Chapter 3

You could cut the silence with a knife after Toni's outburst. All eyes bore down on her like hot stones thrown from a volcano before the colour drained from everyone's faces. The man who had killed Joe was alive? That was not possible.

"He's dead! He shot himself… In front of us," stammered Jamie as he moved to Toni's side, reaching for her hand. "He killed himself, so we couldn't take him."

"I know, Jamie. I remember you telling me what happened that night, but he's alive. I've seen him" choked Toni as she tried to explain.

"Sit down and tell us everything," insisted Frank as gently as he could, pulling up a chair for Toni to sit on. "When did you see him?"

"He came up to me in New Jersey, a few weeks before I came home. He was the reason I returned. He's out for revenge…" she explained, trying to stay calm.

"But he's dead!" insisted Danny as he leaned over onto the table. "I saw him into a body bag!"

"He was one of a twin. He took great delight in telling me everything in detail," replied Toni, looking at each Reagan in turn. When they continued to look at her in disbelief she went on with her story.

Several weeks before she returned to New York she was set up on a blind date by a "friend", it turned out to be Malevsky. When she tried to get away after her initial shock and fear, he stopped her and made her sit down and listen. "He had a charm that is nothing but fear," she said.

Continuing with her narrative, she told the Reagans how Malevsky told her of his escape. His twin brother took up the role of Sonny Malevsky and not for the first time. His twin had covered for him many times on the job when Sonny, himself had "other things" to do, whatever that meant. The Reagans had a clear idea. His twin took up the role of Sonny after Danny had been caught sneaking around Malevsky's sports car. He knew the Reagan Detective was suspicious of something and things had to be tied up. "Matty knew what was expected of him," said Toni as she quoted the discredited detective.

"Wait? Are you saying Sonny told his brother to shoot himself?" exclaimed Erin as she listened in disbelief.

"I don't know, but I think Sonny told his brother to do whatever he thought would help give him a clear road to thinking he was no longer around. I never thought Sonny would convince anyone to kill themselves," sighed Toni.

"There's more?" asked Frank, quietly.

Sonny had moved around the country, keeping himself hidden from law enforcements, waiting to return and cause chaos. He'd been in New Jersey a few days when he happened to see Toni in a park, pushing Jae in her stroller. It was then that he started to make his plan, Toni was the starting point. He knew that once she'd seen him and heard his plan, that she would return to New York and tell the Reagans.

"He's setting a trap and you were the bait!" snapped Danny.

"I'm not the bait, Danny… Jamie is. He's going after Jamie. I came home so I could keep an eye on him" sniffed Toni as, she looked at Jamie.

"Why me?" asked Jamie, calmly.

"You took down the templar. He blames you for finishing Joe's investigation" explained Frank. Then turning to Toni, "He knew you'd come with this to us?"

"I wanted to come to you only. I wasn't planning on blurting it out, especially today when you were meeting your new grand-daughter." Sobbed Toni. "But there's something else…"

"What else could there be?" sighed Danny as he tried to take in the information. When no answer came to begin with, Danny turned to look at Toni, "What is it?"

"The helicopter that Linda was in…It wasn't an accident…" whispered Toni as she turned from Danny's glare.

"What? What d'you mean, it wasn't an accident?" stammered Jamie as he took her hand.

"Sonny told me that it was a part of his plan… He arranged it. He was crowing over the fact he had taken someone else from this family…"

Danny was silent. They all were. The silence was deathly and long, only to be broke by a happy squeal in the front room and everyone was reminded that there was a young child in the house.

"I think it's time to get back to the kids. Jamie, would you pour everyone a drink? I want to speak with Toni. Remember, not a word outside this room," replied Frank's gravely voice as he looked around at his family. Everyone nodded, and they left the kitchen.

"I'm sorry. I've ruined the day," sniffed Toni as she tried to avoid Frank's eyes.

"Nothing's ruined. We can salvage the day. You should've come to me with this as soon as you came home," sighed Frank, pouring her a glass of wine.

"I tried, but I couldn't get an appointment with your office." Sighed Toni, before taking a large gulp of her wine.

"Well, I'll make sure you get a pass from now on. I have a feeling you'll be needed in the coming days. And you and Jae are moving in here to be safe." He added.

"I have work and besides, I'm staying with my parents…" protested Toni, putting her glass down too quickly on the table that it toppled over.

"I'll speak with them," nodded Frank as he signalled the final word on the matter. "Now, let's meet this little girl of yours."

The rest of the afternoon passed without incident. Frank quietly made his calls to Garret, Gormley, Baker and the Renzullis. A plan was hatched and by the evening, Toni and Jae were set up in Jamie's old room. "This feels familiar!" she sighed as she cradled her daughter in her arms, helping her go off to sleep.

"Yeah! Only last time it was Sean you were rocking to sleep!" smiled Jamie as he watched from across the room.

"Actually, I was thinking about cradling you after Joe's funeral!" winked Toni as she made him smile. "Don't panic! That's one secret I'm not spilling!"

"Thanks, don't think I could live with the hassle from Danny!" he smiled, sadly. "Toni? What's going to happen? I mean, for us?".

"I don't know, Jamie. I did walk out on you… And you have feelings for your partner. I'm not going to stop you from moving on with your life, and you should. You had a right to know about Jae and I had to tell your father about Sonny Malevsky. Our paths would've crossed anyway…"

"I pushed you away…" stammered Jamie. Getting up to move across the room.

"We've been over this and the outcome will not change. I'm not going to stand in your way of happiness. Believe me, you deserve to be happy," she sighed, looking down at her bundle in her arms. Looking up once more, Jamie was now crouched in front of her, almost like he was begging. "I'm not angry or jealous. You need to move on with your life."

"Are you turning me away?" he whispered.

"No. That I'll never do, but we can't be together. You're in love with Edie…" smiled Toni.

"I'm not!" exclaimed Jamie quickly, causing Toni to raise an eyebrow in surprise. "I'm not"

Downstairs, Danny was in the middle of his own thoughts when his father interrupted him. Ever since Toni had announced that the helicopter incident wasn't an accident, Danny had been lost. He was quiet the rest of the day, talking only when he wanted too. He spent his time going over the information that he knew of his wife's death, even hid in his father's study to look up the accident report and the helicopter investigation paperwork.

"If you keep looking for what's not there, you'll drive yourself mad," announced Frank, standing in the doorway.

"How could it not be an accident. There's no evidence to say otherwise. She can't believe that this man claims to be Sonny Malevsky. He's dead!" snapped Danny as he threw a file on the desk.

"He's alive" announced Frank, making his oldest son stop and look at him. "There's been rumblings and the letters that Toni received whilst in New Jersey. Too many coincidences. The bad blood that spilled out at the hospital earlier in the week. Something is going down. And if, IF, Sonny is alive, it makes me believe it more…"

"But Linda? My Linda…" sobbed Danny, his heart breaking again, not just for him but for his sons.

"If we don't find the truth, we'll lose someone else… And I am done with giving eulogies to families loved ones," sighed Frank, tiredly.

Over town, Sonny was sitting in his apartment, or rather the former apartment of his brother, Matty. He knew that Toni Renzulli would tell the Reagans his plan soon enough, but he was ready. His men were in place. They had been in place for months, in fact a year. He looked over the paperwork on his table, the missing documents stating the deliberate sabotage of the helicopter that carried Linda Reagan and her patient into the Hudson.

Sonny smiled to himself. He knew that if he hurt those that were not of full Reagan blood he could make the men fall. He'd make them weak and when they were on their knees, he'd strike. The mechanic that tampered with the helicopter report had been dealt with. Payment to his account had been stopped so that it could not be traced, covering the lines was what Sonny did well. He wouldn't be caught out again. He would be the one to walk out of the pool hall this time and his men will follow.

And as for Jamie Reagan…He'd save his pain till last. He still holds a torch for that Renzulli girl. And now there's a child. Yes, his pain will give him the most pleasure and enjoyment. He'll pay the most. If Frank thought losing Joe held the most pain, he was wrong. Jamie will feel it for as long as he lives… If he lives.

Monday morning and Garrett, Baker and Gormley were all in the dining room sitting having coffee when Jamie arrived to see Toni and Jae. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Just wanted a private meeting without the entire world knowing about it," smiled Frank as his son poured himself coffee. "Also, I have a new grand-child to show off!"

"Where is this child, Frank?" smiled Garrett before choking on his coffee at the sight of a little girl waddling into the dining room, followed by her mother trying to catch up.

"Sorry to interrupt. She got away from me, never has enjoyed getting her face washed!" laughed Toni as he finally grabbed her daughter.

"Hmm, seems she has that in common with her father!" winked Frank as he watched Jamie blush.

"At least when I catch her, she lets me wash her face. Jamie just kept squirming!" teased Toni as she watched the officer's embarrassment.

Soon introductions were done, and Toni took the little girl away for some breakfast leaving Jamie with his father and his colleagues. "And she says she's seen Malevsky?" scoffed Gormley before being silenced by a stare, from Jamie.

"We've been onto the investigators of the helicopter accident for another copy of the report, it's due in via email this morning. It seems you have an abridged version," announced Baker as she looked back at her computer screen.

"What are you on about?" asked Jamie.

"We're looking into Linda's death a bit more. If what Toni told us yesterday is true, we need to get answers. Danny and the boys deserve that much," admitted Frank. Jamie could only nod in agreement before sitting at the table and looking at the papers on the table. Garrett and Gormley watched the young Reagan read through the report in silence before turning their attention back to their boss.

Toni was helping Jae have breakfast when a message came through on her cell phone. As she picked up her phone, an image flashed on the screen. "ARRAAGHHHH" she screamed and dropped the phone. Jamie and Frank rushed in as they heard the scream. "Look. It's Linda! How did they get that picture?" she sobbed, paled and holding on to the sideboard for support. Jamie rushed to her side as Frank picked up the phone.

"What is it?" asked Baker. Frank could not answer. He too had gone white. Only his paleness was with anger not shock. Handing the phone to Baker and Gormley he went to Toni's side and hugged her. Gormley grew angry whilst Baker sobbed.

"What is it?" asked Garrett.

"Linda. In her coffin," replied Frank, shakily. Garrett looked to Gormley for confirmation. "But how?"

"That is another question to be answered!" Growled Frank before calmly adding, "Danny must not know of this." Everyone agreed, this information would dip Danny over the edge. "Toni, you're staying here. No work."

"He'll know if I don't show up at the hospital. He'll know that you're onto him, I cannot let him know that." Replied Toni, gaining strength and her colour back.

"It's not safe…" insisted Jamie.

"Any more than if I hide here and hope that you can stop him before anyone else gets hurt?" she smiled sadly. "I have to keep going. You don't stop. You're going back out on a tour this afternoon, aren't you?"

"Yes, but…" stammered Jamie. "I'm a cop…"

"I'm a doctor and I have patients, Jamie. Henry is here with Jae and Nikki will be along soon too. I must go about my life and work as before just like you. Right Frank?" turning to the Commissioner, she already knew the answer. Jamie could only stammer weakly and let her tend to their daughter.

"If he hurts either of them…" he hissed as he watched her go.

"He won't. His target is us and the NYPD. Now let's get to work!" insisted Frank.

Nervously, Toni went about her work. It took her a short while to relax once at work but soon the steady stream of patients took all thoughts and fear away. Jamie was walking the beat with Edie but felt like he was looking over his shoulder all the time. It was annoying Edie quite a bit. In fact, she was ready to shout at him when a call came over the radio and diverted them both to a robbery in progress,

Danny was in the squad room trying not to think about the information Toni had given him the night before. Baez was trying to talk to him about the caseload on his desk but gave up after a while. He'd tell her what was going on in his own time, he always did. She knew that Linda's anniversary was coming up and thought it best to let him think alone for now. He gave her time when she lost her brother, she could do the same for him.

Sonny Malevsky was outside 1PP looking up at the 14th floor. The officers on the gate were watching him closely, he looked familiar. The man in the long grey coat was drawing on his cigarette, smiling, almost laughing at these officers. He'd take them down, all of them. He'll take over and run the department how it should be. Frank Reagan is an old boot; his time was over and so was his family. The plan was on schedule, there was no need to bring it forward. He'll break each one slowly and then crush them into the dirt.

"Move along, Sir. You're blocking the drive," called out an officer as he saw the Commissioner's SUV approaching from the other end of the street. "You need to make way!"

"Don't worry, I'll move," he drawled, inhaling on his cigarette once again. As he turned he saw the SUV on its slow approach. Dropping the butt-end of his cigarette to the ground, the officers on the gate moved forward but the SUV stopped them. The vehicle stopped, and the back-passenger window drew down and Frank was in full view of Malevsky.

"You might want to pick that up. After all it is littering." Said Frank, firmly, not making eye contact with him.

"It slipped out of my hand sir," smiled Malevsky, the smile not reaching his eyes.

"We know who you are and what you have done. You won't slip away this time. I'll make sure you pull the trigger on yourself again, if I have to" replied Frank and closed the window before the SUV moved on once more. Sonny laughed as he watched the Commissioner's vehicle disappear into the underground garage. He wouldn't be pulling any trigger, he'll make sure the Reagans' do it for him.