Chapter 12: Funeral Day

Monday 7th July

13:45

Horatio, Calleigh and Wolf all stood there. Their faces were sad looking, as though they had been beaten. But to Horatio, he did. As they stood in the court yard, watching the great black mass of people crowed round a priest, they felt cold and a dreaded silence over came them. Wolf was staring at his feet, daring himself not to look up. Calleigh was just gazing into a spot, her eyes out of focus. Horatio, unlike the two team members beside him, was looking straight at the peoples faces. Obviously these were people he had never seen before. But they were al there for her. Standing around her. The priest shut his Bible, muttered something and clasped his hands, bowing his head in prayer. Everyone followed his lead. They were like that for a matter of minutes and they all dispersed. As they passed, Horatio could hear them murmuring something about a meeting at the restaurant, but most of them shook their heads, muttered goodbyes and walked away to their cars.

When they had all driven off, Horatio, Calleigh and Wolf went up to the place where the people had once stood, to meet with one final person. The figure glanced over at them, then back to the sight that lay before their eyes. Two graves, fresh soil passed on top, each with a single star lily laying in the middle, their petals pure white. Horatio went onto his knee, so that he was head height with the figure, who turned and rushed into his arms, sobbing. Horatio drew her in, putting her head on his shoulder and letting her weep for a while.

"It'll be ok, Chloe. We'll get them back for this." Horatio murmured, holding Chloe close to him. The clouds were black and started spitting rain down onto them.

Wednesday 9th July

23:37

Calleigh stood at the door to Horatio's house, wearing a pink t-shirt and black trousers. A blue jacket was around her shoulders. It had been a late call in, but she had intended to come sooner. But the case they had been handling had kept her back at the lab for 3 extra hours, so she had been slightly late. But she knew Horatio wouldn't mind, he never did.

The door opened and Horatio stood there.

"Hey Calleigh, Delko called forward to say you had been kept back." He said, letting her come in.

"Yeah, sorry Horatio. We thought we had a breakthrough, but Delko probably told you it was a total windup. How is she?" Calleigh asked, putting her jacket over on a chair.

"As well as any child who has just lost her parents." Horatio murmured.

"What, crying?"

"No. She just doesn't seem to be able to talk to anyone. She does talk to me sometimes. But, on one of these occasions today, she told me what we needed to know." Horatio said. Calleigh seemed to be shocked.

"So?"

"Carl Higgs. Lives near the coastline in a flat. Apparently, he keeps all of the weapons there. Everyone that he used to kill our victims with." Horatio said, placing his hands on his hips.

"But how does she know about…" Calleigh stopped in mid-sentence. "No, they didn't…"

"Yes, they did. All four of them." Horatio said. "They didn't use the warehouse that I was taken to that often, it was always there. But that is all she can remember. Then when she woke up, she had cuts, bruises and black eyes."

"We have to get him. We can't let him get away with this. Chloe doesn't have any parents now thanks to him!" Calleigh said exasperated.

"But if he knows that we have taken Joe, Mark and Dina (the nurse), he is bound to move off." Horatio said. "But we have an unmarked car near his place, so we'll be able to track him." Calleigh sighed, putting a hand to head.

"Horatio, this is all mixed up. This had got to be the most horrific case we've done and been in." She groaned. "But I can't think of what Chloe's going through at the moment."

"Nobody can." Horatio muttered.

"Where is she?"

"In the living room, sleeping for the first time in two days." Horatio replied, indicating towards the door behind him.

"So, have you got a letter back yet?" Calleigh asked suddenly.

"Yes, got it yesterday morning."

"What did they say?"

"Yes." Horatio actually smiled. "She can stay with me." Calleigh's face looked relived, an expression she hadn't used in a long time.

"Does she know?" She asked again.

"Yes. That is how I got her to sleep." Horatio whispered. Calleigh grinned.

"That is great, Horatio." She said, smiling. Horatio caught her gaze and it held there for quite some time. They both smiled and kissed. It was from there on they seemed more relaxed, as though they had done this before so many times. It was finally over; the secret they had been keeping from one another had been let out.

Friday 11th July

12:21

Chloe was sitting cross legged on the chair, her face hidden by a book. She sighed heavily. She was still finding it hard to think that her parents had really gone, never to come back. It made her sad, but she had cried enough already, so she basically kept it bottled up. But now that she knew she was going to live with Horatio, she felt better. But that still didn't keep the fact away that he was still out there, still wanting to know the information she knew. But, she hadn't even told Horatio that, so she was going to keep that to the back of her mind. But a sudden flashback reminded her of her mothers warning.

Only at the right time

"But when is the right time?" Chloe muttered. She lowered her book, revealing her to be wearing purple glasses. A sudden thought came to her. That letter that had been in her bag before… Chloe looked over at the sports bag, at the very pocket where the envelope lay. She put down the book and glasses and pulled the bag over to her. She reached for the pocket and unzipped it, revealing the white envelope, untouched and waiting to be opened. She reached towards it, but suddenly froze. Did she really want to open it? Unsure, Chloe frowned slightly, and checked the front of it. It was addressed to her name, but not to her old home's address. Chloe shook her head and placed it on the chair she had been sitting on. She brushed away the negative thoughts in her head, leaving it at the back of her mind.

Suddenly there was a knock on the open door. Chloe turned to see Horatio smiling at her.

"Got a surprise for you downstairs." He said. Chloe felt a jolt of excitement and got to her feet. One leg was still unstable, but she straightened herself and walked down with Horatio. He stood beside the front door.

"Ready?" Chloe nodded. Horatio opened the front door.

I have to admit, that is one heck of a meanie cliffie. If you want to hazard a guess, feel free in a review (hint). You've gotta admitt to, I was quite nice not to kill off Chloe... But, what do you think of a sequeal? Hmm? Well, I might do it. Might not. Depends. Well, please review and tell me what you think so far? But please, no swearing...