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"No you listen Father. Now I know that there was been times the lab has been under scrutiny, the investigations always proved that the evidence was never, never compromised."
Don, Sr. didn't know what to say he knew his son was right, but yet this was different.
"Are you going to say something?"
"What do you want me to say, son?"
Don, Jr. shook his head dejectedly. "Nothing, you'll never change."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. If things don't fit into your prefect little world, in your prefect little niche's then you can't or is it won't admitted that maybe, just maybe your wrong."
A slight smile spread across Senior's face.
"What the hell are you smiling at?" Don, Jr. asked.
"It seems that dear son, you're finally getting some back bone."
Don's jaw dropped. "You're freaking unbelievable you know that. Two of my best friends are facing life-changing events and the only thing that crosses your mind is the fact that I'm standing up to you?"
"Is that so wrong?"
"What's wrong is the fact that you're willing to throw out the only evidence we have concerning Danny Messer's attack."
"Bonasera shouldn't have collected it."
"There was no other choice. Danny needed emergency treatment, evidence had to be collected and Stella was there so she did her job, period."
"They couldn't have waited?"
"No, test had to be run, decisions made and treatment started."
"I don't know Donny?"
"What if I can prove that there was someone in the room with Stella the entire time she was collecting evidence and that someone was with her when said evidence was processed by either her or someone else?"
"If you can do that and provide a signed and notarized statements to that fact, then I have no choice but to accept the evidence as untainted and legal."
"Thank you and to prove to you that all this is above board I'll let another Detective take the statements."
Senior nodded his head. "The trust you place in your friends is commendable Donny. Let's just hope that they prove worthy of it."
"I'm not worried. Mac, Stella, Danny hell all of them have earned my trust, just as I have earned theirs. Of course you would know this if we had been close, like most fathers and sons are."
"Perhaps, perhaps." Senior said nodding.
"I'm going to ask one more favor?"
"What is that?"
"Don't take this the wrong way, but talking about trust and all, I would like our agreement in writing."
"Of course." Senior said reaching over a push a button on his phone. "Annie, could you please send in Logan. Oh and grab your Notary seal and join us."
"Yes, sir."
A knock came at the door.
"Enter." Senior said.
The door swung open and Annie (Senior's administrative assistant walked in followed by another young lady, who was about 5'11" with very dark brown hair and as Don was soon to discover chocolate brown eyes.
"Logan Daniels I would like you to meet…" Annie began.
"Oh no need Annie. Don Flack, Jr. correct?" Logan said walking over a holding out her hand to Don.
"Yes." Don replied.
Logan smiled "I'm Detective Logan Daniels."
Don offered Logan the chair he had been sitting in.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
Senior just shook his head at the exchange. "Can we get on with this?"
"Of course, sir." Logan said.
"Daniels here is going to be in charge of the Messer investigation."
"What kind of experience do you have?" Don questioned.
"I began my career right here in New York City, until 9/11 when I responded to the towers. Apparently I did something right because next thing I know I'm being approached by the FBI to do some undercover work." Logan explained.
"Why did you leave the FBI?" Don asked.
"I was badly injured in a drug bust gone horrible wrong and after I recovered they wanted to put me on desk duty, which I wouldn't have minded except for the fact that it was mind numbing work."
"And may I ask what it was?"
"I became nothing more than a glorified secretary, no offense Annie."
"None taken."
"Anyway I heard about a possible opening here working for your father as an IA agent. I applied and well here I am."
"Nice. You enjoy your job?" Don asked.
Logan shrugged her shoulders. "If I'm taking out a bad cop, then yeah I like my job, but if it looks like I'm just after a scapegoat then no I don't like it at all."
"Don't worry son, she has a very level head on her shoulders." Senior said as he handed over a piece of paper to his son.
"Read that and if you agree with what it says, then pass it over to Daniels and let her read it. If she agrees then we will all sign it, Annie will notarize it and Daniels can take over the investigation."
Don nodded as he read what his father had written down.
"After I read it, can I ask questions?"
Both Don's nodded.
Logan read that if she could get statements verifying Stella's collection and processing of the evidence that said evidence would be admissible in court.
"Well that's pretty clear cut. Do you agree with it?" She asked Don, who nodded.
"Well then let's sign this so I can get started. I presume you'll be willing to lend a hand?" she asked Don.
"Yes ma'am." Don blushed.
"Hmm, I would prefer my son NOT be involved in this." Senior said.
"Well I need someone to be willing to show me the people I need to talk to and under the circumstances who would be better the Chief of Police own son." Logan said.
"He's emotionally involved with these people."
"These people?" Logan repeated.
"They're my co-workers and yes, my friends." Don stated.
"Fine, but isn't that what this paper is all about." Logan said reaching over and taking the paper off Seniors desk.
"That stays here." Don Senior said.
"No I don't think so." Logan came back. "If you would like to make a copy that's fine, but the original stays with me."
Senior just looked at Logan disapprovingly. "All right you can keep the original as long as I get a copy."
"Agreed." Logan said. "Annie why don't you and I go and make that copy and give these two a chance to say goodbye."
Annie nodded her agreement and the two ladies left.
"She's good." Don said with a laugh.
"Yes she is and mark my words, she will take down Taylor and the rest of the lab with this investigation."
"Nope she won't, because I know for a fact the Mac had nothing to do with Danny's attack and the evidence will back me up."
"I hope your right, son. We may not get along, but I still don't want to see you hurt."
"The only thing you're worried about is the Flack name being drug through the mud. But don't worry Father, I trust my friends and the evidence so." Don held out his hands and shrugged his shoulders. "When this is over with I expect you to leave Mac and the day shift at the lab alone once and for all."
"I can say that will happen, but then again you'll never have proof." Senior said with audacity.
"Hmm you would think." Don said smiling once again as he took his hand out of his jacket, showing his dad a tape recorder. "Never say never."
"You, you reordered the whole thing?" Senior sputtered.
Don nodded "And don't claim that it's illegal, because if you recall I did ask the question about recording statements." A large smile spread across his face.
Senior had a look on his face that as people would say could kill.
"I would like to say it's been nice." Don began.
"Good bye." Senior growled.
"Good bye Father." Don mimicked Senior as he turned to walk out of his father's life, instead of his father walking out on him.
Just as Don was leaving Annie came back in. "Here you go sir. One copy as agreed upon."
Don couldn't help but noticed that it was clearly marked in red "Copy" he also got the chance to notice that both Annie and Logan had signed it.
'Got cha old man.' Don thought to himself as he walked towards the elevator. 'I have the feeling that this is going to get very interesting, before it is all said and done.'
"Hey Flack wait up." Logan called out just as the elevator doors began to open.
"Come on, come on." Don joked holding open the doors as Logan slipped inside.
"Can I help you carry anything?" Don asked noticing that Logan had a laptop case slung over her right shoulder, another briefcase over her left and several file folders in her hands.
"Oh yes, please." She stated sliding the laptop off her shoulder and handing it to Don.
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It had been over two hours since Danny was rushed into surgery and the air in the waiting room was thick with worry.
"Mac, would you please stop pacing." Stella told her partner and boss.
Mac walked back over to her. "If I don't pace to calm down I'm stressed enough to take someone's head off."
"Excuse me?" came another female voice.
Everyone turned to look at the intruder.
"Mac, Stella everyone. I would like to introduce you to Detective Logan Daniels." Don stated.
"What is she doing here?" Mac snapped.
"If I were you Detective Taylor I would calm down." Logan said.
Mac squinted his eyes and looked at Flack.
"My dear Father has assigned her to investigate this attack on Danny." Don explained.
"You're IA?" Stella asked.
"Bonasera?" Logan asked.
Stella just stood and looked at Logan.
"That's OK you'll answer my questions soon enough." Logan snapped as she walked over to where Adam and Sid where sitting. "Am I correct in assuming your Adam Ross?" She asked.
Adam glanced over at Mac and Stella. Mac nodded slightly.
"Yes ma'am." He finally said looking over at Sid.
"It's all right Adam, just tell her what happened." Sid whispered.
"That's right Mr. Ross. I just want you to tell me what you did, said and heard when you and your Aunt was taking care of Detective Messer." Logan explained looking around. "Speaking of your Aunt, where is she?"
"Mrs. Ritter is with Detective Messer in the OR." Sheldon said.
"Dr. Hawkes?"
"That's correct, huh, Detective Daniels."
"Fine I'll talk to you later. And the rest of you too. Now Mr. Ross if you'll follow me."
Adam nervously rubbed his hands on his slacks.
"It's OK Adam, you'll be fine." Sid reminded the young man.
Adam nodded as he stood up. "Just tell the truth Adam." Mac threw in.
"If you don't mind Detective Taylor. I don't need you to influence any of these people."
"These people." Mac seethed. "Are my co-workers and friends."
"Precisely, don't think about trying to use your authority to influence this investigation."
"Trust me I won't try to influence this or any other investigation."
"Just be sure you don't, since unfortunately Don will be the one to pay the ultimate price, if things don't go the way he believes they will." Logan explained tossing her head in Don's direction.
Everyone looked over at their friend, who just shrugged his shoulders.
"Shall we Mr. Ross." Logan said leading Adam from the room.
"What did she mean by that, Flack?" Mac asked the younger Detective.
Don shook his head. "Who knows Mac."
Mac knew Flack better then most people, so he was going to make a point finding out how Don ended up being with an IA agent assigned by his own father to this investigation.
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