Chloe was sitting at her desk watching Malcolm talk with Dan. God, she hated him. She never liked Malcolm, but she truly hated him now. He took her baby away from her. He was responsible for the worst moment of her life. He'd taken her child away for money. She wanted to strangle him or beat him to death. She wasn't sure which appealed to her more at the moment. The only thing that stopped her from doing either of those things was the fact Malcolm was the only one she knew of that had any idea where Trixie ended up.
The way Chloe felt about Dan wasn't much better than Malcolm. Assuming that he had no part in Malcolm's plan, which Chloe prayed he didn't, he was still negligent. Maybe Malcolm got him to drink, but Dan made that decision. She might have thought that Malcolm drugged Dan under different circumstances, but Dan's blood alcohol level was well over the line. He wasn't incoherently so, but it was enough that he no business caring for a toddler. Plus, Dan admitted to willingly drinking.
"Hello, Detective."
Chloe turned to see her partner in front of her desk. "Hey. Morning."
"Good morning. Everything alright?" Lucifer asked before looking to what, or in this case who, previously had his partner's attention..
Chloe sighed and looked back at Malcolm. "As well as can be expected. I mean, I haven't killed him."
"Which shows how much restraint you have. If it were my child, he'd already be in Hell," Lucifer said as he turned back to her. "I assume you haven't told Detective Douche, since he still seems quite relaxed around his child's abductor."
"I'm not going to tell Dan, not until I know everything. I don't know what he'd do with the information," Chloe said.
"Do you think he's involved?" Lucifer asked with a frown. That would take the man's douchiness to an entirely new level. Unfortunately, Lucifer knew how possible it was for a parent to go that far. Beatrice's biological father had tried to do the exact same thing. It was sickening, but Lucifer was not surprised by what humans could do to their children at this point.
"I don't want to think so, but I can't be sure. Even if he wasn't though, he's a hothead. He might confront Malcolm if he knew. I can't risk that if I'm going find Trixie," Chloe said.
"I assure you, Detective, I will find your child no matter what Detective Douche might leak to Detective Graham, but I do believe you're right not to inform him. If he's involved, it wouldn't help matters," Lucifer said.
"I wanna believe that we'll find her, but it has been so long. If we do find her, I don't even know what I'm going to do. I mean, I want her back, and I won't leave her with people who bought her, but she's not just going to run into my arms," Chloe said. She wasn't an idiot. It had been six years since she'd seen her daughter, and Trixie had only been two at the time. She wasn't going to remember her, and unless, God forbid, her 'adoptive' parents were bad to her, she would love them. She wouldn't understand that she'd been kidnapped. All she'd understand was that she was being taken away from people that she loved.
"No, I suppose she won't, but I have no doubt that she will love you once she gets to know you again. No child would be able to help it. Beatrice certainly loves you. It barely took a handful of meetings for that to happen," Lucifer said.
Chloe couldn't help but smile at the thought of Lucifer's little girl. She loved that child like she was her own. She was scared to hope, but if she got Trixie back, she hoped she and Beatrice would be good friends. "Yeah, but that's different. Beatrice sees me as a great friend of her daddy's. I doubt she'd feel the same if I was trying to take her away from you. That's how Trixie will see it, if I find her."
Chloe took a deep breath. "We should get to work. We have this case to close."
"Of course. Oh, Detective, I nearly forgot. I was wondering if you'd do me a favor. Would you mind taking Beatrice for an hour or so after work? I have to deal with my brother for a bit, and I'd prefer she not be around. Understandably, she doesn't like being around him," Lucifer said. He didn't like being around Amenadiel either, but he needed to find out what game he was playing with Malcolm Graham.
"Of course, I'll take her. I love spending time with Beatrice. How about around seven. I'll take her for dinner and ice cream," Chloe said.
"Excellent. She'll be ecstatic," Lucifer said.
"Is everything okay? I never thought you'd willingly spend time with Amenadiel," Chloe said. She couldn't blame him. Amenadiel was an ass, who tried to take his kid away.
"Yes, and if I could avoid it, I would, but there is something I must discuss with him. It's nothing to worry about though," Lucifer said. He definitely meant the last part. He wasn't worried, but he did want to know what his brother was up, especially considering it might interfere with his own plans for Malcolm Graham.
"Okay, well, good luck. Now, let's go over what we know," Chloe said as she took out the file for their case.
Lucifer sighed tediously, but sat down to listen to the detective.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Just after the detective left with Beatrice, Lucifer prayed to his brother. Then he went over to the bar and poured himself a glass of Scotch. He heard the flutter of wings just after he finished pouring his drink. "Good timing, brother."
"What do you want? Unless you've asked me here to tell me you're finally going to do what you're supposed to, I have nothing to say to you," Amenadiel said in disdain.
Lucifer turned and smirked at his brother. "On the contrary. We have much to discuss, such as how far you've fallen, brother. I mean that metaphorically of course, but I wonder how long it will be you truly fall."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I will never fall. I'm not like you," Amenadiel said smugly.
Lucifer laughed. "But you're well on your way. You're disobeyed, just as I did, and you've broken one of the big rules."
Amenadiel's changed from smug to wary. His brother seemed to know something.
"Did you think I wouldn't know the signs of someone who'd been to Hell? You, brother, have resurrected a human," Lucifer said before taking a sip of his drink. "Now, I can't say that bothers me too much. I'm all for breaking the rules under the right circumstances, but it should be a big no no for you."
"Even if I had done what you're accusing me of, what makes you think Father hasn't sanctioned it?" Amenadiel asked.
"The fact that he's not that dumb. Resurrecting a soul from Hell, particularly a soul like Malcolm Graham's is a disaster waiting to happen. You've unleashed a loose cannon. I suppose that was probably the point though. I hope it's worth it. I know from experience that Dad's punishments can be extreme. Good luck. Maybe you'll end up taking a turn in Hell," Lucifer said with a smirk. He was pushing his brother's buttons. He knew it was the best way to find out what he was up to.
"I will not be sent to Hell, and I won't be punished either. Father will understand that I must do what is necessary to get you back to Hell, even if means using a human," Amenadiel said. He didn't realize his mistake until the smug, satisfied look crossed his brother's face.
Lucifer was grinning from ear to ear. His brother's idiocy never ceased to entertain him. "Your arrogance will always be your greatest flaw, brother. You always think you're right, and you always have to make sure everyone believes it too, so you play your hand too soon."
Amenadiel only glared in response.
Lucifer finished his drink and began pouring a new one. "So, that's why you resurrected him. He's supposed to send me back to Hell," Lucifer said before turning back to his brother and leaning against the bar. His demeanor made it clear that he was unconcerned. "Let me guess the plot. Murder via human. I suppose that makes the most sense since you know I can be injured now. And of course, you wouldn't do it yourself. You're too much of a coward to get your own hands dirty."
"Watch it, Lucifer," Amenadiel said in a low tone.
"Or what? We've already established you won't do anything yourself. Probably because you know Dad would be less than pleased," Lucifer said.
"You know nothing. Father doesn't care what happens to you as long as you are where you belong. He will congratulate me once I've put you back," he snarled.
"Then why use a human to come at me?"
Amenadiel didn't respond. He merely flew away instead.
Lucifer sighed and emptied the contents of his glass down his throat. He was going to have to deal with Malcolm Graham now. He was not concerned about anything Malcolm could do to him, especially now that he was prepared for him, but he wouldn't risk him making a move while Beatrice was present. The man had already proven he had no qualms about harming children. He wouldn't do any lasting damage to Malcolm, at least not until the detective got her own justice from him, but he would put the fear of the Devil into him. Perhaps he could kill two birds with one stone and find out about the detective's child while he was at it. Either way, Malcolm Graham would pay for all he'd done, and was planning to do, soon enough.
