Chapter 14

The next days were torture. Again and again he tried to induce her to talk to him, but he failed. But he had no presentiment, about what was in store for him.

That this Monday morning would be fatefully for Horatio in many ways, nobody could imagine, especially not himself.

Horatio wasn't in a good mood. The matter with Calleigh was still in his head and the present case worried him too. He passed an office and heard his name.

"Horatio?"

He stopped and turned around to the office from where the voice came. It was Stetler. Horatio rolled his eyes. "Just what I needed right now." "Yes? What can I do for you Rick?"

"Have a few minutes?"

"Not really" he said, looking at his watch "Especially not for you."

"It's about Hagen."

"Well that's something else." He stepped into the office, closed the door and sat down.

"So?"

"It will please you to hear, that we won't initiate legal proceedings against you."

"Well, I didn't expect anything else."

"Ehm, yes. However, the statements of your colleagues and your girlfriend ratify yours."

"Your girlfriend." This was a stitch in his heart. "Good to hear that." He was about to stand up.

"I heard it doesn't tick well between you and Cal."

"You can say so, but this is none of your business" he replied peeved.

Stetler lounged back remissly. "So it worked." "I'm so sorry, Horatio."

"Yes… of course you are, Rick."

"You know Horatio, you haven't got luck with women."

"You think so?"

"Well, you must have recognized that finally."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Hey take Yelina as an example. You loved her for so many years and though your brother is dead you never made a step."

"Don't talk about Raymond, I warn you. He has nothing to do with me and Yelina."

"Oh well and there was me and she said yes for a date" he said unimpressed. "And

you? You looked like a fool."

"Stetler, if you won't shut your mouth, I'm not sure what will happen next." He stood up and wanted to leave.

Still unimpressed Stetler continued talking. "And now Calleigh."

Horatio stopped and turned around immediately.

"You better had told her."

"What do I…." He saw daylight. "You! You told her this crap" he screamed. He gripped his collar.

"I didn't tell her anything. She saw you two standing in the corridor. I just told her the facts, that normally you should have to tell her and now damn it let me go."

Thousands ideas rushed into Horatios' mind. "That's the reason why she broke off. That's why she believes I love Yelina." Unwilling he let Stetler go. He turned around to leave the office.

Stetler adjusted his tie "You wouldn't have dared that. You're a coward just like your brother. And you didn't deserve either Yelina nor Calleigh."

Horatio turned around and beat him his fist right into his face. Stetler fell down. Horatio bent over him.

"Don't ever venture to offend my brother once again. And if you ever say Calleighs' name again, you'll lie down once again. I swear." He stood up and left the office. Stetler lay down perplexed with a bleeding nose.

After Horatio had left the office, he didn't know what has happened exactly. But his hurting hand reminded him. At all events he knew what was wrong with Calleigh. He was acetified. Acetified about Stetler, about himself, but also about Calleigh. How could she believe that he betrayed her? He was disappointed with her, however he hadn't exactly covered himself with glory. If he would have told her the story, nothing would have happened. He had to talk to somebody. He knocked on a door.

"Come in." Somebody said from inside.

He opened the door. "Do you have a minute?"

"Time? For my favourite brother-in-law? Always."

He stepped into the office and closed the door behind him. He was a picture of misery. He sat down.

"What's going on Horatio, you look miserable?"

"Well, that's how I feel."

"Why?"

"Calleigh, she broke up."

"What? Why? Need something to drink?"

"Yes." He got the glass, which she handed him. That was a bad idea, because his hand started to hurt again. He winced.

"Horatio, what has happened to your hand? It doesn't look good. I get some ice, wait here." She vanished before he could reply something.

"So, what has happened?" she asked him when she returned. She gave him an ice bag, which he took thankfully.

"I had a conversation with Rick and suddenly he accidentally ran against my fist" he said distressed.

"What? You hit him? Are you crazy?" Yelina was frantic. "Why?"

"He is the reason why Calleigh broke up and on the other hand.." he took a deep breath "to be honest, it's my fault too."

"Don't get that. Explain."

He told her the whole story. About the evening, when she broke up, the failed test to talk to her and the informative conversation with Stetler. When he finished, Yelina was perplexed.

"Oh shit" was all she could say.

"Yes, you can call it like that."

"And what do you want to do now?"

"No idea!"

"And what about Rick? He will suspend you, if you have bad luck."

"I know that."

"You're lucky, that it will take some time before he can suspend you. At first they have to do interrogations."

"Yep."

"Do you know if there is a witness?"

"Hm, the door was closed, but maybe…. I have no idea Yelina. To be honest that was not a fact I paid attention to."

Her cell phone rang.

"Salas?"

"I'll go to my office. Thanks for listening." He left her office.

tbc

A/N Poor, poor Stetler…. You liked it?