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Chapter 36
Once they got home, Mike began searching for a way to reconnect with Hannah. She was still in some pain so he was limited and she was a little scared of him. He'd never physically harm her, and she knew that, but he had caused her a great deal of emotional pain. All Mike could do was pray that he could fix it. He'd fixed his marriage and now he wanted to fix his relationship with his daughter. Christine had a lot of suggestions and was doing her best to help, but it was up to Mike. About three days after he and Christine had returned home, Hannah approached Mike.
"Dad, you knew Mom gave me back my phone, right?" Hannah asked.
"Yeah." Mike answered as he folded up his newspaper.
"Todd texted me today. I didn't respond, but I thought you needed to know." Hannah said as she handed the phone to Mike with the text to where he could read it. Todd was wanting to meet Hannah. Mike pulled his own cellphone and took a picture of the text, sending it to Tom.
"I sent it to Tom, he'll let me know how to proceed. Don't respond until I say." Mike said.
"Just keep the phone. The code is 2004." Hannah answered.
"You sure? Mom gave it back to you because you'd earned it." Mike asked.
"Yeah. I'll do what you all need me to do, but I don't want to talk to him." Hannah said. They had sat her down earlier in the week and told her that Todd had raped her. Since she had no memory of it, she was obviously traumatized.
"Alright." Mike agreed. Hannah walked back to her room and Mike looked back at his paper, wishing he knew how to have the conversation with her. Finally, Tom called.
"I spoke with Danny. We both think its time for this to come to a head. We need Hannah to agree to meet him. She can draw him out." Tom said.
"I don't like that. I have her phone. I'll text him, pretending to be her. Get him to meet somewhere, thinking he is meeting her. She stays home and safe." Mike answered.
"Mike; he'll be watching. He won't ever appear if she isn't there. I understand you wanting to protect her and we won't let anything happen. You can be there if you'd like." Tom offered. As much as Mike trusted Tom, he knew Tom could be reckless and Hannah's life was at stake. Something, Mike wouldn't screw around with. He had to protect his daughter.
"I'll go." Mike answered. Tom's interest was in finding all the associates. Mike's was protecting Hannah. He wanted the associates found and answers, but Hannah was more important.
"Alright. Text him back, tell him to meet at McGower park. Six pm. By the fountain." Tom said.
"Alright." Mike answered before hanging up and sending the text message. Next was telling Hannah that she would have to face the man who raped her. He walked to her bedroom and stood at the door, watching her for a moment. She looked so innocent.
"Hannah? I spoke with Tom. You are going to have to meet up with Todd but I will be there. Tom too." Mike said as he sat down on the bed next to Hannah.
"I was afraid of that." Hannah answered.
"Its in a public place and you won't be alone. Nothing to worry about." Mike tried assuring her, even though he felt differently. He had a bad feeling.
"And this will all be over?" Hannah asked.
"I don't know. I hope so." Mike answered.
"Me too." Hannah said as she drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. It was a defensive, protective move and Mike knew it. Was she protecting herself from Mike or the thought of what had happened?
"It'll all be okay." Mike told her before getting up and walking out of the room. He knew it had been an opportunity to talk to Hannah, but he was never good at admitting his mistakes. Christine was in the nursery, dressing Joy after her nap.
"She had a diaper leak up her back, into her hair. Easier to just give her a bath." Christine said.
"Yuck." Mike said. Christine handed Joy to him while she stripped the crib bedding and bundled everything up. Joy didn't look real happy but she wasn't running a temperature.
"I think teething is causing her to not feel great." Christine said.
"I have to go with Hannah tonight. We've set up a meeting with Todd and while I know Tom will take care of her, I'd feel better. But, if you need me to stay here?" Mike offered.
"No. You should go. We'll be fine. I've handled a teething baby before. You need to be with Hannah." Christine said.
"I need to find a way to talk to her." Mike said.
"You do. Sooner rather then later. Maybe after this is over it'll be easier." Christine said.
"Yeah." Mike said. He kissed his youngest daughter and let her cuddle close, wishing he could do the same with Hannah.
Their afternoon was calm, and too quickly, Mike and Hannah had to leave. They met up with Tom, Danny and the others. They were parked in a van a little ways away from where Hannah was meeting Todd and there were people in the park. Still, it didn't help Mike's anxiety as he watched Hannah walk to the fountain and meet a young man.
"Just wait. Russ is sitting at the nearest bench. He won't let anything happen to her." Tom said.
"Did we have her wired?" Mike asked.
"Yes, but we are too far away to here. Sasha is closer and recording everything. Stop worrying." Tom answered.
"Easy for you to say. Its not your daughter." Mike said.
"And we all love Hannah. She'll be fine." Tom said. Just then, Mike watched Todd try to hit Hannah. She had ducked the blow, but he was out of the van. "Mike, wait!" Tom yelled after him. He was about fifteen yards away from Hannah when he heard a shot ring out, and felt an exploding pain in his chest. Everything faded into black and he felt his body hit the ground.
"Dad!" Hannah screamed. It was the last thing he heard before he passed out.