Decker looked coldly at Horatio. The Colonel was obviously suspicious, but Horatio didn't want to say anything further in case it only added to his suspicions. Unfortunately for Horatio, Stetler had been spending a lot of time with Decker, and the MP clearly viewed Horatio in a similar light to IAB now. Like Stetler, however, Decker had no proof of any wrongdoing on the part of Horatio, or the Crime Lab, and so would have problems refusing any help that Horatio offered. At least, that was what Horatio was counting on.
"Why are you doing this Lieutenant? I thought you liked the A-Team."
"It's not a question of whether I like them or not," he replied evenly. "I want to see justice done here, and that means that the A-Team have to go back with you to face a fair trial. To that end, I'm offering you the help of my lab and my team to make sure that the transport of the A-Team to the airport goes as smoothly as possible."
Decker gave him an assessing look, but then nodded abruptly. "Fine, you can help. But you do what I say, to the letter, got that?"
"That will not be a problem." Horatio swallowed his smile until Decker was out of the room. At least this plan appeared to be going well. He smiled at Calleigh as he followed Decker down to the parking garage to check on the police van they would be using. She winked in return and went to fulfil her part of the plan. And to make sure Frank knew his role. Horatio watched as Decker thoroughly checked the van, making sure that the restraints were in full working order and tightly fixed to the walls. With luck, Decker would be so convinced that everything was going smoothly that he would let his guard down and make this even easier.
The military policeman on guard outside the cells the A-Team were locked up in smiled as Calleigh sauntered towards him, her hips swinging. Flicking her hair ostentatiously over her shoulder, she widened her smile a little, and was pleased to see the guard eye her appreciatively. Normally such open admiration would have irritated her, but this was one time she was pleased to be both petite and curvy.
"Well, hey there," she drawled, exaggerating the Southern accent. "I heard the MPs were good looking, but not like this!" Internally flinching at her own tactics, Calleigh added a girlish giggle. The MP seemed to be buying her act though. "Always did have a thing for a man in uniform."
"Maybe you and I can go out for a drink sometime then?"
"Oh, but I heard you boys were all heading back today. Maybe we should go for a coffee now?" Calleigh had hoped her plan worked, but she was still surprised at the ease with which she convinced him to leave his post. Oh well, she thought, leading him towards the break room. It's down to Frank now.
Frank Tripp heaved a sigh as he watched Calleigh work her magic. Only Horatio would have been able to convince him to do this. He snorted softly. Only Horatio would get himself into this mess. Any normal cop would just accept that the A-Team were guilty and leave it at that. But no, not Horatio Caine. He had to go and convince himself that they were innocent, and then of course, because he is Horatio, he has to help them. Still, he wasn't about to let a buddy down, even if he did think Horatio had gone slightly mad.
Face was in the cell nearest the door, and he was the one Frank wanted. The blue eyes stared suspiciously at the cop, but he smiled brightly. "And what can I do for you this fine afternoon officer?"
"I'm only doing this because I trust Horatio, and he says you're worth the risk." That made all three stand up a little straighter. Frank sighed again. "Look, here are the keys to your handcuffs, and here's the key you're going to need to get out of the van. Murdoch will be waiting for you. And you did not get this from me, got that?"
He had turned to go, when Hannibal spoke. "Thanks. We really do appreciate this."
"I didn't do for you. I did it because Horatio thinks you're innocent, and because you apparently saved his life. Nothing else. I don't want your gratitude." The A-Team watched him go with blank expressions, before turning back to each other. Hannibal raised an eyebrow, but no one made any other comment. They weren't free just yet.
Horatio sat in the front, next to Decker who was driving. Adrenaline was coursing through him again, although this time he was very careful not to let any of it show. The slightest thing that seemed strange, and Decker could change the route they were taking, could decide to place a guard in the back with the team, could do any number of things that could upset the plan. The green town car that the MPs were using led the way through Miami's busy streets, Decker following closely.
"Just so you know, I'm watching you closely Caine. I still don't trust you."
"I'm right beside you Decker. What could I possibly do to help the A-Team?" Decker only snorted at that comment and drove on in silence. Horatio tried not to tense up as they came to the traffic lights and relaxed minutely as they turned red on cue. Decker swore, but had little option but to stop, while the town car went on, the lights having changed at just the right moment.
The slightest bump could be heard, but Decker gave no sign of hearing anything, and Horatio wondered if he only heard it because he was waiting for it. When the lights changed back to green, Horatio relaxed a little further. It had either gone to plan, or it hadn't – there was nothing further he could do. The ride to the airport went past without further incident, and Decker pulled the van to a halt outside the private jet that he had arranged to fly the A-Team back to justice. Careful to maintain a normal expression, Horatio followed the Colonel to the back, where the MPs were already waiting, weapons drawn and ready, prepared for a last escape attempt.
When Decker flung the doors open, a stunned silence descended. The shackles and handcuffs that had bound the three captured members of the A-Team were piled neatly on one of the seats, and there was no sign of their previous occupants. Decker made a choking sound of outrage and fury as he stepped into the van and found a message scrawled on the wall: Better luck next time. Horatio hid a smile as he took in the worried faces of the MPs, clearly concerned by their superior's reaction. As well they might be, he considered, looking at the apoplectic rage on Decker's face.
"Caine! I know this was you! How did you do this?" Spittle flew from Decker's mouth as he yelled at Horatio. "You are going to regret helping Hannibal Smith!"
"Colonel, I was sitting next to you the whole time," Horatio said patiently. "How could I possibly have helped anyone escape?" Decker growled at him, but the other MPs were nodding.
"He's right sir," one of them offered.
Decker turned on him with a snarl. "I know he's involved! I know it!"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Horatio smiled politely. He knew exactly what had happened, but wild horses wouldn't drag that secret from him. "Now, if there is nothing further Colonel, I would like to get back to my lab. These last few days will have no doubt created a backlog of work. I'm sure we'll see each other around."
Calling Calleigh on his cell, Horatio no longer bothered to hide his grin. Hannibal and the others were away, and if he knew Hannibal, it would take a better man than Decker to track them down. At least for a while. So, the Noches were either arrested or running scared and the A-Team had escaped again. A good result. Calleigh pulled up in one of the CSI Hummers and he got in, pleased to see his own triumph echoed in her smile.
"So everything went to plan?"
"Handsome, it went like clockwork." As Calleigh told him what happened, Horatio could see it all playing out in his mind's eye.
As the military convoy approached the traffic lights, Calleigh waited anxiously by the traffic lights. Cooper hadn't asked any questions when she asked how to scramble a set of traffic lights, but had simply provided her with a device that would enable her to alter the pattern. Once the first car had passed, she pressed the button and smiled as the lights changed instantly, trapping the police van behind the lights. She peered around the corner just in time to see Murdoch, well aware of the route that the MPs would be taking thanks to a phone call from Calleigh to Eddie Ruez, run up to the back door and tap quietly on it, the signal for Hannibal to open the door from the inside. The A-Team quickly and quietly leapt out of the van, running around the corner to where their own vehicle was parked. As soon as Hannibal was clear, she flicked the switch on the machine again, restoring the usual pattern to the traffic lights.
Horatio gave a little chuckle. "I think this is going to be the only time I ever say this, but I love it when a plan comes together."