The Return
Chapter 26
Horatio felt the sweat trickling down both sides of his face as he held his breath. Have I made the correct decision to cut this particular wire? He shut his eyes as he dug the knife into the rubber coating and felt the wire break. No explosion. Forcefully releasing the breath he'd been holding, his body went limp with relief as his vacant eyes stared at the wire while saying a silent prayer.
John sat down hard on the floor beside the chair and reached out a hand and patted Horatio on the arm.
"Well done my friend… seems you knew what you were doing after all!"
Horatio flashed him a brief smile.
Calleigh let out a ragged breath before swiftly taking Horatio's face in her hands and giving him a big kiss – then fell into his arms, almost causing him to lose his balance, while her racks of sobs poured out against his chest. Horatio held her tight as he cooed comforting reassurances that everything was alright.
John grasped his radio and relayed to the other officers that the danger was clear.
With Calleigh beginning to calm down, Horatio eased her off his chest and tenderly wiped her tear dampened cheek with a hand.
"It's over Sweetheart…" he assured her with a wide smile spread across his bearded face, fighting to contain his own tears. "C'mon… let's get out of here."
He helped her to her feet then returned John's brief hug as he kept one arm around a still shaky Calleigh. The three walked out of the house into the cold, dark night; the area ablaze with blue flashing lights with bright spotlights illuminating the darkness within the immediate area. Reporters were jostling to get closer to the emerging trio, eager to get the scoop on what had occurred, but the police officers kept them successfully contained behind a barrier of yellow tape.
Eric had returned to the lab so he could hear any news about Calleigh as it came in. Frank had contacted the Freeport Sheriff's Department and had established communication between the two agencies after telling them that Emily Robinson had connections to MDPD.
Frank placed the phone receiver back in its' cradle on his desk then leaned back in his chair while wiping his visibly weary face with both hands, attempting to not only alleviate the tiredness that was creeping back into his aching body, but also as a reflex signifying the relief he felt from the news the deputy had just relayed. Horatio and Calleigh were safe.
Eric walked up right at that moment. "What have you learned? Anything?"
"They found Calleigh… she's alright."
Eric collapsed in the chair beside Frank's desk and stared at the floor. "Thank God," he murmured.
His thoughts, disturbed by the sound of the TV turning on, Eric realized that Frank had CNN up which was one of the news agencies covering the breaking story about Calleigh. He stared at the screen as she appeared walking away in a man's arms. The camera was too far away to actually give a clear view of faces, but he wondered if the man was her husband.
"The picture I saw earlier was Calleigh. But, I've wondered - what caused her to change her appearance. From what I can tell, she now looks like her old self."
Frank looked away for a moment, then back to the Cuban.
"Who knows… you know how women are. Guess she just wanted a change."
Frank was thankful that Horatio's face was not any closer to the camera. Even though he looked very different, he knew for certain that a trained CSI such as Delko would recognize a familiar feature if given an opportunity. Now that it seemed the situation was truly over for their friends, he'd rather for Horatio to explain everything, he doubted Delko would understand from anyone else. Either way, it will be a shock for everyone – just as it was to him and Walter in Montana.
"You think Calleigh will come back to Miami and bring her… husband?" Eric asked apprehensively.
"Hard to tell. Guess all we can do is wait and see what happens."
As usual, Horatio brushed off the paramedics only wanting to go check on Calleigh.
"I'm fine. I want to go check on my… wife."
Leaving the paramedics shaking their heads as they packed away the gear, Horatio made his way over to where Calleigh was lying on a gurney. Easing down on the bed beside her, his fingers lightly touched her bruised and split lip before looking up at the paramedic tending her.
"Is she alright?"
"Yes sir, just some bruises and cuts. Could have been a lot worse," the young man commented as he finished gathering his supplies from where he treated her.
Horatio knew all too well how close they'd been to death and he agreed with the paramedic's assessment with a grunt.
"Sweetheart," Horatio softly said as he took her outstretched hand, "how do you feel?"
She smiled then grimaced from the sting her action caused then answered, "I'm fine, what about you? Are you ok? You took a bad blow to the head."
He gave her a sheepish smile as he answered, "I'm good… but I'll be even better when I get you home. If I recall, I made you a promise I intend to keep."
Staring up at him with obvious confusion she asked, "What promise?"
Tenderly rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb as he diverted his eyes down to their joined hands for a few seconds, he quickly lifted his eyes back to hers and answered, "The promise I made to you that I'd never let you go."
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon across the gray-green rolling waters of the Atlantic Ocean when Horatio turned the key in the door to their house. John had insisted that he'd drive them home and had just left for his own home. Once inside, Horatio wrapped his arm around Calleigh and began walking them to the stairs that led to their bedroom. Later that morning, as both lay silently in each other's arms, tired but still wide awake, Horatio cleared his throat and pushed up on an elbow, ignoring the soreness and tightening of his muscles, so he could look down into Calleigh's eyes.
"Sweetheart, I pictured this happening in a different setting, but… after what we've been through, I don't want another day to pass before I ask… will you marry me - for real?"
Calleigh smiled broadly, then reached out and stroked his bearded cheek before pushing some of his hair back behind his ear, "You bet I will. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you."
Horatio smiled and leaned down and gave her a tender, loving kiss. Mindful of her injury, he kept it brief.
When he broke away she asked, "Will I be marrying Horatio Caine? Is our life as Bill and Emily over?"
He chuckled and gave her light kiss on her forehead before answering, "You'll be marrying Horatio Caine, I promise. Our life will finally get back to normal, I hope…. I may not have a job, but we'll figure something out."
Three days later, they stood before a judge in Portland and became man and wife as Horatio and Calleigh Caine with John and Suzanne as witnesses. After the brief ceremony was over, Suzanne walked over to Calleigh and drew her into a tight hug as John shook Horatio's hand before giving his friend a brief, manly hug.
Suzanne asked Calleigh while they still stood close, "I can't believe what all has happened in just a short time. I love you as a friend regardless of your name, or how you look and I'm going to miss you so much. Can't you stay here? You're definitely a natural teacher, but more than that, you've become my best friend… It'll be so sad to see you and Horatio leave."
Tears filled Calleigh's eyes, due to strong mixed emotions about leaving their dear friends and the life they had come to know in Maine, even though they knew it was not real. She and Horatio had talked about it, but decided they needed to return to Miami, at least for a while. Their former life had too many lose ends needing to be tended to.
"We need to go back to Miami now, but we're still undecided about our future. I don't know what I would have done without your friendship, Suzanne. But, I'll always consider you my best friend too, regardless of the miles between us."
Two days after a brief honeymoon in Halifax, Horatio and Calleigh were on a private jet, courtesy of the FBI, and only minutes away from landing at a private airport in south Miami. A car and driver would be waiting on the tarmac to take them home. Horatio only hoped no one saw them and plastered their arrival on the evening news. He wanted to break the news of his faked death to their friends and colleagues himself. But first, there was the matter of the mole to deal with.
Peter had helped them tremendously with contacts he knew of within the mob, cutting down on the time required to gather enough evidence on the one person he knew to be the mole. Now, he would be part of the team that called on the person in the Miami.
I can't believe Chief Watkins approved my participation in this operation, Horatio silently thought. I'm also amazed that the FBI actually shared with him what they had done… faking my death, albeit after the fact. I was in shock to learn when I spoke with him last night, that he had held my job as day shift supervisor for me. I thought after all this time…
"Horatio," Calleigh called out as she squeezed his hand, jolting him out of deep thought, "we've begun our descent into the airport." Giving him a curious look she said, "You were miles away… what were you thinking about?"
"Sorry Sweetheart, just thinking about getting the mole before we lose him. I just hope the tight lid on what happened in the past few days has been effective."
"Y'all will be careful?"
Giving her a warm smile, he replied, "Yes ma'am… you don't need to worry about that."
Calleigh raised one eyebrow and gave him her 'not so sure about that' look. I've watched you in action for years Horatio Caine. You always put yourself out front in a dangerous situation.
When they finally arrived at their house, Horatio stopped abruptly and stared at the door in front of them.
"I never thought I'd be here again."
Calleigh tucked her bottom lip, attempting to stop it from trembling before she softly responded, "Neither did I."
She squeezed his hand tight.
Thinking he'd lighten the mood, Horatio took a deep breath and in one swift move, scooped Calleigh off her feet and into his arms. Shocked by his sudden move, Calleigh gasped asking incredulously,
"What on earth are you doing?!"
"I believe it's an old tradition for the groom to carry his bride over the threshold. I wouldn't want to break it!"
Horatio was grinning now, which caused Calleigh to laugh.
"Now, that's what I like to hear, your laughter. This should be a happy occasion Mrs. Caine!"
Less than an hour later, the doorbell rang and Frank, along with an FBI agent arrived. After hugs were exchanged between Frank and his old friends, the three men sat down and started going over their plan. Before long, it was time to put it in action. It would be a somewhat difficult job as this mole held a high position within MDPD. Horatio was just thankful they were entering the building from an upper floor in the garage, out of sight of his team. He'd show himself tonight at the get-together for welcoming Calleigh back to Miami. He wondered if they would be relieved to see him, or hate him for what they were put through? Either way, he'd know tonight.
As they walked to the car, Frank took the opportunity to voice his opinion fairly harshly, "I can't believe the son-of-a-bitch was right under everyone's noses at the department; the unmitigated gall of that guy!"
"You just never know Francis."
Horatio took in the sight of the unique shaped building that housed Miami's finest as they approached. The sun gleamed off of the chrome strips beside the huge tinted windows. Everything is still the same on the outside… but inside may be different. I just hope it hasn't changed drastically; but one thing I'm confident of is that I'm sure Eric has kept the lab on an even keel.
The agent driving, turned into the garage entrance and whisked them past the row of Hummers as they began their ascent to the highest floor. Horatio felt more comfortable knowing the dark tinted windows of the car would shield him from view.
Once parked, they exited the car and Horatio allowed the other two men to go ahead of him. Thinking of the shock that would register on the man's face after he realized Horatio Caine was still very much alive, caused the redhead to smile.
The FBI agent addressed the secretary as they entered MDPD's Assistant Chief's outer office. When her eyes fell on Horatio, he removed his sunglasses and gave her a shadow of a smile, "Susan," the woman's mouth dropped open, but quickly reigning in her shock and gathering her senses, she picked up her phone receiver and began to push buttons.
Horatio quickly stepped over and pushed down the lever not allowing the call to be completed while at the same time, taking the receiver from her hand.
"I wouldn't do that Susan. Right now, you're not involved. I'd hate to see you charged with interfering with a police officer."
The young woman swallowed nervously, her eyes never leaving Horatio and she fell back against her chair. Horatio stayed with her while Frank and the agent entered Victor Morales' office – unannounced of course.
The element of surprise was on their side. Morales was on the phone and he quickly told the other party he'd have to call them back.
"Sargent Tripp and…"
"Special Agent Voss," the agent held out his ID toward Morales then quickly snapped the case closed and put it back into his suit coat pocket.
"Would you explain why the two of you barged into my office unannounced? SUSAN…" the angry man shouted as he leaned out to see the door.
Frank spoke up, "She's uh… occupied at the moment."
Morales now glared at the two men standing before him. "I'd suggest Sargent Tripp that you and your friend turn around and leave and return after going through proper protocol if you need to meet with me."
Frank saw the beads of sweat popping on the man's forehead, indicating he had a good idea why they were here.
"Can't do that chief," Frank replied gruffly. "We need to ask you a few questions about your knowledge of these contacts within the Russian mob," Frank dropped a sheet of paper on top of the desk directly in front of the man.
Glaring at the list for a few seconds, Morales began stammering, a true indicator of his nervousness.
"I have no idea who any of these people are." Quickly lifting his eyes from the paper back to the two men he almost shouted, "You're damn crazy if you think I'm mixed up with the Russians." Jumping to his feet, he leaned over his desk toward the two men, "I've been in law enforcement over thirty years and every one of those years have been clean! You have no proof connecting me to ANY of these people."
Agent Voss spoke up now, "Yes sir, I'm afraid we do. We have very credible evidence against you, but we wanted to give you a chance to explain." Morales slowly lowered himself back down into his chair as he felt the room begin to spin. Sweat was now pouring down the sides of his face.
"You say your years of service are clean," Frank began, "And they were until last year. Your wife has a gambling problem, doesn't she Morales? She likes the horses a little too much down in Hialeah and has run up a debt with the wrong folks. When you finally found out about it, she was in too far and for more money than y'all could come up with."
Morales looked as if he were about to break down. He sputtered and mumbled, "I had no choice. I had to help them find Caine. They threatened to ruin my career… I thought if I just helped them with that they'd honor their word about leaving us alone and forgetting all about the money we owed them, but after I helped them with Caine they came back." He hung his head and with a trembling voice added, "I had nothing against Caine, but it was either him, or me and my wife. He's… he's dead this time… isn't he?"
Horatio had quietly walked in while Morales had his head lowered.
"No... I'm still very much alive Victor."
The voice was unmistakable. Morales' head shot up to see the red-head Lieutenant standing with his hands planted on his hips directly in front of the desk.
Morales' face now was as white as flour, "You… you are…"
Horatio's lips curled up into a tight smile and he tilted his head to one side. "You can try to pretend you were forced Victor, but from what I hear, you were real eager to rat on me."
Morales' face now turned an angry shade of red and what happened next, no one could stop. Morales opened a desk drawer and brought up a .40 caliber automatic.
The gunshot reverberated within the small enclosure with a deafening explosion.
Horatio had lunged across the desk trying stop what was about to take place, but couldn't reach the man in time. After the few seconds that it took for the incident to be over, Horatio was still in shock as he pushed up off the floor where he'd landed. As much as he disliked Morales, he truly felt sorry that it had come to this.
But, he didn't have long to think before Frank suddenly grabbed him by both arms and began pushing him toward the door, "I need to get you out of here… C'mon we can make the stairs before anyone sees us."
Once down in the car, sirens could be heard seemingly coming from every direction toward the building. As per policy, the entire building was placed on lock down until cleared of potential threats, only Frank, Voss and Horatio knew what had happened. Morales committed suicide right in front of them.
Horatio placed his face in his hands while resting his elbows on top of his legs as Frank started the car and began to slowly ease it down the ramp to the street below. Their car was stopped, but Frank held up his badge to the officer at the car's window and he allowed them to pass.
Now on the way back to the house, Horatio sat back and stared out the window and remained silent for several minutes before finally speaking.
"Morales took the easy way out and you really can't blame him. He knew once the media got wind of what he'd gotten himself tied up with it'd tarnish a long career. And life in prison as a dirty cop wouldn't have been pretty."
Frank took a moment to respond. "Yeah, suicide is too often used by police officers to escape reality. I'm just glad he didn't take you with him."
"He'd had no reason to do that."
The rest of the evening, Horatio was quiet. Calleigh knew it troubled Horatio when a police officer chose to take his own life, but usually it was because of being unable to witness the almost daily carnage of human life they saw on the job. Her homecoming event had been postponed until the next night, out of respect for Morales' family. They had both agreed that it worked better to delay The Return of Horatio Caine. It gave him and Calleigh a chance to catch their breath. But, later that night, they had a long discussion about their plans for the future.
TBC…