Enjoy the second part, I separate them because they were doing 7 k and I found it long to read on a screen for readers.
P.S.: Some people may not like my story and it's okay, there's plenty of other great stories in the fandom, but this is my way to develop my writing skill and let my imagination out. If it doesn't correspond to your ideal, other stories might. Thanks.
Guest: No trouble for Andy? No drama, well the first chapter doesn't respond well to the word trouble? :)
Thanks to those who are following the story much appreciated.
Keep bringing the reviews! Thanks!
***Previously***
"If she ever did" Detective Barber's voice carried out in the back making everyone turned to look at the Detective as he stepped in with Gail Peck and Traci Nash behind him in the hospital room.
***Previously***
"We just clear them out, " Jerry Barber continued referring to Traci Nash and Gail Peck as he approached the little gathering, "might as well join in, the more the merrier! I'm guessing McNally is in surgery?" as he closed the door. "You should be more careful," glancing at his friend Luke, "I knock on the door and you didn't answer or pay attention what if it could someone with not the right intention."
Detective Callaghan actually looked contrite on his face, then he looked at his shoes before looking back the trio who just appeared.
"Here bag of evidence for your clothes covered in blood, and clothes for you all to change when you will be relieved in three hours from the 18 division, we are asking reinforcement, and you will be considered as off duty officers who stay in hospital. But we asked you to stay in the hospital for at least nine to seventeen hours from now. Ah, and Andy," Detective Barber gestured to the bag Nash was holding to Collins, "would have want you to have that."
Each of them took a bag, and without waiting for a second, Callaghan just removed his shirt and grabbed another one from the black backpack and put the shirt on himself and pulled the police badge with a chain around his neck to go over his shirt.
Meanwhile, Epstein asked hopeful that something could prevent McNally from being charged for that log entry. : "What do you mean, if she ever did?"
"You " Jerry Barber looked at Luke Callaghan; "both came to see me telling me that McNally forged an entry in Officer Cruz book, that Swarek asked her to do it as a favour for Cruz or himself. You told me that McNally told Swarek that it was done and since she trusted Collin, she told him. What I don't understand is why she trusted you to tell you about this?
"Yes, that's what happens. As for why she told me, you know why she would ask me about this?" Luke shrugged off.
Detective Barber sighed.
"I just took a moment with Detective Peck and Sergeant Best to check Officer Cruz log entry and nothing happen, we checked everyone log entry even McNally's. Nothing. And for the past three-four days, I trusted both your words over the log entry and got overload and put aside the fact of checking for the evidence. You both fool me, I trust your words over the evidence," he shook his head for doing a rookie detective mistakes.
"Three officers! You got their names officers Langston, Gould and Fontini, we both told you," Luke retorted trying to dodge the question because of whatever secret, he had.
"We did and we interrogate them and they all said they were suspicious to see McNally in Sergeant Best office written off on a log entry but none could precisely say which log entry. And none thought to report it as she may be signing something or writing in her own entry log book.
"So now what you want to charge her for lying about an action that she never did?"Dov voiced out frowning at how ridiculous it sounded.
"Nope, but you both came to me; telling me that Andy, I mean McNally," Barber tried to stay professional for his friend Luke and everyone in the room, " also visit two times Ford alone." insisting on the word. " then you both want to create and build a case which you both ask me to lead without Sammy to know or Traci. Then McNally being attacked twice in her apartment and both of you asked me not to openly reported it to anyone and hid it. I create this OP to discover more about Cruz's purposes and the corruption proportions! And now I'm being under fire with Frank for hiding Andy's injuries" as he stressed out Andy's name and a few words " because he received a call from the hospital demanding explanation as he knew none of it and now the medias are both going to question Frank's ability, the attacks with whether he is again a victim in some kind of machination of the 15. We are getting calls from all media and the Superintendent wants answers too so for the god of sake someone help me find an explanation and I hope that whatever plan McNally had or if you could tell me about it would let me clarify this situation.
"Well, injuries were not declared as there was an ongoing OP and if it was reported it could lead to more disastrous than currently, " Luke said calmly thinking very fast, " as for the media it was already acknowledged that the would be a bother because someone targeting the 15, you just need to tell them during the conference or phone call that if they want to talk about the case then there's a risk that other officers may be killed because of the media's involvement," as it was simple, " their curiosity is putting at risk some officers that already target and known by the division. As for the superintendent," he glanced to Gail, "get Detective Peck or Peck junior to convince them to stop calling until we gather enough evidence and Intel to explain what is going on the thought, " he shrugged his shoulders" they are under investigation for a possibility of corruption."
Gail couldn't help but gasp surprise.
"Unless they wanted their names to be on the medias lips and that we let media dig for us more. Corruption and targeting officer of the division because we were trying to do our job to clean out the corrupted," Callaghan continued.
"I'll 10-4 it," trying to do a joke, "and will let them know for the other detectives and Frank., " Detective Barber cleared his throat. "Plus the Internal Affairs would want an answer why she was not wearing any bulletproof vest if she did know something and tried to hide through an injury," Barber mentioned staring at everyone trying to gauge any reactions that could indicate anything for him.
"What?! That's ridiculous! Andy is my best friend and she won't do something so inconsiderate!" Traci exclaimed looking at her fiancé as if he was crazy.
"Internal Affairs are considering all the possibilities. I'm only reporting and I'm not even supposed to tell you all this bit as you were clear off from suspicion and hope we didn't make a mistake. Plus, we all care about McNally, you are the only ones knowing more than you should all have. It better NOT get out of these walls," he looked sharply at Price before surveyed the other officer and his fiancé."We will have to ask her when she wakes up and is strong enough to answer any of the questions."
Luke changed the direction of the conversation, "So Peck Junior and Nash are clear off? That's pretty quick, last time, we weren't sure?"
"McNally had done the job to clarify most people including Peck and Traci. Only a few details not clear, We are trying to clear everyone near Andy, but Swarek is taking longer because of his implication with Cruz. Four Detectives from 19 and 27 are still working finishing McNally's work," Barber answered.
"What about saying she was attacked?"Traci questioned looking at her fiancé expecting from him to develop on what he knew about Andy.
"That's the other problem while we have on one side Officer trouble we identify that she was attacked by ford and other incidents any particular you could think of?"
All eyes on Collins.
"No."
"She didn't spend more time at your apartment preferring your over hers?" Detective Barber persisted the question further.
"Yeah but that was because of her nightmare and three months ago she was not feeling her best because of Swarek, everyone knows how he keeps looking at her and acting like he wants her but then push her like a rag."
"We know someone tries to ransack her place."
"OMG, why did Andy told no one about this!" Traci said devastated that her best friends didn't tell her anything. She got caught up with her work as a full-time Detective ever since Andy's return. She should have checked for her best friend Andy, Andy had visited her many times making sure Leo, Dex, Jerry and her were good with the co-parenting and about Traci's wellbeing as it been a tough month. Andy was supportive of her marriage and always there no matter what, always directing the conversation on everything except herself, McNally, she felt bad, that it had to during a shooting that made her realized this. She was a Detective!
"How did you know all this?" Oliver wondered, he may have medication, but he was following the revelations.
"She told Luke and me about it as for you not knowing, we told her not too and you know how McNally doesn't like the attention on her. Everyone was busy lately with different cases and we were down of many officers who were helping Gangs and Guns and other assignments. Andy, he wanted to say her name, "she's good at hiding things and honestly, she's excellent to act in a way that not even a Detective with many years of experience could have to see if she's in pain. She's good and so please no one should feel bad for not seeing it. Sometimes, she slipped and that's when you guys may see it. I know she slipped with her nightmares with Collins, but usually, she slipped on hiding with Luke or me."
He took a pause making sure that Collins and Traci were good for him to continued as they absorbed this. Jerry Barber could see how in deep thought were Diaz and Epstein. Price was silent, he guessed she was intrigued by the entire story and just wanted to hear more. Shaw was struggling to keep up as he looked tired. Luke and he would need to wrap this up quickly and they would probably like to get an update on Andy, "so we talked. We decided to keep her past injuries and incident involving McNally when we could as we didn't know who was the perpetrators and if it was an offensive to only her or the 15 or something else. Which brings me to this morning, this morning she was attacked at her apartment. Anything you can tell us ?"
"She was not attacked this morning I came to her apartment to pick her up so she didn't have to walk back to the station but she was never injured or attack, she never mentioned it and I saw nothing out of ordinary," Nick said confused.
If she was attacked he would have known and defend her, she was his best friend and partner, he got her back and she would have told him.
"Collins didn't know but he stopped the guy from using her as punching bag more when he knocks, McNally told me in a text and explained to me before the next announcement," Luke interrupted as he advanced standing near Nick, Dov and Chris who were on one side near the window and Barber on the other side with the girls.
"What the hell! No Andy would have told me or anyone!"Nick cried out.
"She didn't want to tell you because all of you have enough on your plate and she didn't want to be a burden. I believe her ribs were bruised but she told me not to tell anyone until Ford, "Seeing Diaz, Price and Epstein's eyes widen, "yes Ford was the one we were looking for but we didn't want to give any specific to the police officers in case someone was going to sell the info for money," Luke speak, "Look, just when you question her motives, go slow and soft with her, she doesn't need more stress."
Nick just closed his eyelids for a few seconds, a bit exasperated by his best friend, he reopened it and like him, the others were taking deep breaths even Gail to not yell out of frustration. He would have a serious talk with her what to tell him what was important and not. Poor Andy when he thought she was hurt because of earlier attack with Price. Not this morning. Nick just wanted to hug carefully and never let her go and screw Swarek! He needed to fight for what he wanted and his best friend was important for him. He should have her back better, they were partners for six months that didn't mean it stops after the UC. Nick felt guilty so so much, he tried to keep his emotions and micro-expression in check.
"We should bring back Price to her room and leave Shaw rest," Luke interjected. "And I should go get an update about McNally." As he moved from leaning against the wall to walk to the room door.
"Alright, the plan is Traci you go with Price and Collins, for the time being, Epstein, Diaz and Peck you stay here, I'm going to update and check with the rest of the Detectives and Sergeant Best. as the door click as it closed when Luke left. "Diaz, we will get you when McNally is out of surgery."
Detective Barber left leaving the Rookies and T.O officer Shaw in silence as he closed the door behind him. Chloe waited for a beat or two as the others were trying to recollect their thoughts and blurted bluntly.
"Wow, the first time I'm wide awake, not saying a word, and with a small dose of the meds. it was like ping-pong, damm I never knew how deep the 15 was. I was so engrossed by the story can't believe they had used McNally as bait like they have asked her to do that!"
"What?" she said seemed like running word of the day, as everyone in the room stared at her. "Don't tell me none of you thought about it its kind of obvious and make more sense that she was asked to be with the D's lately and always talking with Callaghan and Barber."
"I thought it was because she still feeling guilty that Barber was stab and I kidnapped. It's one of the reasons?" Gail pondered her thought.
"Especially when Swarek dumps her in the parking lot and left her in the rain, I pick her up with Shaw or else she would have got a cold," Diaz mentioned with Shaw nodding remembering
Andy told me he accused her that she was the reason he was stabbed, " Nick allude on a previous conversation he had.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Traci and Gail said wide eyes they couldn't believe the lack of tact of Swarek know part of the process was that she speak with Barber about it. Epstein and Diaz swore. Price's mouth open in shock, she knew she had the tendency to speak a lot but to stoop so low, no. Oliver couldn't believe what has his brother say to McNally no wonder she felt so remorseful the following days. Asking him to be her partner for a few days that turned in weeks until she left for the UC.
"And Jerry never resent Andy for it. She saved his life by disobeying the orders and following him when he went without back," Traci exclaimed.
"And it was suspension or taking a taskforce and other things that put McNally on that UC." Callaghan's voice came in "I knew you would like to discuss look I'm not going hide more for you, I just got a tiny update on An-," he cleared his voice, "Andy, she's still in surgery because she coded two times, a third time or more could be fatal and there's a lot more from Andy's past that you Rookies don't know anything. I understand you want to know and tried to help but for Andy's sake don't search for more information, be patient." Callaghan glanced at everyone like he was briefly peering in their eyes, " It goes for everyone in here and doesn't ask anyone to do research about it. I'm serious if you start searching or asked a question, McNally and other people who were taking in witness protection could be in danger and even worse either die or be torture. So please, I understand that your observation skill makes you highly intelligent officer Price but please refrain from searching. Everything will be told to you one day and you will understand why."
"What's going to happen to Swarek any news ?" Shaw asked trying to break the tense silence.
"He is still being interrogated over his action toward Officers McNally and Cruz. I know he is your healthcare proxy but we need his statement, I'll keep you guys update about Andy. Now Price you need to go or the nurses are going to bombard us."
He paused as his phone buzzed and he checked on his phone.
"Be right back, I have some calls to make so when I come back you better have all one where you are all need."
Luke left a second time with his phone in his left hand typing a phone number. Gail checked that the door was really closed and stood next to the door.
"Officially we were interrogated by my brother," she said. "We were clear off rather quickly, but we were asked to brief on Price, anything related between Marlo and Andy and keep pushing on Andy. Later, we were watching through the two side mirrors of the interrogation of Ford. Barber couldn't tell what happen to any of us but we can. Ford confirmed that his first thought was to kill Cruz and Collins. Not Andy, she was a mistake according to him."
"He confessed rather quickly after Jerry," Traci interjected, " I mean Detective Barber show him the evidence that they were building a case to help him out for all the wrong that Cruz had done."
"He started to sob like a baby.. like really sob, "Gail cut wanted to talk since the men had occupied most of the conversation earlier, " He was questioned for the attack on Andy, he confessed about being responsible for three of the attacks, two at her apartment and one when Price was shot as a warning for her to do something because Cruz was persistent to put the blame on him for that child kidnap and other "false accusations" or charges that had no real connection. He confessed that he was pointing to the neck of Price but then when for the shoulder as he recognized Andy. Ford said that he saw how a family from the division seem to be everything for andy during his numerous meeting with him alone."
Nick and Oliver wanted both to hit their head somewhere. how could she be so reckless? Gail continued.
"That's why he created that hit list and knew that Andy or one of the detectives on his case would find it and put everywhere that near Andy on that list. Price was an accident but since he shot her to the shoulder instead of the neck, she had to be on the list to keep the appearance. the goal was to scare off 15, mainly Andy to make his case progress."
"Thought Jerry told him that since someone was targeting 15 it became a top priority in the division and his case was put on the side because of it. Ford seemed to realize how Jerry made sense and started sobbing. He admits that saying he wanted to kill them was out of anger for andy but he never means it just scares them. as for why he took Shaw was because he observes how near you two were and wanted to test it out and believe it was the perfect scare he sobs which is very weird," Traci took over worry for her best friend but also wanted to keep her friends; (the Rookies including Collins,Price and Shaw).
Everyone knew without jealousy that Shaw had Andy's a favourite rookie and he was protective and always there for the Rookies so into the loop. Andy was a friend and a person that would fight till the end to protect each of them. She had nearly the entire division wrapped around her finger because of her dedication, selfless and kindness.
"As much I feel bad that he got persecuted by the police after Cruz multiple visits, I can't feel remorse enough that he got arrested because of what he did at Andy," Epstein said. "Sorry but not sorry."
"God, I don't know whether what to do I want to help you and everything but Denise wants to take Christian at some activities and we agreed that we will go all three for his sake. I need to go to meet them at Timmins and then I need to figure out a few things for Christian because Denise wanted to. " Chris Diaz said. He wanted to do overtime like the other Rookies and be with them as a family but his other family was waiting for him too.
The two detectives confirm him that someone would relieve him from the duty to go see his son. But how could he go to his son when everyone would be waiting for information on Andy status? Andy was his friend from the police academy she made him and Dov welcomed and they were a bit hot-headed, she tames them in her own way and made sure they graduate top of their classes. With the recent kidnapping of Christian, Denise never like how much Andy took place in his life because she and Dov were both there, when he got announced he was a father and still even if he yelled at her out of anger and frustration when he discovered he was the biological and the kidnap of his son. She was still on his side and told him that she was staying as she they promised Dov, Andy and him to be there for the best and the worse. An old promise but with the last string because of the circumstances, he didn't know how could his friendship last more but with Andy, he was feeling the pull still. He wanted to work it out and do something and as much as he was by the rules of the book, he wanted to help his friend.
Dov's phone buzzed and he took it out of his pocket and checked what notification he received.
"Yeah, they should clear other officers of the 15 and some of the other divisions are going to patrol and stayed with you three, so when we have the green light, you go to Christian, "Gail said, as much as she resented and be moody, she knew how she had to be the bigger person and had to stay as much as professional for the sake of everyone, " You have the days off to figure out for Christian and two extra days due to the manhunt on Ford as we requested you on a last minute thing."
"We knew about Ford," Dov blurted out as Chris glared at him, "check your phone." he answered to Chris and told to the others, "Barber and Callaghan wanted to see us for our latest report." I think we may as well as explain how we were the ones who helped to arrest Ford and our presence here."
"What do you mean you both knew about this?" Collins couldn't believe it. He became buddies with them slowly due to the suggestions of Andy to have a few beers at Penny or the fact that he was paired more often with them than Price like he first thought. The overtime really helped to "bond" in some way.
"Yeah, we as in Chris and I have been on the operation Ford-Cruz-McNally and the corruption and other possible case connected from the very beginning. We were in charge of doing surveillance and all,"
"Wow, we were so clueless about all this. I'm surprised you were able to keep it as a secret until now, "Price teased Dov.
" We had to keep it as a secret and acted like we were isolating her," Dov said grimly.
"Or if we told someone even you all," Chris looked at Traci, Chloe, Nick and T.O. Shaw, " she was dead meat. Barber and Callaghan were very clear that if we were to tell anyone or even you that we would be serving her death on a silver plate, " he gave a small shuddered at the thought especially when Andy was within the room when they gave the warning. Not that they would tell this.
"What else can you tell us? " Gail asked. And why now?"
Shaw could only listen and think how messed up.
" We received a text from the Detective, it's time you get part of the secret and all help they can get is good. They didn't want to involve Shaw as much as he was the best ally because of his connection to Swarek and he would play indirectly the role perfectly into the plan. We were only directed on a small part of the operations and even now we don't know half of what really is going on. It's really secret for our own protection and for those who are deep in it."
Traci was shocked that her fiancé never mentioned it and as much as he was a hell of a detective for the 15. She was surprised that he hid this especially since it involved her best friend Andy. How deep was she? They mentioned she was good to hide things? Did Andy fake things? Did she pretend to be someone she was not? How long was the OP going over? She looked at Collins, he was good at hiding his emotions and she wanted to applaud him for that because she couldn't. Traci could see that the man had more than friendly feelings.
"We better take Chloe back in her room,"
Nick and Traci departed with greetings with Chloe as Traci pushed the wheelchair. Only a few minutes passed as Dov looked over with Gail how to "protect him" and if they could maybe inspire themselves with the previous protection task done earlier with Price. Jerry Barber opened the door of the hospital room next to him a female nurse.
"Diaz, come they have info on Andy and maybe you can answer them before you leave?"
"Sure, is she's out of surgery?"
"Well she had done ten hours of surgery and the extent of some complications pushed the surgery to at least go for another seven hours as they needed to repair other damages from previous injuries," Jerry briefed him.
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy! Thanks for reviewing the chapter(s). What about Sam anyone curious to hear his thoughts?
