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They'd made it an early night.
A rare occurrence that was justified only by a closed case, a high profile one at that.
Mike had left before the press conference ever started, a gesture of appreciation from the brass for a job well done, for speculations being kept out of the greedy hands of the media, and for treating a difficult situation with the utmost courtesy and efficiency.
He'd sent Steve home to catch up on some rest, then went grocery shopping and headed back to the decidedly quieter DeHaro house, missing his daughter dearly.
Then again, there was something to be said about the solitude of an empty house, allowing him to think clear after a period of bad events that tested his perseverance.
With Marietti's words still fresh on his mind, he'd been able to move on from the resentment and helplessness he'd felt about the Hendricks' murder, the dark shadow that had been following him for weeks finally vanishing.
Even his latest phone conversation with a newly distressed Pam Hendricks allowed him to go through the motions of soothing conversation and offering encouragement with a renewed sense of peace.
It was a dearly missed feeling he was glad to have back.
Mike had been mindlessly staring out the alcove window of his living room for the past few minutes, when he noticed a silver dot rushing by, then slamming on the brakes next to a parking spot.
"What in the world…?"
Instantly snapping out of his daydreams, Mike walked over to the front door, opening it in time to watch Steve hurry up the stairs, taking two steps at once, surprisingly euphoric.
"Didn't I tell you to take it easy?", Mike scolded half-heartedly and leaned against the doorframe, waiting impatiently until his partner arrived, a broad grin lighting up his features between rapids breaths.
"That one couldn't…wait. Plus, I…wanted to see your face once you found out."
Growing increasingly intrigued, Mike raised his eyebrows, but remained silent.
"Doyle Andrews just called me. Guess who just got busted for armed robbery up in Presidio Heights?"
His temporary confusion quickly vanished when he saw Steve's cheeky smile reappear.
"You have got to be kidding me? He just got out on bail! Couldn't even contain himself for twenty-four hours?"
"Apparently not. They just arrested Darius Johnson after an hour-long standoff and are on their way downtown. Word has it he was using all kinds of racial slurs when police arrived. And there are plenty of witnesses this time around. I bet you his plea of innocence from the last time won't hold up quite as well this time around. I figured you might want to be there when he gets booked?"
Reaching for the black trench coat hanging by the entrance way, Mike returned the smile, before putting on his dress shoes.
"You bet your sweet badge, I do, Buddyboy. Just think, at least this time around Doyle got the arrest in without you, Haseejian, Haley, Lessing and Tanner having to spent half the night on a department-wide stakeout."