Page 108 of Second Chance

“As far as I’ve understood from Sean,” Colette says delicately once she’s put her phone away again, carefully out of the detective’s line of sight, “he’s doing his best to support someonehe cares about in crisis. It shows integrity for someone so young.”

Detective Taylor absolutely levels Colette with a harsh glare. “I think we’ll have to agree to disagree about what integrity means in this case, Professor Ravel.”

She sighs, leaning back in her seat. “You’re all going to have to come down to the station and make statements. That includes Mr. Lawrence in the kitchen, by the way. We’ll have to look for this Sean and any physical evidence before charges can be made. And we’ll need a statement from Miss Peterson as well when she’s able. Chances are when this all goes to trial, you’ll have to explain your actions to a judge and jury.”

“You don’t sound terribly concerned,” Colette says.

“Unfortunately,” Taylor gets out through gritted teeth, “I am well aware some juries will likely view your decisions as understandable and compassionate rather than foolhardy. Some judges might consider a fine. Some won’t.”

“Would some judges consider fining a police officer who accuses people of planting evidence without any investigation?” It slips out of Tony’s mouth, caustic and irritated. “We could have skipped a whole lot of this if you’d done your job.”

Taylor stiffens. She doesn’t answer.

It might not have changed anything. Daniel was always going to prioritize his own guilt.

“We’ll have to consult our lawyer about the legal consequences.” Colette is serious and grave. If Tony didn’t know she just means she’ll call Jeff again whenever he gets home from Malta, he might be concerned.

Detective Taylor gets to her feet and pulls out her phone. “You do that. I have work to do. Mr. Walia, would you mindgiving me your contact details so I can arrange a police escort for you and Miss Peterson to get to the hospital?”

“Uh, sure.” Blakes eyes are wide as he gives the detective his full name and number.

Taylor punches in the info, then starts making calls as she heads out the front door. The words “you’re not going to believe this” echo in the hallway as her footsteps retreat down the stairs.

“Whew.” Daniel sinks back into the couch. “Well, that could have gone worse.”

Meredith shakes her head. “You are extremely lucky I came and not Mom and Dad.”

“I love you, too,” Daniel says, dry and sarcastic and nothing like when he said the same thing to Tony only hours ago. “What about your kids, anyway?”

“Won’t kill my husband to take care of them for a few days.”

“Are yousure?”

Meredith doesn’t dignify that with a response, which is, to Tony’s mind, answer enough. Daniel refers to his brother-in-law exclusively as “fucking Benjamin.” This is probably why. Meredith starts picking up coffee mugs instead and takes them to the kitchen.

Beyond the open door, Tony makes out Emilio on one of the stools by the island with his head hung low. Lisa stands next to him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder.

“Think he’ll be okay?” Blake asks.

“No,” everyone else in the room says immediately.

“Sheesh. Just a question.” Blake’s thoughtless comments are a universal constant. It’s good to return things to the status quo.

The escort to get Lily to the hospital arrives soon after. Gianna and Blake pile into the police car to accompany her, andTony sets about stripping all the bedding in the apartment and starting a load of laundry. So many people have slept and sat on every surface that it feels necessary.

Lisa leaves next, saying she’s going to see Emilio home safely and then try to catch some sleep herself. She promises to call later.

Finally, only Colette and Meredith remain. In a rare fit of sensitivity, Colette helps to clean up the kitchen while Daniel showers and doesn’t say much of anything. Meredith tidies the living room, and Tony suspects it’s more so she has something to do than because she wants to.

Daniel exits the shower, clean and unfortunately also clean-shaven once again, leaving the bathroom free for Tony. Tony hasn’t focused on how gross he feels. He’s been wearing the same clothes for over twenty-four hours, and he smells of stale sweat and cooking fumes. The shower is a blessing.

The apartment is empty when he gets out.

Daniel sits on the couch, petting Worf, who finally emerged from his hiding spot in the cat tree. “Alone at last,” Daniel tells Tony with a smile. It doesn’t meet his eyes.

“Sorry,” Tony says.

“You don’t mean that.”

---