Danny hesitated in the doorway. He watched for a moment. His children were safe, and he was overcome with relief. But he was afraid to burst the bubble.
Grace sat in a recliner pulled close to a sleeping Charlie's bed. She was twirling a strand of her hair and reading. It struck him as odd that she had a magazine in her hand rather than her phone. Then it hit him. Her phone was at home. Home was now a crime scene.
He must have made a sound because Grace turned his direction.
"Danno." She smiled, her voice a soft breeze.
"Hey Monkey." His eyes watered, and he moved toward her half blinded by tears, reaching out to his daughter. "You alright?"
She grabbed his hand. "I'm okay, dad. Really."
He nodded, swallowing hard, unable to speak. Grace filled the space.
"And Charlie doesn't remember a thing. Except that Auntie Cath gave him a unicorn smoothie, and he's sorry he spilled it on the couch."
"That boy wears everything he eats." Danny closed his eyes, allowing himself to laugh. God he loved this girl. He was so proud of the young woman she'd become. So brave and strong. It broke his heart.
"It's okay, Danno. I'm so glad you're - she could have -" Grace stumbled on her words; her bottom lip trembled.
"Ah, your old man's tough." Steve appeared as if from nowhere, standing beside Danny.
Grace lit up, and Danny did the same. He moved out of the way so Grace could wrap her arms around Steve as he leaned in for a hug.
"Thank you for saving us, Uncle Steve."
"Hey, it wasn't just me. Danno here stalled her - he uh -"
Steve was thankful Grace cut him off.
"Why did Aunt Catherine do this?"
Charlie stirred, whimpering in his sleep.
"Hey tiger, Danno's here. You're safe." Danny was afraid to touch his son. He didn't want to wake him, but he couldn't help but soothe the little boy. "Ssshhhh…it's okay now."
Grace stared at them, eyes still demanding an answer to her question, yet she knew she had to be patient. One thing at a time. And if Charlie woke up, she wouldn't get what she wanted. Answers. The reason why Catherine would betray all of them.
Steve commandeered a nearby chair and pushed it under Danny. "Sit before you fall down."
Danny took the offer and scooted close to his kids before opening up a little to Grace.
"I don't know why she did it, Grace. Honestly. Aunt Catherine must have a reason."
Danny struggled, grasping at straws. He didn't know what to tell his daughter. How could he explain that he was fair game? He understood that. It was part of the job. Danny glanced over his shoulder at Steve, and his partner's eyes met his. They were both in trouble here. Compartments were spilling over. Grace and her need for answers could be their downfall. They had to hold it together in front of the kids. There was no other option.
Grace didn't make it easy.
"But she hurt you and -" She smoothed out the plastic hospital bracelet on her wrist. "She drugged us. Why would she do that? I thought she loved us. Danno, Uncle Steve, please tell me why."
Hand over his mouth, Steve shook his head, visibly shaken. He took a few steps back, trembling, unable to speak.
"Uncle Steve, it's okay. I'm sorry." Grace reached for Steve and he cracked.
"I can't. I'm gonna check -" Steve pointed toward the hall. "I'm gonna check on HPD and Tani. Lou sent her over."
"Steve." Danny called after him, but his partner was gone.
"Is he okay, Dad?"
"No, Monkey. None of us are okay. And that's alright. You keep talking. I'm here. Uncle Steve will be back." He took her hand. "Don't be afraid to ask me anything."
She nodded and burst into tears. Danny wrapped his arms around his daughter, ignoring his pain, and cried with her for a few minutes until she gently pulled away.
"What did she do to you? I could feel you flinching. You're hurting."
He could feel her eyes on him as he pulled away. Then, it hit him.
"Wait a minute." His brain finally caught up. Grace knew too much. "How do you know any of this? Who told you?"
"The guy from HPD."
Danny frowned, headache now making it tough for him to concentrate for a few seconds. "HPD?"
"Guarding the door." She motioned that direction. "I made him tell me."
"You made him?" Danny raised an eyebrow. "Grace, what did you do?"
With a great big sigh, she slapped the magazine on the nightstand. "Nothing, Danno. I just asked him what happened."
"And he told you? I need to have a serious talk with-"
"Don't be mad at him." She pleaded. "It's my fault."
"I'm not mad. I'm just gonna make sure someone has foot patrol for a few weeks."
"Danno, stop it." She tilted her head and crinkled her nose just a little. "You wanted to tell me, right?"
"Yes, Grace. I wanted to be the one to tell you."
"So..." She shrugged. "Tell me. What happened? What did Auntie Catherine do?"
He paused before answering. He'd try to stall first. "I'm okay, really. This will go away. The doc patched me up."
A stare down began. Grace was no slouch when it came to playing hard to get. "What did she do?"
"Grace." Danny didn't like that heavy gaze being leveled at him by his daughter.
She held firm and deepened her frown, crossing her arms over her chest. "You said I could ask you anything."
"I did. You're right. But I didn't say I'd tell you everything." Danny steadied himself with a slow, deliberate breath. "Alright. I'll tell you a few things. Please don't give your brother the gruesome details. He's too little."
Grace rolled her eyes. "I know, Dad."
"Okay. Give me a second." Danny glanced toward the door, hoping Steve had returned. Right now, he really needed backup. And he melted just a little when Steve appeared, producing another chair from somewhere. He sat beside Danny, reaching to give Grace's hand a squeeze. Everyone watched Charlie to make sure he was still out cold.
When they were sure the little guy wasn't waking any time soon, Danny leaned forward, hands on his knees. He cleared his throat and began, speaking just above a whisper at first. Voice hesitant.
"I got home a little late. I yelled for some help with the groceries. I saw your backpack and the spill and I knew..." He stopped, a hand to his stomach, gritting his teeth to push away his discomfort before continuing. "I knew something wasn't right. I dialed Uncle Steve and tossed my phone under the couch, hoping he'd come. Then Catherine appeared. She told me what she did to you and Charlie."
"She beat you up?" Grace asked.
"She had a gun. I had to do what she wanted. She knocked me out. I woke up on the floor in my room. You both were on the bed." Danny wasn't sure Grace figured out he was skipping details, but he didn't care. This was not his daughter's burden. It already felt like he was saying too much.
Grace frowned before looking away. "I don't remember any of it."
"That's okay, Grace. I'm glad you don't." Danny patted her knee. He didn't want her to remember. Remembering meant your mind could replay the horror.
"But Danno, I-"
"No buts. It's okay." Danny flashed Grace a smile. "You want me to keep going?"
He hoped her answer was no.
Of course, it wasn't what he wanted.
"Please, dad. I wanna know."
The insistence in her tone had him shaking his head. She was stubborn.
"Alright, well, I wouldn't tell her what she wanted to know, so she locked me in the hall closet."
Stricken, Grace opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Steve jumped into the conversation.
"Really? How did you fit with all that junk?" Steve was surprised. This was his first time through the story, too. "That's why the door was open."
"In the closet? You're claustrophobic." Eyes wide, Grace rubbed her dad's arm. "That must have been really hard."
"Yea, I held out as long as I could, but I blacked out again." Danny didn't have the heart to tell her how Catherine dragged him out of the closet, almost strangling him. He remembered not being able to breathe and really thinking it would be the last time he saw his kids.
He didn't say anything else, and he was grateful Steve didn't add his part of the story. This was more than enough for Grace to deal with. He knew they'd talk again, and that was fine. Danny was done for now, and he was happy his daughter sensed that.
Grace shook her head, a half amused expression taking over the serious one. "I don't think I can ever drink anything pink again."
Danny wrinkled his nose, happy to change the subject. "Those things are gross."
"You never tried one, Danno." Grace rolled her eyes. "How would you know they're gross?"
"That color is not found in nature, Monkey."
"I don't know about that, Danno. There are some flowers-" Steve added his two cents.
"Zip it." He growled at Steve.
Hands up, Steve laughed. "Just saying."
"We don't need a horticultural lesson. Thank you very much. Right Grace?"
Danny didn't get any help from his daughter. She was too busy trying not to laugh at her dad. Steve jumped in again. Ever the loyal backup.
"You're right though. Those smoothies are gross." He frowned. "Loaded with sugar. And that's the deal with the glitter?"
"It was so good. Until -" Grace looked at her hands in her lap. "It didn't taste right. But I was so happy to see Auntie Catherine. I wasn't paying attention. I felt weird and tripped over my backpack. Then, I woke up here. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, Dad."
"Oh Grace, I'm so thankful you didn't see what happened to me." Danny dabbed at the tears streaking his battered face.
"I know, dad, I'm already scarred for life."
Both men groaned at her comment. Grace was immediately remorseful for her uncomfortable comeback.
"Really, I'm alright." She shrugged. "I guess this is what a hangover feels like?"
Steve coughed to hide his amusement. Danny glared over his shoulder before responding.
"No hangovers for you, missy." Danny ruffled Grace's hair, wincing with the effort. "Not for another 30 years.
"Danno, you can't be serious." She rolled her eyes.
"I am very serious." He pushed the chair away from the bed. "Make sure you get some sleep, okay? No keeping everyone up all night."
"Are you leaving?" Her brave facade crumbled a little.
"I have work to do, Monkey. You'll be safe here."
Steve tried to help. "Tani's gonna stay with you and Charlie tonight."
"Is that okay, Grace? Because I don't have to leave yet." The pain was evident on Danny's face. He did not want to upset his kids further, yet he really wanted to take a crack at interrogating Catherine. He needed answers.
Grace sat up straight. "It's okay, Dad. I get it. We'll be okay."
"You're sure?"
"Yes." She gave him a light shove when he tried to hug her. "Go. You'll be miserable if you stay."
"Thank you." Danny kissed her cheek. "I love you."
"Love you more, Danno."
Permission granted, Danny sighed and focused his attention on his son. Charlie was still sound asleep, covers half kicked off now. It made his dad feel so much better to see him tossing and turning. This was normal. Anyone who ever slept near the boy knew to watch for flailing limbs.
"Hey little buddy." Danny smoothed Charlie's hair. He went to say more but choked on his next words.
Grace wrapped herself around her dad again and Steve stood close behind them.
Charlie stirred but didn't wake up. He turned into his father's touch.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I know, Dad." Grace kissed his shoulder. "You and Uncle Steve go. I'll take care of Charlie."
