When they got to the interrogation room, they noticed Peter wasn't there. "Thompson... where is the Peters kid?"
"He had to go too the bathroom, why?"
Running downstairs, Mac pushed open the door, and found Peter washing his hands.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he said...."are you ready to go Peter, Danny and Don will be taking you, to Danny's place."
"Yeah...um... I will be safe there, right?"
Danny gave him the look that said.."what the fuck."
"Yes, you will be very safe, they are the best." Don and Danny where stumped, that was the first time, Mac had ever complimented them together.
As they left the station, Mac informed them to call him every for hours. "Sure Mac, let's go Peter, are you hungry?"
"Very, can we get some Pizza or something?"
"Sure, let's go," said Danny.
...................................................................
Once the boys left, Mac headed back inside, and as he opened the door, Rachel jumped out, and tried to plunge her knife into Mac. Struggling with her, she got in one good slice, before he had her tackled to the ground, and put her in cuffs.
"You have the right to remain silent... After reading her her rights, he put her into holding. Call for a child advocate, and tell them it's a emergency."
"Sure Mac, you should get that arm looked at."
"I will Thompson, call me when the advocate arrives."
Walking back up to his office, Stella seen the blood dripping down his arm.
"Mac...what happened?"
"Rachel, she sliced me before I could get a grip on her, she's in holding now."
"Do you want me call, Don?"
"No...let's wait till we know for sure, Rachel is sent away."
"Huh... come on Mac, she can't be released?"
"She can if she pleads insanity, they'll put her under psychiatric care."
"Hm...even if they do, what are her chances, of escape?"
"That I'm not sure of, but I'll tell you this, this girl is dangerous, she's not only smart, she's crafty. That combined, makes a dangerous criminal."
"Okay... let's get your arm stitched," said Stella.
"Stel... I'm not leaving till..."
"I know that, but you could allow Sid to clean and cover it for now. Come on, it won't hurt." Taking him by the hand, she lead him downstairs.
.......................................................................
Once they had the meeting with the child advocate, she agreed that the Rachel would be best left in holding till morning, when they went in front of the judge.
"Mac...it's three in the morning, let's go get that arm stitched please. The blood is already coming through, Sid's bandage."
"Okay love, let's go.'
When they arrived at the hospital, it was quiet, allowing them to be seen right away. After recieveing twelve stitches, Stella drove them home.
"How do you feel, Mac?"
"High...I feel high love. Damn, I told them no drugs."
"Aww...shame isn't it, when you are forced to do something, you don't want to do."
Unlocking the door, they headed inside.
"Come on dopey, let's get you into bed."
"But I'm not at all tired," whined Mac.
"Mhm... I've heard that before, trust me Mac, you'll be sleeping like a baby tonight." Sitting down on the bed, Mac couldn't even untie his shoes. Laughing, Stella had to do it for him, along with his pants and shirt.
"You forgot something love," he grinned sinisterly.
"Uhuh...good night, Taylor."
Laying him back, she crawled in beside him.
"Sweetheart... he whispered half asleep, you forgot to undress."
"I know Mac, don't worry, just sleep."
Finally passing out, Stella undressed, and crawled in beside him. Covering them both with the thick comforter. Turning on her side, facing the wall she felt his hand caress it's way up her leg.
"Behave Mac, you need rest." Pulling her in with his good hand, he inhaled her hair, kissed her neck, whispered he loved her ,and fell asleep.
...............................................................................
Over at Danny's, the boys were into their third game of pool.
"Boy Danny, your place is so cool, this is awesome, I'd love to have this one day."
"You know what Peter, you could, just stay on the right track, and you'll get there, trust me, I used to be like you, but then I changed. I realized life was what you make of it, so I changed my path, and now I'm a detective."
"Do you think, I could become a detective?"
"You can become anything you want to be, but it's you, that needs to make it happen, you have to make yourself want it."
"Yeah... I know and I will, you'll see."
"On that note, it's three thirty in the morning, and that court hearing is schedualed for nine. So let's all get some sleep."
Placing a sleeping bag, with three blankets on his ground, he had Peter crash on them , while Flack took the couch.
"I'll see you guys in the morning."
"Yeah...night Danny, night Don."
"Good night Peter."
With everyone down, for the rest of the night, Danny thought back to his days with his brother ,and the Tanglewood Boys.
..............................................................................................................
In the morning Don awoke first, looking on the floor, he seen Peter wasn't there. Getting up, he checked the washroom.
"Danny...Danny...get up, Peter's gone."
"What... what do you mean he's gone."
"He slipped out damn it, Mac's going to kill us. He's our witness, Christ we have to find him."
Getting dressed, Don looked for his keys, badge, gun and wallet.
"DANNY! Know what? We have bigger problems, it seems Peter stole my gun, badge, and wallet."
"Shit...we have to call, Mac." Picking up the phone, Don waited for Mac to answer.
"Bonasera."
"Stel...it's Don, where's Mac?"
"He's still sleeping, why?"
"Peter took off, he wasn't here when we woke up, but the little bastard, took my gun, badge, and wallet."
"Oh Don, Mac's going to kill you, hold on."
"Mac...Mac, wake up?"
"Mm...damn my head hurts, what the hell was in that pain killer?"
"Never mind that, Don has some news that will double that headache."
"Hello."
"Mac...I have some bad news. Peter got away, he must have left during the night."
"Have you, and Danny searched for him yet?"
"No...we just got up, but Danny's calling it in."
"Why?"
"Well....Peter took my badge, gun, and wallet."
Nothing but silence could be heard.
"Mac...Mac..."
"Get out an all points, get dressed. Then you and Messer get your asses out that door. You better hope to hell, Peter doesn't use that gun or badge."
Hanging up the phone, Danny asked...."how'd he take it Don?"
"Let me put it to you this way, MOVE YOUR ASS." Grabbing his gun, Danny and Don headed out to find Peter, before trouble found him.
As Mac got up to dress, he fell back down.
"MAC...slow down, those are pretty heavy drugs you are coming off of."
"Listen Stella, there is a fifteen year old criminal out there, with a detectives gun, and badge. I have no time for this."
Putting on his shoe, he couldn't manage to tie it.
"Here, I'll do it, and I'm coming with you, so don't argue. Someone has to drive."
Not wanting to argue, Mac grabbed his badge, while Stella helped him with his gun, as they headed out the door.
As they searched the streets of New York, they were having no luck in finding Peter.
"I think we should pull over, and walk the streets, we'll have a better chance of finding him."
"Sure Danno, let's go." Walking the beat, they asked people questions, and showed Peter's picture.
"Excuse me, have you seen this kid?"
"Hmm..no, sorry."
"Okay thanks. Damn Flack, where the hell could one kid hide, he has no friends, and lives in a foster home."
"I know Danny, but he must know the streets of New York, very well. We'll just have to keep searching."
As Peter walked the streets, he felt really guilty for taking Don's badge, wallet, and gun, but he needed to get away. He couldn't go back to that foster home, but he also couldn't tell anybody, that the man raped him, for who would believe him. Walking into a store, he took out the wallet and purchased a bag of chips, with a can of pop. "Thank you."
Leaving the store, he went across the street, and sat on a bench in the park.
"Excuse me...have you seen this young boy?"
"Oh my God, he was just here he purchased a bag of chips, and can of pop."
"Do you happen to know which way he went?"
"I think he headed towards the park."
"Thank you," said Danny.
Running towards the park, Danny and Don seen the empty chip bag, and pop can, in the garbage.
"You search left, I'll go right, yell if you find him."
"I will Danno, you too."
As they searched the park, they asked people along the way if they had seen him. Ready to give up, Don turned the corner ,and seen him sitting under the tree.
"Hey Peter...please don't run, why did you leave?"
"I'm sorry Don, I got scared, scared to go back to that foster home."
"Okay, that's understandable, but why did you steal my gun and badge?"
"Cause I thought about killing my foster father."
"Why would you want to do, that?"
Looking at Don with tears, he said...."cause he rapes me, almost every night. He comes into my room, he's always drunk, this is what he does to me." Lifting up his shirt, Don seen the bruises up and down Peter's chest.
"Aww... I'm sorry Peter, this shouldn't be happening."
"I know that, but does he care? No...either does my foster mother, she ignore's it. Doesn't care how much I scream in pain, and it hurts Don, it hurts so bad."
Helping Peter stand, Don gave him a hug.
"Let's get you to the hospital, they'll do some tests, and take some pictures, don't worry, we will take care of your foster father."
Handing Don his gun, wallet, and badge, they headed over to Danny.
"Peter...thank God, why did you run man?"
"It's a long story Danno, we need to get Peter to the hospital, I'll explain on the way."
....................................................................
Once they had Peter being looked after, Danny called Mac, and informed him they found Peter.
"Hey Mac, we've found Peter. We have him at the hospital, it seems he ran away because he didn't want to return to the foster home.:"
"Did he give a reason why?"
"He did, his foster father rapes him. I'm telling you Mac, I've never seen anything like this, the kid is completely beat."
"Okay...when you are done there, take him back to your place, have Don bring in the evidence, and do the arrest. I'll be by later, to check on you and Peter. Danny, please have Don lock up his gun, and put away his badge this time."
"I will Mac, see you soon."
"Was that Mac?" asked Don.
"It was, he wants you to get the evidence in, then go pick up the foster father ,while I take Peter back to my place."
"Okay, he should be just about finished."
When Peter walked out, he felt ashamed. Ashamed that he had to admit such a thing.
"It's okay Peter, we understand, come on, I'm taking you back to my place."
"Honest...I don't have to go back to the foster home?"
"No..you will be staying with me for a while, Don's going to pick up your foster parent, and bring him in for questioning."
"Is Don coming back to your place?"
"Yeah man, Don will come back, now let's get you to my place. We'll stop, and get you something to eat."
Leaving the hospital ,Peter for once in his life, felt safe and secure. He knew with Danny and Don, no one would ever hurt him again. Grabbing burgers and fries, they headed back to Danny's.
"Hey Danny...can we play pool again tonight?"
"Sure, if you want you can play my PS2 too. Just got NHL08, it's got some wicked graphics."
"Cool, this is going to be fun."
Gathering up all the evidence, Don dropped it off, grabbed a few officers ,and headed out to pick up Peter's foster father . When they arrived, they could smell the stench of liquor, through out the house.
Knocking on the door they heard...
"Who the hell is it, and what the hell do you want?"
"It's the police, open the door."
"For Christ sakes, what has that little bastard done now?"
Opening the door, he seen the expression on Don's face.
"What...well, I ain't got all day, say your peace, and get lost."
"Sure...I'll say my peace, you have the right to remain silent, anything you say, may be held against you in a court of law." After reading him his rights, Don explained to him the charges against him, and placed him in the squad car.
When they got to the station, Don put him in holding and said...."what you did to that young boy was sick, disgusting, vile and evil. We will make sure you rot in prison, for the rest of your life."
"Screw you, you have no proof, you have nothing except the word of a little bastard criminal.
Pulling him by his shirt, the other officers pulled Don off him.
"Come on Don, don't do it, let the court's handle it."
Slamming the door to the cell, Don left shaking in his cell.
When Don got back to Danny's, he informed Peter he'd have to testify in Court.
"Hey Don, how'd it go?"
"He's behind bars, but he has his first arraighnment, in the morning."
"Are you telling me, he's going to get off?"
"He shouldn't Peter. I need you to listen to me, you are going to have to testify. We have a solid case, but it's your testimony that will put him away for good."
"I can't do it, please don't make me, Don. I can't get up there infront of other people ,telling them the things my foster dad did to me."
"Yes you can Peter, you can do it ,and Danny and I will be with you all the way. You'll be safe, I promise."
"I'm not worried about being safe, it's the embarrassement of it all. How am I supposed...no, I won't do it. Please, don't make me tell the story."
Sitting down beside Peter, Don comforted him, while he tried again.
"Please Peter, without your testimony he may walk, do you want that, do you want another child put in jeopardy like that."
Breathing deep, he said...."okay, I'll do it."
"Look at me Peter, tell me you won't run again tonight, promise me."
"I promise, now can we play pool."
"Sure...you rack em and I'll break." Don thought to himself..."why do I have a feeling, he's going to run."
Later that night while Peter slept, Don informed Danny they would take shifts, watching Peter.
"Did you lock up your badge, and gun?"
"I did, don't worry Danno, the only one we should be worried about is Peter. He's going to need alot of help to get through the hell he's been living, the last few years."
Nodding that he understood. They started their shifts.
.......................................................................................
As Danny took over for Don, so he could get some sleep, he sat in the kitchen drinking a coffee when he heard the screams. Waking Don out of sleep, the two of them ran into the living room, and seen Peter thrashing about in his sleep.
"Peter, Peter, wake up. As he thrashed about, he punched at Don, as he shook him.
"Wake up Peter, PETER..." Waking out of sleep, he sat up and gripped Don, holding him crying. "I can't do it, please Don. I see him, see him hurting me, it hurt so bad, make it stop."
Danny was tearing up, for Peter's pain was so emotionally distraught. "Christ Don, what the hell did this kid go through?"
"Shhh...come on Peter it's okay, you're safe, we got you. No one will hurt you, ever again, you have my word."
Finally calming down, Peter laid back down, and listened to Don's voice, as he repeated over and over he would protect him. As he fell back into sleep, Don said..."I should have smashed his face in when I had the chance tonight. I'll tell you this much Danno, if I wasn't a cop, I'd kill him for what he did to this child."
"Come on man, don't talk like that, he'll be put away, and rest assured someone will get him in prison, you know what the guys are like in there, especially with child rape. He'll be dead in a few days."
"Death isn't good enough for that bastard, he needs to be given, everything he gave this kid." Nodding agreement, Danny headed back into the kitchen to make more coffee."
................................................................................................................................
It must have been four in the morning, when Mac got the call from the station.
"Taylor."
"Mac, it's Sinclair, do you know where Don is, I've tried reaching him on his cell."
"Yeah, he's over at Danny's, why?"
"WHY...cause somehow one of the prisoners got out of his cell, and beat Peter's foster father to death."
"What? How?"
"You tell me how, I have a criminal here saying nothing, and two officers ,who say Flack got a little heated earlier today with our prisoner. Now you find Don ,and get him the hell in here now, before I arrest his ass."
"Come on Sincalir, you know Don better then that. Plus he has witnesses. Danny and Peter, he was home with them all night."
"You better hope you're right Mac, now find him, and get him in here."
Hanging up the phone, Mac dressed without waking Stella, and headed over to Danny's to find out what the hell was going on.
........................................................................................................
When Mac arrived at Danny's, he knocked on the door. Waking from sleep, Danny answered it.
"Mac....what are you doing here?"
"Where's Don?"
"He's here, sleeping on the couch, why?"
"Don...Don, wake up."
"Hm... what is it, Mac? What are you doing here?"
"Where were you tonight, did you leave this apartment at all?"
"No...why would you think I did?"
"Sinclair called, he wants me to bring you in for questioning."
"Why, what the hell is going on Mac?"
"It seems someone let the criminal in the next cell out, and he beat Peter's father to death."
"What....so Sinclair thinks I did it?"
"He does, two officer's told him you got into it with Peter's father, a few hours early, is this true?"
"Well....yeah, but I only pushed him against the wall, then I left. I've been here all night, ask Danny, or Peter for that matter."
"He has been Mac, I swear to you, cause I had a nightmare about my foster father, and Don comforted me."
"What time was this at Danny?"
"I'm not sure, about one, or one thirty."
"Okay, keep your story straight, incase Sinclair needs to question you."
"Don, let's go." Getting dressed, Don headed to the station with Mac.
"Danny, is Don going to be okay? Is my foster father really dead?"
"He is Peter, and don't worry about Don, he can handle himself. Mac's there with him."
Sitting back down, Peter tried not to worry.
..............................................................
When they got to the station, Don and Mac headed right for Sinclair's office.
"It's about time you got here Don, what the hell is going on?"
"Listen Sinclair, I'm as much in the dark as you. I have no idea."
"Have you been at Danny's, all night?"
"I have, we've been keeping an eye on Peter because child service's was fully booked.
"Fine...Mac you and your team now have a new case, and solve it quickly, before it reaches the paper's or news."
Leaving the office, Don slammed Sinclair's door.
"Easy Don, don't worry, we will figure out who killed him. Go back to Danny's, and get some rest, I'll see you back here in the morning."
"It is morning Mac, but thanks for the offer. I'm just going to have a talk with my fellow detectives."
"Don't do anything stupid Don, I mean it."
"Don't worry Mac, I'll see you in a bit." Heading down to holding, Mac knew he was going to have to keep a good eye on Don, until they figured out who killed Wendle.
....................................................................................
Arriving back at home, Mac found Stella still sound asleep. Undressing, he crawled back into bed, and pulled her against him.
"Mac...you are freezing."
"Sorry love, I had to go see Don."
"Why, is something wrong?"
"It seems someone released one of the criminals in holding, and he beat Wendle to death. Now Sinclair is blaming Don, because two of his fellow officers seen him get heated, with him."
"Great...if I know Sinclair, he's put us on the case."
"He has sweetheart, but before we head out, I need you."
Turning herself, Stella caressed Mac's face with her fingertip.
"I need you too Mac, leaning in she passionately kissed him, softly plunging her tongue in and out, causing Mac to swell against her sheath.
"See what you do to me Stella, do you see how much I love you, and need your purity, to keep me whole."
Rolling her over, Mac stroked his tongue across her neck, and chest until he reached her perked nipple. Then taking his tongue, he flicked it, until she cried out. "Maaaaaaaac...."
Needing to hear more of her cries, Mac bit down tenderly, causing her to orgasm against his fingers. "God love, you are so wet and ready for me." Pulling her on top, Stella bent her head, and took Mac's thick shaft into her mouth, playing it like an instrument. Pulling on her hair, begging her without words, to take him deeper. As he felt himself coming, he pulled up towards him, and plunged deep into her tightened sheath as she clawed across his chest.
Plunging faster and deeper, Mac pulled Stella's head towards his, and plunged his tongue deep, at the same time he pushed and poured within her core. Still panting and sighing, Stella whispered... "I love you Mac Taylor, so much it hurts."
"I love you to Stella." Laying her back down beside him, she curled under his arm, and fell back into sleep.
Downstairs, Don ran into Peters.
"Peters, you son of a bitch, what the hell is going on, why would you tell Sinclair?"
"Don't start on me Flack, you had words with Wendle, what was I supposed to tell Sinclair?"
"Nothing, that's what, watch your back man, I owe you one."
"Whatever Flack." Walking from the station, Don headed back to Danny's place.
"Don, how did it go with Sinclair?"
"Not good, we have to solve the case quickly, before it hits the papers, so get dressed. We have to meet Mac and Stella down at the holding cells.
"Don, what's going to happen to me now?"
"I'm not sure Peter. For now, you stay here and don't leave this apartment, understood?"
"Sure Don, I won't I promise."