Special Thanks to Lawslave for letting me bounce ideas off of her and for being a terrific guide.
Chapter Four
"I'm sorry," Mayor Scott Eldridge said to Jamie as the two men argued over coffee and crullers. "Something has to go, we are 5 million over in the police budge with raises, specialized training and new vehicle maintenance."
"We can cut the vehicle upgrades but some of my cars, I've seen cabs in Newark with better suspension that that," Jamie commented. "My EDP and stress training are not negotiable, neither is first aid or CPR."
"That EDP training is the most expensive program you have," the Mayor replied. "It takes man hours, paying experts…"
"And saves the lives of hundreds of officers and thousands of civilians. Since my father created this program the cost has been…" Jamie began but was cut off.
"Astronomical!" the city manager interrupted.
"I'm not talking about the cost in dollars, I'm talking about the cost in lives!" Jamie snapped. "We have saved lives, gentlemen. This is my job. If I am being successful, if my programs and my officers are being successful, find the money to reward us in kind!"
"We don't have the money, Jamie. We just don't' have it and I am not raising taxes to pay cops or to help crazy people."
"And what are you doing with the taxes we already pay!" Jamie snapped. "I'm a property owner, I know how much I pay. Where is all that going, what I pay in property taxes alone can fund the salary of three rookie beat cops!"
Jamie was showing his classic Reagan temper now. "My men and women are on the line every day, they are in the line of fire, in harm's way. They deserve adequate training and adequate raises!"
"So does fire, so does sanitation…" countered the city manager.
"Next time someone gets mugged, let them call a garbage man!" Jamie snapped. "I will consider your proposal for wage freeze if and only if you leave all my training programs intact. It will cost the city considerably more money in funerals and death benefits if you don't." He pushed the intercom button his desk, "Detective Reagan, what's next? We are finished here."
The Mayor and his team left as Eddie stood in the doorway. As the mayor passed her he whispered, "He has to at least pretend to play ball with the council, you must convince him."
Eddie sighed, "I can't ask him to be less than he is, you shouldn't either, you appointed him for this very reason."
The mayor nodded and headed past Eddie to the elevator.
When Eddie entered Jamie's office he had his head down on his hands, "I know. I heard," she said softly and stood behind him rubbing his shoulders. "It's all right, you'll figure it out."
"Ed, do we have Advil or something in the desk out there? My head is killing me," Jamie sighed. He had a few migraines over the last year but this one was very strong.
"Yeah we do but you look pretty clear the rest of today. Why don't I get you some soup from downstairs and you put your feet up for a little while? You can rest and face the rest of the day better."
"I can't, I need to call in the staff and we need to work this out," Jamie said. "I'll be okay honey, don't worry. Lunch sounds good though, let's grab a bite. Call my DCs and tell them I need them here at 1:30."
Eddie agreed and set up the meeting before she put the phones to voicemail and headed off to lunch with her husband on her arm.
"They have a point regarding the expense as a line item," Eddie pointed out to Jamie. "That was one of your father's biggest fights when he started this program, to balance a near ten million dollar cost against the benefits for a population that was largely swept under the proverbial rug."
"A girl died, Eddie," Jamie reminded her. "A girl who maybe with the right help could have been a productive member of society died because we failed, as cops and as people. My dad and I devised this program to keep another senseless death from happening be it a civilian or a cop. A year before Jenny Strong, a good cop and a very sick man both died due to lack of training. That law suit cost the city $27 million. "
Jamie squeezed the bridge of his nose, the pressure behind his right eye was intense. "Here, take this now you have some food in your stomach." Eddie handed him to liquid gels.
Jamie popped the pills and took a sip of the hot tea she made for him. "I hear what you are saying, Eddie and I understand why you are saying it. I know I have to make compromises, and I know no matter what I do someone is going to lose something."
Eddie reached across the table to take his hand in her own, "You need to do what is best, and I know in your own heart that answer is there. You just have to know where to look inside yourself."
Jamie sighed, he knew that his training had to come first. It was best for the most number of people. "I gave Joey my word that I would make sure salaries weren't rolled back. His partner…"
"Jamie, you never should have discussed that with Joe," Eddie sighed. "Really, you know that you can't…"
"Eddie, you and Joey have the perfect mother-son relationship," Jamie cut her off quickly. "He adores you. Me, it's like I'm his enemy. He still resents me for the promotion thing. He told me as a kid he never wanted me to be the PC that he never wanted to have to deal with the stuff I had to deal with when Dad had the job. He resents me for that, and for the promotion too, the least I can do is fulfill a promise I made to him about his partner."
"What's wrong with his partner?" Eddie asked. She was always concerned if her son's partner was not up to the job her baby would be in danger.
"She's a single mom with two kids that's only two years out. I think she's a little younger than Joe. He said she was concerned if she got rolled back she won't be able to make ends meet. I gave him my word."
"Then you know what you have to do, don't you? No matter what you need to keep your word to our son, you promised me that and yourself when you were sworn in as commissioner." Eddie held his gaze firmly with her own.
"I know what I have to do, sweetheart and I know what it's going to cause," Jamie sighed. "I have to get upstairs and get ready to sell this to my support staff. I'm going to be late, I'll have my detail run you home. They can come back for me." Jamie stood up then quickly sat back down in his chair. The entire room has shifted and his eyes had little black spots floating before them.
"Jamie!" Eddie's concerned voice flooded his brain. "Jamie, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, honey," Jamie replied getting up successfully this time. "I'm a little tired but I'm fine."
"Maybe just sit another minute, you're flushed," Eddie worried and touched his cheek to check for fever. "No fever. Have you been taking your medicine? I haven't been leaving it out for you, I'll start to."
"Eddie, don't worry about me. I'm okay," Jamie assured her pushing off her fussing hands gently and kissing both palms. "I'll see you upstairs."
Jamie headed off now with his sea legs as Eddie straightened up their table. When she returned to the office she knew the meeting was already underway. She could occasionally hear Jamie's voice raised or a firm smack as he brought his fist down on the table for emphasis. She knew that there would be dissention in the ranks over the decision that needed to be reached.
Eddie left at seven that night. When she got home Lila was there on the computer. "Hey honey, sorry it's so late. I picked up dinner."
"Oh, Aunt Erin and I went out for dinner. She had some brochures and things to show me for the wedding. I left them if you want to look at them."
It stung. Lila was beginning her plans without her. She preferred to see the brochures and things with Erin. "I'm sure you will make a good choice honey. Let Dad and I know where to send the checks."
"Mom?" Lila was a little surprised by Eddie's curt reply. "I want to do that together. Aunt Erin just had some stuff…"
"I'm sorry honey," Eddie sighed. "It's tough at work right now and Dad is up against a rock and a hard place in the office."
Lila smiled, "I read in the papers and Steven said FDNY is under the gun two, they are suspending two cadet classes to save their current budget."
"Dad won't want to cut man power like that, I don't know when he'll be home. Can you lock up and just leave the kitchen light on for him?" Eddie just wanted to go up to bed.
"Yeah, oh, grandpa had one of his spells earlier but Steven was here and helped him get to bed and lying down," Lila told her. "If you want to look in or should I ask Dad to do it?"
"No, I will do it, thank you honey," Eddie said and headed up stairs to look in on Frank. He had mild COPD and sometimes had trouble breathing. If he did his breathing treatment he usually felt better and rested. Eddie found him sound asleep and breathing evenly when she looked in. She checked his covers and shut out the bedside light.
Lila was still up studying when Jamie came home just before midnight. He was tired and his head ached. "Hey Kitten" he greeted. "Oh, I remember that class. I'm surprised you are still awake studying that."
"It's slow going but it's required," she replied. "There's left over pot roast from my dinner out. Mom went up and didn't eat. She got kind of upset I'd gone out."
"Mom is very tired," Jamie explained. "Her appointment is in a few weeks you know how she gets before her check-ups. She works herself up and gets all upset so we really need to be sweet to her and supportive." Jamie opened cabinets and made a tuna and egg sandwich for Eddie and heated pot roast for himself. He put the meals and two teas on a tray and took it up to his wife.
He found Eddie in the recliner in their bedroom staring into space. "Penny for them?" he asked softly as he approached with the food tray.
"Just day dreaming I guess, it's really late," Eddie commented looking at the clock. "Did you…" She saw the tray of food. "I'm not hungry Jamie."
"I know but you have to eat," Jamie insisted. "Lila told me you just came up to bed. Are you feeling okay?"
Eddie sighed, "She…I am fine I just didn't want to talk about the wedding, I needed some time that's all." She didn't want to add to Jamie's stress by telling him she was upset about his sister and their daughter talking wedding plans. He had enough real issues on his plate.
Jamie nodded, "Well I understand but you have to eat okay, sweetie. I made your favorite sandwich, eat up then we can get some rest. Six thirty comes around awfully fast."
After they ate their dinner, as late as it was, they left the dishes for the morning and crawled into bed. Jamie put his arm around Eddie and held her tight. "You know no matter what baby, I'm here, I'm always going to be here. You don't have to worry, you don't have to be afraid." He kissed the top of her head. "Everything is going to be all right."
Eddie sighed as she felt sleep coming to her, "All right…" she sighed smiling into his chest. "All right."
