Page 23 of Charmed Forces

“We have to get you out of here,” said Solomon. “We’re making a plan.” Solomon held his phone to his ear and retreated.

“Can you take me home? No, take me to the station. Alice will freak out if she sees me like this.” Daniel frowned when we didn’t answer. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Do you remember anything more?” I asked. “Anything at all?”

“No.”

“Do you remember firing your weapon?” I asked.

Daniel shook his head. “No.”

“I’ll get his hands swabbed,” said Solomon.

“That won’t matter to anyone but us,” I said. “It won’t count as evidence to exonerate him.”

“Exonerate me? What did I do?” asked Daniel. His face was pale, his eyes less bloodshot, but he still swayed on his feet.

“We have to tell him,” I said, returning my gaze to Solomon. “It should be his decision.”

Solomon breathed deeply. “You’re right. But make it quick.”

“Sit down,” I told Daniel as I walked towards him.

“Just lay it on me. Tell me what happened, why I’m here and not there, and whose blood I found on me.”

“A warrant just went out for your arrest in connection with murder,” I said, hedging the truth. Daniel didn’t need to know it was for multiple murders. Not yet. One was bad enough.

“I killed someone?” His jaw dropped.

“I don’t think so,” I said. “Butsomeonethinks you did.”

“My badge and gun are missing,” said Daniel. “I don’t know why. I would never take them off. Did someone take them? Is someone impersonating me?”

“I don’t know those answers either.”

“I was working a witpro case. I know that much. I think I told you that. Did I? Maybe I already said too much,” he groaned. “I’m struggling to think straight.”

“It would help if you could tell us more about the case.”

“I can’t.”

“The vague details then. Numbers of people. Were you with your partner the whole time?”

“Last I remember, I was with my partner. There were a couple other people but I can’t tell you anything.”

“Desmond and McGinney,” I said.

Daniel winced. “I told you?” He sighed, rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand. “I need to get back there. It’s not safe... There was a murder?” He frowned hard, looking from me to Solomon as the news slowly seemed to sink in.

“You can’t go back,” said Solomon. “We’re figuring out how to help you.”

Daniel leaned against the wall. “So one of them is dead, or someone came after us and they’re dead. But why did I leave? Why didn’t I stay to help? Call an ambulance or something? Did I run? Why would I do that?”

“Dan, is it possible someone might be setting you up?” I asked, ignoring his questions as he started to go over old ground in his inebriated state.

“No! I know my partner, he wouldn’t do that, and the others? No! There’s no way. Just no way!”

“Do you know why the search for you would suggest you’re armed and dangerous?”