Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: As promised, this is the second part. And there is one more to come!
Enjoy!
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Chapter 2
**
Max sped through the crowd and quickly followed the girl. Something had seemed off, and she needed to find out. With her enhanced hearing she could make out something in the shrubs behind the booths and catlike she sneaked through the darkness, concentrating on the sounds. And eventually she could make out the shape of a huddled from. She slowed down and carefully moved closer.
"Hey? Are you okay?" She asked soothingly.
The girl looked at her with big eyes, backing away a little.
"You don't have to be afraid."
The girl fixed her eyes on Max, ready to run away if she came any closer. "What do you want?" she asked, fear clearly etched into her features. She looked around trying to find a way to escape, but she was with her back to one of the booths now, with Max standing only two steps away from her
"I thought you might need some help. You just looked so lost over there." Max smiled at her. "I'm Max, by the way. You can trust me, really."
The girl hesitantly raised her eyes to Max and bit her lip nervously. "I don't need your help," she said stubbornly.
"Come on, you can tell me." Max urged her; now positive something was terribly wrong here.
When the kid didn't react, Max shrugged. "Fine, I would have offered you a nice, hot chocolate, but you know, I might just as well leave you here in the coldness. Up to you." Max stood up and took a few steps, her ears still concentrating on the girl.
She heard the girl shuffle her feet behind her. "My mom told me not to talk to strangers," she said in a low voice as if to explain.
"I told you my name, I'm no a stranger." Max turned around and held out her hand. "Come on."
The girl eyed her suspiciously from the side, still pouting.
Max smiled at her again. "Come on, we're gonna look for your Mom, she is probably worrying."
At that the girl tensed visibly and her eyes filled with tears. "No. She isn't looking for me. I came here alone," she said.
Max kneeled down again. "What do you mean? Where is she?" The girl obviously needed someone to comfort her and allowed Max to hug her and hold her.
"They took her..." she sobbed. Max realized that the little girl was too exhausted to talk right now, so she just held her until she eventually calmed down. Then she wiped away the tears from her face and urged her to stand up. "You know what? We are going to get you a hot chocolate and something to eat and then you tell me, okay?" the girl nodded, and grabbed Max's hand tight.
Max lead her back through the shrubs and just when she was about to join the crowds again, Logan came towards her. "Max! Where have you been? I didn't see you anymore!" he noticed the kid that had tensed visibly when he had addressed Max only now. "Hey." He smiled confused and questioningly looked up at Max.
Max squeezed the child's hand. "It's okay, he is my friend, actually he is the one with the money we will need to get something to drink," she added.
Logan frowned. "What's going on Max?" he called after her as she dragged the kid over to the nearest booth where they sold hot drinks.
To Logan she explained. "This is my new friend. What's your name anyway?"
"Danielle," the kid said shyly.
"Hi, Danielle." Logan stuck out his hand to her. "I'm Logan."
The girl looked at him suspiciously for a moment before shaking his hand. After all, he had a friendly smile and didn't seem to be a threat.
"So where's her mom?" he addressed Max again who was already standing in line. "
"I don't know yet, but I promised to get her something to drink and eat before she had to tell us."
Logan nodded and wordlessly handed her some bills.
He turned around to Danielle again. "Are you hungry?"
The girl nodded again, her eyes cast down.
"What would you like to eat? I think they don't have anything here. But I think I saw a place where they sold hot food over there," he tried to keep up a conversation.
The little girl searched for Max who was still standing in line, she didn't seem quite comfortable with Logan.
"Max will be back in a second." Logan said quickly, noticing the girl's discomfort. He felt incredibly stupid, how could it be he didn't know how to talk to a kid?
He was relieved when Max arrived with a cup of hot chocolate which she handed to the girl
"Okay, and now let's go over there and get you something to eat. I could use something, too, by the way." She handed Logan the change and threw him a gratefully look before taking Danielle's hand again and preceding Logan to the other booth. Fortunately the line was short and while Logan held Danielle's cup with chocolate she eagerly reached for the sausage Max offered her.
Logan frowned. "She seems to be starved." Max nodded worriedly, taking a bite from her one as well. "Did you want anything by the way?"
Logan shrugged. "No thanks. But where on earth did you find her?" he said, only loud enough for Max to hear.
"She just stood there, looking so lost. Something made me follow her, and apparently I was right." She straightened. "There are a few tables over there. We could sit down to eat."
Logan watched the girl hungrily chewing down her food and smiled. "I think she's about to be finished."
"Wow, faster than me..." Max frowned.
"I think maybe you should ask her about her parents. I don't want to get into trouble for kidnapping her or something." Logan pressed seriously.
Max nodded. "Guess you are right." She handed Logan her food and bent down to look Danielle in the eyes. "So, now it's your turn. Where are your Mommy and Daddy?"
Logan sat behind Max, holding the sausage in one hand and Danielle's hot chocolate in the other.
"I don't have a dad and my mom..." She sniffed. "Some guys in uniforms grabbed her and yelled at her. I didn't understand it, but they just took her with them."
Max looked at the little girl in shock. "Do you know who those men were or where they took your mom?"
Danielle shook her head, looking at the cup Logan was holding.
"When did that happen?" he asked, holding out the mug for her to take it.
"Yesterday."
"And you have no idea why someone would do that to your mommy?" Logan continued, earning himself a nudge from Max, who stepped forward worriedly. "Where did you sleep last night?"
"Somewhere." She shrugged. "It was cold though."
Logan smiled at her. "I bet. Would you excuse us for a second though?"
Max took off her coat and put it around Danielle's shoulders and stepped over to Logan with a frown on her face.
He handed her the food and then wheeled another few steps backward. "Her mom was obviously taken into custody. But we have no clue why or where she is. What are we supposed to do now?"
He looked past Max at the little girl, sipping her chocolate.
Max shrugged. "I don't know. But we can't leave her alone. I guess we're just gonna have to find her mother."
Logan sighed. "I guess we don't really have a choice."
Then he checked his watch. "We still haven't found a place for the night. And I need to do some research; I haven't even brought my laptop."
Max walked back over to the girl, kneeling down in front of her. "Do you know where you live? We could take you there for a start. Then we'll try to find your mom, okay?"
Danielle shook her head.
Max frowned. She turned around to Logan. "So I guess it'll be a motel."
"Yeah, with an internet cafe nearby." Logan sighed, but nodded. "Okay, let's get going."
He was a little disappointed that they would have to leave that early, but Danielle looked really exhausted.
Slowly they made their way through the crowd that seemed to get bigger and bigger. They would have to come back here before they returned home.
On their way, Logan stopped shortly to buy a huge Pretzel. He realized now that he hadn't eaten in hours. He offered a bit to Danielle and she eagerly finished it within a matter of seconds. Logan smiled and broke the Pretzel in half handing the girl another piece before sticking his half into his mouth to keep up with Max.
"Hey, not so fast," he called after her, amused at the energy the task at hand had evoked in her.
Max turned around, smiling. "Sorry. You should have eaten when we all were." She chided him good-humoredly.
Eventually they reached the car and Logan frowned at the parking spot and the tag behind the window again.
Max held open the door for Danielle, then jumped in herself.
While Logan transferred, she asked the girl: "Do you know a nice hotel in town?"
Danielle shook her head. "I've never been to a hotel." But I've seen a few when we walked down that big road." She pointed into the general direction from which Logan and Max had come from earlier.
Logan started the engine and manoeuvred the car out of the parking lot. Danielle watched him with big eyes. "Why do you use your hands? I've never seen that before." She asked innocently.
Max chuckled at the innocent question.
Logan sighed and started to explain. "That's because I can't use my legs. So I had those hand controls built in to brake and accelerate, you know." He looked over at Max, who was listening curiously.
Danielle nodded seriously. "That sucks." She stated matter-of-factly. But after a sec she added. "The chair is cool though. It's like the babies who don't have to walk but get pushed around all the time, I'd like that." With that the topic was through for her and she concentrated on staring out on the dark street and the houses, all decorated festively.
They stopped at the first motel they found alongside the road and got a double room with two king-size beds. They had explained to Danielle that there was not much left to do that night to help her mother, but Max had promised her that they'd get up early in the morning and go looking for her.
The little girl nodded, apparently she was okay with this arrangement. She let Logan talk her into taking a shower before she dressed one of Max's shirts and climbed under the blanket, falling asleep within moments.
Logan still sat in the room, yawning and watching the girl on the bed. "Do you want to take a shower first?" he asked Max. He frowned at the two beds. "And do you want me to ask for another room, by the way?"
Max frowned and shook her head. "I don't see why. I'll share the bed with Danielle, you can have the other one," she decided.
"Okay. Just checkin'," he smiled at her. "Now go ahead, and don't waste all the warm water."
"Have I ever done that?" Max shot back, thinking back at the times when she had used his shower after coming home from a job or something.
"Well, actually you have," Logan answered.
Max shrugged. "Well, okay, maybe once."
She grinned and closed the bathroom door behind her. Twenty minutes later she was in bed next to Danielle, not really tired, but enjoying the warmth.
Logan took his time in the shower, enjoying the thought that he wasn't going to be alone this night, but that he would be sharing a room with Max and the girl. He even caught himself, drawing the connection to a happy family-just from the constellation of people in the room. He shook his head to himself. Well, now he was getting sentimental. Could it be he had had too much of that Christmas spirit
The clerk at the desk had assumed they were a family, too, and he had enjoyed that and had done nothing to correct the guy. This has just felt too good.
Max looked up when Logan returned from the bathroom and gently smiled at him. "Thank you for, you know, today, and that you agreed on helping her."
"Hey, what else was I to do," he replied smiling.
"Guess act like any sane person and tell me to just forget about that kid, that it's none of our business."
"I'd like to think that anybody would have acted this way. If only for Christmas' sake." Logan answered.
Max sat up. "Do you feel like going out there for a minute? There was a Christmas tree and a crib out there. I'd like to take a look and get some fresh air."
"Okay." Logan said surprised, grabbing his coat, then waited for Max to slip back into her jeans and jacket. He was still wearing his pants as he hadn't even brought something to wear at night he had realized in the bathroom. His boxer short would have to do.
Together they stepped into the cold night and walked around the corner to the tree Max had mentioned earlier. In front of it a huge crib was standing, a light flickering above the crib that held the baby. Mary and Joseph were kneeling on each side and the donkey and cow added to the peaceful image. Max stood there in awe.
"Do you like that?" Logan asked carefully. He had to admit that he'd never been a big fan of those wooden-or worse plastic-displays of the holy family.
"It looks so perfect," Max whispered.
"You think so?" Logan asked. "Why?"
"They don't seem to care that they have nothing, no home, no fire. All they have is each other and their baby." She considered the scene for a moment longer. "They seem happy."
Logan thought for a second. "Maybe that's what I was trying to say-in the car. Being happy, no matter what the circumstances might be-that's what Christmas is about."
Max smiled. "Do you think this is possible for us, too? To be happy at Christmas?"
"I think this is a good place to start, don't you think?" Logan said, smiling
Logan felt himself blush at his remark. Where had that come from? Hadn't he been all down and depressed just a couple of hours ago?
Max smiled down at him and crossed her arms in front of her chest, it was getting a little cold even for her. But when she saw his eyes there was a weird, warm feeling inside her...
Logan looked up at Max with an embarrassed grin on his face. The warm smile on Max's face made him blush even more. What was up with her? Where was her usual cool and rather distant attitude? Could it be that even she couldn't resist the spirit? He lowered his gaze as her eyes bore directly into him. It was the first time he actually seemed to be able to see right to her core, the real Max who was usually hiding behind the surface.
"Do you think we should go back? Danielle is all alone." Max felt uncomfortable all of the sudden, the way Logan answered her gaze...it was so intense.
"Let's stay for another minute." Logan answered. "She should be sleeping by now." Even though he felt a little insecure in this situation, he didn't want it to end that soon.
Max looked over her shoulder, then at her feet and shovelled some snow aside.
"What about you?" Logan asked suddenly.He stopped next to her and set his brakes, indicating that he was waiting for a serious answer.
"What about me?"
"Do you think we can be happy for Christmas?" Logan explained.
"I think I am happy already." She said shyly. "I mean, this is so great already. I've never been on vacation like this, and everything is so peaceful and relaxed here." 'and you are here,' she added silently.
Logan smiled, silently wondering what role he played in this.
He cleared his throat and unlocked his breaks. "I'm glad you like it."
"I do. Thank you." Out of an impulse she bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He looked up at her shyly, surprised by the second kiss he had gotten from her this evening. Even if it was just on the cheek. "Thanks for coming. I wouldn't have come all the way out here without you," he added thoughtfully.
"I'm not too sure about that." Max said jokingly, trying to ease the tension. "Bling would've kicked your ass at least as far as here if you had tried to bury yourself in that apartment any longer."
Logan shrugged. "Guess it's not that simple." A slight twinge of bitterness crept in his voice.
He didn't like the fact that everybody seemed to know best what was good for him. He knew that Bling had all good intentions, but he felt that somehow he should have the right to feel down and be bitter. At least sometimes. Why couldn't people understand that?
As much as he appreciated Bling's help, his happy and positive attitude often really got on his nerves and he sometimes felt that he wasn't taken serious.
Max looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm sorry. I have no right to say that."
"You have a right to say whatever you think." Logan shrugged. "And it's true...."
Max bit her lips and looked at him, expectantly
"....It's just that sometimes his attitude really pisses me off. I'm not a baby. I know full well that I shouldn't be so miserable and isolate myself. But it's not just a question of knowing that...."
"I know."
He stared straight ahead. "...sometimes I just can't get over myself...."
Max nodded. "That's okay." Then she reached out her hand and took some snow from a deep hanging branch, only to throw it at Logan. "Come on, let's go back. It's getting cold."
Logan nodded and followed her back inside.
Soon, they were both in their beds, Max lying awake watching Logan as he slept on the other bed, listening to his steady breath. It made her feel so safe and cosy, she had never felt like that before.
Then she heard Danielle shift next to her and she had to smile. Which other guy would have agreed to help a girl from the street just because she had told them a heartbreaking story?
**
Logan felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Max, who was shaking him awake. "Logan! Wake up. We gotta go! Find her mother!" she called out impatiently.
Logan groaned and squinted at her." What time is it?"
"Late." Max shot back. "Come on."
Logan yawned. "How late?" He had slept in until noon for the past two weeks or so, so he felt like it was the middle of the night.
"8.30."
Logan slowly sat up and looked around the room. "Yeah THAT'S late!" he said sarcastically.
"Where is Danielle anyway?"
"In the restaurant, having breakfast- all alone because you didn't get up!"
Logan frowned. "Why didn't you go with her then?" he asked unnerved.
"Because then you would still be asleep when we returned."
"Okay, okay!" Logan said defeated. "Go sit with her. I'll be quick to get ready."
Max looked at him, considering. But in the end she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "What do you want for breakfast? I can order already."
Logan clumsily transferred, still half asleep. "I don't care. I'll have whatever you have. Just let me wake up, okay." he said.
"Whatever." Max banged the door shut, intending to wake him up a little more with the sound. "See ya!" She yelled through the closed door before heading after Danielle.
Logan made his way to the bathroom and hurried to get ready. After a cool shower and a quick shave he felt better. Taking another critical look in the mirror he nodded satisfied. That was better. He had definitely needed a shave after those past days. Then he hurried to leave the room for breakfast. He didn't want to annoy Max any more than he probably had already with his bad mood.
Max and Danielle were sitting at a table near the entrance, giggling and laughing. They both had a huge plate with fruits and waffles on the table in front of them and drank hot chocolate. Max saw Logan enter and waved at him.
Logan smiled back and wheeled over to the two. "Hey. What are we having?" he asked.
"I ordered coffee for you, apart from that, here's a huge stock of waffles."
"Sounds great." Logan said, transferring to the bench next to Max and moving the chair out of the way.
"Hey Danielle. Did you sleep well?" he addressed the girl.
Max looked at him a little surprised, but said nothing. Usually he didn't go through the trouble of transferring.
"Yeah, thank you so much for everything." The little girl smiled at him, powdered sugar on her nose and cheek, a beard of chocolate over her lips.
The waitress appeared with Logan's coffee and asked him if he would like to order anything else to eat.
He considered the waffles and then shook his head. "I think I'm fine. Thanks."
Logan looked at Max, who was still giving him a surprised look. "You okay?" he asked light hearted, in total contrast to his earlier mood.
She shrugged and shook her head at the same time. "Yes, just a little scared. What did you do to Logan?" she joked.
Logan raised an eyebrow "Excuse me?"
"I'm just saying..."
"If you are referring to earlier...."he grinned. "I guess I'm just not a morning person. But a nice shower can make all the difference." He stuck his fork in the waffles, causing a giggle from Danielle.
"What?" he laughed back.
Danielle also stuck her fork into the stack and the two fought for the waffles. Max shook her head in disbelief. "Tell me when the old Logan's back though. I wanna be prepared." she said.
Max saw the confused look Danielle had on her face and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, we are here to find Danielle's Mom, so maybe we should make a plan for that."
Logan gave up the fight and grew serious again. "Right. So where do we start?"
Max thought for a moment. "Finding the jail she is in? Getting her out?"
"It's that simple, huh?" Logan raised an eyebrow.
Max shrugged. "Maybe it actually is."
Logan turned to Danielle "Do you know why those people might have arrested your mom?" he asked carefully.
Danielle shook her head. "They just said that she was not supposed to have that box with her. But my Mom said she didn't own it, she said she didn't know what was in it. But they didn't care."
Max looked at Logan. "She is not guilty, Logan."
"I'm just trying to get some information!" he said. "And you have no idea where they might have taken her?"
Danielle shook her head.
Max grinned. "I guess you gotta boot up an almighty computer."
"I really didn't bring it with me." Logan said, leaving her open-mouthed. He thought for a second. "Okay, so why don't we call the jails, and simply ask for her. Pretend to be some kind of attorney or government official." he suggested.
"Think they'll go for it?"
He shrugged. "It's Christmas."
"What's you mom's name?" Logan turned to Danielle again.
"Kelly."
"And her last name?"
"Watson."
"Okay. Let me check that." Logan said, taking another sip of his coffee, then quickly transferred back to his chair and headed to the public phone in the rear of the restaurant. It was separated by a door from the main room, so it was quiet enough to make the calls.
Max looked at Danielle and smiled encouragingly. "He is good at that. Believe me."
Logan flicked through the ragged phone book that was lying on the small table beside it, and then jotted down some numbers on a piece of paper that was lying around.
Then he took a deep breath and dialled the first number.
Max and Danielle still enjoyed the waffles when Logan returned after about ten minutes.
He wordlessly put down a piece of paper on the table.
Max wanted to slap him for his attitude.
She picked it up nevertheless. It read. "Allendale Prison."
"Yepp. I did it."
"White woman by the name Kelly Watson brought in yesterday for smuggling. About to be put on trial on Saturday. Or rather convicted." Logan added, for only Max to hear.
"Sounds like a lead," Max admitted, not willing to give him all the praise he obviously wanted.
"Now we gotta find a way to get her out." he started chewing his waffle, not bothering to transfer this time. "Your turn!" he challenged Max.
"First we gotta talk to her. I'm pretty sure her daughter has a right to see her. And we can just get ourselves in as aunt and uncle or something."
Logan frowned. "I'm not too sure about that. But we can try. "There's the address on the back." he said, flushing down the last bite of his waffle with some coffee. "I'm gonna go pay quickly. You two can go over and grab our stuff."
Max nodded. "Come on, Danielle."
Logan paid for the food and the room, and then returned to the two girls.
"Ready?" he asked, gathering his stuff quickly.
"Ready," Max agreed.
"Let's go then." Logan said and headed out of the door.
After a ten miles ride, they Logan parked the car in front of an intimidating looking grey building complex.
Danielle looked like she wanted to disappear beneath the seat and looked at Max, totally lost.
Max got out and opened the door, holding out a hand to Danielle." Come on. Nothing's gonna happen to you. We're gonna find your mom. See if we can talk to her, okay?"
She nodded and looked over her shoulder to see if Logan came with them, too.
Logan had transferred and followed them a few steps behind.
Max looked through the small glass window in the heavy door. "We are here to see Kelly Watson."
The man looked up at her bored.
"No trespassing," he waved her off.
"But this is her daughter, and she really wants to see her. Come on, officer."
She looked at him with the cutest face she could muster.
Logan caught up with them and cleared his throat, gently shoving Max to the side. "Excuse me sir. My name is Dexter, Paul Dexter, I'm Mrs Watson's lawyer. I'm here to see my client." He flashed his I.D., too fast for the guy to read, but effectively.
The man straightened up in his seat and took a closer look at the guy in the wheelchair. "You are her lawyer huh? Do you have an official permit to see the prisoner with you?" he asked
Logan straightened up and cleared his throat again. "Unfortunately it got lost somewhere along the lines of your facility, which should have informed me right away, after arresting her." He raised his voice. "So would you please let me through to see my client-or do I have to talk to your superior?!" he said confidently.
Max kept a straight face, though it was a little hard and watched in awe the show Logan pulled off. And apparently it was successful.
The guard frowned and struggled to restrain his temper at the obvious threat, but he pushed a button and buzzed them in. He checked his computer reluctantly. "That will be level 3, corridor 11. You have to report to the guard on duty there," he said coolly.
"And I need your names."
"The girl's name is Danielle Watson. And this is her aunt, who is taking care of her, as long her mother is under arrest. Charlene Watson." Logan answered, and then motioned for Max and Danielle to pass through.
Max held her breath, hoping he wouldn't ask for any IDs.
He tapped the wheels of his chair impatiently. "Are we done now?" he asked the guard with a forced smile. The guard just grunted something incoherent and waved them on.
"Thanks." Max smiled sweetly and pushed Danielle through the door before the guard could reconsider.
"Thank you." Logan said calmly and followed the others.
Max grinned at him and whispered. "You're pretty good."
"I know." Logan said cockily, following the signs that indicated the elevator.
She gave him a light punch on the shoulder and then followed him in the elevator.
When they reached corridor 11, Logan pulled off the same show as he had done with the guard at the entrance and soon they were guided towards the cell that held Danielle's mom
Max took the little girl's hand when she felt her become nervous. "It's gonna be fine."
The guard unlocked the door and stepped back. "You've got ten minutes." he said and disappeared
Logan looked after him before concentrating on the blond woman before him, looking at them in confusion.
"Kelly Watson?" he asked, waiting for her reaction. The young woman nodded. "My name's ...Logan. Me and my friend Max," he waved at Max to come closer, "picked up your daughter last night. She told us you had been arrested. We are here to help you." Max stepped closer, pushing Danielle in front of her. As soon as the girl came into her view, Kelly rushed towards her and embraced her in her arms.
"Mommy!" Danielle whimpered.
Max and Logan smiled down at the couple.
Kelly held her daughter safe in her arms and looked up at Max and Logan suspiciously. "Why would you want to help me?"
Logan shrugged. "Why not? It's Christmas, and you can really trust us. Please."
She forced a half-smile "Well, thank you for taking care of my daughter." She looked at Danielle questioningly asking her silently if she was okay.
Danielle nodded. "I slept in a real bed and we had waffles for breakfast!" she said
Kelly looked up gratefully. "I don't know what to say, I mean..."
Max stepped forward "That's okay. We couldn't leave her out there alone, right. And she told us that you were arrested unjustly. So we're gonna find a way to get out." She held out her hand, smiling. "I'm Max."
Kelly shook her hand hesitantly. "I still don't see why you would do that? I mean, you have not even a reason to believe that I'm not guilty."
Max smiled at her sadly. "Let's say that my childhood wasn't the most protected. I never knew my mom. And I wouldn't want for her to grow up without hers. Besides I know how much injustice and corruption is out there. We both know," she added as a way of explaining Logan's role in this.
Kelly still looked at them suspiciously, but in the end she seemed to come to the conclusion that they might be her only chance.
"And you really think you can help me?"
"Mommy, please. They are really good!" Danielle looked at her mother with big eyes, trying to convince her.
Logan spoke again. "We'll try. But we need to know what happened. Why you were arrested."
Kelly sighed. "This friend, he gave me that box and asked me to keep it for a day or two. He was a friend, at least I thought so. And in the end, they found it with me, there were illegal drugs in it apparently. And who is gonna believe a woman like me?"
"Do you have a name to go with that friend?" Logan inquired.
"He goes by the name of Buddy. But I suppose that's not his real name. I don't know his last name either." Kelly shook her head.
Max looked at Logan, and then asked Kelly again. "Can you describe him? Where we might find him? Anything?"
"You might try the shelter in the city center. Where they give out food and warm clothes for the homeless. That's where I met him the first time. I sometimes go there to get some food for Dany and me, when there's no money left from her father's alimony." She looked at her feet, embarrassed.
Max nodded, casting a look at Logan. "What did he look like?" she asked then, not wanting the woman to feel uncomfortable. She knew how hard life on the street could be and she was sure Logan didn't judge her either.
Kelly shook her head. "He's not a bad guy. Just some poor parent, trying to feed his family. How can I betray him?" she asked, clutching Danielle's to her chest.
Logan rolled a little closer. "Kelly, may I say Kelly?" he smiled at her, using his most unarming smile Max was sure had left countless women dreaming of him. When she nodded, he continued. "We have to find him first, in order to get you out, and then we will try to fix the rest, okay?"
Kelly hesitated for another second, then slowly said. "He's rather short, thin, in his mid-thirties. Last time I saw him he had grown a beard...." she reconsidered then added. "Dany should recognize him...I suppose, she won't be allowed to stay here, right?" she asked hesitantly. Logan silently shook her head. Kneeling down to her daughter Kelly explained: "Dany, darling. You can't stay here with me now. But you can do something for me, okay. Take …them back to the place where we got the food, okay. You do remember Buddy, right?"
Danielle nodded and sniffed, then embraced her mother. "Don't worry about me. I'm okay."
"We'll take care of her." Max assured her.
The guard returned and cleared his throat. Logan immediately turned around to nod at him, indicating they just needed one more moment.
They said there good byes as if they were in fact old friends with the guard watching and then left the building in silence. Logan relaxed when they were finally back in the car. "Okay, now we try to find Buddy and then get your Mom out of there." He stored away his wheelchair in the seat behind him and then started the car.
**
TBC…
A/N: As promised, this is the second part. And there is one more to come!
Enjoy!
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Chapter 2
**
Max sped through the crowd and quickly followed the girl. Something had seemed off, and she needed to find out. With her enhanced hearing she could make out something in the shrubs behind the booths and catlike she sneaked through the darkness, concentrating on the sounds. And eventually she could make out the shape of a huddled from. She slowed down and carefully moved closer.
"Hey? Are you okay?" She asked soothingly.
The girl looked at her with big eyes, backing away a little.
"You don't have to be afraid."
The girl fixed her eyes on Max, ready to run away if she came any closer. "What do you want?" she asked, fear clearly etched into her features. She looked around trying to find a way to escape, but she was with her back to one of the booths now, with Max standing only two steps away from her
"I thought you might need some help. You just looked so lost over there." Max smiled at her. "I'm Max, by the way. You can trust me, really."
The girl hesitantly raised her eyes to Max and bit her lip nervously. "I don't need your help," she said stubbornly.
"Come on, you can tell me." Max urged her; now positive something was terribly wrong here.
When the kid didn't react, Max shrugged. "Fine, I would have offered you a nice, hot chocolate, but you know, I might just as well leave you here in the coldness. Up to you." Max stood up and took a few steps, her ears still concentrating on the girl.
She heard the girl shuffle her feet behind her. "My mom told me not to talk to strangers," she said in a low voice as if to explain.
"I told you my name, I'm no a stranger." Max turned around and held out her hand. "Come on."
The girl eyed her suspiciously from the side, still pouting.
Max smiled at her again. "Come on, we're gonna look for your Mom, she is probably worrying."
At that the girl tensed visibly and her eyes filled with tears. "No. She isn't looking for me. I came here alone," she said.
Max kneeled down again. "What do you mean? Where is she?" The girl obviously needed someone to comfort her and allowed Max to hug her and hold her.
"They took her..." she sobbed. Max realized that the little girl was too exhausted to talk right now, so she just held her until she eventually calmed down. Then she wiped away the tears from her face and urged her to stand up. "You know what? We are going to get you a hot chocolate and something to eat and then you tell me, okay?" the girl nodded, and grabbed Max's hand tight.
Max lead her back through the shrubs and just when she was about to join the crowds again, Logan came towards her. "Max! Where have you been? I didn't see you anymore!" he noticed the kid that had tensed visibly when he had addressed Max only now. "Hey." He smiled confused and questioningly looked up at Max.
Max squeezed the child's hand. "It's okay, he is my friend, actually he is the one with the money we will need to get something to drink," she added.
Logan frowned. "What's going on Max?" he called after her as she dragged the kid over to the nearest booth where they sold hot drinks.
To Logan she explained. "This is my new friend. What's your name anyway?"
"Danielle," the kid said shyly.
"Hi, Danielle." Logan stuck out his hand to her. "I'm Logan."
The girl looked at him suspiciously for a moment before shaking his hand. After all, he had a friendly smile and didn't seem to be a threat.
"So where's her mom?" he addressed Max again who was already standing in line. "
"I don't know yet, but I promised to get her something to drink and eat before she had to tell us."
Logan nodded and wordlessly handed her some bills.
He turned around to Danielle again. "Are you hungry?"
The girl nodded again, her eyes cast down.
"What would you like to eat? I think they don't have anything here. But I think I saw a place where they sold hot food over there," he tried to keep up a conversation.
The little girl searched for Max who was still standing in line, she didn't seem quite comfortable with Logan.
"Max will be back in a second." Logan said quickly, noticing the girl's discomfort. He felt incredibly stupid, how could it be he didn't know how to talk to a kid?
He was relieved when Max arrived with a cup of hot chocolate which she handed to the girl
"Okay, and now let's go over there and get you something to eat. I could use something, too, by the way." She handed Logan the change and threw him a gratefully look before taking Danielle's hand again and preceding Logan to the other booth. Fortunately the line was short and while Logan held Danielle's cup with chocolate she eagerly reached for the sausage Max offered her.
Logan frowned. "She seems to be starved." Max nodded worriedly, taking a bite from her one as well. "Did you want anything by the way?"
Logan shrugged. "No thanks. But where on earth did you find her?" he said, only loud enough for Max to hear.
"She just stood there, looking so lost. Something made me follow her, and apparently I was right." She straightened. "There are a few tables over there. We could sit down to eat."
Logan watched the girl hungrily chewing down her food and smiled. "I think she's about to be finished."
"Wow, faster than me..." Max frowned.
"I think maybe you should ask her about her parents. I don't want to get into trouble for kidnapping her or something." Logan pressed seriously.
Max nodded. "Guess you are right." She handed Logan her food and bent down to look Danielle in the eyes. "So, now it's your turn. Where are your Mommy and Daddy?"
Logan sat behind Max, holding the sausage in one hand and Danielle's hot chocolate in the other.
"I don't have a dad and my mom..." She sniffed. "Some guys in uniforms grabbed her and yelled at her. I didn't understand it, but they just took her with them."
Max looked at the little girl in shock. "Do you know who those men were or where they took your mom?"
Danielle shook her head, looking at the cup Logan was holding.
"When did that happen?" he asked, holding out the mug for her to take it.
"Yesterday."
"And you have no idea why someone would do that to your mommy?" Logan continued, earning himself a nudge from Max, who stepped forward worriedly. "Where did you sleep last night?"
"Somewhere." She shrugged. "It was cold though."
Logan smiled at her. "I bet. Would you excuse us for a second though?"
Max took off her coat and put it around Danielle's shoulders and stepped over to Logan with a frown on her face.
He handed her the food and then wheeled another few steps backward. "Her mom was obviously taken into custody. But we have no clue why or where she is. What are we supposed to do now?"
He looked past Max at the little girl, sipping her chocolate.
Max shrugged. "I don't know. But we can't leave her alone. I guess we're just gonna have to find her mother."
Logan sighed. "I guess we don't really have a choice."
Then he checked his watch. "We still haven't found a place for the night. And I need to do some research; I haven't even brought my laptop."
Max walked back over to the girl, kneeling down in front of her. "Do you know where you live? We could take you there for a start. Then we'll try to find your mom, okay?"
Danielle shook her head.
Max frowned. She turned around to Logan. "So I guess it'll be a motel."
"Yeah, with an internet cafe nearby." Logan sighed, but nodded. "Okay, let's get going."
He was a little disappointed that they would have to leave that early, but Danielle looked really exhausted.
Slowly they made their way through the crowd that seemed to get bigger and bigger. They would have to come back here before they returned home.
On their way, Logan stopped shortly to buy a huge Pretzel. He realized now that he hadn't eaten in hours. He offered a bit to Danielle and she eagerly finished it within a matter of seconds. Logan smiled and broke the Pretzel in half handing the girl another piece before sticking his half into his mouth to keep up with Max.
"Hey, not so fast," he called after her, amused at the energy the task at hand had evoked in her.
Max turned around, smiling. "Sorry. You should have eaten when we all were." She chided him good-humoredly.
Eventually they reached the car and Logan frowned at the parking spot and the tag behind the window again.
Max held open the door for Danielle, then jumped in herself.
While Logan transferred, she asked the girl: "Do you know a nice hotel in town?"
Danielle shook her head. "I've never been to a hotel." But I've seen a few when we walked down that big road." She pointed into the general direction from which Logan and Max had come from earlier.
Logan started the engine and manoeuvred the car out of the parking lot. Danielle watched him with big eyes. "Why do you use your hands? I've never seen that before." She asked innocently.
Max chuckled at the innocent question.
Logan sighed and started to explain. "That's because I can't use my legs. So I had those hand controls built in to brake and accelerate, you know." He looked over at Max, who was listening curiously.
Danielle nodded seriously. "That sucks." She stated matter-of-factly. But after a sec she added. "The chair is cool though. It's like the babies who don't have to walk but get pushed around all the time, I'd like that." With that the topic was through for her and she concentrated on staring out on the dark street and the houses, all decorated festively.
They stopped at the first motel they found alongside the road and got a double room with two king-size beds. They had explained to Danielle that there was not much left to do that night to help her mother, but Max had promised her that they'd get up early in the morning and go looking for her.
The little girl nodded, apparently she was okay with this arrangement. She let Logan talk her into taking a shower before she dressed one of Max's shirts and climbed under the blanket, falling asleep within moments.
Logan still sat in the room, yawning and watching the girl on the bed. "Do you want to take a shower first?" he asked Max. He frowned at the two beds. "And do you want me to ask for another room, by the way?"
Max frowned and shook her head. "I don't see why. I'll share the bed with Danielle, you can have the other one," she decided.
"Okay. Just checkin'," he smiled at her. "Now go ahead, and don't waste all the warm water."
"Have I ever done that?" Max shot back, thinking back at the times when she had used his shower after coming home from a job or something.
"Well, actually you have," Logan answered.
Max shrugged. "Well, okay, maybe once."
She grinned and closed the bathroom door behind her. Twenty minutes later she was in bed next to Danielle, not really tired, but enjoying the warmth.
Logan took his time in the shower, enjoying the thought that he wasn't going to be alone this night, but that he would be sharing a room with Max and the girl. He even caught himself, drawing the connection to a happy family-just from the constellation of people in the room. He shook his head to himself. Well, now he was getting sentimental. Could it be he had had too much of that Christmas spirit
The clerk at the desk had assumed they were a family, too, and he had enjoyed that and had done nothing to correct the guy. This has just felt too good.
Max looked up when Logan returned from the bathroom and gently smiled at him. "Thank you for, you know, today, and that you agreed on helping her."
"Hey, what else was I to do," he replied smiling.
"Guess act like any sane person and tell me to just forget about that kid, that it's none of our business."
"I'd like to think that anybody would have acted this way. If only for Christmas' sake." Logan answered.
Max sat up. "Do you feel like going out there for a minute? There was a Christmas tree and a crib out there. I'd like to take a look and get some fresh air."
"Okay." Logan said surprised, grabbing his coat, then waited for Max to slip back into her jeans and jacket. He was still wearing his pants as he hadn't even brought something to wear at night he had realized in the bathroom. His boxer short would have to do.
Together they stepped into the cold night and walked around the corner to the tree Max had mentioned earlier. In front of it a huge crib was standing, a light flickering above the crib that held the baby. Mary and Joseph were kneeling on each side and the donkey and cow added to the peaceful image. Max stood there in awe.
"Do you like that?" Logan asked carefully. He had to admit that he'd never been a big fan of those wooden-or worse plastic-displays of the holy family.
"It looks so perfect," Max whispered.
"You think so?" Logan asked. "Why?"
"They don't seem to care that they have nothing, no home, no fire. All they have is each other and their baby." She considered the scene for a moment longer. "They seem happy."
Logan thought for a second. "Maybe that's what I was trying to say-in the car. Being happy, no matter what the circumstances might be-that's what Christmas is about."
Max smiled. "Do you think this is possible for us, too? To be happy at Christmas?"
"I think this is a good place to start, don't you think?" Logan said, smiling
Logan felt himself blush at his remark. Where had that come from? Hadn't he been all down and depressed just a couple of hours ago?
Max smiled down at him and crossed her arms in front of her chest, it was getting a little cold even for her. But when she saw his eyes there was a weird, warm feeling inside her...
Logan looked up at Max with an embarrassed grin on his face. The warm smile on Max's face made him blush even more. What was up with her? Where was her usual cool and rather distant attitude? Could it be that even she couldn't resist the spirit? He lowered his gaze as her eyes bore directly into him. It was the first time he actually seemed to be able to see right to her core, the real Max who was usually hiding behind the surface.
"Do you think we should go back? Danielle is all alone." Max felt uncomfortable all of the sudden, the way Logan answered her gaze...it was so intense.
"Let's stay for another minute." Logan answered. "She should be sleeping by now." Even though he felt a little insecure in this situation, he didn't want it to end that soon.
Max looked over her shoulder, then at her feet and shovelled some snow aside.
"What about you?" Logan asked suddenly.He stopped next to her and set his brakes, indicating that he was waiting for a serious answer.
"What about me?"
"Do you think we can be happy for Christmas?" Logan explained.
"I think I am happy already." She said shyly. "I mean, this is so great already. I've never been on vacation like this, and everything is so peaceful and relaxed here." 'and you are here,' she added silently.
Logan smiled, silently wondering what role he played in this.
He cleared his throat and unlocked his breaks. "I'm glad you like it."
"I do. Thank you." Out of an impulse she bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He looked up at her shyly, surprised by the second kiss he had gotten from her this evening. Even if it was just on the cheek. "Thanks for coming. I wouldn't have come all the way out here without you," he added thoughtfully.
"I'm not too sure about that." Max said jokingly, trying to ease the tension. "Bling would've kicked your ass at least as far as here if you had tried to bury yourself in that apartment any longer."
Logan shrugged. "Guess it's not that simple." A slight twinge of bitterness crept in his voice.
He didn't like the fact that everybody seemed to know best what was good for him. He knew that Bling had all good intentions, but he felt that somehow he should have the right to feel down and be bitter. At least sometimes. Why couldn't people understand that?
As much as he appreciated Bling's help, his happy and positive attitude often really got on his nerves and he sometimes felt that he wasn't taken serious.
Max looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm sorry. I have no right to say that."
"You have a right to say whatever you think." Logan shrugged. "And it's true...."
Max bit her lips and looked at him, expectantly
"....It's just that sometimes his attitude really pisses me off. I'm not a baby. I know full well that I shouldn't be so miserable and isolate myself. But it's not just a question of knowing that...."
"I know."
He stared straight ahead. "...sometimes I just can't get over myself...."
Max nodded. "That's okay." Then she reached out her hand and took some snow from a deep hanging branch, only to throw it at Logan. "Come on, let's go back. It's getting cold."
Logan nodded and followed her back inside.
Soon, they were both in their beds, Max lying awake watching Logan as he slept on the other bed, listening to his steady breath. It made her feel so safe and cosy, she had never felt like that before.
Then she heard Danielle shift next to her and she had to smile. Which other guy would have agreed to help a girl from the street just because she had told them a heartbreaking story?
**
Logan felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Max, who was shaking him awake. "Logan! Wake up. We gotta go! Find her mother!" she called out impatiently.
Logan groaned and squinted at her." What time is it?"
"Late." Max shot back. "Come on."
Logan yawned. "How late?" He had slept in until noon for the past two weeks or so, so he felt like it was the middle of the night.
"8.30."
Logan slowly sat up and looked around the room. "Yeah THAT'S late!" he said sarcastically.
"Where is Danielle anyway?"
"In the restaurant, having breakfast- all alone because you didn't get up!"
Logan frowned. "Why didn't you go with her then?" he asked unnerved.
"Because then you would still be asleep when we returned."
"Okay, okay!" Logan said defeated. "Go sit with her. I'll be quick to get ready."
Max looked at him, considering. But in the end she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "What do you want for breakfast? I can order already."
Logan clumsily transferred, still half asleep. "I don't care. I'll have whatever you have. Just let me wake up, okay." he said.
"Whatever." Max banged the door shut, intending to wake him up a little more with the sound. "See ya!" She yelled through the closed door before heading after Danielle.
Logan made his way to the bathroom and hurried to get ready. After a cool shower and a quick shave he felt better. Taking another critical look in the mirror he nodded satisfied. That was better. He had definitely needed a shave after those past days. Then he hurried to leave the room for breakfast. He didn't want to annoy Max any more than he probably had already with his bad mood.
Max and Danielle were sitting at a table near the entrance, giggling and laughing. They both had a huge plate with fruits and waffles on the table in front of them and drank hot chocolate. Max saw Logan enter and waved at him.
Logan smiled back and wheeled over to the two. "Hey. What are we having?" he asked.
"I ordered coffee for you, apart from that, here's a huge stock of waffles."
"Sounds great." Logan said, transferring to the bench next to Max and moving the chair out of the way.
"Hey Danielle. Did you sleep well?" he addressed the girl.
Max looked at him a little surprised, but said nothing. Usually he didn't go through the trouble of transferring.
"Yeah, thank you so much for everything." The little girl smiled at him, powdered sugar on her nose and cheek, a beard of chocolate over her lips.
The waitress appeared with Logan's coffee and asked him if he would like to order anything else to eat.
He considered the waffles and then shook his head. "I think I'm fine. Thanks."
Logan looked at Max, who was still giving him a surprised look. "You okay?" he asked light hearted, in total contrast to his earlier mood.
She shrugged and shook her head at the same time. "Yes, just a little scared. What did you do to Logan?" she joked.
Logan raised an eyebrow "Excuse me?"
"I'm just saying..."
"If you are referring to earlier...."he grinned. "I guess I'm just not a morning person. But a nice shower can make all the difference." He stuck his fork in the waffles, causing a giggle from Danielle.
"What?" he laughed back.
Danielle also stuck her fork into the stack and the two fought for the waffles. Max shook her head in disbelief. "Tell me when the old Logan's back though. I wanna be prepared." she said.
Max saw the confused look Danielle had on her face and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, we are here to find Danielle's Mom, so maybe we should make a plan for that."
Logan gave up the fight and grew serious again. "Right. So where do we start?"
Max thought for a moment. "Finding the jail she is in? Getting her out?"
"It's that simple, huh?" Logan raised an eyebrow.
Max shrugged. "Maybe it actually is."
Logan turned to Danielle "Do you know why those people might have arrested your mom?" he asked carefully.
Danielle shook her head. "They just said that she was not supposed to have that box with her. But my Mom said she didn't own it, she said she didn't know what was in it. But they didn't care."
Max looked at Logan. "She is not guilty, Logan."
"I'm just trying to get some information!" he said. "And you have no idea where they might have taken her?"
Danielle shook her head.
Max grinned. "I guess you gotta boot up an almighty computer."
"I really didn't bring it with me." Logan said, leaving her open-mouthed. He thought for a second. "Okay, so why don't we call the jails, and simply ask for her. Pretend to be some kind of attorney or government official." he suggested.
"Think they'll go for it?"
He shrugged. "It's Christmas."
"What's you mom's name?" Logan turned to Danielle again.
"Kelly."
"And her last name?"
"Watson."
"Okay. Let me check that." Logan said, taking another sip of his coffee, then quickly transferred back to his chair and headed to the public phone in the rear of the restaurant. It was separated by a door from the main room, so it was quiet enough to make the calls.
Max looked at Danielle and smiled encouragingly. "He is good at that. Believe me."
Logan flicked through the ragged phone book that was lying on the small table beside it, and then jotted down some numbers on a piece of paper that was lying around.
Then he took a deep breath and dialled the first number.
Max and Danielle still enjoyed the waffles when Logan returned after about ten minutes.
He wordlessly put down a piece of paper on the table.
Max wanted to slap him for his attitude.
She picked it up nevertheless. It read. "Allendale Prison."
"Yepp. I did it."
"White woman by the name Kelly Watson brought in yesterday for smuggling. About to be put on trial on Saturday. Or rather convicted." Logan added, for only Max to hear.
"Sounds like a lead," Max admitted, not willing to give him all the praise he obviously wanted.
"Now we gotta find a way to get her out." he started chewing his waffle, not bothering to transfer this time. "Your turn!" he challenged Max.
"First we gotta talk to her. I'm pretty sure her daughter has a right to see her. And we can just get ourselves in as aunt and uncle or something."
Logan frowned. "I'm not too sure about that. But we can try. "There's the address on the back." he said, flushing down the last bite of his waffle with some coffee. "I'm gonna go pay quickly. You two can go over and grab our stuff."
Max nodded. "Come on, Danielle."
Logan paid for the food and the room, and then returned to the two girls.
"Ready?" he asked, gathering his stuff quickly.
"Ready," Max agreed.
"Let's go then." Logan said and headed out of the door.
After a ten miles ride, they Logan parked the car in front of an intimidating looking grey building complex.
Danielle looked like she wanted to disappear beneath the seat and looked at Max, totally lost.
Max got out and opened the door, holding out a hand to Danielle." Come on. Nothing's gonna happen to you. We're gonna find your mom. See if we can talk to her, okay?"
She nodded and looked over her shoulder to see if Logan came with them, too.
Logan had transferred and followed them a few steps behind.
Max looked through the small glass window in the heavy door. "We are here to see Kelly Watson."
The man looked up at her bored.
"No trespassing," he waved her off.
"But this is her daughter, and she really wants to see her. Come on, officer."
She looked at him with the cutest face she could muster.
Logan caught up with them and cleared his throat, gently shoving Max to the side. "Excuse me sir. My name is Dexter, Paul Dexter, I'm Mrs Watson's lawyer. I'm here to see my client." He flashed his I.D., too fast for the guy to read, but effectively.
The man straightened up in his seat and took a closer look at the guy in the wheelchair. "You are her lawyer huh? Do you have an official permit to see the prisoner with you?" he asked
Logan straightened up and cleared his throat again. "Unfortunately it got lost somewhere along the lines of your facility, which should have informed me right away, after arresting her." He raised his voice. "So would you please let me through to see my client-or do I have to talk to your superior?!" he said confidently.
Max kept a straight face, though it was a little hard and watched in awe the show Logan pulled off. And apparently it was successful.
The guard frowned and struggled to restrain his temper at the obvious threat, but he pushed a button and buzzed them in. He checked his computer reluctantly. "That will be level 3, corridor 11. You have to report to the guard on duty there," he said coolly.
"And I need your names."
"The girl's name is Danielle Watson. And this is her aunt, who is taking care of her, as long her mother is under arrest. Charlene Watson." Logan answered, and then motioned for Max and Danielle to pass through.
Max held her breath, hoping he wouldn't ask for any IDs.
He tapped the wheels of his chair impatiently. "Are we done now?" he asked the guard with a forced smile. The guard just grunted something incoherent and waved them on.
"Thanks." Max smiled sweetly and pushed Danielle through the door before the guard could reconsider.
"Thank you." Logan said calmly and followed the others.
Max grinned at him and whispered. "You're pretty good."
"I know." Logan said cockily, following the signs that indicated the elevator.
She gave him a light punch on the shoulder and then followed him in the elevator.
When they reached corridor 11, Logan pulled off the same show as he had done with the guard at the entrance and soon they were guided towards the cell that held Danielle's mom
Max took the little girl's hand when she felt her become nervous. "It's gonna be fine."
The guard unlocked the door and stepped back. "You've got ten minutes." he said and disappeared
Logan looked after him before concentrating on the blond woman before him, looking at them in confusion.
"Kelly Watson?" he asked, waiting for her reaction. The young woman nodded. "My name's ...Logan. Me and my friend Max," he waved at Max to come closer, "picked up your daughter last night. She told us you had been arrested. We are here to help you." Max stepped closer, pushing Danielle in front of her. As soon as the girl came into her view, Kelly rushed towards her and embraced her in her arms.
"Mommy!" Danielle whimpered.
Max and Logan smiled down at the couple.
Kelly held her daughter safe in her arms and looked up at Max and Logan suspiciously. "Why would you want to help me?"
Logan shrugged. "Why not? It's Christmas, and you can really trust us. Please."
She forced a half-smile "Well, thank you for taking care of my daughter." She looked at Danielle questioningly asking her silently if she was okay.
Danielle nodded. "I slept in a real bed and we had waffles for breakfast!" she said
Kelly looked up gratefully. "I don't know what to say, I mean..."
Max stepped forward "That's okay. We couldn't leave her out there alone, right. And she told us that you were arrested unjustly. So we're gonna find a way to get out." She held out her hand, smiling. "I'm Max."
Kelly shook her hand hesitantly. "I still don't see why you would do that? I mean, you have not even a reason to believe that I'm not guilty."
Max smiled at her sadly. "Let's say that my childhood wasn't the most protected. I never knew my mom. And I wouldn't want for her to grow up without hers. Besides I know how much injustice and corruption is out there. We both know," she added as a way of explaining Logan's role in this.
Kelly still looked at them suspiciously, but in the end she seemed to come to the conclusion that they might be her only chance.
"And you really think you can help me?"
"Mommy, please. They are really good!" Danielle looked at her mother with big eyes, trying to convince her.
Logan spoke again. "We'll try. But we need to know what happened. Why you were arrested."
Kelly sighed. "This friend, he gave me that box and asked me to keep it for a day or two. He was a friend, at least I thought so. And in the end, they found it with me, there were illegal drugs in it apparently. And who is gonna believe a woman like me?"
"Do you have a name to go with that friend?" Logan inquired.
"He goes by the name of Buddy. But I suppose that's not his real name. I don't know his last name either." Kelly shook her head.
Max looked at Logan, and then asked Kelly again. "Can you describe him? Where we might find him? Anything?"
"You might try the shelter in the city center. Where they give out food and warm clothes for the homeless. That's where I met him the first time. I sometimes go there to get some food for Dany and me, when there's no money left from her father's alimony." She looked at her feet, embarrassed.
Max nodded, casting a look at Logan. "What did he look like?" she asked then, not wanting the woman to feel uncomfortable. She knew how hard life on the street could be and she was sure Logan didn't judge her either.
Kelly shook her head. "He's not a bad guy. Just some poor parent, trying to feed his family. How can I betray him?" she asked, clutching Danielle's to her chest.
Logan rolled a little closer. "Kelly, may I say Kelly?" he smiled at her, using his most unarming smile Max was sure had left countless women dreaming of him. When she nodded, he continued. "We have to find him first, in order to get you out, and then we will try to fix the rest, okay?"
Kelly hesitated for another second, then slowly said. "He's rather short, thin, in his mid-thirties. Last time I saw him he had grown a beard...." she reconsidered then added. "Dany should recognize him...I suppose, she won't be allowed to stay here, right?" she asked hesitantly. Logan silently shook her head. Kneeling down to her daughter Kelly explained: "Dany, darling. You can't stay here with me now. But you can do something for me, okay. Take …them back to the place where we got the food, okay. You do remember Buddy, right?"
Danielle nodded and sniffed, then embraced her mother. "Don't worry about me. I'm okay."
"We'll take care of her." Max assured her.
The guard returned and cleared his throat. Logan immediately turned around to nod at him, indicating they just needed one more moment.
They said there good byes as if they were in fact old friends with the guard watching and then left the building in silence. Logan relaxed when they were finally back in the car. "Okay, now we try to find Buddy and then get your Mom out of there." He stored away his wheelchair in the seat behind him and then started the car.
**
TBC…