Six Weeks of Grace Pt. 08

Frantically she looked back towards the bathrooms but Don was nowhere in sight. She lunged for Grace, gathering her quickly in her arms, the startled girl letting out a small scream as Anne pulled her off her feet and started running towards the complex. Her only chance was to get to Don but they quickly cut her off and tackled the pair to the ground.

"NO!" Anne screamed as she felt Grace ripped from her arms. She tried to get up but she was pushed back down by one of the men.

"DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!" Grace was screaming at the top of her lungs as the three men had her and started moving quickly back in the direction they came from.

"HELP! HELP! THEY'RE TAKING OUR DAUGHTER!" Anne yelled as she finally got to her feet and ran after the men, she could see several people turn towards them at the sounds of their screams. She had to get to Grace and she could hear the little girl's crying as she got closer.

One of the men held back from the trio and Anne ran straight into him, trying to bowl him over on her way to Grace. Unfortunately he was too quick and strong for her and she felt the sting on her face as he simply slapped her, knocking her back to the ground. Rolling over she tried to get back to her feet but as she turned back to him, she was shocked to see him literally flying through the air.

In just a split second, she took in the scene. It was Donald Duncan and the look on his face sent a chill through her. She thought that she had seen every possible facial expression he had from joy to sorrow, but the look on his face at this moment was terrifying. She saw him pounce on the man just as he regained his feet. Don punched him in the stomach with such force that he doubled over and spit flew from his mouth. She heard a dull thud as Don's knee connected with his face and his head snapped back as blood poured from a nose that was flattened against his face. With his attacker slumping down to his knees, Don struck again and the man was instantly flat on the ground with Don over him. One, two, three times Don slammed his fist into the stricken man's face and Anne could hear the sickening crack of bones and see blood explode to cover Don's fist and arm.

"DADDY!" Grace called again and Don leapt to his feet with Anne only a second behind him. They ran towards the other two who were struggling with Grace. Instead of running themselves, they had foolishly stopped to watch Don's exchange with his first attacker.

The man who wasn't holding Grace came at Don, Anne could see him land several blows on Don but she ran past them and grabbed at the one retreating with Grace in his arms. She could hear the sounds of cursing, grunting and punches being landed; she prayed Don was winning as she tried to wrench the screaming girl from the last attacker.

Again she found herself landing roughly on the ground. She got to her hands and knees and then to her feet only to be confronted by the sight of the man tossing Grace to the ground. Stunned she tried to figure out why he would do that when it became suddenly clear.

"GET GRACE!" She heard Don yell as he went by her and slammed into the man with a fury that caused her to look away for a second.

Anne summoned what strength she had left and went to the screaming little girl and gathered Grace into her arms. Turning back towards the two men she saw them grappling on the ground. Neither seemed to have an advantage as they rolled in the dirt. The man was almost as large as Don and he seemed to be trying to get something out from his waistband. Then it hit her what he was doing, Anne suddenly realized that regardless of the outcome, she had to get Grace away from here and right now! If the man had a knife or gun and Don couldn't take him, he might still come after Grace.

Turning, she started away from them towards a crowd of onlookers that were coming towards them. Grace was yelling "DADDY! DADDY!" in her ear and Anne realized that the way she was holding the little girl, she could see the fight over her shoulder. She quickly spun around to get Grace facing away but the sight made her heart stop and her blood run cold.

Don was on top of the man but even from the few yards she was away, she could see the knife sticking out of his left arm and blood pouring from the wound. But it was obvious that it had not been enough to stop the raging Donald Duncan. Anne seemed frozen to the ground at the sight of Don slamming his fists into the face of his attacker. The man was trying to fend off the blows but it was futile and after a couple more punches, Anne saw his arms drop away, leaving him totally unprotected against Don's fury. His arms were moving like pistons and his fists were a blur as she could see him strike over and over until it seemed he realized that the man was no longer a threat. Don slumped down on top of him momentarily until she saw him get his breath and start to gather himself.

Anne watched Don get up from the ground, it seemed like it took every ounce of energy he had left and once he got to his feet, she could see him swaying as he tried to stay upright. He took a step towards them but Anne gasped as he stumbled and fell to his knees. He looked up at them and mustered more strength from somewhere and with what seemed like superhuman effort, finally got back up.

Once again he started towards them and then stopped, dazed he looked over and realized that the attacker's knife was still sticking out of his arm. Seemingly without even feeling it, he reached over and pulled the knife from his arm, throwing it down next to the motionless man. As he walked slowly towards them, she couldn't believe the sight. His massive chest was heaving as he tried to get his breath, his face was starting to swell from the blows he had absorbed, dirt was covering him and his shirt was torn and wet with blood. Reaching out towards her, she saw his hands were covered with gaping wounds. Gently he took the still crying Grace from her, Anne too stunned to even protest.

As he walked away, cradling Grace against his chest, Anne watched them in disbelief before she suddenly realized that the sound of sirens was filling the air. Turning towards the noise, she saw two uniformed officers running towards her.

"OFFICERS!" she yelled out, getting their attention. "CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE, NOW!"

One of them grabbed his radio and was talking into it as they finally got to her.

"What happened?" The other asked quickly.

"Those three men attacked us and tried to kidnap our little girl!" Anne told them hurriedly.

The officer looked quickly at the three men lying broken on the ground, onlookers were gathering around but keeping their distance.

"So where is the girl now?"

Anne looked over and saw that Don had gotten to a bench on the far side of the playground and was sitting down holding Grace in his arms. Thinking quickly she grabbed him by the arm. "Her father has her, she's safe, but you HAVE to call Sheriff Duncan right now and get him here. Tell him that Don has been in a fight! Call him, but leave Donald Duncan alone until he gets here, understand . . . understand?"

The cop hesitated and so Anne yanked on his arm. "CALL HIM NOW!" She screamed at him.

"Yeah, right now!" he answered, before grabbing his radio and walking towards the men on the ground.

Anne could see him talking on the radio and she just looked around before the events of those last few minutes hit her full force and she burst into tears. She slowly collapsed down onto her knees as another arriving officer helped her up and guided her back to the bench where this had all started such a short time ago.

Leaving her there, Anne simply rolled into a ball on the bench as the sounds of more sirens filled the air. It seemed like she was there for hours until she heard a soft voice beside her.

"Anne . . . Anne, it's me."

Looking up, she saw Mike standing there beside the bench. He helped her uncoil and get to her feet but as soon as she was up, she launched herself into his arms. "OH GOD! OH GOD! THEY ALMOST GOT HER!" Anne screamed into him as he held her tightly against him.

"Shhhh, it's okay, we're here, Bobby's here, relax, we're here." Mike replied trying to calm the frantic woman.

Mike held her for several minutes as her body was wracked with convulsions, finally it seemed she was able to get herself under control and Mike gently guided her back to the bench. Holding her tightly, she sobbed quietly as the memory of the day played over and over in her mind.

Mike kept her face hidden against him, not wanting her to see the scene in front of them. The attackers were loaded up and taken away in ambulances, the area was cordoned off with tape and a dozen or more police and Sheriff's personnel were interviewing people who had witnessed the attack.

Finally a very sober Bobby came over to the pair. "Anne?" he said quietly as he got down onto his knees so he was eye to eye with the distraught woman.

"Anne?" he said again a bit louder, finally gaining her attention.

"I'm okay," she replied in a whisper as she wiped the tears from her face. She was still clinging to Mike but straightened up to face the Sheriff.

Bobby seemed hesitant to speak but then started with a slow and gentle tone. "Anne, we need your help."

Anne just looked at him quizzically. "What?"

Bobby took a deep breath and looked around, trying to get his words just right. "Anne, we have to get Don and take him down to give a statement."

"Why?"

"Anne, you're a lawyer, you know why."

"But . . . but . . . they tried to take Grace." She said and both Mike and Bobby knew she was struggling to keep control of herself.

"Anne, he isn't in any trouble, we have two dozen witnesses who say you two were attacked, they tried to kidnap Grace and Don defended you. There is no reason to worry, but he still has to make a statement, plus . . . I think he may need some medical attention."

"Okay?" Anne answered, still not understanding. "What about the guys who attacked us, what about them, get their statements, leave him alone Bobby!" Her voice rising as she felt her anger welling up. They had been attacked and now in her muddled mind it seemed to her that Bobby wanted to go after Don.

"Anne . . . Anne, listen to me." Bobby said, moving closer to her, so they were eye to eye. "The first man's jaw is broken to the point it will be a long time before he gives a statement and the second . . . well the second is in even worse shape."

"Well, what about the one who grabbed Grace, the one who stabbed Don, get him to talk, ask him why he did this, they tried to get Grace, why, why?" Anne spat out.

"Anne!"

"Get him to talk, why Bobby, why did they do this, WHY?" Anne continued, her voice getting louder and her arms starting to become animated as her frustration with Bobby seemed to be turning to anger.

"Anne!"

"WHY, BOBBY, ASK HIM WHY!" Anne screamed out.

"ANNE! ANNE! . . . Listen to me . . . listen, please," Bobby started, before he took a deep breath and looked at her with a dark expression. "Anne . . . that man is dead."

Anne slumped into Mike as the words hit her. "Oh God, no!" Anne whispered.

"Listen, Anne, I need your help and I need it now."

"What . . . what can I do?" Anne answered quietly, the gravity of Bobby's statement hitting her.

"We have to get Grace away from Don, no one has approached him, he's still sitting there with her."

"Why do you need me?"

"I have no idea what his mental state is right now, I've kept everyone away from him. I didn't want to take the chance that he would see someone as a threat. I need you to come with me and get Grace. I think . . . well, I know, you are the only one who can do this, if anyone else goes over there, I just don't know what he'll do!"

Anne got to her feet quickly, surprising the two men. "I understand . . . let's go," she said firmly. She knew what Bobby needed and why, and it suddenly startled her to realize, that after all that she knew about Donald Duncan and all she had seen today, she was absolutely sure, he would never hurt her.

"We'll all go." Mike said distinctly as the trio started across the playground.

It seemed like a hundred eyes followed them as they approached Donald Duncan sitting on the bench. The three tried to hide their shock at his appearance but it was difficult as he seemed to be swathed in blood. He was covered in scratches and scrapes and there was a long line of blood still seeping from the hole in his arm. Don had shoved a piece of his shirt into the hole to stop the bleeding but it had only just stemmed the flow. Unbelievably Grace was sleeping in his arms with dried blood on her from where Don had wiped at the tears on her face.

Anne couldn't stop her own tears as she sank to the ground in front of him. She took the same posture as Bobby had done a few minutes ago and got to her knees so that they were almost eye to eye.

"Don," She said at almost a whisper. "Don, I have to take Grace home, while you go with Bobby."

Don looked at her and then at the two men who stood back a few steps. "No." He said flatly, his eyes flashing a warning as he looked at the trio.

"Don, you aren't in trouble, but they need a statement and you need some stitches . . . I'll take her home."

"They might try again, she's safer with me." Don said with a growl, his face stating to show a rage that was fast approaching.

"Mike and I will take her home. You go with Bobby." Anne said as she reached up and gently ran her hand over his dirty and blood smeared cheek. His eyes went from wild to soft at the instant of her touch.

Bobby and Mike stepped forward as they saw the soothing effect that Anne had on the big man. It seemed like the burning malice was draining from him.

"Don," Bobby started and then paused, waiting to get his attention. "Dad and Anne will take her home and I have two Deputies that will not allow Anne and Grace out of their sight until they're in your house, then the Deputies will guard them there."

Don seemed to take in his words but then looked down at Grace and seemed to pull her a bit more against him.

"Don, please?" Anne said so softly that only he could hear, she was still caressing his bruised face. Then, keeping her hand on his face, she slowly rose to her feet, willing him to stand up also.

He lifted his eyes and looked deep into hers for a moment before kissing Grace gently on the forehead. Then he stood up slowly and handed the sleeping girl to Mike who took her into his arms.

Don stared at the blood smudged little girl in Mike's arms for a few seconds, before he looked up at him. "That's my life." He finally said quietly as Mike was turning away to go.

"I know, Don, I know." Mike answered softly and then motioning to Anne, they walked towards the car.

Don watched them all the way to the parking lot before he finally looked over at Bobby, who had been waiting patiently by his side, not daring to say a word to stop the events that were unfolding. "Let's go." he finally said as he saw Grace being put into Mike's car.

Anne and Mike arrived back at the house with an overnight bag for her. Mike had explained that he didn't want her out of sight until this was settled. Anne tried to argue but it was all for show, she really had no desire to be out of the protective cocoon that Mike and the Sheriff's department had her and Grace wrapped in.

It took a couple hours to get Grace settled down. A bath and some clean clothes helped her appearance but unfortunately Anne recognized that the emotional toll was going to take far more. It seemed to her that the little girl who was always laughing and joking was gone, to be replaced with one who wouldn't let Anne and Mike out of her sight. Anne was able to slip away for a shower and clean clothes while Mike kept Grace's attention. Afterward, they all huddled on the couch as they awaited Don and Bobby's return, talking about anything but the day. Anne made some dinner and after more cuddling, she was finally able to get Grace to go to sleep in her own bed.

Returning down to the living room, Anne simply collapsed onto the couch next to Mike who held her as she just wanted to feel safe, wondering if she ever would again.

Later when the door opened, Don and Bobby came in and found them awaking from their stupor. Don only took a momentary glance at the pair and then headed up the stairs.

Bobby sat down across from the couch as the two woke up fully.

"Well, how did it go?" Mike asked.

"No problem with the fight, I had the DA with me when we took his statement."

"What, without his lawyer present?" Anne blurted out.

Bobby's face turned hard. "Damn it, Anne, he doesn't need a fucking lawyer, I was there!"

"Whoa, whoa you two" Mike jumped in. "I think we are all a bit stressed right now, let's settle down."

Bobby looked stricken as he realized what he had said. "Damn Anne, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything."

"I know, I know" Anne replied carefully. "But how is he?" She asked tilting her head towards the upstairs.

Bobby just shook his head. "Physically, they put over a hundred stiches in him in various places, plus a few staples. His hands are a mess and he has more scrapes, bumps and bruises than I have ever seen on one person."

"But is he going to be okay?" Anne asked hesitantly.

"Physically, he'll be okay."

"Mentally?" Mike asked.

Bobby seemed to slump a bit in the chair. "Mentally . . . I just don't know."

"What?"

"I don't know if I should say anything, he might not be happy."

"Don't give me that shit, answer me." Mike said firmly.

Bobby looked at them for a long time before he finally started speaking quietly. "He kept breaking down."

"Breaking down?" Mike asked.

"He kept saying 'I've lost them', over and over, then he would . . . well then he . . . he tried to hide it, but then he would cry."

As his words sunk in, Mike nodded and got up, motioning to Bobby. "Look, it's been a hell of a day, tempers are short, I say we get some sleep, then we'll come back here tomorrow and see if we can put our heads together and make some sense of this."

Just as the two men hit the door, a thought seemed to grab Anne. "Lost them?" she said to Mike and Bobby.

Mike turned and stared at her for a second. "Them." He repeated directly at Anne, and then the two men left.

"Them," Anne repeated as she tried to make sense of it. But her mind was too muddled by the day, so she went upstairs to check on Don and Grace.

As she expected, she found Don sitting by a sleeping Grace. She came and stood beside him before reaching down and gently taking his hand. Motioning him to his feet, she pulled him down the hall towards the master bedroom.

"Don, we've got to get you cleaned up and into bed." She said as he just nodded. She could tell that he was almost out on his feet from exhaustion. She left him standing there as she looked through his dresser drawers until she found a pair of gym shorts. She started guiding him into the bathroom but he stopped her. "I can't get the stiches wet."

Anne went down to the kitchen and got some plastic wrap and scissors. Returning to the filthy and blood stained man, she gently cut away what was left of his shirt and wrapped his wounds. She had to keep focused on her task as the sight of Don's battered body was shocking. She was surprised when she saw an old wound on his stomach and a huge spider webbed mass of scars on his shoulder.

"Don, what are these?" She asked as she worked on him.

He seemed to hesitate but he was too tired to even be evasive. "They shot me."

"Who shot you?"

"I tried to get them all out but I couldn't, they shot me."

Suddenly it hit her, the Judge's words. Four young men are alive, the Silver Star for bravery. He had saved four young men but he couldn't get the rest because they shot him. In her mind the puzzle came together, he saved four but he couldn't get the rest. Her thoughts from long ago came to her, the thoughts that something haunted him and caused what she now saw as a gentle giant to become a violent troublemaker.