Harris and Bell: Shorts

Darwin Bonneville: First Look of Greg's Cousin

Darwin G. Bonneville, a man who, for better or worse, is left too often to his own devices, watches as the mothers, brats, and pooches finally leave the park. With the sun finally setting and the lamps blinking to life, perhaps now he could finally set up his tripod in peace. He strides over to his bronze Porsche Cayman and slides out the long, black bag. Gently, he sets it down below the park's large willow oak.

On a typical case, Darwin would prefer staking out from his car like a normal person. However, sometimes a case calls for more unique measures...Like setting up a tripod in the park and climbing a tree for the night. But what can he say? Drug dealers make everyone's life miserable. He has been working this particular case for far too long to let awkward an stakeout drive him away.

He smirks to himself as he pops a leg into place. Three long years he has been following this dealer, trailing him from town to town, apartment to apartment to less than satisfactory motel rooms. He just knows today he will get the evidence he needs to bust him for good.

"Excuse me, mister." There is a pull on his camo t-shirt.

"Bwaa!" Darwin jumps, his hands jerk and the tripod falls onto the grass. He narrows his eyes then at the curly haired boy. "What?"

The boy for a moment just stares at him with large green eyes. He then swallows and releases Darwin's shirt. "I-I've lost my daddy...I-I was hoping you could...help me find him?"

Darwin frowns at him. "Can't you see I'm busy here? I don't have time. Go on, shoo." He swats slightly at the boy as he rights the tripod again.

The boy looks around at the darkening park before shaking his head and standing closer. "Please, mister?"

"I thought I told you to go away," he grumbles, popping the last leg into place.

"But...It's getting dark."

"Imagine that, it's dusk. That's what happens at dusk."

"It's scary." The boy grabs onto his shirt again. "Please?"

Darwin rolls his eyes. "Ever thought maybe he left you here on purpose because you're so annoying?"

The boy's eyes become glassy and he holds tighter to the shirt. "Y-you really think s-so?"

Something about the boy's tone makes Darwin pause and actually look at him. Green eyes, sandy hair, Avengers shirt, light-up sneakers, dirt stains from head to toe. He then looks away and takes a deep, slow breath. "No, probably not, kid."

"Danny."

"Darwin." He nods and kneels down to his level. "Okay, I'll make you a deal, Danny. Let me finish getting this setup, then I'll help you look for your father. Deal?"

Danny nods but does not move or relinquish the shirt edge.

"You're going to have to let go. But you can sit at the tree."

Finally, Danny lets him go and sits criss-cross down, watching Darwin intently with his eyes wide and glassy. Darwin angles the camera at a corner down the road and focuses it before turning it onto record.

"Okay, kid." He turns and looks down at him. "Tell me everything."