Danny forced himself to release her and he stood up. He smiled as she gently reached up and touched his cheek. "Let's go downstairs" he said softly. She nodded and let him lead her out. She was still sore and moving slowly. He kept a protective arm around her until they were at the bottom of the stairs where Martin was waiting for them.
"Are you ready for this?" Martin asked her, the concern for both of them etched on his face.
"I think so" Mia nodded "I'm certainly ready for coffee, aren't you?"
Martin smiled and nodded "This way" he said.
Mia looked around the kitchen as they walked into it. It was three times as big as the one in her apartment, with a breakfast table and central island. She longed to throw open the curtains and let in the natural light. She was sure it had been a happy house once, now it felt sad to be so shut up. Danny saw the look on her face and understood.
"We need to keep the curtains closed. We can't run the risk of anyone seeing inside." He said gently.
She nodded and went to look in the cupboards for the coffee. Martin explained the photo ID to her as she made a pot of coffee. "We have 12 photos for you to look at" he said "Just take your time and tell us if you recognize anyone…" he laid out two cards, each with six mug shots on them, for her to see.
The scent of the coffee filled the kitchen as she looked at the pictures. "That's him" she pointed to one of the photos.
"Are you sure?" Danny asked her as Martin checked the name of the man in the photo.
"Yes, I won't ever forget that face" she said softly and hugged herself.
"Jerome Thompson." Martin looked at Danny,
"Thompson… is he related to…" Danny started to say before Martin cut him off.
"He's Darnell and Malique's cousin" Martin shook his head Danny could see there's more to the ID than Martin was letting on. He knew Martin would tell him when they were alone.
"Hey I've seen this guy before" Mia said suddenly. She was looking at the other sheet of photos. "He was outside of my father's house after he and Mikey went missing!"
"Are you sure about that?" Danny asked. Mia nodded as Martin checked the name.
"Calvin Davis" Martin said.
"I'm positive I saw him when I went in." Mia said "I noticed him because it was like he had been waiting for me… it gave me the creeps the way he looked at me." she shivered at the memory and hugged herself. "He was in a black Toyota… don't ask me which one because I'm not sure but it was definitely him. He was still there when I ran next door to see if Mrs. Patterson had heard from papi. She hadn't, but she did notice him too!" she pointed to the picture.
Martin picked up the photos and excused himself "I'll go run these down" he said and went out to the living room.
Danny watched Mia as she hugged herself "Do you think they've done something to papi…to Mikey?" she put her hands over her face. Danny didn't hesitate, he stepped up to her and took her in his arms, he hugged her, holding her close. She relaxed against him her head on his chest. She didn't move when Martin came back and Danny didn't let her go.
Martin came in from the living room with some printouts. Danny knew from experience, Martin's expression meant there was a major development in the case and it wasn't one he was going to like. "You should get some more rest" Danny said to Mia. "Why don't you go take a hot shower, I'll be up to see you again in a bit."
Mia smiled "If you two want to play cops and robbers without me you don't have to send me to my room!" She teased them. Danny hugged her gently before letting her go. She said good night to Martin and went slowly back upstairs. They watched her walk off, neither of them speaking until they heard her footsteps on the floor above them.
"What did you find?" Danny asked Martin.
"Connections…" Martin sighed "and you're not going to like it all." he said quietly.
"Just give it to me straight" Danny said..
"We can now connect Malique, Darnell, Jerome, and Calvin…" Martin looked down and shuffled his papers. "One other name came up" Martin said nervously. "In Malique's file we found former associates… one Rafael Alvarez." He watched Danny's face cloud over as he said it.
"Rafi knew Parker was my case worker and my foster home…" Danny's brow furrowed "He knew about Mia too, he used to tease me about her when I'd have to visit him at Rikers… what's his connection to Malique? Have any of these jokers been to see him recently?"
"It looks like Malique and Rafi were both moving drugs for Alvaro Montoya." Martin said quietly. "I've put out a call for the visitors logs from Riker's. There's not much more we can do until we get that." Martin shook his head "Why don't you go up to Mia and make sure she is ok?" he suggested. "Go on, get some rest, I'll hold down the fort down here… go on"
Danny knew Martin was right, but part of him wanted to go to Rikers right then and there and drag Rafi out of his cell. Reluctantly he nodded knowing Mia needed him here and now and he was not going to run out on her again. "Are you going to be OK" Danny asked Martin. "I can stay down here and help…"
"Danny… technically you aren't here…" Martin grinned. "Get some sleep we've got it covered. Mia needs you." Danny nodded and with a quiet good night he went upstairs.
He walked slowly, giving her time to hear his footsteps approaching. He knocked softly on the door. "Come in" he heard her soft voice.
He drew a breath and opened the door. She was sitting on the bed trying to brush her long hair. She had showered and changed into a set of soft cotton pajamas. The turquoise shorts and white t-shirt enhancing her olive skin. She smiled almost shyly as he came in and closed the door behind him.
"How are you" he asked her hoping his nervousness wasn't reflected in his voice.
"I don't know" she looked down at the brush in her lap. She was sore and struggling to brush out her long hair. She looked up at him her huge brown eyes filling with tears. "I know I'm scared… everything is upside down…" she had to look away from him "Where's papi? What's happened to Mikey? When will things get back to normal…"
"Hey slow down" he walked over to her "I don't have any answers for you yet, but believe me we will soon…" he reached out and stroked her hair "Mia… I promise you."
She nodded and drew a breath, "Danny" she looked up at him "Will you stay here tonight?" she asked him, her voice barely a whisper.
"Of course I'm staying" he smiled.
"No Danny" she shook her head "I mean… will you stay here…" she put her hand on the bed beside her. "I want you to stay up here with me…"
"Mia" he stroked her cheek "I'm not going any where." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. She wiped away the tear that escaped and watched him take off his shirt and undo his belt, removing his sidearm. She was startled to see it as he set it on the nightstand.
She looked at him standing there in his tight white t-shirt and jeans and then to his weapon lying beside him. She stood up and put her hands on his chest. "You have a dangerous job don't you?"
"It has it's moments" he tried to make light of it, wanting to put her at ease. He toyed with her hair brushing it back over her shoulders.
"I need you to make me another promise…" she looked up into his eyes. "Promise me I won't lose you again so soon after finding you… I couldn't bear it" He hugged her knowing no words could give her the solace she needed. He held her gently feeling her relax against him.
"Let me brush you hair for you" he offered. Smiling she nodded and sat on the bed. He sat behind her and gently, lovingly brushed out her hair. "Is that better?" he asked setting the brush down.
"Yes thank you" she smiled and tried to cover a yawn.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" he moved to turn down the blankets.
"You'll wake me before you go won't you?"
"I promise" he said with a gentle laugh "Now into bed with you young lady"
She nodded and slipped under the covers. She found a comfortable position while he turned off the lights. She listened to him kick off his shoes and empty his pockets. She blushed when she heard him lock the door. Her heart was pounding when she heard him take off his jeans and drape them over the chair. It nearly stopped feeling him lift the covers and his weight on the bed, the heat of his body close against hers. He spooned her, holding her in his arms cradling her body with his. She closed her hands over his, lacing their fingers together.
"Sleep Mia you're safe" he reassured her "I will be here when you wake up, I promise."
The strain from the day's events was taking it's toll on Amelia. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, to be happy, sad or terrified. She had no idea where her father or Mikey were or if she'd ever see them again. She did know that right here, right now, she was going to sleep with Danny's arms around her and one of the biggest mysteries of her young life had been solved. For the moment she could sleep knowing that he was here and he would still be there in the morning.