CH. 15 Disappearing Act
Andy looked around her room, she didn't think she needed to take anything with her. She read the clock on her nightstand next to her bed, it read 7:00 pm on the dot. Her conscience was screaming at her not to follow through with the plan, but just as she had done countless times in the past, she ignored it. Linda was busy cooking dinner, and Danny was at work, and knowing she needed to get moving Andy opened her bedroom window. After finding secure footing, Andy carefully climbed down the side of the house. Andy jumped the last few feet but was caught off guard when her brothers came up behind her. "What are you doing," Jack asked? "Nothing," Andy tried to cover. "We weren't born yesterday," Jack wasn't buying it. "And we know that most people don't climb out of second story windows to go outside," Sean continued where his brother left off. "What are you doing out here anyways," Andy was aggravated? "We're grounded, what else are we supposed to do," Sean was being sarcastic. "I think the real question is, what are you doing out here," Jack was suspicious. Andy refused to make eye contact while she struggled with an excuse. "This isn't about that making history crap, with your first punishment is it?" "I can neither confirm nor deny that statement," Andy was grasping at straws. "You know something you were a lot smarter when we first met," Jack noticed. "I'd slug you, if I wasn't in such a hurry to get going," Andy was close to smacking him anyway. "Do it," Jack urged, "then you can add that to your list of offenses." "Fine," Andy stepped back. "That was the first smart thing you've said since you came out," Jack was learning how to stand up against his sister, "because at the rate you are going, not only are you going to be grounded for a while, but you probably won't be able to sit comfortable either." "I can't worry about that now," Andy didn't like where this conversation was headed. "Just do me a favor and don't tell mom, and especially not dad," Andy cut to the chase. "Needless to say is all I can tell you is, I will be somewhere safe." Jack and Sean looked at one another and then stepped aside, "today is our last day to be grounded, so as long as we don't get in trouble, we don't care what you do," Sean said. "Thank you," Andy said running out of the back yard and down the street.
XXXXXXXX
About 15 minutes into her excursion and the rain started to come down hard, and showed no signs of letting up. Andy shook her head as she pushed through, thinking she could kick herself for not checking the weather before committing herself to a particular day. And it wasn't long until she was completely soaked. An hour later or so and Andy was knocking on the door of her cousins. Nicki opened the door and let her in, "I'm surprised you had the guts to actually carry out your disappearing act." "It didn't start raining until after I left the house," Andy explained. "And you're too hard headed to turn around and go home and just admit to mission failure," Nicki asked knowing she was right before she even asked. "Never even entered my mind," Andy was showing her tough side. "You better save that tough attitude for Uncle Danny and Aunt Linda," Nicki recommended. "Because you're going to need it by the time there through with you." "How come that is the first thing you and Jack mention," Andy threw her hands up? Nicki handed Andy a towel and a dry shirt to borrow before taking a seat on the couch. "Have a seat," Nicki offered her a seat next to her, "and I will try my best to describe Danny Reagan to you once again, only try to pay attention this time." "Are you about to break into a song like they do on those old TV shows, because if so don't and I'll take my chances on figuring him out for myself," Andy teased. "This is no time to joke," Nicki was serious, "your life hangs in the balance." "I doubt he's going to straight up kill me," Andy was ignoring her warning. "Maybe not literally, but he can make you wish you were dead," Nicki continued to try and get through to her. Andy shivered and Nicki stood, "I'll make you some hot tea to help warm you up, but while you're drinking it you have to promise to at least listen to the knowledge I have acquired over the years, regarding one Danny Reagan." "It's a deal," Andy gave in. "Alright first of all when he's really mad his eyebrows are going to go low and squish together. His face will hold a blank expression and he will run his hand through his hair several times, while he is trying to fight his temper." "It sounds like you're describing a sumo wrestler, does he stomp his feet too," Andy laughed out loud. "I give up," Nicki sighed, "but don't say I didn't warn you, because I've been on the receiving end of punishment from him and it isn't fun." "I'm sorry Nicki, I just couldn't help myself," Andy tried to appear serene.
XXXXXXXX
"Andy," Linda called from the bottom of the stairs, "I need you to come set the table please." Linda waited for a few minutes, and after not getting a reply Linda headed for her daughter's bedroom. "Andy," Linda opened the door. "I've been calling you for several minutes." After not seeing Andy in her room, Linda checked the remaining of the house. Where could she be? Linda wondered aloud before asking the boys, who were busily playing a board game due to the rain that forced them indoors. Jack and Sean glanced at one another, "we don't know," Jack answered. "We haven't seen her for a while," Sean admitted in a hurry. "I can't find her anywhere in the house," Linda replied before finding her phone to call Danny. "Dads on his way home, maybe he can find something," Linda enlightened the boys, as she tried to mask the worry in her voice. "What if he finds something," Sean whispered after Linda walked away? "He's not going to find anything," Jack reassured him. "I hope your right, because you know he will ground us again, if he thinks we had even the slightest bit to do with her disappearance," Sean was being completely serious, in which Jack found rather odd for a change. "Andy knows how to stay under the radar remember," Jack was beginning to doubt his own lack of confidence.
XXXXXXXX
"What are we going to do when your mom gets here," Andy asked? "I'll be in bed regretting my involvement in this whole fiasco, and you'll be wishing you were dead, because Uncle Danny will have this entire case solved before she gets home," Nicki was by no means sugar coating the outcome of the night. "Be serious Nicki, you're acting like he can read minds," Andy finished the last of her tea. "Well no one has said anything about it, but it wouldn't surprise me if he could," Nicki replied. "I give up," Andy wrapped the towel around her before stretching out on the floor. "Can we just watch a movie, and agree to disagree?" Andy didn't want to admit that everything Nicki was saying was beginning to get to her. "Listen Andy if you're having second thoughts, you can just call Uncle Danny now, and chances are he will be a lot easier on you," Nicki was near begging. "Even if I wanted to I can't," Andy shook her head, "I didn't bring my cell phone and I don't remember his number." "Really," Nicki just looked at her. "He's my uncle," Nicki pulled out her phone and found the contact that read Uncle Danny, "I have his number." Nicki tried handing Andy her phone, but Andy remained steadfast, "I'm sorry Nicki, but giving in isn't part of my lifestyle." Nicki sighed, "you might want to make it part of your lifestyle."
XXXXXXXX
Danny looked around his daughter's bedroom for a few minutes, the room was just like any other kids bedroom, an absolute mess and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. "Find anything," Linda asked joining him upstairs a few minutes later? "It wasn't a kidnapping," Danny put her mind somewhat at ease. "Are you sure," Linda was on the verge of tears? "There's no signs of a kidnapping," Danny enlightened her. "Runaway," Linda asked the next question that was plaguing her thoughts. "I don't think so," Danny shook his head. He couldn't think of anything that she could be upset about, that could make her runaway. The only thing she didn't like was the fact that he was going to make her go to school, but that was no reason for her to run away, that was just a small parent-kid confrontation. "There's no evidence pointing to that," Danny continued. "How can you tell," Linda asked? "I'll show you," Danny picked up a few different things, "there's nothing missing. Her backpack is still here, all her clothes and shoes, it doesn't even look like she took a jacket with her," Danny said pointedly. "And most runaways prepare by packing at least a few things," Danny started. "It almost looks like she knew she was going to be back here soon, or she went somewhere, where she knew she wouldn't need anything," Danny uncovered. "But why?" Linda took a seat on the edge of Andy's bed. Danny took a seat next to her and placed an arm around her as she leaned against him. "I'm not sure, but I think she's testing us," Danny nodded to the open window. "What would she gain by that?" Linda wiped away a stray tear. "Well if you think about it, we haven't had any major behavioral issues just yet and you know that wasn't bound to last." "I know," Linda started. "Not to mention, she's 12, and what 12 year old doesn't push their parents," Danny interrupted. "I know I did," he admitted. Danny's last comment brought a smile to Linda's face, "I can only imagine." "Keep imagining, because you won't hear anything from me," Danny tried to lighten the mood. Linda looked up, the forming of a puzzle showing on her face. "You think she went out the window," Linda clarified. "That's what it looks like," Danny nodded. "The boys were out playing almost all afternoon, until it started raining," Linda told him. "I'll deal with them," Danny's expression turned serious. "How," Linda asked? "Did I mention that I'm known for my interrogation skills," Danny grinned, "by the time I'm done with them, they'll be confessing to things they didn't even do."
XXXXXXXX
"Sit down!" Danny startled them by raising his voice. Jack and Sean jumped up and hurried to Sean's bed. Danny placed his hands on his hips and glared at them. Jack and Sean exchanged worried glances. "Whatever it is we didn't do it," Sean spoke up immediately, attempting to get them out of trouble. "Did you know that I get paid to know when people are lying to me," was the only thing Danny asked? Neither of the boys said a word and Danny continued, "now I'm going to ask you a series of questions, and I want a straight answer and I want them now." "Yes Sir," Sean was turning contrite. "As you know, Andy is missing. Now do you know anything about that?" Jack sighed, "even you wouldn't want us to squeal on our own sister." Danny chucked, "don't test me right now, I already have one kid doing it, let's not add to it." "Okay," Jack raised a hand, "we may know a little something about her disappearing act." "Like what," Danny questioned? "Can we make a deal," Jack was grasping at straws. "This isn't let's make a deal Jack," Danny's voice meant business. "I'm the parent, and what I say goes, needless to say the longer you hold out on me, the longer your grounding sentence will be." "We're grounded again," Sean couldn't remain quiet a second longer? "Your mother has been worried sick, and you lied to her face saying you didn't know anything," Danny was aggravated. "Right now you should count yourself as being lucky, that it's only a week and not longer." "We were outside playing, and the next thing we know Andy is climbing down the trellis. When we questioned her about it, all she said was she would be somewhere safe but that's it honest," Sean appeared as if he was willing to do whatever necessary not to push another grounding session. "Are you sure?" Danny wanted to be sure he could get all he could before he spent the rest of the night looking for her. "Positive," Jack surrendered. "Okay," Danny replied. "Now allow me to give you the rest of your evening plans," Danny paused before continuing. "You are going to go apologize to your mom for not telling her what you knew, then you're going to go downstairs and eat dinner, then as soon as you are through, you are going to take a shower and go straight to bed." "Yes Sir," Sean said quietly. "And you are both grounded for a week," Danny added. Sean was about to protest until Jack elbowed him to keep his mouth shut for a change. "Yes Sir," Jack decided it was safer for his brother if he did the talking. "Are you going to go find Andy," he couldn't help but show some concern for his sister? "I'm going to go start looking as soon as I talk to your mom," Danny answered. Jack nodded, "can we go now?" "Sure," Danny replied before hugging them. "You two get a good night's sleep, and I'll have her home by the time you wake up in the morning," Danny was saying for their own benefit and hoping he was right.
XXXXXXXX
"I take it the boys knew more than they were letting on," Linda presumed when Danny returned to Andy's room. "They did," Danny nodded going through the details in his mind. "Do you think you can find her," Linda's thoughts returned to their lost child? "I get paid to find people who don't want to be found," Danny replied. "And from the looks of things," Danny noticed Andy's cell phone on the edge of her desk, "I don't think it will be very difficult." "I'm not following," Linda looked confused. Danny made his way across the room and picked up the phone. "She didn't take anything, which means she is someplace she knew she would be comfortable, and my guess is, she has been calling that person a great deal, to set up the when and where." Linda nodded, "I'm beginning to see why you are such an asset to the NYPD." "Why thank you," Danny kissed her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go retrieve our trouble bound daughter." "Danny," Linda stopped him before he could walk out the door. "Try not to lose your temper, when you find her." Danny chuckled, "I was about to tell you the same thing, when I get her home."
XXXXXXXX
Danny looked through the recent calls on his daughter's cellphone, she wasn't in school yet, so it wasn't likely it would be bombarded with people he didn't know. On the other hand, Danny noticed there were quite a few people he didn't know. It must be from her earlier acquaintances he figured, then again she never had a cell phone before. She must have a heck of a memory, was the only thing Danny could consolidate. Danny sat in the front seat of his car, this case may be a little more difficult than he thought. It's going to be a long night, Danny sighed pulling out of the driveway towards his daughters old life. Danny stood in the exact place he first laid eyes on Andy. After asking around, he met a few other kids that new her, but unfortunately none had seen her for at least a month. The time length really didn't surprise him, after all the week before was a month since she started living with the family. There was absolutely no sign of her, Danny was getting frustrated. It was nearly 10:00 pm and he was getting tired on top of the fact that he had yet to eat dinner. He had to be missing something, Danny tried running everything he knew about Andy through his mind. He knew there was no way, she would ever go back to her former foster family, or the children's center for that matter. After not finding any leads, Danny decided to go back to the basics, Andy's cell phone. Again he couldn't find anything solid, until a new thought came to mind. He knew that Andy knew he was good at what he did, and he knew she didn't run away. After putting two and two together, Danny knew he had to be right, regarding the entire ordeal being about one thing, she was testing him and she had made the entire night a case for him solve. Danny smacked the steering wheel, he should have seen this earlier, he began looking through all her deleted calls and text messages. Danny showed a sarcastic smile, she was with Nicki.
XXXXXXXX
The credits were just beginning to roll down the screen, and Andy stretched, "how is it possible that your mom isn't home yet?" "She has a tendency to get carried away when she's working on a case," Nicky yawned. "So do you want to watch another movie," Andy questioned? "I'd rather go to bed, but all of this is against my better judgement, so sure," Nicki agreed. They were about 15 minutes into the movie, when they were caught completely off guard by Danny walking nonchalantly through the door. Danny glared at them, and Andy pressed the stop button on the DVD player, "I take it the movie is over." "You bet it is, and for a long time," Danny added raising his voice. "Now I want some answers, and I want them right now," Danny continued with a similar approach he used on the boys. "Before we get to all that, I would like to bring to light a very important detail," Andy stopped him, which in turn annoyed him even further than he already was. "Technically, you could be charged with breaking and entering," Andy pointed out. "I have a key," Danny held a loose key in his hand, "and I'll deal with you later." Danny was fuming and radiating enough heat to warm Erin's entire apartment complex. Andy sighed, that clearly wasn't the right thing to say. "For now I'd like to have a word with Nicki," Danny knew that they would be more liable to give in if he interrogated them separately. "Now let's go," he pointed to one of the bedrooms so they could have a little privacy without Andy listening in, and Nicki stonewalling him. "Here's where the fun begins," Nicki whispered walking past her cousin with absolutely no enthusiasm. Danny didn't miss Andy shiver, and he could tell she was wet and obviously cold. Danny took off his jacket and handed it to her, never saying a word before following Nicki. No matter how upset he was at her at the moment, he didn't like to see any of his children in need of something that he could take care of.
XXXXXXXX
Andy took a seat on the couch, here's where regret starts kicking in she figured, as she thought of Nicki. "Have a seat," Danny pointed to the bed before taking a seat next to her. "So you want to tell me how you got involved in this?" Danny decided on a softer approach. "I suppose I'm going to have to," Nicki starred at the ground. Danny nodded, "I'd prefer you tell me all you know without much hassle." "I have a feeling I'd prefer that one as well," Nicki said after glancing at Danny's face. "I also get the feeling that you weren't a supporter of this to begin with," Danny lifted her chin to make eye contact with her, "am I right?" Nicki didn't want to squeal on her cousin, but she'd prefer to do that, than lie to him. "Yes Sir," Nicki gave in. "Thought so," Danny nodded. "Now do you want to start telling me everything you know so I can get a well-rounded picture of this chaos?" "It's a long story," Nicki admitted. "I called your mom and she's on her way, so she can keep Andy from running, although I doubt she's dumb enough to try that." Nicki chuckled, "she won't run, none of this was about running away." "I gathered that," Danny agreed. "So do you want me to start from the beginning?" Nicki was ready to get the night over with. "That would be helpful," Danny knew he still had a long night ahead of him. "About two weeks ago she called and asked if she could stay here, it was devised to be something big as her first punishment as well as a case for you to solve." It'll be a big one alright, Danny thought to himself. "I tried to tell her that you were really good at what you did, and that you would have the case solved in less than a day." Danny hid a smile, "I appreciate the amount of faith you have in me Nicki. But that doesn't excuse the fact that despite your role being limited, it was wrong." "I know," Nicki looked penitent. "You could have stopped this entire thing from happening, if you would have just let me know what was going on," Danny started. "But instead, you decided to keep with your cousins not so great of a plan, which in turn made me spend my entire evening searching for her." "Your right Uncle Danny and I'm really sorry," Nicki apologized. "I'm sure you are Nicki, but I think a week of grounding will help you see things much clearer," Danny continued, "and I am certain your mother will uphold that decision." "I'm more than certain," Nicki mumbled. "Hang in there, and thanks for keeping my kid safe," Danny placed a hand on her shoulder before starting for the door. "Uncle Danny," Nicki stopped him. Danny turned back to her, and Nicki started. "You should know that Andy didn't do this because she wasn't happy." "I know," Danny smiled, "she's just being Andy." Danny stepped out of the room, followed closely by Nicki, where they found Erin just coming in. "Danny I am so sorry," Erin apologized. "I had no idea what was going on, and I can assure you that she will be grounded," Erin made eye contact with her daughter. "I had a feeling you would do that," Danny started. "And I can assure you, that the conspirator," Danny starred at Andy will also be punished. "I want a lawyer," Andy tried playing the lawyer card. "You're going to need more than a lawyer," Danny said sarcastically before escorting her out the door.
XXXXXXXX
Danny chose to drive in silence, knowing that if he spoke he would only yell. He was beyond mad at the moment, and he never wanted to react in anger towards one of his children, regardless of the disapproving stunt they chose to pull. "Nice evening," Andy said gingerly as she starred out the window. "You worry your mother half to death, and you make me spend my entire evening looking for you, and all you can say is nice evening!" Danny was fuming at his daughter's lack of care regarding the trouble she caused. Andy shrugged, "what else am I supposed to say?" "An I'm sorry wouldn't kill you," Danny replied for starters. "Would it help," Andy looked at him questioning? "No," Danny replied, "but you could at least act contrite." "Fine I'm sorry," Andy was aggravated at the way her evening was turning out. "Don't say it, if you don't mean it," Danny corrected. "I thought, that's what you wanted me to say" Andy raised her voice. Danny stopped at a red light, and turned to her. "Don't ever raise your voice to me again," Danny kept his voice low. Andy turned away and sighed, and Danny continued. "And another thing, why would you go anywhere in New York without your cellphone? Are you out of your mind, do you have any idea what could have happened to you?" "It's not like I ever had a cellphone since before I came to live with you," Andy mentioned. "That may be true," Danny agreed "but you're a Reagan now, and we've all made enemies with the line of work we do. So the phone stays on you anytime you leave the house, and either your mom or I know where you are at all times, is that clear?" "Yes Sir," Andy decided that being apologetic was her best bet, in surviving. Considering she wasn't exactly mad, after all getting in trouble and seeing how far she could push Danny Reagan was her plan in the first place. Then again she had to admit that a silent Danny Reagan was the worst, and seemed almost life threatening, and that's what she was getting at the moment.
XXXXXXXX
By the time they got home, neither Danny nor herself had spoken to one another for several minutes. The second Andy walked through the door Linda hugged her, "Thank God you are okay." "I'm fine mom," Andy said quietly. "In that case," Linda pulled away from her. "Just what were you thinking running off like that?" "I know what you're thinking, and your right. I wasn't thinking much when I ran off, and I was wrong." "You bet you were wrong," Linda was trying to keep her voice low since the boys were asleep, yet was finding it more and more difficult. "Andy," Danny's voice was low as he came through the door. "Go on upstairs, take a shower and go straight to bed, and make sure you get plenty of rest. You will be going to work with me and we'll be getting up early," Danny enlightened her. "We will talk more about this little incident when we get home." "Yes Sir," Andy took his jacket off. "Thanks," she handed it to him. "Anytime," Danny placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay." "You're taking her to work with you," Linda looked at him questioningly after Andy made her way up the stairs? "Do you really think that's a good idea, with your line of work? I'll be working on paperwork most of the day so I can close out my college case" Danny enlightened her, "so as soon as I'm through with that, I'll be heading home."
XXXXXXXX
Andy quietly made her way up the stairs and was just coming out of her bedroom with a pair of pajamas when she noticed her brothers peeking out from their own bedrooms. "You okay," Jack whispered? "For now," Andy mouthed. "Dad questioned us, and were grounded again," Sean enlightened her, his voice showing a hint of aggravation. "Sorry about that by the way," Andy appeared to be serene. "It's okay," Jack didn't seem too bothered by it. "It's not the first time and I have a feeling it certainly won't be the last." Andy smiled, "you know you're smarter than you look." Jack chuckled, "thanks." "Any time," Andy continued on to the bathroom. About 20 minutes later and Andy was just coming out of the bathroom. After pulling her bedspread back Andy slipped beneath the covers, it was almost midnight and Andy had to admit she was exhausted. "You ready for bed," Danny stopped in at his daughter's bedroom? Andy nodded, but decided against saying anything. Danny sighed and walked in, to take a seat on her bed. Regardless of how disappointed he was, he couldn't let her go to bed, thinking he was angry at her. "We're going to talk in extent tomorrow, but I think we need to have a little talk tonight," Danny looked at her. Andy nodded and Danny continued, "you know when your mom first called me and told me you were missing, I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. The thoughts that ran through my, as I thought that something serious had happened and I may never see you again." Danny ran a nervous hand down his face as the turmoil began to return. "I thought that here we were just a month after you were finally a loud to live with me, to find out that I had lost you." Andy appeared as if she was going to cry, and she couldn't figure it out, it had been years since she had cried, in fact she clearly remembered not even crying when real mom left her so many years back. Yet here she was feeling terrible for hurting a man that barely knew her, yet he chose to love her despite the trouble he knew she would be. "I know sorry won't cover it," Andy tried to find a few words to describe the way she was feeling, "but I never meant to hurt any of you," Andy couldn't keep the tears at bay any longer. "I know," Danny pulled her into his arms. Andy usually wasn't one for hugs, but at that particular moment she could have cared less, and instead felt as if she never wanted him to let go. Eventually Danny did half to let her go, so they could both get some sleep, yet he had to fight himself to do so.
XXXXXXXX
Andy laid her head back against her pillow, but she was unable to sleep. Instead, her thoughts kept returning to the night's events and how they unfolded. Sure she knew that Danny cared about her, otherwise he certainly wouldn't have adopted her and brought her into his home. Yet there was still the thought of wanting to be sure that went over and over through her mind. At least one thing good came from the night.
She knew it was true...
Sorry about the delay, but college has started once again and it keeps me busy... The next chapter will be about the following day. I'm still trying to figure out consequences though... Thanks for all the reviews and followers... Starting with a blank page is always pretty scary, but you are keeping me writing... JusticeStandsTrue
