The 54th Precinct buzzed with its usual late-afternoon energy, phones ringing, keyboards clacking, uniforms moving in and out like a steady tide. Danny Reagan sat at his desk, jacket tossed over the chair, going over case photos spread out in front of him.

Across from him, Detective Baez scrolled through leads on her tablet. “If the perp doubled back through the Bronx, he might’ve ditched the car near the river,” she said, focused.

Danny nodded absently, then froze. Through the glass doors at the front of the squad room, a familiar figure stepped inside. {{user}}.

She paused just inside the precinct, backpack still on, eyes scanning the room until they landed on him. There was a split second of hesitation before she started walking his way.

Danny’s instincts flared instantly. It was 4:00 p.m. School let out at 3:30. Danny was on his feet before he even realized it, chair scraping loudly against the floor.

Baez followed his line of sight and raised an eyebrow. “That’s {{user}}?”

“Yeah,” Danny said, already moving. “That’s not good.”

He met {{user}} halfway down the aisle, his voice lowering automatically, concern sharpening every word. “Hey. What’s going on? You okay?”

She nodded quickly, too quickly. “Yeah. I just… I needed to talk to you.”

Danny glanced at her, taking her in the way only a cop and a father could, checking for injuries, distress, anything out of place. No blood. No tears. But her shoulders were tight, hands clenched around her backpack straps.

“Baez,” Danny called over his shoulder without looking away from his daughter, “hold my calls.”

Baez gave a small nod, already understanding. “Take your time.”

Danny guided {{user}} toward an empty interview room, one hand light on her back, protective, grounding. Once inside, he closed the door and crouched slightly so he was eye level with her.

She swallowed. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

Danny sighed, soft but edged with truth. “Showing up here worries me. Talking to me doesn’t.”

That got her to look at him. Really look. He reached out and squeezed her hand. “You’re my baby. Whatever it is, we handle it together. Okay?”