Charlee shook her head, nodding. "So where do I go?"
Letting her head lean up against the palm of her hand, Megan answered. "If you have family, you'll most likely go to the next closest relative."
Jutting out her lip, Charlee's expression changed to sadness. "Oh. I like it here." She looked around and then back at Megan.
Quietly Megan smiled softly, closing the album she sat up as Charlee reached her small hand out to her. "Charlee do you know why I showed you this?" She held up the album and then placed it on her coffee table before taking her small hand in hers. The young girl just shook her head in confusion. "Because things that happen to us don't always feel right. They are things that we don't want to do but we have to."
Charlee took her words into consideration, "I wish I could just stay here with you." She looked up her longingly then curled her body on the couch, suddenly fatigued.
Megan smiled, scooting closer. "As much as I would like that, I don't think I could."
"Why? Because you're alone?"
"No Charlee, I'm not alone." Megan thought about how to proceed to explain. "Because I'm helping your family and even if I tried, it would take a very long time to have you. Even then I'm not sure that I would get the chance to have you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"You have a boyfriend?" She piped up.
Megan could only laugh. "Yes. Fiancee actually."
It got quiet between them. Charlee's eyes gazed down at her finger and you could hear a small gasp. "That wasn't there before."
"I take it off when I'm at work."
There was a slight pause again as Charlee thought about the question Megan had posed earlier. She wants me, but can't. "Megan, what if I don't have family?"
"Then you go into a foster home." Megan answered softly. "Until someone can adopt you."
Charlee's expression became thoughtful, then saddened as she curled her legs tighter. She laid her head down back on the arm rest. "I'm tired now. I'm going to sleep." She added blinking ahead, not looking at her, and then quickly shut her eyes.
Megan got the picture, this little girl had a lot to think about. She stood from the couch, grabbing a blanket from out of the closet she draped it over Charlee's body. "Sweet dreams angel." she called out before walking into the kitchen and shutting the door.
--
Grabbing her cell phone from her purse, she pushed the second number on her speed dial. "Eppes." She heard the familiar clarity of his voice.
"Hey Don," Megan greeted, looking around her kitchen before opening the refrigerator and grabbing something to eat. "I'm thinking Antonio Harrison has more on his plate then just murder. He's also got some money deals as well. So maybe besides grabbing Charlee, perhaps Andrea knew what he was doing as well."
"Yeah, maybe. We're still looking around his house. We found some number that matches the phone records on a piece of paper found in his desk. We're running a match on the number but so far not much is coming up in regards to who lives there or who he was talking to."
"Sounds like they didn't want to be found."
"Or they could be just as guilty as the person we're looking for." Megan suggested opening the package of meat.
"Well this place looks pretty clean. It wasn't hard to track Antonio down since he was already on record."
"Let me know what happens, either way. I have a little girl asleep in my living room who realizes that she's never going to go home."
There was a shift of the phone, "Okay. How are you holding up?"
"Just making myself a sandwich, might settle for reading a book eventually and leave fighting the crime for somebody else for once."
"Yeah well I know if Charlee hadn't been in the room, I might have had to drag you out in handcuffs."
Megan raised her eyebrow, making her point. "And you're any better?"
There was a slight chuckle. "Look I'll call later and give an update on whatever we find. Get some rest, that's why I sent you home."
"That's what I thought." She smiled knowing that he wasn't about to admit anything, but the image in her mind of threatening to drag him out in handcuffs was flowing through loud and clear. In fact she was sure it would take a lot off the shoulders of Alan and Charlie, who constantly worried about him if she did. That's not to say that she wouldn't one day.
--
"Who were you talking to?" Charlee's voice came quietly as she stepped into the kitchen making Megan turn abruptly as she closed her phone and set it with a clatter onto the counter.
"That was my boss."
Charlee stepped in further, leaning against the fridge. "Who called who?"
"I called him Charlee. I told him about some things that I thought he should know--things that might help us find your dad."
She got a scared look on her face. "Why am I really here and not with D..?" Charlee paused, frozen. "He's out there."
"DCSF." Megan finished, looking out the direction of the window; scanning the premises, listening for anything that was unnatural or any sound that shouldn't be there. When everything was cleared, Megan turned her attention back to Charlee.
"Yes, he's out there--somewhere he's out there, but we wanted you to feel safe. Everything you tell us now could help us get closer to finding him."
The fear dissipated momentarily. "It does? But if I leave...what if he finds me?"
Megan nodded firmly, bringing her over to the table and sat her down before taking her own seat. "Charlee there's nothing more important that we want to keep you safe. We're going to find him, and as hard as it sounds you're going to be able to start over and he's going to be in jail for a very long time."
"So he can't hurt me?"
"No. And I'll tell you what-- if you're ever in trouble and need someone, you just say the code word and I'll be there."
"Really?"
"Really. You just let me know what it is when you figure it out. It will be just between you and me."
Charlee hesitated, her smile fading slightly. "But...what can I use?"
Megan put her hand on Charlee's small head "You'll know it when the time is right. Now who's hungry? I make a wicked turkey and cheese sandwich."
Shrugging in her chair, Charlee gave her a short smile. "I guess. That sounds good."
--
"How are Megan and Charlee?" Don looked up as he stuffed his phone back into his pocket. David was walking towards him, notebook in hand; scanning the premises.
"I think they're settling in for the night. What did you get on the number, anything?" Don asked, hoping this would further the case.
"This one?" David smirked holding up his notebook with a name scrawled on it. Don began to move towards his vehicle.
He exhaled deeply, as David tore off the piece of paper and handed it to him. "Great. Megan mentioned that Antonio was in some money deal. " Don spoke enthusiastically, digging in his pocket for his keys. "I am going to go see what I can find out." David pointed to the house. Don answered his unspoken question. "You and Colby can finish up here and meet me over there. Maybe we can grab some dinner afterwards."
"Sounds good." David was taking back steps towards the house. "Wait, you buying?"
"I never said I was buying." Unlocking the car, Don held his keys tightly in his hand. "Just remember that we have a date with the ME afterwards. We'll see if there is anything she can tell us about Andrea Lucas." He gestured with a nod.
"Will do." David watched as interest as Don closed the door to the car and tore from out of view.
--
Approaching Colby who was going through a stack of papers. "There's got to be something that I'm not getting here."
"What are we talking about here?" Colby took a swipe at his forehead. "The crime scene or Antonio Harrison suddenly accidently shooting his estranged wife in the head?"
David just shook his head. "Neither. I'm talking about how whenever Megan is mentioned Don feels the need to change the subject."
"Ah." Pulling out a piece of paper from the stack, Colby's eyes scanned the wording. "Well this should be of some help. It looks likes Antonio Harrison was in for some money deal."
"Yeah, Don briefly mentioned Megan saying that Antonio was involved in something like that. He told us to meet him over there and then get together for dinner."
Colby looked over at him. "Why? Is he buying?"
David shrugged with a half smirk. "That's exactly what I asked, and he said he never mentioned buying."
"Makes me wonder what's up his sleeve." Silence, evaded as he sealed the paper in a clear evidence bag. "You know you can just call her if you're still wondering."
"Even you know that she wouldn't tell us." David gave him a knowing look.
"Yeah well it was worth the suggestion." Colby shook the bag slightly, "Maybe we can use what we just found to the best of our ability." They exchanged glances with a nod and headed out towards the car.