First Impressions
Parts 25-26
By Kellie
Michelle quickly hid behind the crates as Danny went back to his position on the floor. Mick came through the door, holding a gun on Frank. "Nosy cop. You need to learn to mind your own business," Mick said as he shoved Frank onto the floor beside Danny.
"Who is this?" Danny asked Mick.
"Like you don't know," Mick snarled as he took Frank's handcuffs and cuffed him to narrow steel beam along the warehouse wall.
"Mick, you know that I don't," Danny calmly replied as he rubbed the back of his head.
Mick's cell phone started ringing, "What!" he shouted into the receiver.
"I'm sorry, Mama." Mick then walked outside the door to speak.
"Michelle, get over here quick," Danny quietly called out.
"Michelle, I thought I told you to stay put in the car," Frank groaned.
"That's not important now," Danny began. "Michelle, I need you to listen carefully. Mick thinks I have amnesia and I want to keep it that way for now. He's already slipped up and let me know that he and my mother know I'm working for the FBI. I need to find out how he got this information before they can uncover the identities of any of our informants within the local crime organizations. This is what I need you to do, get back outside and turn on the siren on Frank's car. That should scare Mick into hightailing it out of here. I'll find a way to get him to leave Frank here. After that, go back to the farm and stay there until I come for you. Understood?"
Michelle nodded as she heard Mick's fist slam against the building. She quickly scurried back behind the crates. She pointed at the window over her head before ducking down. Danny and Frank nodded in understanding at her unspoken message.
Mick came back into the warehouse, "Mama is worried about her baby," he sneered. "She wants me to bring you home pronto, but first I need to take care of the good detective." Mick walked back over to the table and pick up the syringe of drugs, "Maybe you know where I can find the girl," he commented as he walked towards Frank with the needle.
"Mick, what the hell are you doing?" Danny asked.
"Little brother, I'll explain later. I'm in a bit of a hurry right now."
Danny jumped to his feet and got in Mick's face as he shouted, "No, you'll explain now. Exactly what are we involved in?"
Frank looked over Mick's shoulder as he and Danny argued to see Michelle slip out the window. As the war of words escalated, Frank heard the siren on the squad car come on.
"Shit, we don't have time for this," Mick said as he dropped the needle and drew his gun. He turned and aimed at Frank's temple.
"Mick, I don't know what's going on, but if you shoot that cop when there are more outside, we'll never get out of here alive."
Danny grasp Mick by the shoulders, "You can't kill a cop, Mick!"
Mick looked up at the window and saw the blue lights flashing, "You're right, I can't do this now. Detective, I will take care of you - EVENTUALLY!" Mick shouted as he and Danny headed out the rear door.
Michelle saw Danny's car turn the corner with Mick in the driver's seat and Danny riding shotgun. As soon as she was sure they were out of hearing distance, she turned off the siren and lights and went inside to get Frank. As she unlocked the cuffs holding Frank, she asked, "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure, but Danny seems to know what he's doing. We don't have any choice but to trust him and wait," Frank commented as he and Michelle headed out the door.
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Danny entered Company with his mother and Mick. "Daniel, are you sure you're alright? I really think we need to make an appointment with a doctor."
"Mother, ever since I got back to the house last night I've been remembering more and more. The only thing I'm still fuzzy on is the last year. The last thing I remember before waking up in that warehouse is being in Miami. I have no memory of coming back to Springfield or why I'm here," Danny remarked.
Buzz came up and began handing menus out at the table, "Danny, who are your guests for breakfast?"
Danny looked up at Buzz; "Do I know you?"
Carmen broke in, "Please pardon my son's lack of memory. He took a nasty fall last night and hit his head. It seems that his memory of the last year is rather fuzzy. How does my Daniel know you?"
"Well, he comes in here to eat on a regular basis. Listen, Dr. Bauer is over at the bar, would you like me to send him over?" Buzz asked.
"No, I'll be as good as new in a couple of days. If I'm not, I'll go see the doctor myself," Danny replied firmly. "Can you get us some coffee while we look over the menu?"
Buzz nodded as he headed towards the counter. Danny saw Buzz walk over to Rick and say, "Rick, I haven't heard from Frank since early yesterday. I'm sure Michelle is fine."
"Yeah, but I'm still worried. She hasn't been home for two days. All I've gotten is a voice mail message. The only person she's spoken to is Lillian. I can't help but worry."
Danny looked at his mother and Mick. "I think I'll go wash up," he said as he rose and headed for the men's room.
Carmen shot Mick an angry glare as soon as the restroom door closed. "Mick, you idiot. I specifically told you not to hurt Daniel and look what you've done. I'm just glad that Ben was able to convince the police that Daniel's gun had been stolen. That backdated theft report at the police department did the trick. One more stupid move, Mick, and I'll deliver you to the cops myself," she ranted at a near whisper.
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Michelle awoke on the sofa at the farm to the sound of the ringing phone. She cautiously answered it, "Layne residence. May I help you?"
"Michelle, it's me. I need you to call that number I wrote down for you. Ask for Schaffer. Tell her that I need the case file for that last bust I worked on in Miami ASAP. Have her pull it and send it to Frank at the police department. Tell him to bring it to you as soon as he has it. Listen, I've got to go. Have Frank call you brother and tell him your safe, but you'll be in protective custody through the end of the week."
"Okay," was all Michelle had time to get in before Danny hung up.
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Danny emerged from the men's room at Company and joined Mick and their mother at the table for breakfast. "What do I like to order here?" he asked as he took his seat.
Rick turned from the bar, pager in hand. He started across the room towards the pay phone, but stopped when he spotted Danny. He marched over to the table and grabbed Danny by the arm, "Where the hell is my sister?"
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Danny was on his feet in an instant. Mick jumped up and grabbed Rick from behind. "Mick, let him go. Do I know you?" Danny quickly asked.
"Do you know me! You came to my house Saturday morning and my sister went out with you. I haven't seen her since. All I've gotten is a voice mail message from her saying she's safe and will be out of touch for a few days. Since you were the last person she was seen with, I figured you would know where she's at," Rick shouted.
"Listen, I don't know anything about your sister. I wish I could help you, buddy. Now, let me ask again, who are you?"
Rick looked incredulously at Danny as he heard Carmen speak, "Sir, my son took a terrible fall last night and is suffering from some partial amnesia. He doesn't remember much of the last year." Carmen then added, "As for your sister, as soon as Daniel remembers something about her, I'll be sure to contact you."
"I'm Dr. Rick Bauer. My sister, Michelle, was last seen at the beach with Danny on Saturday afternoon," Rick said to Carmen. "Have you seen a doctor?" Rick asked, knowing that Danny had not passed through the ER during his shift last night.
"A physician who is a family friend took a quick look at him last night and said that Daniel should recover in a few days," Carmen replied.
"I really think you need to come over to Cedars and have a CT scan or an MRI to assess you injuries," Rick remarked.
"I really don't think that's necessary," Danny replied.
"Actually, I think that's an excellent idea," Carmen said.
Carmen pulled Mick down into his seat beside her. He whispered in her ear, "What are you doing?"
Carmen whispered back, "You told me you're not so sure that Danny's amnesia isn't an act. With his determination not to see a doctor and the speed with which he started to remember things, something doesn't add up. Let's see what happens."
Danny knew that Mick had shared his suspicions with Carmen, so he decided to take his chances with Rick.
"Mother," Danny began.
"Daniel, I insist. The sooner you start remembering things, the sooner you can help the good doctor locate his missing sister," Carmen remarked.
"Okay, Mama. I know you won't let this go until I see a doctor. Dr. Bauer, lead the way," Danny stated.
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Rick had Danny in the exam room, "Mrs. Santos, I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside while I examine your son. As soon as we know something, I explain everything to you."
Danny watched as an older, blonde nurse led his mother Mick through the doors towards the waiting room. Rick began by feeling the knot at the base of Danny's head. "Listen, Dr. Bauer..."
"It's rather unusual for a patient to end up with amnesia after a blow to this location on the head. Is there something you need to tell me, Danny?"
"Okay, you're right. I can't explain everything right now; you're going to have to trust me. I promise you that Michelle is safe and I'm going to keep it that way."
"You're lying to your family about having amnesia and you want me to trust you with my sister's safety. I don't think so buster," Rick replied as he grabbed Danny by the collar.
"Listen, Rick, I'm a federal agent. Call Frank Cooper and he can confirm it. He's working with me on an investigation. Right now, I need you to help me convince my mother that I'm not faking. It's the only way I can buy some time to find out what she and Mick are up to. Michelle won't be completely safe until I do."
"I don't know about this," Rick said.
"Just call Frank and find out for yourself," Danny replied.
Rick rubbed his chin and walked over to the phone. He paused before picking up the receiver and beginning to dial. Danny listened as he heard Rick speak to Frank. From the expression on Rick's face, Danny could tell that Frank had confirmed his story.
"Well, you could knock me over with a feather," Rick said as he hung up the phone. "What exactly do you need me to do?"