A/N: Well, this is it! This is the final chapter of this work.
Many thanks and
to all of you for your kind comments and reviews. I'll probably post one of my one-shots, and then I'll start the next one, "Cold Rain", which is second in my Emmie Stockburne/Wolfe series.
LadyTaz, you wondered what's going to happen with the Rude Sound Effects CD? Well, wonder no more! ;D
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Chapter 16—Learning to Dream AgainHoratio fingered his sunglasses thoughtfully as he walked with Special Agent Sackheim through the front entrance.
“Like to thank you for your work on the Bohannon case, Lieutenant” Sackheim said, facing him at the front entrance.
“My pleasure, Special Agent. I’m just glad we were able to clear Mr. Jensen.”
“Me too. So what do you think will happen?”
The Lieutenant looked out through the glass doors. “The stepson will probably get by with a misdemeanor assault charge. I’m sure a good defense attorney will plead it down. What can you tell me about Mr. Cooper?”
“He’s gonna turn state’s evidence. Probably probation and a slap on the hands for his testimony.”
“O’Shay?”
Sackheim raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “Him and half his diaper pals? Money laundering, illegal internet trafficking. Child porn distribution. At the very least you’re gonna have to look for another supervisor. Maybe you ought to think about moving up, Lieutenant.”
Horatio smiled as he looked toward his beloved lab. “Some other time.”
Special Agent Sackheim slipped out of the Miami-Dade Crime Lab entrance, well away from a parade of handcuffed members of the Adult Diapers Club. He was especially sure to keep his distance from Erica Sykes who stood dutifully in front of her camera crew as she covered every possible detail.
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“Ready for the weekend, Tyler?” Emmie asked as she logged off the main terminal.
Tyler looked at her with a grateful smile. “Yeah. Hey, Emmie, thanks for everything. I owe you.”
She smiled back at the AV tech. “That’s okay. You’ll actually learn to hate me in time.”
He chuckled. “No I won’t. See you Monday.” He picked up his bag as he turned to leave.
Emmie gently picked up the picture of her and Dexter at their last military ball. She opened the frame, removed the picture, and replaced it with one of just her wearing her red ball gown. As much as she still missed Dex, it was time for her to move on alone. It was a reality she never wanted to face, but as a Navy SEAL, Dex was married to his career. She dusted off the picture frame and bowed her head before setting it carefully next to the computer console and heading outside.
She stood out on the front steps, certain to keep her distance from the news cameras while rummaging for her car keys.
“Miss Stockburne” a familiar voice said behind her.
She turned around. “Hey Sir.”
Horatio stood next to her, hands on hips, wearing his sunglasses. “Got any plans this evening?”
She shrugged. “Not really. Probably head home and cook something.”
“Nice job on clearing Tyler. How about a congratulatory dinner? Rumor has it you like seafood.”
She smiled, not sure what to do. “Sir, please. Don’t fuss over me.”
“I was thinking the Portside restaurant. It’s right by the cruise ship port. And don’t worry. This time I’m buying. You have my word.”
“That’d be great. Okay if I follow—“
Both their heads whipped around in surprise as an out-of-breath Rick Stetler hurried through the glass doors.
“Emmie! Glad I caught you. If you’re not busy tonight—“ he started to say with one hand up.
“Miss Stockburne’s already got plans this evening, Rick” Horatio said firmly. “Come on, Emmie. You can follow me if you can keep up.”
Rick glared after his nemesis before going back inside.
She laughed. “I don’t believe this! Are the two of you fighting over me?”
“I just thought you’d like a break from playing politics.”
“Thanks, Sir.”
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Horatio was sure to get them a window seat. Emmie listened to him, occasionally glancing out at the massive cruise ships. She really felt as though she could relax and talk freely now.
“Thanks for taking me here, Sir. This is a beautiful view. I’d love to go on one of those cruise ships one day.”
“You’re gonna have to save up some vacation time for that.”
“Actually, I’ll have to save up more than that.” She then broke into her musical laughter. “Oh, and thank you for the rude sound effects CD. Would you believe Tyler and I used it to test the AV equipment? It has the full range of sound levels, so it's perfect for that.”
The Lieutenant smiled. “Actually I would.”
“We had a ball with it! I gave Eric Delko a copy on my microcassette recorder.” She could barely contain her laughter. “He locked it up in Frank Tripp’s desk. I heard somebody came by and put a bottle of antacid on his desk!” She caught her breath and smiled. “But I guess word got out. Sergeant Stetler came downstairs and chewed me out for my lack of professional behavior. He reminded me that this was a crime lab, not Beavis and Butthead.”
“Rick's an expert on professional behavior. What’ll you have?”
Emmie glanced at the menu. “I’m really thinking their shrimp scampi with white wine sounds great.”
“So are you adjusting to Miami okay, Emmie?” Horatio asked.
She nodded thoughtfully. “I think it’ll all be okay. If I didn’t learn about adjusting by now, there’s no hope for me. I mean it was a long, hard road last year, between losing my home and my husband, having to leave the FBI.”
“I think I can understand.”
“I hear you lost your wife not too long ago.”
Horatio looked out sadly at the water. “As a matter of fact I did.”
Emmie nodded. “I’m very sorry.” She looked down at the tablecloth. “No, the Navy told me it was a ‘training accident.’ That’s the standard answer when you marry a Navy SEAL. Sometimes I’d like to think I knew what I was getting into.”
“It looks as though Mr. Wolfe is taking an interest in you.”
She chuckled. “He’s not the only one, Sir. Any advice on what to do about Sergeant Stetler? Although I think we both know what he’s really after.”
“If Rick gets to be a problem, you talk to me. And remember what we discussed about your contacts.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. No pulling favors unless the request comes directly from you.”
After dinner Horatio led Emmie out to the deck to watch the sunset over the Miami harbor. “I think you’ll adjust.”
“I think you’re right.” She smiled. “I’m now just beginning to dream again. It feels great.” She bowed her head. “Well, can you give me directions to the Old Broward Highway from here so I can find my way home?”
“I’ll do better than that. I’ll lead you there.”
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It was almost completely dark when Emmie arrived at her parents’ property where she rented a guest house from them. The sun had completely set now, and she watched the faint light of the canal rushing out to the sea. Stryker, her silver tabby, brushed against her leg and looked up at her hopefully. She picked him up and cuddled him.
“Hey, Fuzzball. Catch any crunchy critters? Come on up here.”
The silence of the evening began to give way to the sounds of the crickets and frogs. Emmie sat and listened to the wind in the palm trees and the canal flowing out to the sea as she pet the silver tabby that settled on her lap.
“I think we’ll be okay here” she said confidently.
END