Chapter Text
The detective didn't have many encouraging words, only that he had reason to believe that Dan was still alive and probably still in the state. Where and what he was doing would take time to figure out.
The rumors continued to spread, each day growing more ridiculous than the previous. These were only solidified by strange occurrences around the courthouse. Items were going missing, people claimed to hear footsteps trailing them, strange shadows… Harry in particular didn't know what to make of any of this in regard to Dan. He'd seen enough bizarre things happen in this building that it could have been anything. He didn't want to hope that it was Dan only to feel the punch of letdown.
Initially, he and Christine agreed that it was no use trying to figure things out between them so long as they were so preoccupied with Dan, however, that was when they'd both assumed Detective Pepitone was going to quickly track him down. Another two weeks had passed and he was no further along in the investigation. The worry had become commonplace, making it more difficult to hide behind that mask.
He could tell that Christine wanted to broach the topic again though she didn't say so aloud. He knew by the way she looked at him, hopeful and pleading. Things weren't exactly better between them since they agreed to put the matter aside for the time being, but it certainly wasn't as tense. He stayed mindful of not outright avoiding her. That's not to say he didn't try to limit how often they crossed paths.
Mac and Roz were growing frustrated, mostly because it was a better focus than whatever was going on with Dan. After years of watching their tap dance, it seemed ridiculous that they were dragging their feet now. Neither could claim to fully understand the nuances of their relationship, only that it was obvious they could walk this precipice much longer.
"Did you get the tickets?" Roz asked as she saw Mac coming down the hall.
"Right here," he answered, holding them up.
"Do you really think you can convince Harry to take Christine?"
"Who else is he going to take? They've been spending all of their time together up until lately."
"Good luck," she half-scoffed.
Mac turned to enter Harry's office, finding him sitting on the window seat and zoned out. It'd been happening more frequently lately. Whether his thoughts were on Dan or Christine it was hard to tell.
"Your honor?"
"Yeah, Mac," Harry said, turning and standing.
"Got your tickets to the Chief Magistrate's ball."
Taking them from Mac, he thanked him.
"Might I nominate a name for your date?"
"Christine?" he groused.
"Hey, you said it, not me."
"I'm not taking her, Mac."
"Why not?"
"You know why."
Growing serious, Mac asked, "What are your intentions with her?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "You sound like her father."
"No, her father would have a hitman after you. I'm asking because I care about Christine as a friend. If you're just leading her on and trying to avoid telling her that you're not interested in a relationship—"
"Mac, you don't understand. It's not as cut and dry as you may think. I know I've been dragging my feet. I've apologized to Christine for it. It's more than I can handle with Dan missing. Christine knows that."
"Does she?" he questioned.
"I mean… I think so. We did agree to wait until all this is sorted out with Dan."
"Did it occur to you that maybe we aren't going to find Dan? It's clear that he doesn't want to be found. I'm just as worried about him as you are, but in the meantime, the rest of your life can't be put on hold."
Harry knew he was right, but it didn't serve as consolation. He looked down, resisting the urge to start pacing.
Nudging Harry's shoulder, Mac said, "Don't you want to resolve things with Christine one way or another? Maybe now is the best time. You two look so happy when you spend time together. We haven't seen either of you that way in a while."
"Of course I'm happy when I spend time with her. It's even more fun now that she has Charlie. But he's also one more thing to figure out." He let out a breath. "There is… so much… so much to figure out. Maybe too much. I don't want to risk losing her in the process."
"If you keep avoiding her, I think you're already running that risk."
Pinching the tickets between his fingers, he looked between them and Mac a couple of times before saying, "All right… I'll ask her."
"And…?"
With pursed lips, Harry nodded. "And I'll talk to her."