Post by lucymalta on Aug 5, 2009 3:32:01 GMT -10
Well... After a tough day yesterday, I decided to start posting again as I needed some cheering up....
So.... Horatio is out of hospital and back at work, with a new puzzle to solve...
Enjoy
Lucy
Chapter 18
Horatio sighed, back at work for barely a week a hot potato had dropped right into his lap. If Stacy Keaton’s friends were right, then she was just one of many kids that got hooked up into a cult – some of whom never came out. It was not the MDPD’s job to get them out, if however – as her parents claimed - she was being held against her will… Kidnapping was in his jurisdiction, until the FBI came along.
Walking out of the reception area out towards the pool, he paused, wondering how he would be able to recognize the person he was looking for. Stopping a pool attendant, he mentioned the name of the man he needed to speak to but received a shake of the head. He was about to walk away when the attendant pointed out the woman reclining back on the sunbed.
Walking over to her Horatio paused and spoke quietly. “Excuse me ma’am, would you happen to know the whereabouts of a Mr Saviour Bernardino?”
The dark blonde looked up, trying to shield her eyes from the sun that was directly behind Horatio’s head, “I’m sorry, Who?”
“Mr Saviour Bernardino.”
She shook her head, “Never heard of him.”
Horatio made an exasperated noise, “I find that difficult to believe, considering you’re sharing a hotel room with him.”
The blonde gave him a startled look and then began to chuckle softly, the chuckles getting louder, “Oh boy… wait till I get him for this one…”
“Would you mind telling me what’s so funny?”
The woman sat up a little giving Horatio a stern look, “Who wants to know?” H gritted his teeth, annoyed that he was being played, but he drew back his jacket slightly to reveal his badge.
“Horatio Caine, Crime Lab.”
She reacted immediately, sliding her feet off the bed and into the sandals that were next to her on the floor, her voice responding softly, “Not here Lieutenant. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
The abrupt change in her mood made Horatio curious, shrugging his shoulders he gave out the only other information he had. “I was told I might need to ask Gaby to dance.”
The blonde turned pale for a moment before regaining her composure, and picking up her bag. H offered a hand to help her stand. Accepting it, she stood, then gave him a look of stunned amazement before an amused smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “I don’t really dance anymore Lieutenant – except at home - but I think I can help you speak to Dino, let’s go somewhere a little more comfortable and talk.” Leading the way into the hotel, she was followed by a mystified Horatio.
&&
“So, please tell me what made you laugh when I mentioned your partner’s name.”
Gaby grinned, “I’ve only ever known him as Dino – and we’ve been together for just over three years and been friends for much longer. All his business cards are printed as S. Bernard, so you threw me for a moment. Wait till I get him on this one.”
Horatio noted the twinkle in the blue eyes and smiled to himself, in the last few moments he had realized that Gaby Santiago was very similar to Mich, though without the scars of the past. The blonde regarded him carefully, a soft smile on her face. “Can I get you a drink?”
H shook his head, “No, thank you”
Gaby sighed, “Water or orange juice Lieutenant – don’t tell me you don’t feel thirsty in this heat.”
Horatio smiled at her teasing and accepted the juice, “So, tell me about… Dino, and why my little expression changed your mind.”
Gaby sighed, “You’re looking for a K&R specialist. Dino is one of the best. The best – but then, I’m a little biased in my opinion. We’re here for a conference, but I was feeling a little sick this morning, so I opted out of today’s meetings.”
Horatio’s concern showed on his face, “Nothing serious I hope.”
Gaby shook her head, “We got in from the Solomon Islands late yesterday evening, it was probably the lack of sleep combined with the jet lag, I’m fine, but thank you for asking.”
“The expression that you used was a code, used to request assistance from a specialist extraction team to help rescue a hostage.”
Horatio nodded, “So people used to go through you to gain access to the team.”
Gaby chuckled, “You could say that. I was part of that extraction team, though I retired a few years ago – the organization is run by my younger brother now.”
“And Dino?”
“Played a large part in helping me to retire.” Gaby’s voice was so soft that H almost didn’t catch her words, but he did notice the flicker of pain in the corner of her eyes. “If there’s something specific you need to know, maybe Dino and I could meet up with you later, he’ll be finished around five.”
Horatio nodded, “That would be great, could you come to the PD?”
Gaby smiled, “Certainly, I look forward to it.”
Taking his leave, H gave her a curious glance over his shoulder confirming that she was concealing her mirth. He couldn’t work out why a meeting between himself and a K&R specialist would be the centre of so much amusement.
So.... Horatio is out of hospital and back at work, with a new puzzle to solve...
Enjoy
Lucy
Chapter 18
Horatio sighed, back at work for barely a week a hot potato had dropped right into his lap. If Stacy Keaton’s friends were right, then she was just one of many kids that got hooked up into a cult – some of whom never came out. It was not the MDPD’s job to get them out, if however – as her parents claimed - she was being held against her will… Kidnapping was in his jurisdiction, until the FBI came along.
Walking out of the reception area out towards the pool, he paused, wondering how he would be able to recognize the person he was looking for. Stopping a pool attendant, he mentioned the name of the man he needed to speak to but received a shake of the head. He was about to walk away when the attendant pointed out the woman reclining back on the sunbed.
Walking over to her Horatio paused and spoke quietly. “Excuse me ma’am, would you happen to know the whereabouts of a Mr Saviour Bernardino?”
The dark blonde looked up, trying to shield her eyes from the sun that was directly behind Horatio’s head, “I’m sorry, Who?”
“Mr Saviour Bernardino.”
She shook her head, “Never heard of him.”
Horatio made an exasperated noise, “I find that difficult to believe, considering you’re sharing a hotel room with him.”
The blonde gave him a startled look and then began to chuckle softly, the chuckles getting louder, “Oh boy… wait till I get him for this one…”
“Would you mind telling me what’s so funny?”
The woman sat up a little giving Horatio a stern look, “Who wants to know?” H gritted his teeth, annoyed that he was being played, but he drew back his jacket slightly to reveal his badge.
“Horatio Caine, Crime Lab.”
She reacted immediately, sliding her feet off the bed and into the sandals that were next to her on the floor, her voice responding softly, “Not here Lieutenant. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
The abrupt change in her mood made Horatio curious, shrugging his shoulders he gave out the only other information he had. “I was told I might need to ask Gaby to dance.”
The blonde turned pale for a moment before regaining her composure, and picking up her bag. H offered a hand to help her stand. Accepting it, she stood, then gave him a look of stunned amazement before an amused smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “I don’t really dance anymore Lieutenant – except at home - but I think I can help you speak to Dino, let’s go somewhere a little more comfortable and talk.” Leading the way into the hotel, she was followed by a mystified Horatio.
&&
“So, please tell me what made you laugh when I mentioned your partner’s name.”
Gaby grinned, “I’ve only ever known him as Dino – and we’ve been together for just over three years and been friends for much longer. All his business cards are printed as S. Bernard, so you threw me for a moment. Wait till I get him on this one.”
Horatio noted the twinkle in the blue eyes and smiled to himself, in the last few moments he had realized that Gaby Santiago was very similar to Mich, though without the scars of the past. The blonde regarded him carefully, a soft smile on her face. “Can I get you a drink?”
H shook his head, “No, thank you”
Gaby sighed, “Water or orange juice Lieutenant – don’t tell me you don’t feel thirsty in this heat.”
Horatio smiled at her teasing and accepted the juice, “So, tell me about… Dino, and why my little expression changed your mind.”
Gaby sighed, “You’re looking for a K&R specialist. Dino is one of the best. The best – but then, I’m a little biased in my opinion. We’re here for a conference, but I was feeling a little sick this morning, so I opted out of today’s meetings.”
Horatio’s concern showed on his face, “Nothing serious I hope.”
Gaby shook her head, “We got in from the Solomon Islands late yesterday evening, it was probably the lack of sleep combined with the jet lag, I’m fine, but thank you for asking.”
“The expression that you used was a code, used to request assistance from a specialist extraction team to help rescue a hostage.”
Horatio nodded, “So people used to go through you to gain access to the team.”
Gaby chuckled, “You could say that. I was part of that extraction team, though I retired a few years ago – the organization is run by my younger brother now.”
“And Dino?”
“Played a large part in helping me to retire.” Gaby’s voice was so soft that H almost didn’t catch her words, but he did notice the flicker of pain in the corner of her eyes. “If there’s something specific you need to know, maybe Dino and I could meet up with you later, he’ll be finished around five.”
Horatio nodded, “That would be great, could you come to the PD?”
Gaby smiled, “Certainly, I look forward to it.”
Taking his leave, H gave her a curious glance over his shoulder confirming that she was concealing her mirth. He couldn’t work out why a meeting between himself and a K&R specialist would be the centre of so much amusement.