This is my first attempt at a Blue Bloods story. There is a slight CSI:NY crossover but it concentrates on Blue Bloods characters so I chose to post it here. Hope you like.
Disclaimer: Regretfully, I do not own any of the characters. I'm just borrowing them for a while.
Chapter 1
Standing in his office on the eighth floor of One Police Plaza, surveying the city he loved, Frank Reagan was feeling decidedly unsettled. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something in the air and it perturbed him. He had noticed that his security detail was more edgy than usual lately, which did nothing to set him at ease. He pondered whether they knew something that he didn't. That very morning, when he was leaving his house, he noticed that Karl, one of his personal security guards, was being even more pernickety than usual, insisting that he escort Frank to the waiting car which was parked only feet away at the sidewalk. Usually, he would just wait for Frank by the car. Frank hated all the fuss. Security was considered another perk of his job, but Frank didn't see it that way. It was more of an inconvenience, but he never complained because he knew the men and women assigned to him were putting themselves in harm's way to keep him safe. So he made an extra effort to be always cordial and obliging towards them.
Now, he stood waiting in his office for Detective Melissa Baker to arrive. She was his personal assistant and the head of his security team, so he hoped she would help him get to the bottom of their erratic behaviour. He thought it was time they at least let him into the loop; after all, he was the boss.
As he waited, Frank's mind wandered to his cherished family. It gave him great comfort to know that at last things were finally getting back to some semblance of normality. He had only begun to deal with the loss of his beloved wife to cancer when his son, Joe, was killed in the line of duty. The double tragedies had taken their toll on him and his family. He still missed his wife and son every day, but at least his other kids seemed happy and were getting on with their lives while gradually getting over the loss of their mother and brother. His grandchildren were amazing and always managed to make him smile, no matter how miserable a day he might have had in work. Professionally, he was at the pinnacle of his career. He loved his job and took great pride in making a difference. If only he could find a way to side-step the politics that was part and parcel of the job, then it would be perfect. But he had long since resigned himself to the fact that being the New York City Police Commissioner came at a price and he, like all those who served before him, had to pay his dues.
Surveying the awakening city from his lofty position in One Police Plaza, he considered what this day would bring. With a heavy heart he looked to the grey horizon, knowing that out there somewhere people would get in trouble today, some would die and his officers would face untold risks as they went about their duties. But he also felt a surge of pride knowing that those same officers would be out there, protecting and serving, making his city one of the safest in the world.
Commissioner Reagan turned to his desk and noted with distain the pile of files that had been left for him. With a sigh, he sat down and opened the first of the files which needed to be reviewed. He checked his watch. It was 8.30 am. He had another few hours before he was scheduled to make his regular weekly appearance in front of the press on the steps of number One Police Plaza, plenty of time to make a dent in the pile of files in front of him.
One block away, Billy Chen sat by the window of a coffee house, fidgeting anxiously with the coffee cup in his hand and occasionally glancing at the open newspaper on the table in front of him. Outwardly, he looked like hundreds of other professional men who swarmed that particular area of the city. A gleam of perspiration coated his forehead despite the chill in the autumn air. He watched nervously as the regular hoards of uniformed police officers and blue and white NYPD cars passed by going about their business. Their presence made him slightly more nervous than usual. He wasn't normally the nervous type. Generally, he got on with the job at hand and got away clean. That was how he had earned a reputation for himself, as one of the best in his profession. Maybe it was because of his current location, in the heart of the city's legal district, but he had jitters for the first time in years. Jobs like this one didn't come along very often. This would be the biggest pay day of his life. It was to be his one big score and then he could retire and leave this precarious lifestyle behind forever. But it was also going to be the riskiest job of his career. His clients had made their wishes clear. They wanted the job done publicly, to humiliate the Police Department and the Mayor's office and in doing so, to make their point. It wouldn't get any more challenging than this for Chen. As he appeared to observe the activity around him, in his mind he was recounting his operational plan and his escape route. He ordered another coffee and settled in for a patient wait.
A block away on Park Row, Detective Melissa Baker knocked politely on the oak door before entering Commissioner Reagan's office. In her arms she carried yet another pile of blue-coloured files.
"Good morning, Sir," she said sounding sickeningly enthusiastic for that hour of the morning.
"Good morning, Baker," Frank replied, glancing up momentarily. "I see you come bearing more gifts."
"Personnel and commendation files for next month's ceremony, Sir," she said proficiently laying the files in a neat pile to his right.
Frank stopped what he was doing and turned to Detective Baker.
"Thank you, Baker. Maybe now would be a good time to tell me what's going on?" the Commissioner said purposefully.
"Sir?" Baker asked, pretty sure she knew what he meant but unsure whether it was worth worrying him.
"With Karl and the security detail," Frank replied, sounding a little exasperated. "They're very tense lately and it's driving me mad. Is there something going on that I should know about?" he asked, looking up over the rim of his glasses at her.
Baker sighed and shuffled nervously, mulling over the best way to tell him.
"Spit it out, Baker," Frank ordered, knowing his aide well enough to know when she was holding back.
"Well, Sir, it's only a rumour, something that some punk mentioned after he was collared on possession of stolen goods charges and well, there isn't really anything to back it up. Like I said, it's only a rumour, in fact it's probably nothing at all…..," she rambled on nervously.
"Ah, for crying out loud, Baker, spill!" Frank ordered.
"Okay, well, word on the street is that there's been a hit ordered….. a hit on you, Sir," Baker blurted out.
Frank paused momentarily, considering what she told him and then sighed loudly.
"A hit. Well, Baker, you'd think we'd all be used to those by now. How many threats is that this year so far?" he asked frivolously.
"Em, seven, I think," Baker replied.
"Seven, and none of them turned out to be a problem, did they?" he asked. Baker shook her head in response. "The usual precautions then, Baker. I still have a job to do," Frank told her.
Detective Baker hesitated beside him, before starting to leave the room, then she hesitated again and turned back towards him.
"Was there something else?" Frank asked.
"No, Sir. I mean yes, Sir. You will wear protection at all public appearances, won't you, Sir?" Baker asked.
"Excuse me?" Frank asked, feigning shock at her phraseology.
"Pro….your vest, Commissioner," Baker rephrased, a blush warming her cheeks.
"Like I said, Baker, the usual precautions, don't worry," Frank said with a kind smile, appreciating her concern and relishing her embarrassment. .
She smiled back at him, leaving him to his paperwork. As she closed the door behind her, she couldn't help but worry though. She had known about his threat for several days now, but there was little or no information getting to them. Security around the Commissioner had been tightened and was much more conspicuous. But today would be the Commissioner's first public appearance since they had been made aware of this latest threat. Baker was scheduled to meet with the protective team assigned to monitor threats involving the Commissioner in the next few minutes. She wanted to ensure that every member of the attending press was cleared and that no one would be on the podium or anywhere near the Commissioner without security clearance.
The hours passed quickly. Detective Baker took the Commissioner some coffee shortly before he was due to meet the press. The conference was no big deal as far as Frank was concerned. Since he had taken office, he had spoken to the press at least once a week. He never found it taxing as he was an accomplished orator and capable of answering any question put to him. As he sat there, sipping his coffee, Baker went to his closet and pulled out his ballistics vest and held it up.
"Sir, you said you'd wear it," she said crossly, disappointed to find that it was still hanging in the closet.
"You know I hate wearing that thing," Frank moaned, getting to his feet slowly, like a bold child. "So darn uncomfortable."
"Well, what happened to the 'usual precautions'?" Baker reminded him.
"Hmm," Reagan groaned, knowing she had a point.
"It will only be for twenty minutes, then you'll be up back here and you can take it off," she told him.
"Give it here," he said, taking it from her, knowing he wasn't going to win this argument.
He comfortably stripped down to his white t-shirt which he wore beneath his dress shirt and then put the vest on in front of her. It was heavy and cumbersome and was getting too tight for him, if the truth be told. Maybe it was time he lost those extra few pounds, he thought, as he re-buttoned his shirt. He turned his back to her and tucked his shirt into his trousers and smoothed out the creases. Then he retied his tie and pulled his suit jacket back on, before giving his chest a theatrical thump and smiling to her.
"Happy?" he said as he reached for his overcoat.
Baker smiled back and nodded in approval. It was fifty-five degrees outside and blustery, so Frank decided to wrap up warm, putting on his overcoat and placing his scarf around his neck.
"Are we good to go?" he then asked Baker.
"Ready when you are, Sir," she replied, leading the way and holding the door for him.
They rode the elevator to the ground floor, and as they emerged from the elevator into the lobby, Baker radioed the security detail to inform them that the Commissioner was on his way. She called in to check that the area was secure before allowing the Commissioner to continue out though the exit and into the open air of the plaza.
The square around Number One Police Plaza was buzzing with members of the press and members of the general public and tourists alike, curious to get a look at the New York City Police Commissioner. Blending in among them was one Billy Chen. He looked rather inconspicuous in his grey overcoat, spectacles and briefcase. He looked in no way out of place among the business people and lawyers who normally frequented the surrounding area. He stood by a CNN news truck which was parked among a row of other news trucks close to the temporary podium which had been erected on the steps of the building. His hand rested comfortably on his Sig Sauer pistol with attached silencer, which was strapped to his leg. He could reach it easily through the false pocket of his overcoat. To those around him, he appeared to be just a guy hanging around to catch a glimpse of the Commissioner, with his hands in his pockets to keep warm. Little did they know what was on his mind.
Commissioner Reagan emerged from the police headquarters bang on time as usual. He strode confidently towards the podium, his impressive frame always adding to his air of importance. A ripple of applause greeted him. The attending press corps appreciated the fact that he rarely left them waiting in the cold and if he did, he was bound to have good reason. He approached the podium with his security personnel either side of him. They stepped back slightly once he reached the podium. Joining him at the conference that morning was the Chief of Police of Queens District, James Hammond, who was present to give details of a major vice ring that had been smashed. Also present was Lieutenant Paul Chalmers of the Organized Crime Task Force, who was going to give the press an update on their success in dealing with the ongoing Triad war that had gripped the city of late. Reagan greeted them individually before saluting the press and getting down to the order of business.
Billy Chen slowly mingled and moved slightly closer to the podium as the Commissioner started speaking. He needed to get in front of the camera crews to ensure a clear, unobstructed shot but also had to ensure that he wasn't caught on camera. Surprisingly relaxed as the moment drew near, he slowly withdrew the pistol from his pocket. Thanks to the attached silencer, he managed to release a volley of shots in the direction of the podium before anyone in the crowd even noticed that there was anything amiss. He knew he had hit his target when he saw the expression change on his victim's face, his words cut short as he began to falter. Then as the crowd realised something was wrong, panic erupted and Chen melded in with the fleeing crowd, making good his escape, job done.
A/N - hope you like the first chapter. Let me know what you think...please...