Chapter 2

Paula knocked on the office door and opened it, "Horatio, this is Jayne Horwell."

"Thank you Paula," Horatio stood from his desk and approached the young brunette holding his hand out. Jayne returned the gesture and shook his hand, "Jayne Horwell. Sorry I look a mess. I've been looking round apartments all morning and haven't had chance to change."

Horatio smiled slightly, "no worries Mrs Horwell. I take it Mr Horwell knows you're here."

Jayne let go of Horatio's hand and looked down slightly, "he's no longer around. He died last year."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Horatio knew he'd put his foot in it, he should have looked into her background a bit more, maybe then he wouldn't have made such a mistake, "please, take a seat."

Jayne sat on the chair that Horatio gestured to as he sat on his own chair. He picked up her application form, "you have some glowing references. So you know the McBreadles?"

Jayne grinned, "I was a physiotherapist in the Royal Army Medical Corps. I treated Hugh after he was shot."

"Why the army?"

"I was offered training with the NHS but at the time, the NHS was going through a rough patch and I wasn't guaranteed a job at the end of it. My mum suggested going to the forces. So I went the British Forces careers office to enquire and they offered me training and a job at the end of it. The RAMC only treat army personnel and their families on campus but not in the field as everyone seems to think."

Horatio grinned, "it is a popular misconception that if you're in the army, you've been on the front line."

Jayne nodded in agreement. Horatio continued to question the young lady.

"What made you leave the army?"

"My husband was killed in a hit and run, I was put on compassionate leave. Hugh decided to go private with his treatment after that. Anna worked on the case and kept me informed on everything. I had been studying forensics whilst in the Army so I knew what Anna was talking about. I graduated just after Paul had died."

"So how did you find out about this job opening?"

"I was visiting my dad and step mum in Pensacola and Anna e-mailed me telling me about the job opening and that she and Hugh would give me a reference. So I went for it, and here I am."

"And here you are, ma'am. I know the McBreadles very well and I have called them. They have both e-mailed me some glowing reports. I also have references from your university tutors, you only graduated just over a year ago. You don't have a lot of experience."

Jayne fidgeted a little, "my memory is pretty good which makes me a fast learner."

Horatio could sense that Jayne was anxious. In all honesty, she was. Horatio was right, she hadn't had much experience in the field but that's just what she needed, experience. Anna had told her that Horatio was a reasonable man and is open to taking on lesser experienced employees, just as long as their track record was up to his high standards. Jayne was actually starting to regret applying.

"I'm sure you are," Horatio looked at the nervousness in Jayne's eyes, "look, I know you're not overly experienced but you are highly qualified. If I hired you, would you be okay being shadowed?"

Jayne gave a slight wry smile, "sure, I'd be fine with that." Deep down, she wasn't, she knew how to do her job but thinking about it, she knew Horatio had to cover his back.

Horatio sat looking at the application form thoughtfully.

"So what is the reason behind the temporary address?"

"I'm thinking about staying in America to be closer to my dad and step mum. They're the only family I have left," Jayne felt a bit sad as she never liked to talk about her family. They were either dead or she was estranged from them for one reason or another.

Horatio knew how Jayne felt. He himself didn't have much of a family left until he had married Calleigh and had the twins. Then there was Kyle of course, he had caused him a few headaches being a typical teenager. Horatio smiled slightly.

"Are you able to start tomorrow morning? Let's say eight o'clock in the morning?"

"Of course I can," Jayne grinned, "I'll just have to reschedule my viewing I have tomorrow."

"What time is that at?"

"Ten o'clock."

"I'm sure I can allow you to go to that. We don't want you to be homeless while you're working for me, do we?"

"Oh thank you," Jayne's smile got broader, "and thank you for giving me a chance, much appreciated."

Horatio smiled at his new young recruit, "that's okay. I will be putting you with Eric Delko. He will show you around the lab and will be shadowing you. This will only be for a few weeks until I feel you're ready to work independently."

Horatio stood up and Jayne followed suit, "thanks again Lieutenant Caine," she put her hand out and Horatio shook it.

"Call me Horatio from now on. I hope you fit in well with us."

Jayne blushed slightly, "sorry Horatio. I will see you tomorrow."

"That you will."

As Jayne left the office, Horatio watched her as he sat down. He felt that there was more to his new recruit than meets the eye. He sat thoughtfully as Calleigh walked in and interrupted his line of thought.