Esteban laughed as the car drove off after the press conference. It seems embarrassing Caine is quite the pastime. "I'm glad to have gotten that out the way. You've had your fun I surmise mi hijo? Hopefully this bout of boredom taught you a lesson."
He could only chuckle at his father's words. Of course they were true. He only started the taunting because of boredom. All this pizzazz just fueled him. "I learned my lesson Papi, trust me. I will lay low. No more Tauntings. Besides, I have a new goal in mind." he watches as his father smiles while staring out the window. No doubt trying to find the correct wording. His father was always great at the diplomatic parts of the family business.
"She'll need to be trained and disciplined, you know. I spoke to Rayaz beforehand, he says that the lab is going under construction to fix the venting system they implemented two years ago. It'll take three weeks, but he said he could 'arrange' an excuse that'll give you ten weeks of uninterrupted time with her. We just need a cool down period and a go ahead from you."
Well that's AMAZING Looking at Papi once more, Esteban couldn't help but pick up on the way the older man seemed… happier. "You set that all up already? Here I was planning something. I was going to keep her at Key West and have you and Abuela also have some… influence on her. She'll be a tough one. Papi chuckles deeply.
"I've seen her record and the file from her kidnapping, she'll definitely be worth breaking. I highly suggest you take advantage of these 10 weeks. Keep her in your Funroom for a bit, so she knows how serious we all are. It'll be rougher for her to… rebel if she knows the consequences. And these are on your Abuela's orders." Papi looks annoyed, but what else can he expect when it comes to Abuela?
"Well the Queen has spoken" Esteban quips before they take off,
Back in the lab, Calleigh makes her way up to Horatio's office. HIs door is cracked open and she knocks lightly. "How ya holding up Horatio?" she asks softly. The man has been going through a lot lately. And with Kyle doing another tour, he was practically alone. She herself had put some distance between them as he's gone towards a road she couldn't follow him down. It brought back the memory of her (rightfully) defending him after Stetler wrongly accused him of abusing a suspect. And she couldn't help but wonder what happened to the righteous man who finally gave into the urges.
He looks up at her, grateful. "I'm doing just fine Sweetheart. The evidence points towards Esteban. Money and power will only get them so far. And while it pains me to say, he'll slip up eventually and then I'll get him." She takes the time to look across his desk. The files from every Taunter case. The Schauffer and Truijillio/Barnes cases as well.
Picking up some loose papers, she asks "You think Esteban is responsible for these? I know he has ties to both prostitutes but I did my own digging and fond that almost 60% of Liberty City sex worker murders do." his head snaps up at that.
"You've been looking into that? Send me what you've found. He might just be connected to them more intimately than that. I refuse to let him slip between my fingers again. He's dangerous. I- I have some strange questions. I don't want you to feel like I'm interrogating you" she tilts her head, curious. "Yeah?"
"I've had the pleasure of speaking to both Esteban and the Chief. Has Esteban been making any advances towards you? And has the Chief been approaching you about anything you deem as 'strange'?" They have been bringing your name up a lot as of late. And I'm worried. The Chief is way too close to this case and I don't like the thought of them trying to use you to get to me."
She stops and thinks. While the Chief hasn't always been this involved. There's nothing she could think of… "Esteban has been making some comments but they all do so I haven't been paying attention to any of that. But as for the Chief? O'Shay has been bothering me more than usual."
"Than usual?" his eyebrows were raised.
"Yup! Before, Stetler would come around and ask about how you… handled a case. I always told him what was reported because usually that's all I was privy to."
"And now?"
"And now? Well, O'Shay has been emailing and calling in before he made his grand return. For the last few months he's been coming in and asking questions about your actions taken in the field. Like Stetler, I also told him what was reported. They seem to be under the impression that you've been taking… liberties during some of your cases." She tried to word it as sensitively as possible. Horatio was prideful and any sense of an attack would be met with an aggressive response from him.
"It's neverending with these people. I'm not sure why with the recent attacks against me but I won't stand them coming for you. Please be careful Sweetheart.There's something brewing."
Calleigh takes in the way the stress seems to be wafting off him in droves. His brow was tight and eyes were tired. Speaking of eyes, his blue eyes were steeled with resolve and worry. Something happened that he won't say. No way he'd approach me this way if that wasn't the case. "Will do Horatio, I'll let you know if I sniff out anything funny. I- I wasn't entirely honest with you just a second ago. Esteban has been making more than just passes at me. I've jogged with him a few times. He seems to be under the impression that you've got a witch out on him. I told him he more than deserved it. He's even offered to get me dinner and jog more often together. To wh-"
"You impolitely declined, I assume?" his voice is tight yea, he definitely knows something I don't.
"Well, to keep the peace, I've been gentle. But yes. He's persistent if anything." she huffs
"Has he spoken to you about anything? Guys like this love to brag. He must've dropped a hint." Horatio barely waits for his reply.
"Well, the only thing he's mentioned as of late was the shiner he got. Said he took it like a man unlike the guy who threw the punch. Esteban is quite…quirky."
"If you don't mind and as long as you're comfortable, can you keep tabs on him? He's going to want to brag to you, it seems he's become quite… attached to you."
Calleigh smiles sweetly at Horatio. She gathers the files and puts them together, cleaning them up. "I will Horatio, as long as you promise not to kill yourself looking over all of this. Go home, get some sleep. I usually see Esteban on the weekends, so I'll call you and let you know if he drops any hints."