Tour ended by eight and Jamie left just a little after eight thirty having paperwork to finish.
Thankfully the traffic lights remained mostly green, allowing traffic to move and Jamie to get home by nine. The 2-9 offered a closer proximity to the bridge cutting his travel by half. The entire duration of his trip Jamie's thoughts remained on today, not terrible for his first day.
He sent Eddie a quick text, letting her know he was home safe before getting some things done and going to bed early.
Up with the alarm sharply at six Jamie jumped out of bed for a quick shower heading to work early. He changed and sat down in the office they assigned him starting paperwork for roll call .
With more officers arriving the noise level increased though Jamie didn't once look up until he finished. Paper in hand he went to the Captain handing it over for approval. On the way back noises coming from the men locker room made him stop with an ear pressed against the door.
Hearing what sounded like bodies banging into lockers Jamie rushed inside heart pounding furiously.
A group of six officers stood in almost a semi circle watching with cheers and laughs as two others exchanged punches and shoves in middle like a boxing match. "Hey, break it up. Get off each other it's done," Jamie barked getting in between the fighting officers somehow managing to separate them.
His head turned left to right looking at both officers, "What's going on here guys?"
The officer on his right Ulroy glared over Jamie's shoulder shaking his head. "Nothing Sarg, everything is fine boss."
"Well if you don't tell me what's going on your both facing suspension so what's here," Jamie looked at the second officer Russell hoping for more information.
The two year officer only shook his head while wiping blood dripping from his nose as a consequence of the fight. "No Sergeant, there's nothing going on here. Really honestly is fine," he took half a step back breathing slowly.
"Why didn't anyone break it up huh," Jamie circled the room that now fell quiet having their boss interrupt. "Okay since no one is saying anything your all getting a rip now clear out. Jones, stay a minute."
David Jones, a kid barely off probation turned around while his fellow cops exited until it was only him and Jamie.
"When I came on I reviewed everyone's records and you're the only one without a black mark. So tell me what were they fighting about?"
Sighing, David moved closer to the Sergeant and dropped his voice. "I cant say Sergeant. There's one thing I learned quick here and it's a code of silence amongst the rank. If anyone snitches to the bosses well there's a problem from everyone else. I want to tell you I do but I don't to risk being known a snitch." He met Jamie's eyes, turned and walked out leaving Jamie alone.
With a hand through his hair Jamie also left to sought out the Captain, bringing what David said. "Thanks Sergeant I will personally make sure each officer involved is suspended to send a message. Oh the list of officers you requested to be transferred here will start soon as the paperwork goes through."
"Thanks boss." Jamie nodded, starting in the opposite direction past a long window where roll call was conducted. Inside officers milled around some of whom were in the locker room just minutes ago talking in a group.
"Fall in move now," Jamie ordered entering before reaching the podium. The officers made straight lines with their eyes straight ahead on him while Jamie set the roll call agenda down. "Open rank for inspection move."
The first line, including Eddie stepped forward at attention while Jamie came around the left side. He eyed each officer walking up the line checking each for correct uniform including a vest and equipment.
Pushing his shoulders back in front of Smith Jamie gave the rookie a pat then nod hearing a hollow echo. "Office Smith glad you have your vest on today. "
"Thank you sir," Smith answered, body stiffly at attention and eyes straight ahead at the person ahead in front of him.
For a second night in a row Jamie left work at eight thirty wanting to get home even to tired to stop for dinner. He walked up two flights of steps, letting himself in.
The kitchen and living room lights were lowered when he entered creating small shadows against walls from the lit candles on his living room table. Eddie sat on the couch, turning with a smile when he entered. "Hey, how was your day?"
Jamie grabbed two beers from the fridge to join Eddie on the couch, offering her one. He flipped open the top without saying a word, tipping the bottle and took a long swag. "That bad huh," Eddie took her cap off too though only sipping hers instinctively moving closer to Jamie. She cupped his hand studying him, "What happened today? You looked stressed today during roll call."
"Yeah, I'm starting to realize that I have a lot of work ahead of me here. Has your partner mentioned a code of silence against the bosses?"
Eddie's hair shook with her head, blue eyes locked on Jamie. "No, but it's only my second day and it's been really busy. Why what's up?"
After another long sip just about finishing the beer Jamie set it on the table in front of them and put his right arm around Eddie, giving her a smile. "Today I caught some guys in the locker room fighting while other officers watched and did nothing. When I pulled one aside he said they have a code not to say anything to the bosses."
"Oh," Eddie caught his hand tightly smiling as his fingers slowly moved over her engagement ring. "I can keep an ear out but Jamie don't let them bother you. You are the one with stripes and any sergeant would discipline cops for fighting. It isn't professional and only takes your mind off the job" Eddie spoke softly.
"Yeah, I know," Jamie smiled too having a hard time holding back seeing Eddie's sparkling eyes watching him. "I'm glad we're in the same precinct Eddie though I do miss riding with you."
A piece of her long , blond hair brushed against his shoulder when Eddie leaned into his warm embrace. "I am too. I was hesitant at first with us being engaged and working together but I'm glad I came. It isn't the 12th but.."
"No, definitely isn't the 12th," Jamie agreed, voice soft.
"Come here," He pulled her up, walking out to the balcony with Manhattan in the distance. The promenade glowed barely lit under midnight blue sky with stars twinkling above them. He replaced an arm around Eddie's waist holding her. Around them crickets chirping offered the noise not that they noticed, distracted focusing on each other.
Jamie kept his eyes on her while they swayed together to their own beat as they had done for so long. Early on their partnership was unique, a rookie rich girl at only five feet with a smart ass attitude who made Jamie laugh during their long stays in a small vehicle.
He smiled wondering when his feelings for Eddie started to show, she was his best friend and soulmate.
"What are you smiling at," Eddie caught the far away look in Jamie's eyes adding a small smile of her own knowing he was lost in thought when he got like that. Her best friend in the world and only person she could see herself marrying.
"Just thinking that this is going to be our every day, coming back home to each other on good and bad days. Coming out here together to talk or just enjoy the view after a long day and how I got to be so lucky I am to be marrying you."
Another smile parted her lips Eddie leaned her head back. "You did get lucky but I did too knowing I'll be coming back to you. "
"So you know Sunday dinner is coming up and our family is going to ask about the wedding. Have you thought about what kind you want or where you want to have it," Jamie tucked his head down to meet her eyes.
Eddie's eyelashes quickly caressed her lower eye with the blink then brought her blue diamonds up to Jamie with a smile. "I don't need a big wedding and honestly I don't care where or how I just want to marry you. Can't wait to be your wife."
"I can't either Eddie, " Jamie whispered, brushing his fingers along her bare back slowly.
"For Sunday dinner I'd like to make my mom's lasagna if that's okay. That's really the only thing I can make," She offered a sly smile up at him. "It's only fair I pitch in too."
His hands pressed against her back lightly bringing Eddie just a step closer to him. "Sure, they would love that. I'll call my grandfather and let him know he has the week off. They already love you Eddie, they're your family too."
"I know they're still a little intimidating."
He smiled, eyes twinkling at her in response thinking how cute she was trying to fit in despite already doing so. "Relax, Eddie. Trust me okay you are part of the family. We always say be yourself and stand up for yourself. The family will always have your back it's how we are. We don't sugar coat anything and neither to do so."
Jamie laughed, rewarded with a light punch to his arm but holding Eddie in his arms just the same. "I love you."
"Love you too."