There was nothing else she could do, Michelle thought. She had to tell Danny about Dietz and even though she would be humiliating herself yet again, she had no choice.
She didnt want to call him because she had always suspected those phones at that house needed to be check by the exterminator for bugs. She didn't want to be overheard by someone listening on the phone. She really didnt want to go over there either with her heart still stinging from his admission of not loving her, but he had to know that Dietz was in intensive care as a John Doe. Maybe Danny hadn't had a chance to think about Dietz since he had been back since so much had happened.
Before she lost her courage, she got in the car and drove over there. She prayed he would be there and that he would be alone. She didnt think she could handle seeing Carmen today.
She made it to his house and saw Danny getting ready to go in the house. Apparantly he had made a stop before he came home.
"Danny" she called and he turned around with an astonished look on his face.
"Michelle, what the hell are you doing here?" he said. Oh God, he hoped Carmen wasnt home. He didnt want you to see Michelle here and know that they had been together. "You cant come around here." he said a lot more harshly than he meant.
"I know that Danny, but I realized I forgot to tell you something very important and I also wanted to ask you something." she said.
"Okay but make it quick. You need to leave" he said and MIchelle was hurt despite her efforts to be strong. Why was he acting like this? He was so cold.
"Will you call me when you decide when the funeral is and do you think it would be alright it I attend?" she asked.
" Yes, I'll call, I mean no...I mean its the day after tomorrow and I dont think its a good idea if you attend" he said.
"Why Danny, you know I loved your grandmother" she said. 'Lots of people will be there. I will sit in the back and you wont even know I am there" she said.
Oh I'll know you are there alright, Danny thought. I just cant risk you getting hurt, he thought to himself but found himself saying "Yeah, sure whatever Michelle, you do what you want. Just as long as you leave me out of it" he said.
What had happened to him? He had sounded so eager to see her when he had called her on his way home from New York. He had done a complete turnaround in just a few hours.
"Thanks Danny" she said and tried not to let her hurt show in her voice "The other thing I needed to tell you was about Dietz" she said.
That got his attention. He had been absent mindedly carrying on this conversation with Michelle because it was the only way he could figure out to sound nonchalant about her coming to the funeral, but she had his complete attention now.
"About Dietz?" he said. "what about him?"
"He is at Cedars as a John Doe. Apparantly whoever shot him stole his wallet or something because he had no identification on him so he was brought up to the ward as a John Doe. I didnt know if Frank Cooper had told you yet. He was going to see him today" she explained.
Danny was floored. Dietz was alive. Alive, How could that be? He had died right there with Danny at his side. His wounds were fatal, he saw them.
"Are you sure it was Dietz?" he said.
"Danny, I know that face alright. I saw it everytime I turned around when I lived in this house. It isnt something you forget soon" she said.
"What's his condition?" he said.
"It doesnt look good. He was shot in the abdomen and that should have been fatal. He really should be dead now but by some miracle he was saved." she said.
"Who knows about this?" he said.
"I think Frank does because he has been asking about him and Elizabeth said he was going to see him today. He was labeled a John Doe Danny which means that nobody knew who he was. I just happened to recognize him when I went in to find Elizabeth" she said.
"I wonder if Frank emailed me about it?" he asked as if he were talking to himself.
"Havent' you checked your mail" she said. It seemed like had had a bad habit of not checking his mail regualarly.
"No, not since this morning when I read.....I mean um........no I havent" he finally said. He didnt want to bring up her email and embarrass her any further but he could see that it hadnt worked. She was clearly uncomfortable.
"Listen Michelle, thanks but you gotta go" he said and grabbed her arm and started to escort her to the car.
"You dont have to manhandle me Danny, I know how eager you are to get rid of me" she said yanking her arm out of his grasp. "And you dont have to worry about me stalking you either, you have made your feelings completely clear. I am sorry I disturbed you" she said and ran to the car.
Danny was right behind her. He had to make sure she didnt pull another stunt like this. He was grateful that she had told him but if there was a chance that she had been seen on the property, she would be in more danger. He had to keep her away from harm.
"Look MIchelle, the next time you have something you need to tell me, do it like you did before. Email me" he said.
"Dont worry, Danny, I wont be bothering you again. I wont come to your grandmothers funeral but I wanted to pay my respects, she was a great lady, where she got it though, I'll never know" she said.
"Good Michelle, make sure that you do that. I'm not what you need. You need to forget me. Understand?? We're over. It cant work. I dont want to see you here again" he said struggling to contain the tears that were perched on the edge of his eyelashes. He had to make her stay away from him.
"I will be glad when you go back to California" Michelle shouted at him not meaning it. She was not usually this catty but he had just knocked her entire world out from under her in a matter of hours and she didnt know how to respond.
" I never went to California" Danny shouted back in retaliation and then realized what he said.
"What did you say" Michelle said. Her voice sounded very similar to a squeak now.
Danny cursed his rotten temper. He had been baited and he had bit. Now he would have to try to explain to her why he never left, without telling her of his plan or without hurting her feelings. He didnt know which one was going to be harder.
He never got that chance. Michelle put her hand over her mouth in shock and ran into her car and sped off with the tires screaching. Danny was so caught up in MIchelle's departure that he never saw Carmens form at the window listening to all that had just transpired.