Chapter 7
Belladonna was released an hour later, though she was still weak from the painkillers. Horatio bundled her up in the passenger seat of the Hummer and she leaned up against the door and fell asleep.
Driving back to the lab Horatio saw that the kids were out tonight in costume and carrying bags of candy. Laughter rang in the dark Miami air and for a second Horatio remembered what it was like to be a kid anxious for trick-or-treating.
But then he saw Belladonna's bandaged wrists and the memory shriveled up like a prune. Dressed in a jeweled purple caftan, she looked like a sleeping child. And she was dreaming, murmuring in her sleep. Horatio listened.
"No, Ronnie…please," murmured Belladonna, tossing in the seat. "Why are you doing this?" Then she began shouting. "Don't…no! Get off me! GET OFF ME!"
Horatio gently shook her arm. "Belladonna, wake up."
She jolted awake and settled in the seat. Horatio glanced at her worriedly. "Are you all right?"
"I think so." Belladonna gave him a reassuring smile. "What time is it?"
"A couple of minutes after ten," Horatio replied.
When they reached the lab they were greeted by a not-so-happy Ryan Wolfe. "Glad to see that you're healthy," he said to Belladonna sullenly. "Now can you lift this curse so that we could work on who's trying to kill you?"
"How is it that I cursed you?" asked Belladonna. When Horatio told her about the previous happenings she blushed and gave a shy smile. "Oh dear," she said. "Those spirits are my ancestors – they're a bit protective of me."
"H, we're getting nowhere with these letters," said Wolfe, ignoring her. "No prints were found and the D.A. is threatening to shut the door on the case."
"Is Jared Michaels still in custody?" asked Horatio.
"Yeah. Should we bring him in?"
"Do so, Mr. Wolfe."
Belladonna swayed on her feet and Horatio put an arm around her for support and she leaned against him. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so tired."
"There's no need to apologize," Horatio said softly. "Can you make it to my office OK?"
She nodded and he gently led her up to his office where he settled her down on the sofa. She smiled up at him. "Go get him," she whispered.
"You sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine, Horatio. I just need rest."
"OK. I need to get back to work but I'll check on you later."
"OK," said Belladonna.
She looked so lovely lying there, despite the bandages on her wrists. Horatio leaned close to her and whispered words he never thought he'd say again: "I love you."
"I love you," she whispered and fell asleep.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jared Michaels gave Horatio his casually smug grin. "Missed me already, Caine?" he asked. Horatio stared at him, in no mood for Jared's wisecracks.
"Jared, cut the crap," he said, "and tell me who the Witch-hunter is."
"Like I told you before, Caine, I'm not talking," said Jared snobbishly.
"How about we throw your ass in a real jail cell after we're done here?" asked Frank Tripp in a biting voice. "Maybe then you'll feel like talking."
Jared lost his complacency and fear crossed his face. "I want a deal," he said.
"You tell me who's been sending Miss Llewellyn death threats and who also tried to kill her and we'll talk," said Horatio.
Jared ran a hand through his dyed hair and let out a shaking breath. Horatio waited patiently. When Jared looked at him, Horatio saw that he was scared. "I don't know his last name," he said. "But his first name is Ronnie."
Ronnie. That was the name Belladonna cried out in her sleep. Horatio asked, "Who's Ronnie?"
"God, how do I know?"
Jared, if you want that deal…"
"OK, OK," Jared said. "He's a doctor at the hospital. I met him after he stitched me up during a surgery two years ago. Like me he's a decent Christian."
"Where can I find him?" Horatio asked.
"At the hospital, Caine, did I stutter?" Jared looked angry but Horatio wasn't buying it. "Though I doubt seriously that you'll find him." He smiled. "He already knows that you're seeing that Llewellyn chick and I don't think he likes that too much."
Horatio smiled back. "Oh, I don't think I'll have a problem with Ronnie," he said. "If anything, he's going to have a problem with me."
- - - - - - - - - - -
Belladonna was awake and looking out into the night when he got back to his office. "What did he say?" she asked.
Horatio stood beside her and answered with a question of his own. "Ronnie was the one who tried to kill you wasn't he?" he asked. She turned to him and nodded wordlessly for a moment.
"Yes," she answered.
"Do you remember what he looked like?"
"All I remember is that he had blond hair," said Belladonna. "Other than that it's all blank."
Blond hair and is a doctor at the hospital thought Horatio and his heart gave a leap. Well, well, Doctor Ronnie Briggs, looks like I'm going to have another chat with you. And this time, I'll be reading your rights.
"Horatio?"
"I think I know who's been sending you those threats, Belladonna," said Horatio. He hugged her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I need you to stay here," he said. "I'll be back."