Six Weeks of Grace Pt. 05

At that, Don and Anne both turned to see two men following them. They were scraggly and unkempt, looking like they had just left a bar after an all-night drunk rather than at the zoo with families.

"Do I know you?" Don glared at them.

Anne grabbed Grace's hand and instinctively moved behind Don with the little girl.

"No, but we know you, you fucking asshole." One of them spit out as the other laughed.

Don's anger was building and he had no doubt he could take these two. "What did you say to me?"

"I called you a fucking asshole; and I might want a shot of that skinny little bitch you're with when I'm done with you." The other one snarled at Don, both of them stepping closer.

Don was at the edge, closing his hands into fists as he got ready to strike.

"Daddy, let's go!" He suddenly heard behind him and it cut through his rage. Grace was calling him; Grace and Anne were with him!

"Don maybe we should head over to the security station." Anne threw out as she saw the effect Grace's words had on him.

Don slowly turned away from the two and gathered up Anne and Grace before they quickly walked away.

"This ain't over ass hole." He heard yelled out behind him and Anne gently laid her hand on his arm. She could feel how tense he was and wondered why this, of all places, someone would do that.

Walking towards the security office, Don heard the last words but also felt Anne's small hand on his arm. It calmed him and he noticed she kept it there as they walked through the crowd.

When they got there, they reported the incident and left the building. They finished up their tour and were gone soon after. The thought of the encounter was still fresh as they drove home without talking.

As Don drove, Anne could see that he was furious but she decided she had to say something. "That was very brave of you."

Don's head snapped around to glare down at her as she was seated beside him. He glanced in the back seat to see Grace fast asleep after the long walk. "I sure don't feel brave, letting someone talk like that to us." He spat out.

Anne thought carefully about she wanted to say. "Don, brave means many things. It means putting your life at risk to save a comrade in war." She said causing Don's expression to change suddenly. "It also means being strong enough to put your ego aside to do what's best for others."

Don kept his eyes on the road but Anne could tell she was getting through to him. "I have no doubt in my mind, that in any situation, you could have taken care of those two clowns, but what if in the melee Grace had been hurt, would have it been worth it?"

"No," Don said distinctly, "No it wouldn't have been, but still -. "

"But nothing, they could have had a gun or knives. Your daughter is safe, that's what should be important, not your ego."

Don drove for several minutes quietly contemplating her words. He could find no fault, she was absolutely right, there was no question Grace's safety was everything. Finally after a few miles he spoke up. "You're right, thank you."

Anne just nodded acceptance of his answer but she wanted to add one more point. "Don I want you to know, there is still a lot of things about you I worry and question, but your courage has never been one of them."

Don turned to look at her. "Thank you again."

The following Friday brought another meeting with the partners. "I have nothing to report." Anne started. "He takes Grace to school, does his job, picks her up, takes care of her, when they are out he is protective of her, always watchful, no drinking, no negative issues. In fact he has even had his offensive tattoos covered."

"Hmmm . . . so you say no incidents at all?" Brett Langman asked, surprising Anne as he rarely ever spoke during these meetings.

'No, none," Anne answered.

"Nothing at all?" He asked again.

Anne immediately felt uncomfortable, why was he asking again, he seemed to know something. "No, why do you have different information?"

Brett looked at her for several moments seeming to want her to whither under his gaze, finally he looked away. "No, I guess not." He said very dismissively.

"That will be all Miss Summers." Mark Winters said, finishing her part in the meeting.

After she left, a different discussion was brewing. "What the fuck Brett?" Mark asked him, his question coming with heat!

"Look, my guys told me that they had an altercation and that Duncan had been cursing and combative, that they had roughed him up a bit. They said there was a fight."

"So she's lying?"

Brett shook his head, "No, I don't trust her any more than I trust them, but she seemed too certain."

Roger Evans jumped in. "Wait a minute, those two morons that were hanging around last week. Is that who you sent after him?"

"Yeah, why?" Brett asked.

"I'll tell you why, those two couldn't rough up Donald Duncan on their best day, have you ever actually laid eyes on him?" Roger asked.

"No, but they are usually able to handle somebody just fine." Brett answered.

"Well guess what, this ain't fucking usually! Donald Duncan is a damn monster and there is no way on this earth that those two piss ants you sent roughed him up. Just read the fucking file, All-American linebacker, infantry squad leader, Silver Star for bravery, six foot four, two hundred and fifty pounds of fucking muscle and those two told you they roughed him up." Roger finished up his rant shaking his head.

Mark took it all in before turning to Brett. "Look, Roger has a point, if your plan is to get him to lose control and get into a public brawl, you better come up with better opponents than those idiots, I saw them too, they may be tough when it comes to purse snatching but this is going to require a real threat."

Brett was pissed but he knew they were right. "Fine, I'll fix this. I have some other irons in the fire." He said and stalked out.

After he left, Roger turned to Mark. "He does have another point, how much can we trust miss perfect?"

"I don't know, but its something to pay attention to." Mark replied, thinking about the situation. "She may have to be told the facts of life at some point."

Driving away, Anne could not shake the feeling that Brett knew something, that he was expecting more, but what. There'd been nothing to report, the only incident that was unusual was the idiots at the zoo but nothing happened, Don walked away. Could that be it, how could they know? Something was going on but what, and if Brett knew about the zoo, maybe they were being followed, but why? It just didn't make sense. She was just going to have to stick to her charges and keep her eyes wide open.

Anne spent most of the weekend with Don and Grace, she told herself it was to keep a closer watch on them but the truth was she was enjoying being with them. They spent some time at a park, Don displayed a small amount of cooking talent by barbequing and by the end of the weekend Anne was sad to go back to what was becoming a very lonely apartment.

Don and Grace were settling into a routine and the small blips they had were fading. Tuesday evening brought a dinner of chicken nuggets that Don successfully cooked. This event brought cheers from Grace and even Anne who stopped by.

After dinner was cleaned up, Anne was getting ready to go when they were surprised by a knock on the door. Don opened it up to see Mike and Bobby standing there.

"Hey, we gave you a couple weeks, now we want to meet the little girl." Mike said with a big smile, coming into the living room. "Oh we're sorry; we didn't know you had a guest."

"I was just leaving." Anne said, but she was interrupted by Don.

"Anne please stay, I would like you to meet a couple of very important people." He motioned to Mike, "Anne Summers, this is my step father Mike Duncan." Mike showed surprise that Don would introduce him that way but stuck out his hand and Anne took it for a cordial shake.

"Mister Duncan, I recognize your name, it's nice to finally meet you." Anne said, very much in awe of the man she had only heard of. She knew he was a powerhouse; it was hard to believe this mild mannered man was the mover and shaker she had heard so much about.

"Please call me Mike." He replied with a warm smile.

Don then turned to Bobby. "And this is my brother Robert, Bobby Duncan." Again both Mike and Bobby were surprised by the introduction.

Anne again held out her hand. "Sheriff Duncan, if memory serves, we actually met in court once."

Bobby looked surprised and then the recognition came to him. "Oh, so you're the one who-," He stopped suddenly as he realized what he was about to say.

"Who what?" Anne asked politely.

Don quickly saw what was happening so he decided to jump in. "Yes guys, Anne, Miss Summers is from the attorney's office that is overseeing Grace's future."

Anne looked at him warmly, as she realized that he had expressed it to put her in the best possible light.

Mike jumped back in. "Anne please stay, maybe it would be important for you to meet Don's family."

"Are you sure?" Anne asked skeptically.

"We are!" Bobby answered quickly.

Anne stayed and was amazed by the attention that Mike and Bobby gave Grace, and she just ate it up. Within an hour, it was plain she had two more men wrapped around her little finger. But through it all, Mike seemed to be sizing her up, watching her, evaluating her as she played with Grace and chatted with Bobby and Don. Finally, Bobby insisted on taking Grace out to swing, never mentioning that he had bought it.

Mike had given Anne a look that made her stay inside while the rest went out to play. "Anne, I wanted to talk to you for a minute." Mike began.

"Sure," Anne replied with hesitation, unsure if Mike would take this opportunity to berate her for her role in all of this.

"We stayed away so they could get used to each other, but I wanted to ask you, how is he doing?"

Anne was taken back a bit by his question and the honest sincerity in his tone. "He's doing good Mike, he can't cook a bit, but he's trying." She said with a smile.

Mike smiled at that and then continued. "I have crews working here and they have been reporting back that he is doing a great job, he's calm, professional, helpful, and everything I have prayed for."

Anne looked at him and could see the pride in him at those words. "Mike, Don told me his story and your part in it. I think you should be very proud of him."

"Well, I didn't do much but what I could." Mike replied.

"Maybe, but I think Grace is a big influence too." Anne threw in.

Mike hesitated and then seemed to look deep into her, and then he turned and looked out the window at Don pushing Grace on the swing, then back at her. Anne grew a bit uncomfortable at his gaze as she felt that he could see right into her soul. Finally he spoke very carefully, "under it all, that is one of the finest men that ever lived, he's a tough nut to crack but stick with him Anne and you'll never regret it."

Anne was stunned as Mike turned and walked out the door, joining the others at the swing set. She had been standing as Mike spoke, but now she sank back down into a chair. What was that all about she wondered, what did he see in me that made him think that she would ever 'stick' with Donald Duncan and what did that mean anyway? Turning her head she saw them all outside and she so wanted to join in, but something told her that she should go. Gathering her things she left to return to her apartment.

Thursday was an interesting day for Don, he was working to get the crews working in better rhythm, in order to reduce expensive down time. That had been the big failure of this development, the poor planning of work had left the crews constantly waiting on each other. Since he took over, it was starting to smooth out and results had picked up dramatically.

He was surprised when the foreman for the concrete crew approached him. "Don, you know we should get together for a few beers tonight."

Don looked at him with a strange expression. "I appreciate the offer but I'm busy, thanks anyway." Not only was he supposed to not be drinking, he really barely knew this guy.

"Hey come on, just a beer, what do you say?" He pressed on.

"No thanks, besides I have a commitment." Don replied, he didn't feel the need to explain that his commitment was a very short blonde that talked constantly!

"My wife can watch your kid, it will just be us, we can hit a bar."

Don was taken back a bit as the foreman seemed to know about Grace. "Again thanks for the offer, but I have to pick her up from school this afternoon."

"My wife will get her, don't worry, it's just a beer, nothing more." He seemed to be pleading now.

"No, I better not; she might not be comfortable with that." Don answered, where this was going?

"What's wrong with my wife, you gotta problem with her?" The guy yelled out at Don.

Don just shook his head; he could tell that several guys in the crew were circling the two, trying to figure out what was going on between their foreman and the new manager. Several knew Don or knew of him and they were clearly uncertain why the foreman would be antagonizing him. "Look, I have nothing against you or your wife, I have a daughter that I have to take care of and that is more important than having a beer. I appreciate the offer and maybe some other time."

"Yeah, well it sounds like you just think you're too good to drink with me."

Don looked around, obviously exasperated as several of the foreman's crew started to try to calm him down. "Hey Joe, its all right man we'll have a beer with you." One of them said, trying to get him under control.

"Fuck you and him!"

Don saw him move and braced himself as the guy got closer, but before he could strike, a couple of his crew tackled him and pulled him away from the group. The forman could be heard cursing Don as he was hauled away by several of his crew.

"What the fuck happened Don? " One of the old timers asked. He had worked with Don on and off for the last few years and was happy that Don was around, getting things going.

"I have no idea, one minute the guy is all over me to have a beer with him and the next he's ready to fight." Don answered, bewildered over the whole situation. "I barely know the guy, what's his story?"

His friend looked a bit embarrassed for a minute before he answered. "I'm on his crew now and you know what loyalty is all about."

Don nodded, he did know, loyalty on a good crew is important and problems were kept between the crew. "I understand but my loyalty is to one guy and that's Mike, I can't have a foreman that attacks me for no reason."

"Don your right, we've been friends for a while, and I've been with Mike forever. The truth is that the guy is ass deep in debt and has been having problems. To be honest half the troubles here are with our crew. He's on and off again, and we spend too much time fixing instead of doing it right the first time. But do me a favor, look into it yourself, draw your own conclusions."

"I understand," Don said as he slapped his buddy on the back and left the site. Once away, he called Mike and had him come down, two hours later it was over and the foreman was gone.

Mike called Don to the side afterward. "It seems funny to me about what happened."

"What do you mean?" Don asked.

"Well it only took a few minutes of investigation to see he was a problem so that explains part of the issues on the site, but it's the other I don't get."

"Mike, I'm sorry, I should have seen the issues and dealt with it."

"No Don, you're new at this and you're doing great. You have a lot to learn as you're still in the forest phase; you know the old, can't see the forest for the trees. As a site manager, you have to learn when to spot trouble between the crews and how they all fit together. You're still looking at each team, that's why you didn't see it." Mike answered his apology. "But you'll get it, you've done wonders already, we're really picking it up here in just a couple weeks."

"Thanks!"

Mike was rubbing his cheek, deep in thought. "But I still don't get why he went from buying you a beer to wanting to fight, just seems odd." He finally said.

"I don't know, I seem to draw that, I guess."

"Maybe, just maybe . . . but still odd." Mike looked over at Don and couldn't help wondering why a guy older, smaller and weaker would get mad enough to want to try Donald Duncan on for size, especially in front of his whole crew. He just couldn't see how getting his ass whipped in front of his guys would work out to the foreman's advantage. Mike thought he better check in here more often, Don seemed to be doing great but still, it was damn puzzling.

Friday afternoon found another meeting of Anne and the partners. The partners sat stoically as Anne delivered her report as usual. "Nothing again!" She said simply.

After they all looked at each other for a few moments, Brett jumped in, "What about anyone he is associating with?"

"What do you mean?" Anne answered.

"Any contacts with anyone, problems at work, anything like that?" He asked cryptically.

Anne, once again, wondered where this was coming from. "None that I saw or am aware of."

"Well who does he associate with?" Roger threw out at Anne.

Anne just sat thinking for a minute before she answered. "Well, he did have a couple guys over to the house one night."

Roger jumped right in, "There we go, maybe we should find out their background!"

Anne looked around at the three men, noticing the expectation on all their faces that they had finally hit on something. Anne smirked. "You mean Mike Duncan and his son Bobby. I don't think the county Sheriff is really a nefarious character and I, for one, have no intention of digging up dirt on Mike Duncan."

"No," Mark Winters jumped in, quickly realizing the gravity of her words. "That is not an enemy I want to deal with in any way. That guy could bury us in a heartbeat!"

"Are you sure there were no other issues Miss Summers?" Brett asked and once again Anne got that feeling that he already knew something.

Thinking like a lawyer she took the easy way out. "Gentleman, I have stated, not to my knowledge."

"That's not an-" Roger started but was quickly cut off by Mark Winters.

"Thank you Miss Summers, that will be all."

After Anne left, Mark once again was at Brett. "How are those irons now?"

"Hey, my guy tried but some of the others there held him back so there was no fight."

Roger just shook his head, "Yeah I'll bet, held him back, he was going after Duncan and he got held back."

"That's what he said!"

"Stop it, this is getting us nowhere!" Mark cut them off. "Brett, step it up, do what you have to."

As what was becoming a habit, Anne returned to Don and Grace after her meeting with the partners. As she came through the door, Grace saw her and launched herself into her arms. "Miss Anne, Miss Anne, Daddy's cooking dinner."

"Is that a cry for help?" She asked, loud enough that Don could hear her in the kitchen.

"Very funny," he yelled back at them.

Anne put Grace down and took her hand. "Let's go see what Daddy is making, we may be going out!"

Don looked at her as she came in the kitchen. He had to smile as he saw her walk in holding Grace's hand; she was a natural mother he thought, which made him suddenly stop what he was doing.

"Hey don't stop, this could be fun to watch!" Anne told him with a laugh, interrupting his thoughts. "So what's on the menu?"

Don gave her that shy smile that was fast becoming a favorite with her. He reached down into the oven and pulled out a pan of something that actually smelled delicious. "Meat loaf!" he yelled out excitedly.

"Did you buy that somewhere and just bring it home cooked?" Anne asked, still giggling.

"No, Daddy made it, I helped." Grace jumped back into the conversation.