Calleigh looks out at the shoreline from the Miami side and she's grateful to be back where she knew. Esteban had been true to his word and just as the weekend ended, they had found themselves Miami bound. She still had another ten days or so of being hidden but that was better than being stuck at Key West. Esteban thought it would be a good time to show his face for fun, but she suspected he was messing with Horatio with the body dump being so recent.
Heading back inside she's surprised to see Abuela on the couch. The two have had their alone time but not as intimate as this. It wasn't awkward but with Abuela being in and out, it was hard to get to know her too well. She knew Abuela was a strictly business type of woman and yet still had a delicate side only Esteban really saw. Besides their talking over Calleigh's job description and fun cases, there hasn't been too deep of questions. It was clear anything Calleigh could tell her, she already knew and was most likely testing her. They haven't approached the family topic, but Calleigh was dreading it.
"Hey Abuela, I didn't know you'd be here." she greets her friendly, knowing the woman moved with purpose. A snake of a smile slithers across her lips and CAlleigh has to hide a shudder.
"Bebe, it's great to be back in Miami. I do have a meeting with some important people but figured we should chat a bit beforehand. I'm glad to see you have become a part of the family quite nicely. Your Papi has told me how the two of you especially have bonded. That's good. Mi hijo has always had a soft spot when it came to women. He's told you about MariAnna, no?"
Calleigh felt her heart sink, Diego hasn't brought up his late wife or daughter much if at all. She knew he was soft with her because of them though. Every embrace, every look, every concern brought up, Diego seemed scared he'd say or do something that would lead to her rejecting him.
"No, Esteban has though. And with my own father passing, I think the two of us have bonded and filled the hole in the other. It's been nice having Papi to go to."
Abuela nods, understanding. She's clearly looking for information but was being soft about it thankfully. "I also understand you call Esteban Bunny. Why is that?"
Calleigh couldn't keep the smile off her face. "I heard it was a nickname his mother called him but I only found that out after teasing him about hopping around on his one good foot." the older woman laughed causing Calleigh to do the same. So far, so good. But what is this woman scheming?
"That's good you're settling in. This must all be so confusing and infuriating. Ask mi hijo how hard it was to accept Alejandra. They were put to be wed when they were 15 and didn't get along until around 20. He absolutely hated it at first, but they learned to love each other and their bond was strong. Granted neither were kidnapped so it might've been easier."
"Yea, we've spoken about me adjusting to all this plenty of times. Papi said it was his main concern, that I'd breakdown under the pressure. I understand the consequences if I misbehave very well, so it hasn't really been a focus." Calleigh hopes her honesty would be appreciated but all it did was fuel the flames already lit in the older woman's eyes.
"Esteban has told us about your breakdown recently. Thankfully in the house. We were betting on how long it would take you and we all lost out on money. Six weeks is pretty long for someone in your situation. I was scared it would happen after you return to work and we'd have to run damage control. But that's what this meeting is about today anyway."
Calleigh looks to her confused, she didn't care who Abuela was meeting. But now that she knows it involves her… what was this woman planning? And right on cue, the doorbell rings. Looking past her, she sees the housekeeper signal the guests into the room. Calleigh knew she should've expected this but it was still surprising.
Before she could say anything she watches as Abuela gets up and greets the Chief with a solid kiss. "Mi amor, it's been a while." she says after they break apart and he smiles warmly back at her. Turning her shocked eyes over to O' Shay, she sees him looking on uncomfortable and even annoyed.
"I figured with me being gone for almost ten weeks there had to be some oversight but you Chief? And the two of you are involved?" she couldn't stop herself from saying. The trio turn to look at her. Abuela and Rayaz were laughing at the outburst. She felt her world cave in even more. That's what that slick smile was about. Even at work I won't be able to be spared. The Navaroos reach is farther than what I thought.
O'Shay is the first to speak up. "Well hello to you too, Ms-Mrs. Navarro. You don't seem surprised to see me here." Calleigh couldn't keep her disgust at bay.
"That's because I'm not. Between the laundering, participating in prostitution and your previous involvement… it's safe to say I almost expected this. You're far from an honorable man."
Laughing even harder, Abuela makes her way to the couch. Abuela and the Chief sitting on opposite sides of her, trapping her between the two of them. O'Shay takes space on the love seat to the side of them. He was the first to speak.
"Well you and I are going to get to know each other a lot better. I've been assigned as your babysitter. Don't worry, I won't be hovering over you. But I will be keeping an eye out."
The Chief lays a hand on her head, brushing her hair back before landing his hand on her shoulder and turning her towards him. "Don't worry too much though, I've made sure you won't get any callouts to anything Navarro related but you may still be handling the evidence. I'll be there for you if you need to vent or even just a shoulder to lean on since you obviously can't go to your teammates. In fact, I won't force you to but I am highly suggesting that you come to me during your lunch. It'll be more familiar for you, in case going back is too much."
Calleigh nodded her head, all she could do at this point was accept what was happening. They wanted to make sure she wouldn't let anything spill. And with Esteban having the final say over her, she doubts he'd be happy with her acting out. She shudders at the memory of the shackles on the wall in the shed, the table that hosted Trujilio and the many victims Esteban had at his disposal. Once again she's reminded that their was more than just her well being at stake if she misbehaved. "Okay, I think that's for the best. I wouldn't be sure how to navigate through all this if I was directly assigned something Navarro related. It would be a conflict of interest down the line."
They all nod and Calleigh feels her world crashing down again. Just when she gets comfortable, something else happens to throw her off again. The Navarros were always a few steps ahead, she was truly doomed.
O'Shay spoke up once again "I suspect Horatio hasn't ended his campaign against Esteban. I've seen his signature taking out and returning evidence from the Taunter case as well as his sign in pulling files on the computer. If he approaches you about anything Taunter related, feel free to let me know what specifically was asked."
Calleigh turned green at that, with Trujilio's body being discovered they'd be asking questions on whether she had seen or heard anything from Esteban. "I'll-uhm… I'll ask Esteban about the specifics on that. It'll be better to run it through with him first before." she sees O'Shay bristle at her words. And now that she's looking harder, it seems he was holding back what looks to be anger and maybe even jealousy.
"That's good." came his clipped reply. Abuela and the Chief, well Michael since it seems they'll be closer and more familial now, both noticed the tension growing and excused O"Shay without so much a glance in his direction. Calleigh watched him as he side eyed her but left without saying anything. Turning towards Michael she couldn't help but wonder why there was such animosity. As if reading her mind, he answers her.
"He's been wanting to get in with the big leagues for years now. He's holding some…resentment towards you for as he says 'so easily be granted such a status because of a schoolboy crush'. Him being appointed as your babysitter has less to do with us wanting to keep an eye on you but more to do with you keeping him in check. That man is kept on a leash for a reason. He draws too much attention."
It seems that O'Shay is hanging on by a thread and knows that. But is this a test for me as well? How could i possibly keep him in check.
"Why keep him around then? Seems to be a bit of a reliability." she asks Michael plainly. She turns to Abuela at the sound of her "hmph" before focusing back on the Chief.
"He's a fall guy. Not like he'd last long enough to even give up the entire operation if he wanted to. He's in way too deep and knows he'd be missing before he'd be arrested. And with the lack of balls on that man, he won't even try. But he does have a slick mouth, so if he voices anything you deem worthy enough to tell us, tell us.
She nods along before turning to Abuela "Do I have to listen to him? I don't want to".
The older woman smiles. "Not necessarily. We'll let you know beforehand. So if he comes to you with any news, just tell him you'll double check with me, your Papi or Esteban." Calleigh nods at the idea. There isn't much she could do but at least she has some type of control and power.
It's at that time Esteban rolled inside the living room with a mobility scooter. He has finally gotten his cast off and is walking with a boot. "Hey Michael, you guys having the talk with her?" he rolls over to the a couch and settles in. Laying down propped up with pillows, he beckons for her to come and she obliges. "They are having the talk with me, you just missed O'Shay"
"I didn't unfortunately. He was leaving as I was coming in. He congratulated us on our nuptials, was quite happy in fact. Says I'm one lucky man to have such heavy hitting players on my court." turning towards Abuela he adds with a laugh "why was he so agitated anyway?"
"He's been inadvertently reminded of his place by your loving wife." Abuela adds in. Calleigh can feel the rumble of his chest as he laughs.
"You be careful with that man, he's looking for a promotion. Keep treating him as you have. He's not to be trusted." She looks up at Esteban and nods. She didn't know what to expect in the coming weeks but it would prove to be stressful. Keep playing their games until you can find a way to sneak away and alert Horatio. Bide your time and perfect what you'll say. Drop as many hints as you can before Horatio raises hell.