Chapter 14 - The Reconstruction
Detective Vance closed the file, looking around the quiet, sunlit study. His eyes rested on the plywood panel covering the French doors, then moved to the small frame sitting on the corner of the desk—a picture of Sarah, Leo, and Lily sitting on a beach two summers ago.
"You took a massive risk, Daniel," Vance said quietly, his tone shifting from professional to personal. "If that bullet in the ceiling had been two inches lower..."
"I didn't have a choice, Marcus," Daniel answered, his voice dropping into that quiet, absolute register. "When a predator enters your home, you don't negotiate. You eliminate the threat."
Vance nodded slowly, standing up from the armchair and extending his hand across the desk. "You're a good father, Daniel. Those kids are lucky to have you."
Daniel shook the detective's hand firmly. "Thank you for moving so fast on the warrant."
Vance walked out through the foyer, the oak front door clicking shut behind him with a solid, definitive thud that resonated through the entire house.
Daniel stood in the hallway for a moment, listening to the quiet sounds of his home.
From the kitchen came the clinking of silverware, the soft babble of his daughter, and the rich, cheerful sound of Leo laughing at something on the radio.
Daniel walked back into the kitchen.
Leo looked up from his plate, his hazel eyes wide and bright. "Was that the police man, Dad?"
"It was," Daniel smiled, walking over to the stove and picking up the skillet. "He said everything is taken care of. Forever."
Leo let out a long, quiet breath. His small shoulders relaxed completely, dropping two inches as if a mountain had been lifted off his small frame. He picked up his fork, cutting off a large piece of pancake soaked in syrup, and popped it into his mouth.
"Dad?" Leo mumbled through his food.
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Can we go to the park today? The one with the big red slide?"
May you like
Daniel looked at his son—at the fading bruise on his cheek, at the bright light in his eyes, at the complete absence of fear in his smile.
"We can go wherever you want, Leo," Daniel said softly. "Wherever you want."
