Lives Changed 33
Tallahassee Florida, the state capital was right in the curve of the Gulf of Mexico, and on a direct path for the hurricane that was coming through. For the Daniels and Jacob families this meant that the campaign was placed on hold until the storm had passed through or died.
Zeke and Aaron both didn't mind this as they were able to spend time in the hotel pool. While Malcolm and Patrick spent most of their time in their room writing speeches, watching the news or just cuddling and quietly talking. Malcolm had just laid down on the bed, when Aaron came running in and jumped on his bed, his still wet hair showering Malcom a bit. "Malcolm, you pwomised to teach me to tell time, can we do it now, pwease?" Aaron asked with a huge smile on his face.
"Okay turkey, but first run and get me a towel so we can dry your hair."
"Okies." Aaron squeaked, as he jump off the bed and ran to the bathroom, where he grabbed a hand towel and raced back. "Here Malcolm, you dry it for me pwease."
"Alright sit with me and let me dry it, and then I'll teach you how to tell time."
For the next two hours Malcolm sat with Aaron beside him teaching him how to read a watch and how the hours worked. Patrick had come and joined the two on the bed and had fallen asleep cuddled up next to Malcolm. After two hours, Malcolm had to use the bathroom and so he slipped off the bed and was walking towards it when he heard Midnight growling near the door. "What is it boy, someone there?" Malcolm asked as he petted Midnights side.
Zeke who had still been swimming, was just getting off the elevator with one of the state police when he saw a man standing outside his big brothers door. "Hey mister whatcha doin?" Zeke hollered.
Hearing Zeke calling the man stood, and turned looking at the boy and the trooper with him. "I..um.. I thought this was my room." The man called out.
"What is your name?" The Trooper asked.
"Why? I haven't done anything wrong." Marshall stated as he stood up straighter. "My name is Marshall." He continued.
"Well please stay away from this floor, it is reserved." The trooper spoke.
Maurice Marshall was lucky, he had just gotten away with trying to break into Daniels room when he was told to leave the floor. Marshall had used his time wisely to follow the Daniels and Jacobs busses and to even learn where the kids were staying. Knowing that he worked his way into the hotel and was going to end both boys trip with a bang when the little kid caught him.
Marshall was standing waiting for the elevator when he saw the trooper walking towards him. The door had just opened when the trooper called out ordering him to stop. Not waiting for him or anything else Marshall jumped on the elevator and hit the close button then he pushed the button for ten floors down. He felt the elevator starting to drop and let out a soft sigh of relief. The Trooper was stuck on the top floor. Seeing Marshall enter the elevator the trooper used his radio to inform everyone that there had been an intruder to the Daniels' floor, and that the person was trying to enter the Daniels' suite. The trooper gave Marshall's description and asked that he be detained for questioning.
Marshall knowing that he was close to being caught slipped off the elevator on the 10th floor and walked to the stairs and headed back to his room on the floor above. Marshall had watched as Sylvia Rodgers had been arrested, then he listened to what the brat Daniels had said. Now sitting in his room Marshall knew he had to leave the hotel, but he couldn't right then.
Upstairs, Malcolm sat with Aaron on his bed holding an old Timex watch, "Aaron?" Malcolm started. "You already know how to count, and you can read numbers, so telling time will be easy for you. Just think of it as counting to sixty."
"Why sixty?" Aaron asked.
"Well that is how many minutes there are in an hour. So when the big hand here hits the number one it would be five minutes after the hour, and the hour is shown by the little hand."
"So, right now it would be?ummm," Aaron counted for a few seconds. "Fourteen minutes after five."
"That's right."
"Okay, but is it the same at night time when it's dark?" Aaron asked looking a bit confused.
"Yes it is, buddy, remember there are twenty four hours in a day, so the little hand goes around twice."
"Oh, that makes it easy then, cause then the hours and minutes would be the same."
"That right, now why don't you take this watch and see if you can tell the time without my help?"
"Okay, love you Malcolm."
"Love you too turkey."
The rest of the night Malcolm and his brothers sat and watched movies with Patrick and his brothers and sister. The parents sat in another room quietly talking and either drinking coffee or tea. Emily still hadn't quiet gotten use to her youngest son being gay, but as she sat talking with Richard and her husband, and occasionally looking in on the kids she could see that there was nothing out of sorts with Patrick or Malcolm, in fact to her the two looked like she and Robert did when they first fell in love, this thought brought a slight smile to her lips, something that Robert noticed. "Emily, is something funny?" Robert asked.
"Oh no, just thinking of how we were when you and I first met." Emily responded.
"That was over 25 years ago, I doubt that I will forget that day. "I
"How could you, I spilt coke all over you new jersey, for a minute a I thought you were going to go wild, but all you did was ask me out on a date."
"I had that jersey right up until the fire. I thought it was the best thing that ever happened to me, now I have a wonderful wife and as the kids today say and awesome family. Thank you sweetheart."
"No thank you Robert, you have made me complete." Emily said with red cheeks.
In Naples, the wind was starting to lash the waves and knock branches from the trees, for Papa Daniels that meant shutting the steel shutters and making sure that there was enough fuel to keep his generator going for a few day. Just as he got back in to his front room the doorbell rang. Muttering to himself that whoever was outside in weather like this is a bloody fool. Opening the door Papa Daniels stood there with a look of surprise on his face. "Mr. Daniels I am Officer Rossetti and I have here a warrant to search your grandson's bedroom." Rossetti stated as he slapped the warrant against Papa Daniels' chest. "Now I would stand aside and let me do my job."
"Officer Rossetti I would like to allow you to do your job, however you must first speak with the agents that are here, and while you're doing that I shall be in contact with Malcolm's lawyer, and with your chief."
"I don't have to speak with anyone, I am here to do my job."
"Actually Mr. Rossetti, you do have to speak with us, since you are now on federally protected property. Now let me see this warrant and we can deal with it very quickly." Real stated from behind Rossetti.
"Where the hell did you come from, you scared the living crap out of me."
"Let's see this warrant."
"Here, read it and then stand aside."
Taking the warrant real did step aside, but only far enough to read it and grab his phone. Pushing in the number for Tony, Real waited for it to be answered. Getting Tony's voice mail, Real left a message for Tony to call him back ASAP, as there was a slight problem at the Daniels' home. Hanging up, Real turned towards Rossetti, "We will have to wait a few minutes, before you can do anything officer."
"Listen I don't know just who the hell you think you are, but you're interfering with police work." Rossetti snapped at Real.
"Actually, you're right you don't know who I am, so let me tell you. I am Special agent Thomas Real of the secret service, and I am ordering you to stand aside until my boss calls me back."
Rossetti and Real were still arguing when Papa Daniels came back out onto the front porch. "Officer Rossetti, it seems as if you are not at all attached to any file or investigation involving the Daniels or Jacobs' family. To please take your warrant and get the hell off this property."
"We'll see about this, no one is going to stop me from doing my job. I'll get a federal warrant if I have to."
"Oh, I don't think you will be doing much, you see I was also informed that you Capt. Harris wants to have a word with you."
"Oh, he does, does he? Well he can wait a long time for that to happen."
"Mr. Real would you and your partner like a fresh cup of coffee," Papa Daniels asked before turning and walking slowly back inside.
Real was following while at the same time he was keeping an eye on Rossetti making sure that he didn't do something foolish. Both Marsten and Morrison were out back standing on the porch, when Real brought them out a coffee, he had just handed the pair their cups when he heard a loud thump coming from the kitchen. Racing back inside he saw that Papa Daniels laying on the floor, his hands clutching his chest. Grabbing his phone Real dial 9-1-1. "9-1-1 what is your emergency?" The dispatcher asked.
"This is secret service agent Thomas Real, I need an ambulance at the Daniels residence ASAP, I have a 75 year old male that is having a heart attack." Real calmly spoke.
"Ambulance is on its way sir, please stay on the line until they arrive."
"Very well ma'am and thank you.
"Just doing my job, agent Real."
"Thomas, you deal with this, I will call Tony, and Mason and let them both know what has happened." Morrison spoke as he entered the kitchen.
"Thanks."
Morrison was just reaching for his cellphone when it chirped. "Morrison here how can I help you?" He answered.
"Morrison it is Tony, let me talk to Real."
"Sorry tony he is busy, Mr. Daniels had a heart attack, and he is on his phone with the emergency dispatcher."
"Okay, have him call me back when he is free."
"Yes sir."
Tony hated being the bearer of bad news, but this was one thing he had to pass on to Richard right away. So walking over to the Daniels suite he knocked and waited. Tony could hear giggle and laughs coming through the door, so he knocked louder. "Tony, why didn't you just come in?" Malcolm asked when he opened the door.
"I didn't want to intrude, now where is your dad, brat?" Tony asked with a grin.
"He's in the next room, want me to get him?"
"No I will go over there. You boys keep this door locked and behave yourselves."
"I am always good, and this door is always locked, just to keep oldies like you out." Malcolm laughed as he watched Tony step over to his dad's room.
As Tony was talking with Richard and the Jacobs, Real and Morrison were waiting for the ambulance. Both men were quietly talking with Papa Daniels when the first EMT ran through the front door followed by Sam Johnson. "Who is Real?" Johnson asked.
"I am who are you?"
"Sam Johnson, Naples Pd. Capt. Harris asked me to pass on a message, told me to tell you that there is some more to the Danvers, Martin deaths. Seems that the t.o.d for Danvers was around 2 pm and as for Martin it seemed he died at about 10 pm."
"That is good news, but what does that do for Malcolm, we have Rossetti out there with a search warrant for the kid's bedroom?"
"What do you mean, Rossetti isn't even working the Danvers Martin case, I am, and I never asked for any warrants, because I know Malcolm and his brothers were in Washington."
"Then you better find out what the hell is going on, something stinks here and if you don't get a handle on it fast I will have the FBI come in and take over."
"Slow down Real, I promise you I will deal with this."
"Sir we have to get Mr. Daniels here to the hospital." One EMT interrupted.
"Then let's go, Morrison you and Martin stay here and watch the house, I'll be at the hospital with Mr. Daniels. Sam I am going to need a couple officers to help protect this gentleman around the clock."
"I'll talk to the Capt. I am sure he can spare a few people."
Rossetti was still standing out on the front walk when he saw the EMT's bringing out Mr. Daniels. Followed by Real and Johnson. Cursing to himself Rossetti turned and stormed off to his car, then drove around the block. Rossetti was thinking that with Daniels gone he could get into the house and search the kid's room without any one getting in his way. Parking just down the street he watched as Johnson and everyone else left.
Walking back Rossetti had just jimmied the front door when he was confronted with twin barrels of pistols pointing to his head. "Put your hands behind your head and interlock your fingers." Marsten ordered.
"I am a police officer." Rossetti stuttered.
"As of right now you are nothing more than a common criminal, who broke into and supposedly empty house." Morrison started. Now you are under arrest, you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one then one will be appointed to you?." Marsten read as he cuffed Rossetti's hands behind his back.
"Rossetti, I have a feeling you might be doing a big stint in jail for this if I am right. Morrison smiled.
"I doubt that, I have a warrant that you people refused to enforce."
"That's not the point. You saw that the house was empty and you decided to break into it. That is a crime, now I would advise you to remain silent before you say anything more."
Morrison was still talking when his phone chirped
"Morrison."
"Morrison this is Capt. Harris.
"Capt. Harris I am glad you called, I have just arrested Officer Rossetti on break and enter, and I was just about to inform him that it is a Federal indictment now."
"I see, well that kind of puts this the hard way then, but Malcolm Daniels has to come in and talk with the FBI and us as soon as possible."
"What is this about sir?"
"I can't say over the phone, but let's just say that a note was found at a crime scene."
"Damn. Okay I will call my boss right away."
"Thank you Morrison, try to make it quick, I don't want to hold Malcolm up from what he is doing."
"I know sir, I will call you right back."
In Washington, Mason was sitting with Ben Jacobs in the residence kitchen quietly talking as Bennie did his homework. Ace had just poured them both another cup when Ben surprised him. "Ace I have been thinking about what Bennie said a while back, and I have come up with an idea. One that I think will work if we had the right people for it." Ben stated as Ace sat down.
"What is it sir, I know Bennie has had many ideas and he has shared a few." Ace laughed.
"Oh I know, his mind is flighty, but the one he was most adamant about was helping youth and kids, so what I have been thinking and I hope you agree with me, is that I set up a unit that answers only to the person that holds my chair."
"Sir, we have that already with the military and the secret service."
"Yes we do, but I am thinking more in line of a unit that deals only with cases involving children. Sort of a Special Children's unit or as I refer to it as SCU."
"Sir that would be great, but a lot of the LEA's aren't going to like it, as it is there is a lot of jurisdictional infighting right now."
"I know that Ace, but what if this unit had the power to take over any abused or missing child case and just worked on them."
"It would work sir, but only if the person in charge had the full co-operation of your office."
"The person would have that, I would draft and letter, and an order stating such."
"By the way when are you heading to Naples?"
Richard sat on the edge of his bed stunned at what Tony had just told him. He knew his father was getting up in the years, but he always seemed so strong. "Tony I know we can't get out of here until the hurricane is over, but I have to go see him." Richard stated softly. "So do the boys."
"I know Richard, I will see what I can do, I won't promise anything right now."
"I know you will do your best, you always have."
Tony was going to say more when his phone blared at him. "Hang on Richard. Marchand here." Tony said as he held his phone up.
"Tony it is Sam, you heard about Mr. Daniels?"
"Yes I just spoke with his son."
"Okay thanks, now the reason I called, is to tell you that Craig Walters hung himself, so there isn't a chance to question him, however we did do a search of his home, and those two boys are better off where they are. We still have a ton of evidence to go through, but it looks like he was using the boys then beating them. Maybe now you can understand what the little one was saying."
"YOU CAN"T BE SERIOUS. Walters used and abused a 6 year old boy?"
"Tony I can't go over it on the phone, but what I saw makes me sick."
"I am sorry the prick died, but I am happy for the boys. Now maybe they can put this ordeal behind them."
"With time they will, but I think that maybe some counselling also."
"I agree, and Sam Richard Daniels has been listening and he is nodding."
"Good, and Mr. Daniels be assured that your father is being well taken care of."
"Thank you Officer Johnson."
Despite the heavy winds and the deluge of rain Maurice Marshall the next morning checked out of his room and headed back to Naples. Marshall figured that the only place to get rid of the Daniels brat would be at the school when and if the strike ever stopped. Leaving Jacksonville Marshall headed west then south stopping for gas and coffee in Ocala first them on into Tampa where he stopped or a lite lunch and more fuel. The last part of his trip would put him in Naples Florida later that night, but he still had his houses and he could hide out in one of them.
Sitting just a few miles from the beach, Marshall's small cabin was surrounded by a high wall and lots of trees, the small lawn was scattered with a few broken branches and some leaves, but so far the house looked like it had come through the storm okay so far. Going inside Maurice quickly got the heater going then lit the fire place, before going into the kitchen and starting a pot of coffee.
Maurice was just starting his dinner in the microwave when there was a knock at his front door. Knowing that no one knew he had this place, Maurice was shocked at the knock. Opening the door, he saw Jordan Martin standing there. "How did you find me?"
"Too easy, I followed you all the way from Jacksonville. Now are you going to invite me in?" Jordan asked.
"Yes sure, and maybe you can tell me what's on your mind."
"A lot is on it, but for now I just need to relax and chill. Might even stay here with you for a few days. You do know the cops are looking for us both right?"
"Hell I know that they are looking for me, but you I thought you were free of your probation."
"I am, they want me for questioning."
"For what?"
"They think I killed Danvers and Travis."
"Did you?"
"Of course I did, they were going after something I wanted."
"Oh, well you can stay here for a few days, I only have the one bed though."
"Like we haven't shared one before?"
"True, but we have to be careful, the cops don't know about this place and I want to keep it that way."
"Okay. By the way did you hear that the President is coming to Naples?"
"I heard, but there hasn't been a set date yet."
"From what I heard it will be right after the elections for the new school board and Governor"
"Hmm I wonder if Daniels and Jacobs is going to meet with him again?"
"Word has it that the president is going to announce the new school board policies and he wants Malcolm to let everyone know that the strike is over."
"How did you get this information?"
"I have a friend who is working for the Secret Service, she used to be on the street but she broke her leg now she is stuck behind a desk for a while."
"Well that helps a lot, hope you can keep her in there."
"Don't worry, I will. Now what's to eat?"