Danny took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Detective." Mr Clark looked up from the box he was filling.
"Mr Clark." Danny looked around the room. There were bits and pieces of the boy that had lived there still up on the walls. "How are you doing?"
"Fine, I guess. I'm sure it'll hit me later."
Danny nodded. He remembered those feelings all too well. He wanted to say something but knew that there were no words that would give the man before him what he wanted -- his son back.
"Can I help you with that?'
The older man nodded silently. Danny pulled off his jacket, carefully draping it over the back of the desk chair. He picked up an empty box and began to carefully pack up the various photos and awards that were hanging over the desk.
"Five time Spelling Bee Champ." Danny smiled as he picked up a certificate. "Ain't that something."
"Most people would think it was stupid." Mr Clark grinned. "But Lucas couldn't play sports like the other boys. So he worked his mind instead."
"I was smarter than most of the kids I grew up with. Every time I got into trouble my father was always talking about how I was too smart to act like that." Danny laughed to himself. "Only reason I didn't get stuffed in my locker every week was cause I was a tough guy. Anyone tried anything, I'd haul off and smack 'em."
"And now you're a police detective. I imagine your father is very proud."
"Insanely. Most tough guys from my neighborhood end up on the other side of the bars."
Danny pulled down the last photo. "I don't mean to pry." He held the photo up. A younger Lucas sat in a wheelchair, surrounded by nurses.
"Ah, yes." Mr Clark reached for the photo. "Our most trying days.
"Lucas was born with a heart defect. That's why he couldn't play sports. When he was 11, his heart started to give out for good. He needed a transplant but Lucas was a hard match, he is -- was AB negative. Only 1 of the world has the same blood type.
"The first heart was found about a year later but his body rejected it. It was such a miracle to find a heart we never expected to find a second one. But we did. I still remember the day they came and told us. Lucas told the nurses he was going to grow up and travel the world. He was going to visit every country and send them back a postcard so they could see where he'd been. Now he's never --"
Danny flinched as the boy's father choked back tears.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Look, I know that there's nothing that can bring your son back. But I want you to know that we're never going to stop looking for who did this. Lucas deserves justice and one day, no matter how long it takes, he'll get it."
It was all he could think to say. And the best part was, he meant it. He'd wasn't going to rest until the freak that killed the boy that wanted to see the world was found and punished for what he did.
