The Return

Chapter 4

About an hour later, Horatio pulled into the parking garage of Calleigh's condo building. His car came to a stop beside hers, and the lack of motion caused him to realize that he had arrived at his destination. When he recognized the fact that he'd driven as if on autopilot since leaving his father, it shocked him. His mind had been a whirlwind of thoughts; about his mother and what his father had told him about her death. He killed the engine and just sat behind the wheel, staring at nothing in particular before leaning his head back against the headrest and closing his eyes, questioning his state of mind at the moment.

After all this time, why have I never investigated the case? He rubbed his eyes lightly with one hand. I guess it was because it was the most horrible thing that had ever happened and I was so young, I just never wanted to confront the facts, and drag up painful memories.

I remember how Al and Miriam did everything they could to shield us from the fallout. Al went before the judge with me and supported me, never once questioning justification of my action. Miriam surrounded us with her love and attention, keeping Raymond and me busy with activities, especially me, attempting to keep the demons that haunted me from controlling my thoughts constantly. Eventually, her positive, loving attitude helped me to recover from the fact that our mother was gone and that I had shot my father attempting to protect her, or so I've always thought.

Now, my father tells me that our mother was so emotionally unstable that she killed herself by ramming that knife in her stomach just to make him suffer for the rest of his life. She didn't think about how her actions would affect her sons? He says everything is on record… that all I have to do is bring up the information on a computer.

As if that weren't enough, according to my father, I and those around me are in danger because of his connections. I just want them all out of this city, with all their jockeying for position and control of turf. I'd like to put the lot of them in prison to rot.

Horatio squeezed his eyes shut. The movement instantly got his attention, creating a stinging pain from the cut on his cheek, courtesy of one of his father's goons when they slammed him down on the pavement. It was well worth the pain to finally have a shot at the old man. At the time, I could have strangled him with my bare hands. Too bad his men stopped me. Horatio opened the car door… I just hope Calleigh is asleep so I can at least clean up a little. I don't want her to see me like this… it would only make her angry.

Sliding his key in the lock, he turned the door handle and quietly stepped inside. Closing the door silently behind him, he glanced across the room and saw the beautiful blonde curled up on the couch. His lips turned up in a warm smile. She should have gone to bed. He eased down on the table in front of the sofa and just watched her sleeping for a few moments. She's so peaceful. Then he hung his head, what has happened to Mr. Wolfe, could happen to any of my team, including Calleigh. I'm supposed to protect them; instead, I'm putting them all in danger. Returning his eyes to her, he reached out and lightly brushed an errant strand of golden hair back from her face as he thought, I'm so sorry Sweetheart for involving you in all of this.

Thinking he would slip into the bathroom and cleanup before waking her to join him in bed, he stood and made his way to the door, easing it shut. Letting out a long haggard breath, he then walked over to the mirror and grimaced when he saw his face and his torn, dirty jacket. Great, just great he thought as he examined the darkening bruise around the cut on his cheekbone. He grabbed a rag from the cabinet and held it under cold running water, then pressed it to his injury. Never hearing the door open he suddenly heard a tender voice ask,

"Horatio, what happened? Are you ok?"

He turned and smiled slightly trying to assure her he was ok, "I didn't mean to wake you Sweetheart. I'm alright… just had a little difference of opinion with my father."

Walking closer she asked incredulously, "He hit you?" then moved his hand and rag away so she could examine his injury.

"No… he didn't. A goon that works for him did. Ouch, Calleigh," reacting as her fingers touched the tender spot on his cheek.

"You could have a fracture Handsome."

"I doubt it. Really, it just looks bad. I imagine dear ol' Dad has a good bruise too," he grinned broadly until a stinging pain, radiating from the cut, caused the smile to immediately deflate.

Calleigh shook her head in disbelief, "I thought you were going to meet with him to gain information, not get in a fist fight," she commented tersely as she opened the medicine cabinet to get the alcohol and a bandage.

"I didn't go there for a fight, but I have to admit, it felt good to hit the bastard. A little payback for all the times he…" Horatio abruptly stopped, thinking it might be best not to reveal too much about his childhood.

Calleigh frowned, knowing how men could act like children at times. "Take your shirt off; I don't want to get this medicine on it."

Horatio unbuttoned his shirt and as he shifted to remove the item, his involuntary wince of pain didn't go unnoticed by Calleigh.

"Handsome… you're injured. Let me take a look." Pulling his shirt and t-shirt up she gasped at the huge dark bruise on his side in his rib area.

"What did they do to you?"

Horatio had never been a man who needed coddling. He quickly pulled his shirt down and countered a little too harshly, "It's nothing Calleigh. Please…" I wasn't planning to tell her that my father's men kicked me before my father called them off.

Calleigh just shook her head and began working on the cut.

After cleaning up, Horatio told Calleigh what he had learned from his father as they lay in bed.

Entering the break room at the lab a couple of hours later, Horatio, as usual was the first to arrive for work. Earlier, he had reluctantly parted from a sleeping Calleigh, leaving her arms was never easy, but he had to get back to the lab. Before leaving, he had changed the bedside clock so it would to wake her an hour later than she originally had it set for. She needs the sleep. He needed to be here. Sleep for him would come later, after this was all over.

He began making the first pot of coffee for the day. When he got to the point of needing the filters, he stretched to reach them sitting on a high shelf causing a sharp pain to shoot up his side into his chest. Damn goon last night may have broken one of my ribs, he angrily thought.

Horatio then heard someone enter the room and turned toward the door.

"Well, you look like hell. What in the hell happened to you?" Frank Tripp inquired as he walked toward his friend.

Knew I'd have to explain sometime.

"Just a little disagreement…long story," Horatio answered curtly, hoping the big man would just let it go at that, but he knew better.

"Humph, I'll say. Hope the other guy looks worse."

Horatio smiled slightly as he replied, "Me too."

The two friends sat down with their coffee. Eric arrived after Frank, quickly noticing his boss's injury asking about it as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Horatio briefly explained, and then the young Cuban joined them at the table. Horatio began explaining how his father had shown up to the two men, but decided to leave out the tragic event of his youth. He just said that over the years, he thought his father was dead.

"The men who took Ryan belong to the Russian mafia, which we already knew, but there is a major turf battle going on in Miami now. The Hispanic branch of the Italian mafia known as 'The Corporation' here in Miami, is usurping the east coast hierarchy by making their own decisions. The Russians found out about this conflict and decided to use the squabble to their advantage by grabbing new territory."

Frank spoke up, "This is why your dad showed up?"

"It is," Horatio reluctantly answered. "The family sent him down here to try to control the bleeding. They're losing money. They need to regain control of Miami; it's always been one of the most lucrative areas for them, ever since Capone came down here in the thirties and built a home on Palm Island."

Horatio continued. Then about forty minutes later, Calleigh entered.

"Sorry I'm late, I overslept," her eyes briefly locked with Horatio's, taking notice of his wistful expression, "I got here as soon as I could. Any results from the tests last night?"

Horatio thought her tone reflected a hint of anger as she headed toward the coffee maker. He smiled; hopefully I'll be forgiven for changing the time of her alarm. She needed the extra sleep, especially after we discussed what my father had told me.

Horatio answered, "The DNA we gathered from the blood was Ryan's, but there was other DNA from the other evidence." He opened the folder in front of him and slid it across the table toward her, "Two Russians, one we already know, Lutrova. The other, a woman named Deidra Comocoski. She has mafia connections as well."

Calleigh sat down at the table and began to read over the results while sipping her steaming hot coffee.

"Those vodka sucking SOB's… if I get my hands on them…" Frank chimed up. Looking at Horatio Frank asked, "Your old man… he says he knows how to get Ryan back?"

Before answering, Horatio took the last swallow of his coffee, "He's working on it, but feels that the Russians will contact me before his people can pinpoint exactly where Ryan's being held." Horatio then mumbled as he shook his head, "Never thought I'd be working with the mob."

Frank countered, "Sometimes Horatio, you gotta dance with the devil to get out of hell."

"I don't like it H. The Russians know your connection… that makes you a possible target. How do you know if you can trust your old man?" Eric pensively asked. Calleigh looked up hearing the question, waiting for Horatio's response.

Horatio looked intensely at Eric and replied, "I don't trust him. He's concerned about his position in the 'family' more than anything, and wants to keep it. I seriously doubt he's made contact out of concern for me or Ryan."

Horatio briefly became silent before adding, "I can't do anything to change the fact that Daniel Caine is my father. As for me being a possible target… there's nothing I can do to alter that either. We just need to find Mr. Wolfe, but I want all of you to watch your back. I don't want anyone else hurt because of me."

Horatio stood and walked to the coffee pot and poured another cup, while the others exchanged uneasy glances.

No sooner than Horatio walked back to sit down, Frank's cell phone rang.

Frank unclipped it from his belt, glanced at the screen then answered, "Tripp."

Listening to the caller on the other end, the big man looked up at Horatio and then asked the caller to hold.

"Patrol has eyes on Lutrova. Want'em to bring him in, or keep a tail on him?"

Horatio quickly downed the rest of his coffee then answered, "Let's go pick him up. Tell them to keep their distance, but stay with him and let us know of any change."

Horatio turned to Calleigh hoping to keep her in the lab, "Sweetheart, why don't you stay here and mind the store… I'll…"

"I'm going with you," she firmly replied. "Walter will be here soon, he can take care of things."

Not wanting to waste time arguing, Horatio looked around at his team and said, "Let's roll."

Arriving at the scene where the plain clothes officers were watching from down the block at an outdoor café, the four walked up and sat down at the same table, after pulling up more chairs.

"Gentlemen," Horatio greeted.

The officer facing Horatio began, "He's in that coffee shop, other side of the street, half a block down. What's the plan?"

Horatio took off his sunglasses. The early morning sun was rising higher into the sky behind the row of buildings, directly behind the coffee shop causing him to squint.

"I called in SWAT. They should be here soon. In the meantime…"

Calleigh spoke up, "In the meantime, we need eyes in there so we know how many we're dealing with. I feel like another cup of coffee."

Before Horatio could stop her, she was on her feet and walking across the street.

"Calleigh," Horatio growled low, watching her as she walked away.

Eric immediately said, "Don't worry H, I'll back her up." He stood and walked after her.

Horatio roughly combing his fingers through his hair, barked through tight lips, "When they get inside, Detective Tripp and I will cover the back. You two cover the front and fill in the SWAT commander when they get here. Do not, I repeat do not be seen by those inside. We don't want to spook him and end up with hostages." He picked up Calleigh's gun and badge and slipped them into his pocket. She has her back up weapon, but still… he shook his head.

He and Frank quickly walked across the street and then turned down the alley next to the building. Horatio heard the soft tone announcing a text message. Taking out his phone, he saw it was from Calleigh.

Lutrova meeting with 3 other men. They're going to back room.

Horatio and Frank had only gotten behind the business when the back door flew open, taking them both by surprise. Lutrova ran out and saw Horatio then took off running away down the back street.

"MIAMI-DADE POLICE," Horatio shouted drawing his weapon. Leveling it toward the escaping suspect he then heard Eric shout,

"I'VE GOT HIM H! SHOTS FIRED INSIDE," then began pursuit, quickly gaining ground behind the escaping man.

Horatio hesitated just a brief second and then suddenly heard Frank shout, "BEHIND YOU H!"

He turned enough to see a large, burly man leveling a shotgun in his direction. Completing his spin as he dropped to the pavement, Horatio fired. His bullet found its target and the man dropped the gun and fell to the ground in a heap.

Horatio slowly pushed up on his knees, holding his injured side that had slammed into the un-giving hard surface, Frank immediately joined him, helping his friend to his feet as he anxiously asked,

"H… you ok?"

Horatio shook his head that he was, then shouted, "Calleigh!" and sprinted to the door where Lutrova had exited. Frank ran after him.

TBC…