Sorry" she apologizes genuinely. "It's okay… I'm sure you are" he jokes before they continue on
Dumping him into the passenger side, she heads for the closest hospital.