Thanks for the wonderful response to the story - I really appreciate it!


Chapter 2

"Dan..." Steve greeted the groggy voice on the other end of the receiver.

"Uh...hello?" came the voice on the other end.

"Dan...wake up! It's me, Steve."

"Keller?" Dan said as he slowing came out of his slumber and realized that the phone conversation was real life. "Has something happened? What time is it?"

"Nothing has happened. Everything is fine, but I need you to come pick me up. We're going to have a day out."

"What are you talking about?" Dan asked in his state of confusion. He knew Steve, but not terribly well. The two had crossed paths a few times over the years and had struck a solid, but not particularly intense friendship. The truth was that young beat officer admired how Steve had managed his career rising through the ranks quickly and sought him out as a mentor. Steve had inspired him to take his detective's exam and plans were laid for Dan to follow that course until the shooting weeks earlier. Conversely, Steve found Dan to be engaging and had also noted how the pair together became irresistible bait for the ladies when they hit the local watering holes.

"Today is a terrific day to enjoy the city with a friend."

"Steve, are you insane? Good grief, leave me alone!" Dan pleaded.

"No way. You need to get out," Steve firmly replied.

"What? Why? Steve, it's too early and besides, why aren't you at work?" Dan asked as he dragged himself up to a sitting position on the edge of his bed.

"I took the day off," Steve answered quickly. "Now come over here and pick me up. We'll go for some coffee and then plan out the day."

"I don't understand. Why are you doing this?" Dan asked.

"Look Dan, I know you are struggling after the shooting. I know you are questioning why you are on the job. I've been there. You need to talk it out with someone and you also need to do something to take your mind off of everything. I'll bet you've been holed up in that apartment since you left the office!"

The assumption was met with silence.

"Dan?"

No answer.

"Dan, am I right? You've been holed up in your apartment wiling away your personal leave, probably getting bean sprouts and carrot juice delivered to your door rather than face the world. Am I right?"

After a few seconds, Dan finally responded. "Bean sprouts and carrot juice? That's pretty mean, Steve."

"I will ask again...am I right?" Steve pressed.

"Okay, you are. What are we going to do and why do we have to leave so early?"

"Because it's a rare day off for me and there are things I'd like to do. So again, get dressed and get over here. You're driving, by the way."

"Why?"

"Because I need to leave my car here. You see, it's not actually a vacation day for me today. I called in sick, so..."

"So you want it to look like you are at your apartment sleeping it off?" Dan said as he completed the thought.

"Something like that," Steve said with a chuckle.

"Afraid that Iron Mike is going to catch you playing hooky?" Dan teased.

"Just get over here!" Steve ordered before he hung up the phone.


Back at DeHaro Street

"Sweetheart, that was Steve on the phone as you probably guessed. He's called in sick, so I will be at the station all day instead of the half day I planned. Could you do me a favor?" Mike asked.

"Sure, Daddy," Jeannie answered somewhat guardedly.

"I do have a few errands I was going to run - nothing too hard, but I really needed to do them today. Would you be able to help me out?"

"Sure, what can I do?" she asked more cheerfully.

"Can you go over to the Giants box office and pick up some tickets? They are under my name."

"Oh?" Jeannie asked hopefully. She enjoyed going to baseball games with her father.

Mike continued. "I'm taking Steve for his birthday - got seats right behind home plate."

"Oh..." the note of disappointment was indeed missed by her father.

Mike continued. "I also need you to go to the bank and make this deposit for me. And also go to the hardware store to pick up this little list of items," he added as he stuck a list in front of her nose.

"Sure," she said unenthusiastically as she mentally rescheduled her time. "Anything else?"

"Well, yes, there's a gift at the department store..." Mike began.

"For Steve?" she asked with a bit of edge.

"No, for Irene. I bought her a pendant that I had engraved and I need for you to pick it up. Is that okay?"

Her father had been dating fellow officer Irene Martin for a few months and it pleased her to see the long missing spark back in her father's eyes. Jeannie walked over to Mike and gave him a hug. "That's so sweet of you to do that for Irene. She's really special to you, isn't she?"

"Yes, sweetheart, she is. So do you mind?" Mike asked with wide eyes.

"Of course not. I need to call the girls. We were going to go shopping, but we can do that tomorrow," she replied cheerfully.

"That's my baby girl," he said as he returned the hug.


An hour later at Union Street.

Dan, where are you? He should have been here a half hour ago! I'm going to call him again.

Steve picked up the phone and called his friend.

"Hello?" Dan answered groggily.

"Dan, what the hell?" Steve barked.

"Steve, I'm sorry man. I'm too tired. I fell back asleep."

"You're not tired. You're depressed. Now get your butt over here and pick me up!" Steve said as he slammed down the phone.

That poor guy. I hate to be mean, but he needs someone to knock some sense into him.

Dan looked at the phone and stared, knowing that he should get dressed and go over to meet with Steve. But it was hard to move...it had been too long since he was motivated. I'll go, I'll go, I'll go. He thought to himself. But I don't want to. Why doesn't he just leave me alone?!


When Daniel was in Egypt's land, let my Daniel go...