Authors notes: Sorry it's been a week. Here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.
November 19, 7:45 a.m.
The weather had taken a turn for the worse. Yesterday had been cool, with sunshine peaking between gray clouds. Today the wind had shifted to the North and the temperature was dropping. The perky weather girl on the network affiliate had cheerfully reported that record low temperatures were expected today and there was a 30 percent chance of flurries. Of course she quipped, with a mouthful of teeth that would make a shark jealous, it wouldn't stick, only make for wet roadways.
Danny poured some of the coffee from his coffee maker into his travel mug. Lindsay had driven him home last night and had taken his car on to her place. She had promised to pick him up by 8:00 since Mac had told them he didn't want to see the team in until at least 9:00 a.m.
The intercom buzzed and Danny punched the button to open the entry door. Minutes later there was a knock on the door. A cursory glance in the peephole showed Lindsay waiting patiently.
"Morning Danny," Lindsay entered the apartment when Danny opened the door. She carried a bag from a local bakery. "I knew you'd have coffee so I picked up some bagels. I didn't think you would take time to make your own breakfast."
"Thanks Montana. I've got an extra mug; we can eat on the way." Danny moved to the kitchen and opened a door, locating a stainless steel travel mug similar to his own.
"Danny." She admonished him lightly, "You live twenty minutes from work. Mac doesn't want to see us in until 9:00. I think we can sit down and take a few moments to eat." She moved towards the kitchen and began emptying the bag, pulling out bagels and cream cheese. "I had them slice, because I doubt if you've had your knives sharpened since the last time you tried to slice bagels. Remember? You ended up with five stitches in your hand?" She gave him a teasing smile. Her light banter designed to bring Danny up a little and out of the brooding mood he was currently exhibiting.
He watched her spread the cream cheese on the bagel and with a sigh of resignation, moved to sit at one of the stools that lined the counter. Lindsay took the travel mug he had sat down and filled it with coffee.
"Any milk in the frig?" She looked hopeful.
"Huh? Oh, no, I don't think so." Danny pulled himself back to the present. "I kept waiting all night for a call. That they had either found him or had found a body. I can't take this waiting and not doing anything." Danny's hand found its way to his hair and raked through it in agitation. "Flack's always got my back. With Tanglewood, with the shooting in the subway, with Louie," He trailed off slightly. "Lindsay," His voice was low and thick with emotion. "I've got to do something. I can't stand feeling like I'm not giving 100 percent to finding him. Mac should know. I've got to find Don."
Lindsay moved to the stool next to him and lightly rubbed his shoulder. "Danny, you've got to realize that we are doing everything we can. I know it's hard for you, but you've got to know that Mac was right. We've got to stay sharp and focused on bringing him back. You can't do that if you're dead tired."
"I know, I know. But damn it," he choked on his words. "What if he's"
"Don't say it Danny!" Lindsay cut him off. "Don's a fighter and a survivor. We will find a lead and get him back. I know it." Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears; worried for Flack and for Danny's mental state.
Shaking his head as if to push back the emotions Danny sniffed, "You're right. Let's finish and get going."
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The rough sheets bit into his skin. They were cheap and hadn't been washed in a while. The female form next to him was sprawled out across the bed, her long blonde hair hiding her face that was buried in the pillow. The bed was too small, but that had been the last thing on his mind the night before. He lay there looking at the ceiling; a crack ran across the length of it. Thinking about the day's activities that awaited him, he let his mind drift back to the previous day.
Things had gone ok, he didn't like the idea of killing someone he had hung with, but you didn't mess up Frankie's world. The girl next to him rolled onto her back, her mouth dropping open and a slight snoring noise escaped from her mouth. She had certainly been a wildcat in the sack. Most of the women that hung around at the club were always sniffing around for a piece of the action. Every now and then one of the bitches would cause trouble. Walker had gotten rough with his last conquest and she had run to the police, hell even Frankie had been burned once. A pretty little coed who had bungled into a drug drop while looking for Frankie had given everyone a real scare. She had disappeared, he suspected that Frankie had someone take care of her, but he had never asked. It was usually better not to ask questions, especially when you didn't want to know the answer.
He was deciding whether to wake up, Holly? 'God, what was her name? Molly? No, it was Holly.' Should he wake her up and have another go round or get her up and out the door. It was while he was contemplating that the door to his apartment suddenly burst inward.
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He felt the warm flesh beside him, the soft and yielding flesh pressed up against him. Smiling, he moved slightly to allow her to roll onto her back. Gazing at the creamy flesh visible past where the sheet had slid down. He leaned over and ran a finger from her jaw line, down her neck and along the length of her body. She moaned lightly and a small, sleepy smile played across her face.
"Mmmmm," she crooned. "Feels nice." She yawned and rolled to face him. "I would have thought after last night you wouldn't have the energy to be interested in me this morning."
He laughed lightly, dipping his head and capturing her lips with his. Her lips parted and his tongue dove deep into her mouth, his hand moving down to cup at her breast. His thumb grazed the nipple, causing it to tighten and respond.
The kiss was broken and she looked into his eyes, "I guess I should have known it's true what they say about Italian men."
He grabbed her and rolled her on top of his body, his excitement obvious beneath the sheets. "Never let it be said that I couldn't get it up for a foxy lady like yourself."
She sat up, straddling him and laughed. "Never Frankie, never."
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Across town the darkness had given way to a lighter shade of black. The edges of the door allowed for a faint light to enter the room. Ash yawned and snuggled down deeper, not quite wanting to relinquish the hold she had on her dreams. Swiftly full awareness flooded her mind and she remembered that the warmness of her bed wasn't due only to the patched quilt. Moving gently she turned to look at the dark hair man sharing her bed. He looked peaceful lying on his side, hair tousled from sleep. His face was dark with the day's growth of beard. His breathing was steady and even, indicating that he still was enjoying a deep, restful sleep.
Slipping from beneath the covers Ash stood and stretched, feeling the small kinks work out of her back. She moved to the small dresser that was against the wall and picked up a brush. Running it through her hair to remove the tangles, she then pulled it back and wrapped a rubber band around it.
"It looks good down too." The male voice surprised her.
She spun around. He was still reclined, but his eyes were fastened upon her. "Hey sleepyhead. I was wondering when you were going to get around to waking up." Her tone was chipper. "How are you feeling this morning Danny?"
He moved slowly into a sitting position, his side and upper body was stiff and sore. "Better, I only feel half dead." Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed he sat for a moment taking an assessment of his aches and pains. "My head feels a lot better and I can see straight."
"So, anything coming back to you?" Ash moved to the chair and sat down across from him.
His face bespoke the effort to think. "No, nothing. At least, I don't think I remember anything." The frustration was easily heard in his voice.
Ash smiled compassionately at him. "Don't worry Danny."
"I should really go to the police. All I can keep seeing is the dead man." He shook his head, "I've got to turn myself in and find out what happened."
Thinking back to the overheard conversation of the night before, Ash held up a hand to slow Danny down. "Not so fast. I went back to the alley and I overhead a couple of the cops talking. They are sure they know who did the shooting." She didn't want to add her fear that it was him that had pulled the trigger. "Besides, look how stiff and sore you are. I don't think you should think about going anywhere today. Let's just lay low and give it a little time."
There was a nagging feeling inside his head, a voice telling him that he needed to do something. It was while he was trying to get a handle on his feelings that he heard Ash ask him a question. "Sorry, I wasn't listening. What did you say?"
Ash looked at his face, searching for any sign of recognition. "You mentioned a name last night. Do you know a Hayden?"