Trouble with Friends
Chapter 6
As Calleigh emerged from the bathroom, she looked at the bed smiling taking in the sight of Horatio sound asleep. Seems our 'shower' helped relax him. He needs several nights rest like this. Abruptly, a slight noise from outside transfixed her full attention on the room's door. Realizing the sound was from someone tinkering with the lock, she reached for her .45 which was resting on the bedside table. With gun in hand, she walked to the dark corner of the room, parallel with the door, and waited. In a couple of minutes the door opened, light from the parking lot flooding into the room, just enough to make out the figure of a slender man. As he walked closer to the bed, she stepped out and shoved the cold, hard steel into the back of his neck.
"I think you have the wrong room. Put your hands up, now!"
Jared realized too late that the blonde was not in the bed beside the redhead. Slowly he did as asked as she snatched the gun from his raised left hand.
Calleigh's voice woke Horatio and when he turned over on his back; his eyes fell on the dark figure of a man standing close with his hands up in the air. Reaching out with his left hand, Horatio pushed the button to turn on the bedside light and the man standing in front of him, instantly erased all traces of sleep from his mind.
"I believe we have the pleasure of meeting Jared," Calleigh announced sarcastically.
Within minutes of the 911 call, Sheriff's deputies were swarming their room and the parking lot of the motel. Horatio was speaking with a Sargent, informing him of what had happened regarding the prior shooting involving Frank and himself. Jared, standing with handcuffs on his wrists, continued his arrogant attitude, not revealing much information as an officer questioned him off to the side.
Horatio watched the on-site interrogation and felt his anger grow towards the lowlife, thinking of what had happened to Frank, and his emotions were on the threshold of detonating. Calleigh sensed his struggle and stepped in front of him causing his attention to be diverted to her as she said,
"Horatio, I know what you're feeling right now, but we have to play this by the book if we want to nail him and if we're fortunate, connect Miller to all of this."
Suddenly, her words forced him to come to his senses. Horatio's eyes left hers and he shook his head slightly, turning his attention to the floor.
"I know," he softly responded in a strained voice.
"Lieutenant Caine," a booming voice interrupted Horatio and Calleigh's quiet exchange. Looking up, Horatio noticed Chief Deputy Tim Donell entering the room.
"Seems you found your man although this wasn't quite the way I thought it would happen," the man exclaimed stopping next to them. Taken aback momentarily when he realized it was obvious the couple were sharing the room, must be nice to be able to fraternize with your subordinates, the deputy thought. Recovering quickly from his thoughts he began, "We're going to get him out of here and take him down to be booked on breaking and entering along with attempted murder which will help us hold him without bail until more charges can be brought."
Horatio nodded his head in understanding and responded, "Thanks. We'll be down in the morning. I'd like to interview him if I may."
"Sure. I don't think there will be a problem with that, especially seeing how this actually started in Miami under your jurisdiction. Hope you both can get some sleep tonight. We'll see you tomorrow." The big man turned and spoke to the deputies as two of them escorted the intruder out the door to a waiting patrol car.
Horatio sat down heavily on the bed as Calleigh walked to the door and locked it. Turning she walked back to the bed and sat down next to Horatio. She looked down at his hand before picking it up and gently squeezing it, raising her eyes as she did, to look at him, then sighed before commenting,
"What a night, huh?"
"I'll say," he answered while focusing on their joined hands.
Noticing Horatio was still troubled she felt that she should do something to counter his darkening mood. Patting his thigh, she said, "C'mon, let's go back to bed. You're exhausted."
Calleigh motioned for him to lay his head on her chest, as they got back in bed to try and go back to sleep. Tenderly, she began to gently caress his temple, lightly running her fingers through his soft hair.
"Umm, Sweetheart your touch feels wonderful," Horatio softly mumbled. Calleigh lay there savoring the opportunity of just holding him, feeling the steady beat of his heart next to her chest as his body totally relaxed back into sleep.
The next morning Calleigh and Horatio walked into the Lowndes county Sheriff's office and were escorted to another office, that of Sheriff Watkins. They took some time talking with the Sheriff, bringing him up to date on what had transpired from the accident until last night since he had been out of town during the time. Horatio also shared his suspicions about the connection this man and his partner have with a suspected criminal back in Miami.
Chief Deputy Donell opened the Sheriff's door and announced, "Hughes is in the interrogation room Lieutenant. We're done with our interview for now, he's all yours. Just to give you a heads up, he didn't give us much info and I'm sure it's due to having been lawyered up, and with a high priced one at that." That tidbit of information caused Calleigh and Horatio to exchange glances.
Horatio slowly pushed up out of the chair, his ribs protesting with the movement. Before leaving he told Watkins, "Thank you for all of your department's help Sheriff, we won't keep your prisoner long."
"I hope you and Ms. Duquesne can get the information you're seeking. Let me know if I or anyone in my department can be of further help. Oh, and Ms. Duquesne, we'll have that assault rifle ready for travel, just call us a couple of hours before you leave and I'll have a deputy bring it to you."
"Thank you. We're planning on returning to Miami tomorrow morning, leaving here at ten. I'll give you a call."
Horatio and Calleigh walked into the interrogation room and saw the smug, slender young man leaning over toward his attorney listening to the man's advice. Calleigh sat down at the table across from the men, while Horatio took his regular posture – that of seemingly being uninterested, but listening as he stood a few feet away, back turned toward the table, fingering his sunglasses. As usual, Horatio's demeanor had the criminal on edge, exactly where the redhead wanted him.
After a few minutes of questioning Jared Hughes, Calleigh was coming up empty on getting the information that they desired, just as the chief deputy had warned. While Calleigh was an excellent interviewer, Horatio had had enough. He turned around, taking the few steps to Calleigh's side; remaining standing for an intimidating effect.
Horatio with a low voice, close to a growl began, "You shot a police officer. Do you know the consequences of doing that in this state?" He paused a few seconds to enhance the effect. "The chair; that's right…you fry, and while you wait for that, you'll be in Georgia's State Penitentiary, one of the worst…but…" Horatio took great pleasure watching the low-life squirm in his chair, "if you tell me what I want to know about Joe Miller, I'll recommend a life sentence in a little bit nicer place." A place where I have contacts that will help make your life miserable. Calleigh was always impressed watching Horatio's tactics to weasel information out of the hardest of criminals; he's definitely a master at his trade.
Now, Jared was nervous. He turned to his lawyer and then looked up at Horatio who stood absolutely still, smiling down at the young man, feeling that his words and posturing might be working.
Jared began with a shaky voice, "I'll tell you everything I know about Miller."
The lawyer grabbed his client's arm tightly and with a firm voice told him, "Don't do this. I can clear you of the charges they have against you. If you go through with this confession, you'll be putting yourself in grave danger." The lawyer was unable to really say what he wanted to in front of the police, but he knew Miller would see to it that Jared wouldn't live very long if he talked to the authorities.
"I'll tell you everything if you protect me; keep Miller and his goons off me. He's one mean son-of-a-bitch."
"I'll do what I can," was all Horatio would say. He had no intention of protecting the scum that shot Frank, but in order to gain the information, he would appear positive to the young man.
Jared began talking to Horatio and Calleigh while the lawyer excused himself under the guise he was no longer needed. Horatio knew the man couldn't wait to contact Miller about the turn of events. The young man revealed who Miller's contacts were in the Haitian mob; and locations in Miami where Miller stored the drug and gun shipments until he sold them. He divulged everything he knew. Calleigh recorded it all, having placed a digital recorder on the table at the beginning of Jared's confession.
Obtaining all the information they needed, Calleigh picked up the recorder from the table. A she stood, she made eye contact with Horatio and then began walking toward the door, where another uniform officer waited to take the man back to lockup, assuming Horatio would follow. Horatio had yet to walk away from the table when Jared began making his request.
"I gave you everything I know Caine, now I want protection," Jared begged. "Miller will send some of his goons after me for talking."
Horatio smiled sarcastically while responding with raised eyebrows, "I'm sure he will. I'll see what I can do." Horatio then turned away and walked toward the door.
Enraged at the Lieutenant's flippant attitude, Jared leapt from the chair, with his hands still in cuffs he made a move to charge Horatio, but the deputy instantly grabbed hold of Jared's arms, holding him back as the young man screamed,
"HE'LL COME AFTER YOU TOO. IF I GO DOWN, YOU'LL GO DOWN."
Horatio stopped at the door and turned back toward the young man, his blue eyes fixed with an icy stare as he replied, "I don't think you're in much of a position to be making threats." Shock and fear registered on Jared's face, he knew for sure then that he'd been tricked by the redhead.
Horatio stepped out into the hallway smiling as he joined Calleigh while Jared's rants could still be heard. "YOU'RE A DEAD MAN CAINE…A DEAD MAN…YOU HEAR ME!"
Her eyes reflecting concern, Calleigh looked up at Horatio as they stood in the hall.
"He's just blowing off steam."
It was not until they were walking to the car did Calleigh speak about Jared's rants toward Horatio.
"He's right you know. You'll be a target now for sure."
"Seems I've been one since leaving Miami," Horatio responded as he looked at her over the roof of the car.
After getting a bite of lunch, they headed to the hospital for a visit with Frank to let him know what had transpired since yesterday.
TBC…