The Return

Chapter 30

Horatio didn't have to wait long before learning why he'd been taken. After cleaning up and putting on the change of clothes given him which consisted of jeans and a t-shirt, he was then taken to a different room and roughly shoved down in a chair at a wooden table. His guards turned and silently left locking the door behind them.

It seemed as if it'd been at least an hour before Horatio heard the lock turning on the door and a very confident Lisi walked toward the table. He had only heard of the man before now, a rising star within the ranks of the mafia, namely the Calabria Family. Both men silently studied each other for several minutes, sizing up their opponent.

Napoleon Lisi was born in Sicily, then while he was still at a young age, his father moved the family to Chicago. His father worked for an international distribution company which conducted both legitimate and illegitimate business dealings. He rose rapidly through the ranks of the legitimate business world becoming CEO of the well-known company he worked for, but his success was based mainly on his success in developing the illegitimate side; the side of the company that was not public. A prominent trait the elder Lisi was known for was his ruthlessness. Insisting that his son, their only child, be given the name Napoleon when he was born, ignoring the protests of the child's mother, he envisioned his son becoming the shrewd, cunning leader of the family when he became of age. He vowed to make sure that his son wouldn't meet the same fate as his namesake, the historical figure.

His son learned well from his father's guidance, developing into a natural leader and astute businessman, along with a callousness that was feared by many. When his father died from intentional poisoning (the favorite method of elimination by disgruntled family members), the younger Lisi found himself suddenly thrust into the family's hierarchy, a position that suited him well, but one that he'd have to earn; and he did, extremely well.

Lisi remained silent for a few moments after sitting down at the table across from Horatio. He'd followed the lieutenant's career with great interest over the past few years, extremely curious about what drove the man. The Lieutenant's record of convictions was the in the law enforcement field. His own curiosity peaking, Horatio remained silent knowing the man would reveal only what he deemed pertinent to his plan.

Suddenly breaking the silence, Lisi began, "I'm aware you and Vinny had a past… not a pleasant one though I hear. He was useful for some situations, but as you found out for yourself, he had a problem of keeping his emotions under control while conducting business."

Horatio looking Lisi in the eye firmly asked, "And just what business would include me?"

Lisi suddenly finding himself uncomfortable caught in the pinpointed gaze of the lieutenant stood and walked around the table slowly.

"Oh, you're very much in my business Caine."

Pausing for a minute at Horatio's back, Lisi began slowly walking back to his chair. A tactic he often used to unsettle his adversaries, only he didn't see the telltale response of apprehension he was accustomed to seeing from other men. He smiled slightly thinking, Horatio Caine appears to be unflappable. Too bad he's so adamant about justice… I could use a man like him.

"Your old man is a dinosaur Caine – it's time for new blood to run the family business. Word is he should have died months ago, but he's still going, albeit not as strong lately. At any rate, I've decided to speed things along. He's been sequestered at an unknown location surrounded by those loyal to him; pretty much untouchable. But, I came up with a plan to draw him out. Word has been sent to him that I am holding someone very much of interest to him."

Horatio began to chuckle lightly. "You think he'll come rescue me? We're not that close. In fact, "the family" means more to him than I do. He'll never come. I'd be figuring out another tactic if I were you."

Lisi's expression immediately turned angry as he growled, "I am not seeking your opinion Caine. I haven't come this far not to get what I want… I've proved that I'm the best man to bring the Calabria family into the twenty-first century." Thoroughly enraged now he paused momentarily as his jaw muscles tightened as he slammed his hands down on the table and leaned closer toward Horatio, continuing now through clenched teeth, "Your father and those like him are the reason why the Russians have gained control over Miami - a city that used to be ours."

Not the least bit intimidated, Horatio leaned closer toward the face of his adversary and firmly countered, "You and your kind, regardless of nationality or name, are a disease that should be eradicated for good. You'll never control Miami!"

Lisi immediately stood upright and straightened his suit as he called out to his men just outside the room. Quickly a stout man followed by a thin, wiry built man entered and the smaller man roughly grabbed one of Horatio's arms jerking him out of the chair while his partner took Horatio's other arm then escorted him out of the room.

Lisi shouted from behind as he watched them leave, "Get him ready, then get the woman too."

Daniel Caine groaned with pain as he attempted to roll over on his side in the bed. Previously thinking the doctors had made a wrong prognosis concerning his health, since the time they had told him he had left had come and gone, until that night two weeks ago when he awoke with horrible pain in his gut. He was rushed to the ER, taking hours before the doctors could give him relief. After being released a couple of days later, he sensed that the cancer was for real. It now appeared the doctors had made a correct diagnosis, only erring in the length of time he had left. Now they told him he only had a couple of weeks to live. Lately, more and more of his time was spent lying prone in a hospital bed that had been set up in his home, but tonight he felt like sitting out on the veranda. The cool, salty ocean breeze brushing over his face felt soothing. The setting began lifting his spirits a bit until a close associate appeared by his side speaking to someone on a cell phone.

"It is a call for you," the man softly said as he held the phone out toward Daniel.

Taking the phone, Daniel answered, "Who is this?"

A man began speaking and after a minute, Daniel interrupted, "This is a scam. You have nothing that would concern me."

Suddenly the elderly man's face went slack as the caller assured him that he was legitimate by allowing Daniel the opportunity to hear Shirley's voice. The bastards have Shirley! He was given instructions before the call abruptly ended.

Looking up at his associate as he handed the phone back, Daniel ordered, "Get a car ready for me."

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" The change in his boss's countenance was obvious.

"No, I have a private meeting… I'll drive myself."

The man nodded and walked away. Several minutes later, Daniel was ready to go.

Just the exertion of walking to the car zapped a great deal of his energy, but Daniel hoped he would regain it on the long drive to the other side of the city. He had thought about calling Horatio and his team for help, but the caller had been very clear – if he called the police, they'd know and the move would sign Shirley Bremmerman's death warrant.

Since the day Harold died in that explosion, Daniel had felt obligated to support his friend's widow, helping her with anything she needed. As he drove, he allowed his thoughts to wander back to his early years with Harold. Shirley always stood by Harold and had been a good wife. I always felt a little jealous of them having such a close relationship… something I'd searched for, only to have it elude me. Harold died too soon… it should have been me. I swore from that day on Shirley would have everything she needed. Now she's in grave jeopardy. Whoever has her will pay… they won't get away with this.

Daniel eased the car to a stop beside the large, somewhat dilapidated, structure that years ago had housed a steel plant. It was the location that the caller had given him. He saw one man standing at the entrance, watching and waiting for him to get out of the car. Daniel took one last look around, hoping his men would not be seen as they stayed back, but armed and ready to move in when the time was right. He now wondered if he'd made the right to decision to bring them. They were professionals though and would make their move at the right time.

Taking his time in getting out of the car, Daniel closed the door behind him hesitating a few moments as he glanced around the area. Approaching the man at the door, he recognized the face. Jose – I wondered whatever happened to him. Years ago he instigated a group of disgruntled men in the family to form a faction with the intention of assassinating me. I would have killed the son of a bitch if I'd been able to find him. The coup failed, going underground until now; interesting.

Resting an assault rifle in his arms, Jose stepped aside and motioned for Daniel to open the door and enter the building. Stepping inside the cavernous warehouse building filled with nothing but old machinery and stacks of wooden boxes, Daniel sensed Jose followed him in. Good, stick with me Jose so my men will have an opportunity to follow. Jose prodded him toward a hallway that led to a somewhat smaller room. With little light, he could barely make out that it was some sort of storage room.

Then a shadowy figure stepped into view from the darkness into the low light.

Daniel recognized the man immediately – Napoleon Lisi!

"Nice of you to join us Caine," Lisi smirked. "I wondered if you would really be able to. Rumor has it that you're dying… but there are a few things we need to work out before that happens."

Daniel's eyes scoured the area around Lisi knowing his men were lurking nearby beyond view in the darkness.

With agitation evident in his voice, Daniel forcefully asked, "What is it you want Lisi? I'm a busy man. From where I stand, I fail to see the need for us talk about anything."

Suddenly a spotlight snapped on illuminating a man and woman sitting in chairs back to back. They were bound and gagged unable to speak.

Lisi remarked "As you can see, I wasn't bluffing. But, my man failed to tell you that I also have your son… one can't be too careful these days. You just never know when sons might decide to follow in dear Ol' dad's footsteps."

Shirley turned her pleading eyes toward Daniel, begging for help. Horatio just stared icily toward him with anger radiating from the depths of his blue eyes.

Daniel responded with a sharp intake of breath. Horatio AND Shirley!

Daniel walked slowly as he approached the two people who meant more than anything to him.

"Far enough Caine," Lisi called out.

Daniel turned toward the man and growled, "You son of a bitch… you think you can run the family after I'm gone? That's what this is all about, isn't it?! You don't have the brain or balls to operate a two-bit racketeering job!"

Lisi took one step toward Daniel the moment before the room suddenly filled with deafening gunfire… then a tremendous explosion.

Across town, at the crime lab Natalia stuck her head in the DNA lab and anxiously announced to the team, "Patrol was just alerted to an explosion in the northwest sector of town…" Her words fell off as she noticed the color drain from the faces of the rest of the team, most notably Calleigh's.

"What…" she meekly inquired.

Ryan spoke up, "We just found out from the traffic cams that the car carrying Horatio was headed toward Weston in the northwestern sector."

Natalia momentarily stunned by the news, gathered herself quickly and joined the others as they rushed toward the elevators.

Frank stopped his pacing, suddenly feeling the overwhelming exhaustion that engulfed his mind and body. It had been a long night and it was probably far from being over. Looking up at the large wall clock, he watched as the second hand ticked past each number. It had been a long three hours since he had arrived with Calleigh at the West Palm Beach Hospital. They had left the team working the scene while they followed the ambulances carrying the only two survivors of the massive explosion. Upon arriving at the ER, Calleigh had been swiftly whisked beyond the doors leading into the trauma rooms leaving him alone to wait.

Sagging against the wall, Frank cupped his face with both hands and the support felt good against his back, actually helping to keep him upright. His active imagination began controlling his thoughts. How in the hell even two survived that explosion is beyond me. I swear if Horatio survives this….

He jerked forward off the wall upon hearing Calleigh's soft voice call out, "Frank…"

He turned and for a moment couldn't believe who he saw standing only a few feet away.

A disheveled Horatio Caine - clothes dirty with soot and dust stood next to Calleigh with a tired, but sheepish smile. It didn't escape Frank's attention that Calleigh had her arm intertwined with Horatio's.

"How in the hell…. They can't be letting you walk out of this joint!" Frank responded, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Calleigh turned her head toward Horatio as she answered with a scowl, "You know how stubborn he can be Frank."

Softly Horatio defended his decision, "I can rest at home more than I can here. That's all I need."

"The doctor said you needed to stay for observation Horatio… you have a concussion with probably..."

He managed a huff as he rebuked, "That's what they always say. I'll be fine Calleigh.

Frank shook his head and chuckled as he watched the exchange then asked,

"What about the woman? Heard anything about her?"

"Shirley Bremmerman was released a short time ago. She was shaken, but no injuries to speak of. She's Harold Bremmerman's widow you know," Horatio answered.

"Not surprised considering."

"She wasn't a party to this… Lisi kidnapped her. She was a victim." Horatio paused before adding as a feeling wooziness hit, "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to go home."

"Sure," Frank answered as he positioned himself on Horatio's other side just in case.

The three of them rode in silence as Frank drove to Horatio and Calleigh's house. The sun would rise in a couple of hours. Frank answered a call from Eric concerning Horatio as they drove. Agreeing that Horatio needed rest, Eric said he'd call it a night after leaving the evidence collected at the lab and said he'd stop by and check on Horatio later.

Frank assisted Horatio in the house before bidding them goodnight and heading home, wanting to get a few hours' sleep himself.

After getting Horatio settled in bed, Calleigh gave him a light kiss on the lips. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine… you need rest too Sweetheart," he softly responded as he cupped her weary face with his hand. "I'm sorry Calleigh for being so foolish… I…."

Putting a finger to his lips she responded, "Shhh… you're safe now, that's all that matters."

She carefully settled in the bed beside him. Silently she thought that if Daniel hadn't covered both Horatio and Shirley with his own body, sacrificing his own life, neither would be alive. The fact caused her to shudder.

Horatio slowly opened his eyes, hearing water running in the shower of the master bath. He realized Calleigh was not in bed so, he turned his head to see the time on the clock on the bedside table and felt pain like the pressure of a vice gripping his head. No mistake about it… I definitely have a concussion.

The front doorbell rang. He lay there for a few moments thinking perhaps whoever it was would go away after not getting a response, but after it rang two more times he gradually sat up. Taking his time, he slowly stood and put on a robe then walked barefooted out of the bedroom and down the hall to the front door.

Checking through the security hole as to who was on the other side of the door, his first reaction was shock. Opening the door, he stood dumbfounded for a few seconds before responding,

"Never thought I'd see you again!"

TBC…