Title: The Guardian
Chapter 21 – Into the Fire
For a few seconds Danny's mind hears Sonny's laughter, taunting that he'd never be able to get a good night's sleep because he'd always have to watch his back or try to sleep with one eye open. There's no fire…you're on edge…go back to sleep. Normally he would have just pushed it aside as another nightmare; something they had grown accustomed to throughout the years from various sources.
So he tries to settle back beside his brother and get some sleep; knowing that Sonny was still out there waiting to strike but that Frank Reagan's men were also there and they were safe. We are safe right?
But a few seconds later the smell doesn't dissipate as it should, if the thought is only a mere nightmare; something he'd be able to wake up from. Something's wrong…get Jamie and GET OUT!
"Jamie, wake up! Fire!"
"Danny…wha…" Jamie's lips mumble as he tries to wake himself from his sleepy stupor; blinking rapidly as Danny pushes himself out of bed and stumbles toward the door. "What is…fire?"
"Jamie, get up!" Danny states with a loud hiss as he looks at Jamie as he frantically scrambles out of bed and then heads fumbles to get his runners on, foregoing his clothing as he notices Danny shoving on his runners and then chancing to open the door.
"Is there really a fire? Think it's Sonny?"
"Yes and yes. Here…" Danny tosses Jamie his phone. "Use my phone. Call Frank Reagan," Danny directs as Jamie wastes no time in obeying. Ever since that night, Jamie had learned that hesitation could cost their lives and whatever Danny told him to do was for their benefit. Now was no exception.
Danny slowly opens the door and peers into the hallway, sure enough it was filling with smoke and he could see a small but distinct orange glow at the end of the hall. But just before he ducks inside, he watches a figured cloaked in black heading toward them and he quickly closes the door and locks it.
"Danny?" Frank's voice is heard on the other end of the line. "What's going on? Where's Matthews?"
"It's um…me Jamie. Our apartment is on fire. I don't know where Matthews is. Was he the guy out front or back?" Jamie asks as Danny takes the phone.
"Frank, it's Danny. I just checked the hall and it's full of smoke. I saw a man coming and it wasn't Matthews. I think I saw…" is all Danny manages before a loud bang is heard at the door, forcing both Danny and Jamie to look at it in haste.
"Danny?"
"Damn he's here!" Danny shouts as he hangs up in haste; Frank quickly calling his detective.
"What is it?" Henry asks as Frank slams the home phone down.
"The boys are in trouble. Let's go."
"Danny!" Jamie states frantically as the smoke starts to gain ground, seeping under the doorframe until it was doing more than merely tickling their senses.
"Window!" Danny growls just as they hear another angry kick directed at the door; the dead bolt lock about to give way any second.
"I called the fire department!"
"That won't matter, we gotta get out of here now!" Danny tells him in truth as he pushes the window open. But just as he sticks his head out, he hears determined footsteps on the metal stairs and looks up in haste. "Oh damn!" He shouts as he pushes Jamie back before a bullet can penetrate flesh or bone.
"Danny, the door!" Jamie shouts as his lungs start to constrict with a cough from the putrid smoke now entering the area with added gusto. But just as Danny reaches the door, the heavy foot kicks it open sending him flying backward and nearly toppling both him and Jamie to the ground.
Danny twists on his heel and charges the man coming in the door, the gun in his hand firing off a shot but forcing it to miss Jamie and embed itself into the wooden panel behind him. Not about to let his brother fight them alone, Jamie hurries to get their one iron frying pan and hits Danny's attacker over the back of the head just before he was about to render harm to his brother.
"We have to go….now," Danny looks up in dread as he watches two dark figures converge on the window outside.
"Danny!" Jamie shouts as he turns and tries to head for the door to get into the hallway.
Danny reaches for the fallen attacker's gun and pulls back on the trigger, missing one of them by a foot, but sending enough of a warning to make both men freeze for a few seconds. "Jamie get…" is all Danny manages before he turns and literally gasps in horror as one of Sonny's men appears and yanks Jamie into the smoke-filled hallway.
"DANNY!" Jamie shouts as he tries to wrestle himself free. In the meantime the two men in near the window had started to pursue one more; Danny firing off another shot and hitting one in the arm but then having to turn his attention to Jamie; allowing the other to advance.
"Get off him!" Danny shouts as he lunges at Jamie and his attacker, the fire at the other end of the hallway starting to gain some momentum. "Jamie! Get out of here!" Danny shouts as Jamie finally frees himself. But instead of charging toward the free exit, their end of the hallway where the smoke wasn't too bad; Jamie darts back into their apartment. "JAMIE NO!" Danny shouts as he sends an angry elbow into the face of his attacker, sending him staggering backward and allowing Danny to break free.
Not wanting to leave behind Buddy or their scrapbook, Jamie remembers where the two already packed small knapsacks were and heads for them. The rest of their meager belongings could be replaced; the other items could not. But as soon as he reenters their smoky apartment, the last attacker lunges, grabbing a handful of Jamie's pajamas and yanking him toward the hallway.
"No…" Jamie grunts as he balls his fists and hits his attacker with determined fury. "Let…go."
"You're coming with me!"
Jamie kicks his attacker in the leg, forcing him to stumble but not let go for good. But just before he was dragged further away from Danny, Danny appears and punches Jamie's attacker in the back, forcing the hold to be broken and Jamie to yank himself free.
"GO!" Danny shouts.
"Not without you!" Jamie shouts back as he kicks the man in the back of his knees the same time Danny punches him in the jaw, forcing him to stumble toward the floor, another blow by the gun still in Danny's hand and the third man is down for good.
"We go…now…" Danny huffs as he looks at the two backpacks in Jamie's grasp. "Nothing…is worth dying for. Ever!" He angrily snaps as he tosses Jamie his jacket. "We don't have time to worry about the rest. We go now."
Danny squints into the smoky hallway and then glances back at Jamie's wondering glance. "Crouch low, short breaths and stay right behind me."
"What if Sonny's waiting outside?" Jamie asks fearfully. But they have no time to wait as the second man, the one only shot in the arm, finally recovers and starts to advance.
"Now!" Danny shouts as he grabs Jamie by the arm and leads him into the hallway. The fire had already started to advance and seeing the exit was almost a challenge.
"Danny!" Jamie calls out in a loud panic as two more dark figures emerge at the end of the hallway, blocking their path and almost ensuring escape would be difficult. Danny wastes no time in turning Jamie around and then charging the exit closest to the fire; the second man already inside their apartment.
They didn't have much in there, a few articles of clothing, a few pairs of shoes, some books, some dishes and a few meager offerings of food; the real important stuff was either at school – most of their books or in the two small knapsacks on each of their backs. Running into the night…away from danger, barely dressed and fearing for their lives was almost second nature.
"It's too hot!" Jamie calls out as Danny tries to shield him with his jacket. But in the process of protecting Jamie's face, Danny's right sleeve pulls up, exposing his arm to the hot flames and allowing a few intense licks show him the folly of his ways. An angry yelp is lost in the shouting and crackling; both of them nearing the superheated exit.
"When we get to the…" Danny starts in a loud tone, but quickly stops when another shot rings out, forcing both of them to halt in their tracks.
"You two are both dead!"
"Says who!" Danny shouts back as he pulls a heavily coughing Jamie behind him.
"Sonny Malvesky!"
"Tell him to go to…hell!" Danny shouts as the door behind them opens. Danny starts to turn when he feels a hard hand on his shoulder pushing him back.
"Danny…take Jamie and run!"
"Officer Renzulli!" Danny exclaims in relief as Renzulli wastes no time in pushing Danny back toward the door as the other NYPD officer steps up; other two men Frank had stationed outside, had already been taken out by Sonny himself.
"Dan…ny…" Jamie wheezes as they enter the smoky stairwell.
"Just…keep moving."
"What…is it?"
"Nothing," Danny lies as they both hear sirens pulling up to the bottom of the block.
"Will they be…okay?" Jamie asks between coughs as they near the bottom of the stairwell.
"Yes. Keep moving!"
They hear two more shots amidst the blaring sirens as they near and then it's first responder pandemonium.
"We're okay," Danny tells the first paramedic as he pushes Jamie to the right and the two of them hurry across the other side of the back alley and both look up to see the fifth floor – their floor, of the apartment building on fire.
"Our stuff," Jamie moans as his lungs once again heave.
"We'll go by the thrift store tomorrow. We'll be okay. We are alive and have each other. That's what counts most."
"I can't…believe this."
Danny quickly wraps his arm around Jamie's shoulders and pulls him close, Jamie's head resting on Danny's shoulder for a few seconds until his eyes dart to the left and he notices two men in dark clothes heading toward them. He tugs on Danny's sleeve, prompting Danny to look up in haste.
"Damn, can't we just get a break here?" Danny huffs as he takes Jamie by the arm, bites back his own throbbing pain from the fresh burn on his arm and pulls him back into the shadows, ducking into the backdoor of the laundry mat and out of sight just before Sonny's men could advance.
Renzulli and his partner bring out two from upstairs, Frank and Henry arriving just as Danny and Jamie slip out the other side of the block, onto the front street and into the belly of a waiting cab; disappearing into the night. Something they had perfected over the years.
"Officer Renzulli where are they?" Frank asks in haste.
"I don't know sir. We got these two; one of them didn't make it. The body's still upstairs."
"I'll look for them," Henry tells Frank as he heads toward the Fire Chief to see if anyone was left inside the building.
"Did you see Sonny Malvesky?"
"No sir," Renzulli replies with a heavy sigh. "Matthews and O'Connor are dead sir."
"Thank you Officer," Frank pulls away with an angry curse. He pulls his phone and dials Danny's number and waits; praying that they somehow managed to escape and were hiding – something he knows they know how to do quite well and weren't in the clutches of their evil nemesis. "Come on Danny…." Frank whispers. "Please pick up."
"Anything?" Henry comes up to Frank with a look of concern on his face.
"Nothing."
"Where hell could they be?"
"I just hope not with Sonny Malvesky but at this point it looks like his rouse might have worked," Frank gently snarls as he looks down the darkened alley. "We need to find them tonight."
"Try him again."
But Danny doesn't answer. His phone, which had inadvertently been switched off was shoved into his pocket in the commotion, there to remain until they were sure they were safe and it could be pulled.
"We'll be okay."
"What if we're being followed?" Jamie asks, not knowing that his very jacket was the item that was still silently betraying them to their evil pursuer.
"We can't go to the Reagan's right now. If Frank and Henry are on their way to the apartment, Erin's alone and we can't…we just need…ahh…we'll go to the shelter. Sonny won't…think to look there. Damn."
"Danny, what's wrong wi…what's that? Let me see your arm."
"It's fine."
"Danny!" Jamie growls as the cabbie looks at them in the rear view mirror. "Please?"
Danny gently pulls his jacket sleeve up and shows Jamie the wound on his right arm.
"You need to get that looked at."
"We already have one hospital bill in the works for a few hundred dollars and no…we can't afford another."
"How about Linda's? Please Danny you need to get that looked at."
"It'll be fine," Danny insists as he looks at Jamie's pleading expression. "Damn that face isn't fair."
"If it gets worse, it'll cost more later."
"That really isn't fair," Danny huffs as he leans forward and taps the cabbie on his shoulder, giving him the new destination and then looking back at Jamie with a heavy frown. "You're right. But we're not spending the night there. It's too dangerous. We'll get her to just bandage the arm and then we'll head to the shelter. No arguing. It's too…are you okay?"
"Just a bit tired and sore but I didn't get burned."
"You look flushed but that could be nerves."
"I'm on edge," Jamie admits as he sags onto Danny's shoulder, watching as he pulls his phone sends a text to Linda and then looking up with a wondering glance.
"I'm gonna tell Frank we're okay but not where we're going."
"You should tell them where we are," Jamie suggests as the cab starts to near Linda's house and slows.
"They've already done enough. Look there's a cop outside and we'll just get….we'll be okay," Danny tells Jamie in a low tone as Jamie utters a small sigh and looks out the window.
"We've run in the past but….somehow it seems so different now," Jamie mentions as the cab comes to a full stop. "Won't the cop outside tell Frank we're here?"
"Probably," Danny replies as he pays the cabbie and then quickly ushers Jamie outside. "We'll deal with that later. Get moving."
Jamie hurries toward Linda's front door, Danny offering a small wave to the cop and then following his brother; Linda already waiting for them but not really knowing what to expect.
"Hey…you two okay?" Linda asks in concern as she gives Danny a hug and then pulls back to look at his tormented expression. "No. What…you smell like…"
"Smoke. There was a fire tonight."
"What? Danny did your place burn?" Linda asks in horror.
"I don't know. It was Sonny before you ask. He wasn't there but his goons where and…"
"And why aren't you with Frank Reagan right now?"
"Told you," Jamie gently hisses as Danny shoots him a warning glance.
"Because he's probably hunting him down right now. Look we just…"
"Know how to run and we ran."
"Enough!" Danny growls at Jamie, taking a step toward him. Jamie slightly recoils but holds his ground forcing Danny to look at him in remorse. "Jamie…damn I'm sorry," Danny whispers as he offers Jamie a small but comforting hug. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to yell," he whispers as Linda's hand rests on his back for some extra support. "We…ran," Danny turns around to face Linda. "Look we can't take charity from the Reagan's every time we hit a rough spot. I just need…" he pauses as he pulls up his sleeve; her lips offering his angry would a horrified gasp. "Some help."
"That's a bad burn Danny."
"I know. I just need this treated. We're not going to the ER. Please?"
"Here's what's going to happen," Linda starts in a firm tone as Danny can only look at her in amusement. "It's late and I'm thinking you two will just find some seedy motel to hold up in for the night right?"
"Shelter is free," Danny admits with a heavy sigh.
"There's a cop outside right?"
"Sonny probably followed us here. Linda…" Danny pauses as he looks up to see Linda's father looking at them from the kitchen but keeping his discreet distance. "We…"
"Will stay here for the night. You both look exhausted and if you don't want to accept help from the Reagan's at least except it from us."
Danny looks at Jamie who, despite really wanting to go back to the Reagan's, offers a sheepish shrug, making Danny's lips utter a low growl as he turns back to Linda and nods. "One night."
"Yeah one night. We're not married," she quips as she tells them to take off their jackets and wait for her to get the first aid kit.
"I better call Frank Reagan and tell him we're safe and what's up."
"Danny you know we have the room right?" Frank's heavy sigh is heard on the other end of the phone.
"Thank you but after tonight, I'll go back to our apartment and um…see what's left and if not…maybe go back to the place we had before," Danny tries to explain; knowing that their previous landlord, Mr. Peters, didn't like them and had even tangled with Frank about what kind of boys he thought they were – mischief makers. "We'll be okay. Any line on Sonny?"
"No. As we suspected he sent his men to do his dirty work and they are being questioned right now."
"There were two of our men outside and somehow his men to slip inside and nearly kill us!" Danny gently hisses as Jamie looks up in remorse from his now seated position on the couch, Linda coming up behind him. "This needs to end."
"Danny I agree. I wish you'd stay here with us."
"I'm done hiding from Sonny Malvesky," Danny looks directly at Linda as he tells Frank the truth. "He wants to end this tonight then tell him to come and get me!"
Linda merely shakes her head as Danny hangs up his phone; Frank already on his way over to Linda's to see the boys and Sonny, as suspected, outside in the shadows – watching…and waiting.
"That was a good call," she remarks dryly as Danny looks at Jamie with a small frown.
"Just try to get some rest okay?" Danny tells Jamie.
Jamie nods as Danny follows Linda toward the dining room table and eases himself down into a chair and rolls up his sleeve.
"Hold still," Linda gently barks as Danny's arm stops moving long enough for her to apply some cream to the burnt skin and then gently cover it with some soft gauze.
"Was too close tonight."
"Has Frank arrested him yet?"
"No, Sonny's in the wind, which means he's probably outside – waiting."
"I hate this," she admits softly as his free hand rests atop hers and her movements stop.
"I do to. I want to get back to our normal routine. It wasn't much but it was better than this," Danny huffs as he sags further into his chair and looks at her in concern. "School…work…you…Jamie…friends…just life. Sonny has to be taken out tonight Linda."
"I want this to end tonight also, but whatever you're thinking you better stop. Getting yourself killed for no reason isn't worth it either."
"I know," he sighs as he rubs his face and leans in, kissing her on the lips and then pulling back with a small frown. "Thank you."
"Check on Jamie and I'll make up the spare bedroom for one of you."
"Okay," Danny whispers as he watches her get up, not going to argue with her that they'd actually end up sharing the same bed as she might think them pathetic and after the events tonight that's the last thing he wanted. Danny gets up and quietly heads toward the window, looking out just as Frank's dark SUV comes to a stop and him and Henry get out and head up the stairs.
In the shadows not to far away, Sonny's eyes narrow as he notices Frank Reagan, coupled with his father and flanked by two uniformed officers, who remain outside. "So Danny boy…that's who's your ace. Maybe I can remedy that so you have no one left standing in your corner," Sonny hisses as he pulls his phone. "Leo…new plan. I have another target that I need your help with."
"Forget it man you said Danny and Jamie and that was it! I'm done wi…"
"I tell you when it's over!" Sonny angrily shouts as his partner in crime cringes on the other end of the line. "You help me or that tape of you and your cousin goes viral!"
"You set me up for that you sick bastard! You knew I was drunk and I didn't know it was her until morning!"
"You help me or your chances of anything past a street sweeper are OVER!"
Frank looks around as he knocks on the door, offering Danny a tense smile as he opens the door to let them enter Linda's quiet home.
"Mr. Brown, good evening," Frank greets Linda's father first as he hurries into the entranceway to greet their new guests.
"Is everything okay Chief Reagan?"
"Yes fine. Just wanted to talk to Danny here. I hope it's not too late."
"I've given up trying to keep things normal around here. Would you two like any coffee?"
"We won't be staying that long but thanks," Henry pipes up as he pulls away from Frank and goes to see Jamie on the couch.
"How are you two?" Frank asks as Linda directs her father into the kitchen where her mother was just getting ready to close things down for the night.
"A bit burnt," Danny holds up his bandaged arm and lightly growls. "But we're fine. I know Sonny's out there Sir and he's close."
"I'm sure he is," Frank agrees, letting the verbal formality 'Sir' go without question this time due to Danny's very visible agitated state. "He won't stay hidden for too long and as soon as we tell his men they'll take the fall for everything, they'll give him up.
"I hope so, we need this to end," Danny sighs as he looks over at Jamie as he talks to Henry. "How's are um…apartment?"
"Looks like a lot of damage to your unit and the two beside it. The one where the fire started was empty, thankfully but the man in the suite next to you suffered some smoke inhalation and his place was damaged."
"Sonny doesn't care who he hurts," Danny hisses as he looks away and then back at Frank. "I um…figured you two would be out here and Erin alone and with a cop outside, figured coming here was best."
"Erin wouldn't have minded. She knows the drill," Frank reminds him in haste. "But thank you for thinking of her."
"And tomorrow?"
"Go back to school and just…"
"Wait," Danny sighs heavily. "Okay. I want to send him a text to meet him but I'm sure he'll suspect a trap this time."
"I'm sure he would too," Frank agrees as his hand rests on Danny's shoulder. "You need rest."
Danny looks up at Frank, an emotional battle now raging in his mind and heart; he cared for Frank and Henry and…Erin. That much was evident. But, if he was honest with Frank, he'd have to admit that the same thing Frank was worried about, Danny was too – extending themselves emotionally, only to have it not as reciprocated in the long run as they might want.
They were both at a stalemate and both wrong.
"We'll talk tomorrow. Get some rest."
"Goodnight."
Danny watches Frank and Henry both leave and Jamie walk up to him in silent misery. "Don't…say it. We don't belong with them."
"You sure?"
This time it's Linda's turn to retort, making Danny look at her in defeat. "I think we all need sleep," she adds before Danny can protest her earlier statement.
"Goodnight," Danny whispers as he leans in and kisses her on the cheek; her parents watching in concern.
"Goodnight Jamie," Linda adds after giving Danny a kiss on the lips; not caring if her parents were watching.
"Goodnight."
Danny and Jamie head toward the small bedroom, both still in their pajama's. Not caring about the faint smell of smoke still lingering, both kick off their shoes and jackets and climb into the small bed.
"You okay?" Danny asks quietly as he feels Jamie trembling in his grasp.
"Reminds me of that night," Jamie confesses softly as his eyes squeeze shut. "What if we can't find another place to live that we can afford?"
"We aren't going to live at the Reagan's for free. Even if…I'd still insist that we…look the answer is no. We don't…"
"You're scared they don't want us right?" Jamie asks weakly.
"Want us how? Jamie…I know you've always wanted to find a great family to adopt us but…that's when we were kids and still worth something now…no. That dream is over."
"But they keep asking us. Maybe it's more than just feeling sorry for us."
"Fine you want me to admit I want that too? I will…there happy?" Danny gently snaps as Jamie nods his head. "But when this is all over and they have no reason to want to help or protect us…then what? We'd just be two regular guys living in their house? Maybe paying rent and…I can't think about that right now Jamie. Just focus on getting some sleep. Tomorrow….tomorrow will be like today and then…"
"We both have to work tomorrow night," Jamie reminds him.
"I know. Get some sleep. Damn this needs to end and fast."
XXXXXXXX
"Good morning," Linda greets Danny early the next morning as he slips out of the small bedroom to see her in the living groom getting her books ready for school.
"You going back today?"
"Makeup does wonders," she replies with a smile; the visual evidence from Sonny's attack, however, already starting to really fade.
"You look great."
"You're biased."
"Yes I am," Danny replies with a grin as Jamie's head pops into the hallway.
"You guys are still in your pajamas."
"We have other clothes at school," Danny informs her in haste. "We gotta run. I wanna get to school and change and then just check out our apartment and see…what's left."
"Okay. But I'm driving."
The two of them gather up their small knapsacks and follow Linda out to her small car, the three of them piling inside and pulling away from her home; Sonny not there as he was working on another devious angle that he hopes would help end this once and for all on his terms.
"Second thought…stop by the apartment first and I'll run in and see what's up," Danny suggests as Jamie looks at him in wonder. "Might not need to go and see what's his face about something vacant if this place is still livable."
"Fine by me," Jamie agrees. "I didn't much like that last place anyways."
Linda's car comes to a stop outside their apartment; the three of them looking at the two lingering police cars and the one for the county's Arson Investigation team.
"I'll be right back," Danny tells them as he looks at Jamie, offering him a verbal warning to stay put. He quickly gets out and then heads toward the front door, offering a small nod to a very familiar face. "Morning Officer Renzulli."
"Morning. You to okay?" Renzulli steps in line with Danny as he heads toward the front door, Renzulli nodding to the man starting guard to let them enter.
"Yeah, we're fine. Thanks for the help last night."
"Did you get a chance to talk to Chief Reagan last night?"
"Yeah, we're good."
"He's really worried about you two."
"I know we all want this to end but Sonny Malvesky to pay for all this. I just need to see what's left of our place."
"Sure come on up."
Danny makes small talk with Renzulli as they ride up the elevator to the top floor and then get out, Danny's lungs gently constricting from the acrid lingering odor. He nears their apartment door and stops, watching two men extracting the bullets from the walls and then stopping in his tracks and looking at all the damage. He thinks about the gun still in his possession, the one he had lifted from Sonny's goon the night before but had nearly forgotten it in the commotion; having shoved it into his knapsack and then forgetting it there until now.
"Danny?"
"Yeah uh…wow…water and fire damage…" he groans as he opens their closet to see a few burnt items and the rest water logged; everything smoke and soot saturated. "Guess we're not moving back in anytime soon."
"At least clothes can be replaced," Renzulli offers as Danny looks at him and nods thoughtfully.
"Okay, thanks. I gotta get to school. Guess I'll be doing some shopping after work," Danny sighs heavily as he pulls away and heads back toward the entrance, the few items that could be laundered and the few edible items that they could salvage they'd come and collect right after school. Where they'd be spending the night, was once again up in the air.
"Well?" Jamie asks eagerly.
"Most of it's ruined," Danny replies in truth as he gets into the front seat with a small grunt. "We'll come by after school, get what we can and then figure out the rest."
Jamie gives Danny a nod but after being in his brother's sole company for so long, knows when Danny's holding something back. What aren't you telling me Danny? What else happened up there?
They reach the high school, Danny telling Linda he'd be right back and then walking Jamie to the front door.
"I'll change and go to the library to read. There's always people there at this time."
"Good. Remember…trust your gut and I'll call you later."
"Be careful Danny."
"Always," Danny smirks as he playfully ruffles Jamie's already slightly mussed bed-head and then hurries back to Linda and into her car.
"I know you said there's some undercover cops in our classes but I'm still nervous over all this," Linda admits as they near the college parking lot.
"Sonny wants this to end. He won't drag it out much longer. I'll say the same thing to you as I did to Jamie. Trust your gut."
"See you at lunchtime?"
"It's a date," Danny replies cheekily as he kisses her on the cheek and then gets out of the car, hurrying toward the front entrance, while Linda heads back home to properly dress for the day, get her books and then come back. Danny races toward his locker, yanking out the pair of jeans and sweater and dressing in record time.
"Hey man, what's the hurry?" Demarcus grabs Danny by the arm just as Danny was about to escape out the side door and head back to their original apartment, wanting to talk to Mr. Peters before too much time had passed.
"I gotta run. Be back…"
"Hold on, you need a ride?"
"No. I need you to stay here and tell me if you see either Sonny or Leo or even Amber," Danny tells his friend and future partner in truth. "I gotta know what's going down today."
"You been smokin' or something? You smell like a campfire or…oh wait…"
"Sonny tried…he tried to burn us out last night."
"What? Jamie okay?"
"Yeah he's fine. A bit shaken up but we lost a lot of stuff and our place is…we can't go back there for a while. I just need to go and see our other landlord in case he has a space for rent. You let me know if you see any of them okay?"
"I will but I still think I should come…you know as backup," Demarcus suggests in haste.
"I need you here. Be back shortly."
With that Danny pulls away from his friend and bolts for the side door, heading outside into the early morning air and disappearing from view. He literally doesn't stop running until he's in the alleyway near their old apartment; his mind racing as to why Sonny hadn't yet tried to take him out.
He tries to fix himself as best he can, actually cursing the fact that he smells like smoke and didn't shower as he knows he should have. With a deep breath, he knocks on the door, knowing he was only coming back here as a last resort.
"Good morning Mr. Peters."
"Oh you…what can I do for you?"
"Yeah I was um…wondering if you had anything for rent?" Danny asks hopefully.
"You two just left," Mr. Peters lightly snorts in disdain. "Now you wanna come back?"
"The other place just um…wasn't for us. We always paid on time you know that."
"I'm sorry Danny, I have nothing. I already rented your old suite out."
"Okay…can I put our name down on a waiting list?"
"Waiting list? Does this look like the Hilton?"
"You know we were always good tenants. We never got into trouble or caused trouble."
"There were things that went missing," Mr. Peters blurts out and then looks at Danny with a heavy frown. "Sorry kid, I got nothing available. But since you're here…figured you'd come back at least one of these days," Mr. Peter's voice trails off as he disappears into his apartment, Danny waiting outside in wonder. "And so I kept it. Guess this was sent to you just after you moved."
Danny takes the few bits of mail and then stops at one piece in particular…his eyes looking down at the small envelope in his grasp and feels his breath literally catch as his eyes fixate on the name in the return address spot. 'Tracey Meyers'.
"Trixie," Danny whispers as he looks up in dread.
"Who?"
"I uh…" he stammers as he hastily rips the small package open and then stares at the contents in shock. "I just need…do you have a computer I can use?" He asks as his fingers fondle the small zip drive. Trixie knew what Sonny's secret was…she had proof….she mailed it to me that night…the night we talked…the night before she died. I HAVE HIM! YES!
"No."
"Please…I just need…"
"There's an internet café down the block."
"Fine," Danny grumbles as he shoves the precious piece of evidence into his pocket and tears back down the hallway, the subject of where they'd spend the night now hold in favor of the possibility of bringing down their chief adversary. Call Frank after you see what's on there…then you can have him properly arrest Sonny.
Danny barges into the internet café with his chest slightly heaving, being pointed to a lone computer in the corner and plunking himself down in haste. He shoves the zip drive into the open USB port and then reads the small note in remorse while he waits.
'Danny. I hope this helps. Sonny's a monster. I tried to leave him but he blackmailed me. Everything you need is on there. Bring him down. I'm sorry. Trixie.'
"No…only Sonny has to be sorry," Danny whispers as the zip drive comes to life. He looks at the various files but then one name in particular makes his jaw drop. "Oh what the hell…" he mutters as he clicks on the file. When it opens it contains several documents and a video clip. He opens the video clip and a few seconds into it, he feels his heart literally stop.
"Oh…my…god…" he utters in sheer horror. But just as his slightly trembling fingers can stop the video clip and open another piece of evidence his phone rings. "Demarcus, what's…"
"Where are you?"
"I finally found some solid evidence on Sonny and checking it out. Buddy with this stuff…"
"Better make it fast."
"Why? What's going on?" Danny asks in haste. "Is Sonny there?"
"No. But Leo's here and I overheard him talking to Amber. Don't worry they didn't see me, but Sonny's requested a meeting with Frank. Alone. Sonny apparently said he wants to turn himself in, but it's a setup. He's going to kill Frank Reagan."
"WHAT?" Danny half shouts as he closes down the file, a few curious glances looking at him in wonder. "Where? When?"
"Some empty lot over on 86th and like right now. Danny you gotta…"
"Come and pick me up. He's going to kill Frank and we gotta stop him! I have proof that can bring Sonny down for good!" Danny growls, as he shoves the zip drive into his pocket and fondles the gun in his other inner jacket pocket; the gun he had taken with him after leaving Linda's.
"This ends today. No matter what."
A/N: AK! Yup the fire was real…no dream sequence this time but you see it was all a part of the master plan hehe so yes small details in other chapters will slowly weave through the story and find resolve when needed *grin* So some fiery action, some whump…lots of tension and now what? Where will our boys now have to go? And their stuff? Oh and something else mentioned in this chapter is going to play out in the coming ones (did you catch that hehe) . BUT will Sonny's plan work? What did Danny find? And will this bring Sonny down for good? Would love your thoughts so please do review before you go b/c you all ROCK! And thanks so much!