Mac and Danny entered the penthouse, and were immediately hit with the sound of a fight. Shouting and breakable objects hitting walls joined with Sonny's voice, raised in clear anger. Mac instinctively moved to block Danny, in case Sonny had heard them come in. He readied himself when someone came around the corner; relaxing when he saw it was Jessie.
"Danny," Jessie looked distressed and Danny stepped forward.
"Is everything ok?" He asked. Jessie shook her head.
"Somethin' went wrong with the deal for next week," Jessie explained. "Sonny's goin' ballistic in there. I don't want you anywhere near him right now."
"Where's Maria?"
"It's alright, I sent her down to the bar. She's fine," Jessie turned to Mac. "I don't wanna put you out, but can you take Danny with you?" Mac simply nodded. Jessie breathed a sigh of relief, turning back to Danny.
"I'll call you when it's ok to come back."
"What about you?" Danny looked worried and Jessie smiled reassuringly.
"I've been matching Sonny blow for blow since we were kids; I'll be fine." Danny nodded, a little uncertainly before turning to Mac. Mac smiled as best as he could and indicated towards the door. Danny walked out, and Mac turned to Jessie.
"Take care of him," Jessie said seriously.
"I will," Mac promised before following Danny out.
(~*~)
Danny entered the apartment cautiously. He looked around slowly; forcing himself not to react when he heard the lock click into place on the front door. He turned to look at Mac, who was doing his best to smile reassuringly. Danny could see the concern in the older man's eyes; the way Sonny had been acting when they got there scared the blonde more than he ever remembered being.
"Make yourself comfortable," Mac offered. "I'll go make some coffee." Danny nodded and moved over to the sofa, while Mac left for the kitchen.
Once alone in the kitchen, Mac pulled out his phone and dialled the number to the lab. It rang twice before it was answered.
"Crime Lab. CSI Bonasera speaking."
"Stella," The word sounded like a sigh when Mac spoke. "I've got some more information for you."
"On the case file? Good, because I'm having no luck."
"The sister," Mac explained quietly. "Her name is Maria. She's seventeen years old."
"Alright. I'll see what I can find out, and I'll let Flack know."
"Thanks Stel," Mac smiled to himself as he heard the phone disconnect.
Danny tried not to listen in when he heard a soft whispering from the kitchen. It wouldn't have mattered, since the words were two quiet to be heard; but Danny could feel the exhaustion in the tone as Mac spoke. Standing up slowly, Danny wandered around the room, trying to distract himself from what was happening in the kitchen. He looked at the bookshelf; seeing science journals and classic literature – things you certainly wouldn't associate with a convicted felon. The desk in the room was completely bare, but one drawer was open; not enough to see anything, but enough to make Danny curious. Looking to check for Mac, Danny slid the drawer open silently, his heart leaping to his throat at what he found there.
"I hope you like your coffee black, because I'm out of milk." Danny whipped around to look at Mac as the older man spoke to him. He stood, with two cups of coffee in his hands, looking confused at the sudden despair on Danny's face.
"Something wrong?" He asked carefully.
"You…" Danny's tone was disbelieving. "You're a cop?"