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Chapter 5 – Phone Calls

Danny was helping clean up the table at his dad's and grandpa's house. It was Jamie's turn to help him with the dishes, but since his brother was working, Erin got stuck with it. At least he got the better end of the deal though; he got to dry the dishes while his sister washed them. He handed the last few dishes to Erin, who didn't seem too happy to get them.

"Thanks so much," she said dryly, receiving a grin in response.

"No problem," he said happily, which made Erin splash water in his face. "Hey!" he explained in surprise, which made Erin laugh, and then eventually himself.

"It sucks Jamie had to work today," she said, going back to her job.

"Why, because you got stuck doing this?" Danny teased.

"Kind of," Erin said, grinning. They both knew the real reason though…they haven't seen their baby brother in a few days, since before they heard the news about Hastings being released. They've talked to him over the phone, but that's different than actually seeing someone in person…you can tell how someone is doing a lot easier face to face than over a phone.

Danny was finishing drying a plate when his phone started buzzing in his pocket. Taking it out, he saw the caller ID. "Speak of the devil," he said out loud as he answered it. "What's up kid? We missed you at dinner."

"Hey Danny. Yeah, I'm sorry I had to miss out, I've been craving some good food," he said with a smile.

Danny felt like Jamie needed to tell him something. "Everything okay?" he asked, which made Erin stop what she was doing and look towards her older brother.

There was a pause before Jamie answered. "Not really…I mean, it is, but it isn't; I don't know. Look, don't get mad, okay?"

Danny leaned against the island in the kitchen. "Why would I get mad? Did something happen?" By this time, his dad, grandpa, and wife had come into the kitchen as well. They were all looking at him, only hearing his side of the conversation. Nicky and the boys were playing a game in the living room.

He heard a sigh. "I've run into Hastings twice now; once yesterday and now again today," he rushed out.

"What?!" Danny exclaimed. He then remembered Jamie asking him not to get mad, so he cooled down before continuing. "What do you mean you've run into him? Twice? And why didn't you say something earlier?" he questioned. Frank and Henry looked at each other with dread and anger, figuring out who the 'he' they were talking about was.

"They were accidents, at least that's what I keep telling myself. He ran into me yesterday and made me spill my coffee. And then today, Eddie and I responded to a car accident and he happened to be one of the witnesses. Thankfully Eddie talked to him and got his statement. And I didn't say anything earlier because I was hoping it was just a coincidence and I didn't want you guys to worry," Jamie explained, not taking a breath until the end.

Danny rubbed a hand over his face. "That son of a bitch," he whispered, but everyone still heard him. "Are you okay? He didn't say or do anything, did he?" he asked into his phone.

Jamie took a deep breath. "No, he didn't do anything…but he did say stuff. Yesterday, he mentioned how I followed in my family's footsteps and that I've grown. I didn't like how he kept looking at me, like he was checking me out. Then today at the accident, Eddie told me what he said. He asked her why he couldn't talk to me and I guess kept staring at me until Eddie made him turn. And yesterday before he walked away, he um…he winked at me and said that maybe he'll see me around."

"Son of a bitch!" Danny said louder, but not too loud for the kids to hear. He clenched his jaw and balled his hand into a fist. "Kid, I want you to let me know if you ever see him again, got it?" he told his brother.

"Yeah Danny, I will. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, I really did think it was just a random happenstance…" he trailed off.

Danny closed his eyes and exhaled. "I know kid, and I'm sorry I got mad…it's not directed towards you, I'm mad at that SOB," he explained.

"Thanks Danny," he said quietly. "The whole family is there, aren't they?"

"Yep, they are," Danny said with a small grin.

He heard Jamie give a small chuckle. "Do you think you can tell them what happened?" he asked.

"Sure thing kid," Danny replied. They said their goodbyes and then hung up. He looked up and saw everyone staring at him, waiting for him to tell them what Jamie said. But he could tell that they already knew what it was.

He explained to all of them what happened, which made their fears become a reality. Frank pursed his lips together and looked down while his father said something in anger. He was afraid this would happen when he found out Hastings was getting out early. He had hoped that the ex-con would just leave the city, or better yet, the state, when he got out; obviously that did not happen and he wasn't too thrilled about it. Finally a voice broke through the silence.

"How's Jamie doing?" Erin asked her brother.

Danny shook his head. "He didn't say, just that he didn't like the way the bastard was looking at him, which I don't blame him for. That guy gives me the creeps," he answered.

"Well he better stay away from my grandson, if he knows what's good for him," Henry piped up.

That got everyone to smile and eased the tension that had been growing. "Pop, I did not hear that," Frank said, walking away. He would call Jamie later when he knew he'd be home. Henry followed behind his son while Erin went back to washing the dishes.

Linda went up and gave her husband a hug. "You okay?" she asked, receiving a nod of the head. She could tell he was still pretty mad and that he needed to calm down. Her and Danny had been dating when everything with Hastings happened. She remembers how pissed he'd been when he told her about what him, Joe, and their dad had walked in on at the guy's house. He was also a little annoyed that Frank was able to throw a punch to the creep but him and Joe couldn't; but of course he was glad his dad did it too. She gave him a quick peck before following her in-laws to the living room to watch the kids finish with their game.

Danny watched her leave, knowing how lucky he was to have her. She was there for him nearly 20 years ago and everything in between when it came to marrying into a cop family. After a bit, he went back to drying the newly cleaned dishes before putting them away in their respectful places around the kitchen, him and Erin in their own heads.

BB-BB-BB-BB

Hours later and Jamie was back in his apartment again. After him and Eddie had their lunch, they had gotten a few more calls and handed out some tickets as well; thankfully nothing too serious. And on the plus side, he hadn't seen Hastings for the rest of the day either. He had gotten a phone call from his dad not too long after he arrived home, which he expected, but he just thought it'd be a lot sooner than it was. He told him he was good and doing better than earlier. He also dulled down how he felt when he saw Hastings…he didn't want his dad to worry and he also really didn't feel like talking about all of it tonight. Maybe later, he thought. Once he knew his dad was satisfied that his youngest was okay and safe, they had ended their conversation after saying goodbye.

After getting off the phone, Jamie had taken a shower and then cooked up what little food he had. 'I really need to go grocery shopping,' he had thought when he grabbed what he could find to whip something edible up. Now he was sitting on his couch with a beer in his hand, watching some movie he found, his dirty dish on the end table next to him. There was something he'd been contemplating for the last couple of days and now he's finally decided to do it, even though part of him didn't want to.

He grabbed his phone and found the contact he was looking for, pressing the call button. He hesitated a little before putting it up to his ear, hearing it ring a couple of times. "Hey, Jamie," said the voice on the other end. "It's been awhile, what's up man?"

Jamie smiled. "Hey Liam. Nothing much, just working nonstop it feels like lately. Everything going good over there?" During high school, Liam's family had moved out of the city, which did wonders for him. Like Jamie, he had also been acting out in school and with his family. But after the move, he had been doing better and had been thriving at his new school and there were people his parents could trust that lived there. He saw a counselor as well, which had also helped with his guilt and shame he felt.

"Yeah, everything's good. I got a new job and Britney and I have decided to start trying for a family," he explained, talking about his wife. That was actually the last time Jamie had seen his old friend, at his wedding a couple of years ago.

"Aw man, that's great. I know you'll be a great dad," he told him, smiling.

"Thanks Jamie, I appreciate it. I didn't think I would ever get to the point of being okay with having kids," Liam explained. Jamie understood…he sometimes felt that way as well. How could you raise kids in this world knowing there's people out there like Hastings? Of course he always knew there were bad guys, being raised by a police officer and now being one himself. But experiencing something like that in person makes you put things in a different perspective. He came out of his thoughts when he heard Liam speak again. "Something tells me you didn't call just to hear how I was doing…"

Jamie sighed. "Yeah, there is a reason I called…I wasn't sure how to tell you or even if I should tell you because I didn't want you to worry about it."

"What is it? You're starting to freak me out a little man."

"Hastings got an early release and got out two days ago," he blurted out. There was silence on the other end. "Liam? You still there?" he asked.

Liam finally found his voice. "He's—he's out? How the hell did that happen?!"

Jamie could hear his friend start to breathe harder. "Yeah, he got some good time so they let him out. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but I freaked out too when I heard about it. I didn't want you to go through that as well," Jamie explained.

There was silence again. "Yeah, I'm not sure what would have been better either…" Liam said quietly. He couldn't believe that SOB was a free man.

"I actually have another question but I think I already know my answer," Jamie started. "You haven't seen or been in contact with him, have you?"

"Trust me Jamie, if I had, you would have heard about it on the news. I haven't seen that dirt bag since he was sentenced…and if I do ever see him again, he's a dead man," his friend raged. There was another pause and Liam could sense something wasn't right. "Have you seen him?" he asked after he calmed himself down.

Jamie looked down. "Yeah…twice. Yesterday he ran into me on a sidewalk coming around a corner and then earlier today at a car crash scene. I thought and hoped that the first time was just a coincidence, but after the second time, I'm not too sure if it was or not…"

Liam let out a small groan. "Geez man, I'm sorry. Maybe it was just a coincidence…I mean, it's been nearly 20 years since all of that happened and you weren't the only one who sent him to prison," he reminded Jamie.

"Yeah, but I was the only one that he didn't do what he wanted to on. My family and the other cops stopped him."

"I guess, but the dude's a pedophile…he likes young boys. I'm not saying your old my friend, but to him you are," Liam said, trying to make a little joke.

Jamie let out a small chuckle and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I guess. I don't know, I guess I'm just being paranoid. I hadn't thought about any of this in years but whenever I see him, it's like I'm 12 years old again…" he trailed off, trying not to think about 'that day.'

"I don't blame you, I'd probably do the same thing if I saw him…"

They sat in silence for a moment before Jamie spoke up again. "Well, I'm sorry about breaking the bad news to you…I was just wondering if he had been showing up around you or if I was the only lucky one," he said sarcastically.

"No man, I haven't…at least not that I know of. I don't even know if he knows where I live since I moved away. But hey, hang in there, okay? You're not 12 anymore. You're a damn good cop who can kick some ass." That made Jamie laugh. "Call me if you need to talk, okay?"

"Thanks Liam, and I will. Tell Britney I said hi…oh, and good luck with your new job, I know you'll crush it. Bye." Jamie hung up and sat back in the couch. 'Maybe the encounters weren't on purpose…Liam's right, I'm "too old" for Hastings. Ugh, that sounds gross just thinking it. Why would he be after me in the first place anyways?' he thought. He shook his head and checked the time. He didn't realize how late it was. He stood up and grabbed his dirty dish, putting it in the sink and then throwing the empty beer bottle in the recycling. Then he got ready for bed, hoping and praying, again, that he'd get a good night's sleep.

AN: The next chapter shows Danny paying a little visit to a certain someone...