Horatio & Josie: Happy Christmas
Chapter 3
December 10
Calleigh looked down at the dead poultry laid out on the morgue table. "Let's see if I have this right," she drawled. "Four Calling Birds – we found them this morning in the golf pond. Three French Hens – those turned up last Thursday on the door step of the Bistro restaurant, Two Turtle Doves – those were left on the doorstep of St. Marks' and the Partridge was hanging upside down in the pear tree in the Botanical Gardens." She glanced at the man standing beside her. "I'm kind of worried what will happen if this crazy caroler is still out there and we're looking at eight maids a milking."
"We'll get him before that Cal." The good looking man beside her smiled. "Are you worried about the possibility of 8 cows in our morgue?" Erik saw the noncommittal shrug of her shoulders. "Horatio thinks we'll get a break when he attempts the next one." Calleigh swung around to face him, her blond ponytail slapping his arm in her haste.
"What do you mean Erik. The next one is …" her voice broke off as she quickly ticked off the song in her head, "five golden rings!" Her eyes widened. "Do you think it might be a robbery?"
Horatio picked up his sunglasses and absently twirled them in his fingers as he stared out the floor to ceiling windows that made up one wall of his office. Normally watching the busy city streets helped him channel his thoughts. This past week however, he had found his thoughts going back to Kieran and Liam's request for his help in granting a Christmas wish for their aunt.
"What kind of Christmas gift are you thinking of, son?" Kieran had stepped into the light from the lamp, Liam appearing at his side.
"Well, Aunt Jo really likes Christmas lights. And there is a really big light display in Duluth."
"That's a city by Lake Superior in Minnesota," Liam added helpfully. "Aunt Jo loves it up there."
"We want Aunt Jo to go up to Duluth and see the Bentleyville lights. But the light display only goes until Christmas. And she has to work and take care of the dogs and us."
"And we don't have enough money to send Aunt Jo up there on the bus," Liam explained. Horatio hid a smile and nodded solemnly. "But you could drive her up to Duluth, Lieutenant Horatio."
"That's an interesting idea, son, but," Horatio paused, looking from one earnest face to another, "who would look after you and the dogs while she was with me? I … don't think your Aunt Jo would leave you alone, even if it's only an afternoon and evening."
"We're almost twelve, I don't think we need a babysitter," Kieran sighed. "We wouldn't be alone. Anne from next door could watch us, we've already checked with her."
"Tell you what boys," Horatio glanced toward the hallway, "let's keep this between us. Why don't I think about this, okay?" He was rewarded with two sleepy smiles. "Now back to bed before your aunt catches you up!"
The insistent ringing of his cell phone brought him back to the present and he quickly reached for it. "Hello son!" Horatio turned away from the windows, one hand going to his brow as he forced himself to keep the fear from his voice. "Everything all right?"
"Hi Dad!" Kyle's cheerful voice sounded strong in his ear and Horatio let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I'm fine. I might not be able to call again before Christmas though."
"I understand son," Horatio leaned against the wall. "It's good to hear your voice." He paused before going on. "So, what can you tell me?"
"Well," Horatio could hear the smile in his son's voice, "Lieutenant Allen got a box full of homemade cookies from Jo. She must have made dozens! We had a mini-party and he shared them with everyone. I wonder if she would show me how to make cookies some day? Lieutenant Allen says Jo should have been a pastry chef and gone to culinary school but it was his sister's fault or something. I think having siblings must be very complicated." Kyle paused for a moment, and his next question caught Horatio by surprise. "Will you be spending Christmas with Jo, Dad?"
"I'm … not sure son." Horatio had been asking himself that same question since he'd heard Kieran and Liam's Christmas present pitch. "I was hoping to but … that may depend on Josie." Kyle's laughter rang in his ear at his father's use of the not-so-loved nickname.
"Better watch it Dad." Horatio heard the grin in his son's voice. "Lieutenant Allen says Jo doesn't particularly like that name."
"I think I can handle it son," Horatio smiled too. They chatted for several more minutes before Kyle had to end the call. Turning back to the window, Horatio stared unseeingly at the street below.
There's a blanket of white, all over Chicago,
And the bright Christmas lights bring a cheer to the air,
The Salvation Santa down on the corner
Is sure finding out just how much people care.
-From Lee Greenwood's Lone Star Christmas
Horatio walked over to his desk and rifled through the day's mail. It was the usual things until he reached the last envelope. It was slightly bulky and oversized. His eyes went to the return address – a lawyer's office in Coral Gables. He frowned as he turned it over in his hands. It had not been opened and had been signed for at the front desk when it was delivered. Curious, he pulled off the tape and undid the clasp. Turning it upside down, a small clasp envelope and a letter size envelope slid out on his desk. He stared at it for a moment, then pulled out a sheet of paper with the Shepherd & Sons Family Law firm.
TBD