Chapter 4:
Jamie POV**
When the clock finally struck 8, I picked the phone back up and did a quick check in before calling her. The Lieutenant call was quick, my dad was the same, though I could tell he was worried.
I dialed the familiar number and waited for her to pick-up. I was curious how her shift went and how she was doing being partnered with Walsh. I'm not going to lie I was glad she was with her over others in the precinct. "Janko." I smiled. "Hey." I heard her answering smile.
"Hi! So be honest, you miss me! I'm too awesome to not be around right?" My laughter must have been answer enough because she kept talking. "I know, how can one person be so awesome right?"
"Right." She laughed. "How are you Regan? You sound better than you did earlier." I loved that she cared. "I'm okay. I am going back out tonight, but for now I'm free to talk."
"Great! So Walsh. She's not half bad, but you know what she told me today?"
"What?" She didn't even let me finish. "She says that we are the duo everyone wants a chance to ride with. That because we are so good at our jobs we are a curiosity. That people talk about us, and our friendship." Huh, not what I thought she was going to say.
"She also says that you are like a legend. Because of your dad ya, but also because of your skills so way to go Regan, you got yourself a fan club." I choked, and then laughed at the craziness of that statement. "Me a legend. God they must be bored. Danny is the legend. Hell, my grandfather or my father, they are the legends. I am just me. We are pretty awesome though. My dad said that he has heard about our success rate." That got her attention. "Really? We just do our jobs. What are we doing that we end up getting noticed by the PC's office?"
"Eddie, we have the highest number of collars in the precinct, and we also hold the highest number of incidents handled without firing our weapons. That is pretty unusual, so ya, the PC's office has noticed."
I heard her sigh. "What's up Eddie?"
"Walsh isn't bad, I get it. But I don't know if I can handle any more stupid lady cop pick-up lines. We both got them today and it was annoying. And one of our collars reminded me of you." I couldn't help but laugh. "A criminal made you think of me? Should I be offended Janko?" She laughed to. "Not like that. You remember Vampire Girl?" How could I not. "Ya I remember. I still get ribbed about her every time Spencer calls and he's reminded about her. Why?"
"We had another crazy ex-girlfriend today. She took a swing at me, because I told her to can it. She was obviously coming off of a bender, just like that chic was. But Walsh was mostly silent unless we were talking about you, us, or a collar. Though she did take a bet right before we found vampire girl wannabe and owes me five bucks, but that also led to a conversation about you." Huh, there seemed to be a lot of things that led to conversations about me.
"It's going to take time to feel normal Janko. You and I have been riding together for almost three years. It's going to take time to get used to someone else. Did crazy girl actually land one or did she miss?"
"Nah, she missed. I know that it will take some time, it just is a bummer that's all. Anyway. How are you? You think this will be an easy op or a hard one?"
"I think it is going to be a long one. These guys keep everything pretty close to the vest and I have a feeling it will be a few weeks before I have anything solid enough to put them away for life. I'm worried about my family though. There are a few things coming up I really didn't want to miss and now might have to. To make it worse I can't even contact any of them. Sean and Jack have state finals soon for soccer and Nicki's got some school things she wanted me to attend. This is the hard part about our job you know? We do so much good, but we sacrifice so much to do it."
"That is most definitely the hardest part. If you want, I could try and attend some of those things in your place and give you the details. I know it's not the same but I want to do something to help. I could reach out to Danny or someone and try and go if that is okay with you?" I smiled, this is why she is the best partner, best friend, I have ever had.
"If you don't mind that would be awesome. It would make me feel better to hear about them while I do this. Thank you so much Eddie. I will figure out how to make it up to you!"
"Oh Regan the best way to pay me back is to feed me, you know that! I am sensing lots of ribs and wings and beer in your future! But in all seriousness, if I can help in any small way, I'm going to. It's what partners, and better yet, friends, do for one and other. Now you go save New York one criminal at a time. I will handle things here."
I laughed. "You got a deal Janko. So the boy's tournament for finals starts Friday and runs the weekend, and Nicki had some fundraiser she wanted me to go to. The ticket is on my pin board in my kitchen if you still have the spare key. It is for the political science department and she is supposed to give a speech. It is next Wednesday."
"Sounds good. I'll reach out to your siblings and see what I can do. Now go save the world Regan!" I laughed before saying goodbye.
After she hung up I sat on the couch grinning for a full minute before I did anything else. She was truly incredible. But I have to get myself together. Romano will be here before I know it, and I need to be prepared for what could be going down tonight. It was almost 9 so I still had a good hour before Peter got here, but if I had to guess, he would come early, give me as many details as he had so that I wasn't walking in blind. Or at least I hope that is what is going to happen. It would mean that he is still a DEA mole, not a DEA traitor.
**Later**
At 9:45 there was a knock and I let out a breath of relief when Romano answered the question of who was standing behind it. One step closer to proving himself. I let him in and he swept his eyes over my attire, as if checking to ensure compliance, before he greeted me. "Hey. So tonight? You good?"
"Ya man. You have any idea what is going down tonight? What they want us to do?" I studied him closely, but there was no need, he gave the information readily. "Ya, so we are hitting up some bodega in one of the neighborhoods near little Italy. One store owner hasn't paid his dues; we are to get his dues. He has a safe, hence the kid. Though he may not be need to do anything if someone gets the guy to give the cash up before it comes to that. I want to try to keep him as clean as possible. So does the agency. He is a kid caught up in a mess way bigger than him. He is small fry compared to who we want. The twins, however, they aren't exactly stellar people so if they get caught in the sweep that is okay." I nodded. "It was you who suggested I stick near the kid wasn't it?" He nodded.
"We needed someone we trusted to stick to him like glue and try to get him out of this alive and with as small of a record as possible. Are you good?" I nodded and followed him out, playing a few scenarios out in my head. "What if someone calls the cops?" A necessary question since anyone on the force was liable to recognize me due to my lineage.
"The bosses think they are buying us a window of radio silence. I don't know how, but I am assuming it is the same way they keep everything else they steel and or move off the radar. My guess is some fancy toy or the other that Taylor has built or stolen. She was a student at MIT before she dropped out to do this instead." She should have stayed there. This line of work is going to land her in prison for life, just like dear old uncle Amuso.
The ride was silent, besides the cursory greeting each time the others got in. Once again Harper was the last stop, and the kid looked terrified, but he got in to the truck, no questions asked, so I knew his family must be hard up for cash for his mom's treatment.
We pulled up outside the same garage, but this time the doors were all shut up, and the only person here was Taylor Ferrari, sitting on the hood of a ruby red 2017 Chevy Camaro. She hopped off when we all got out.
"Your target tonight is Leonard Santorini. He owns a bodega in a neighborhood near little Italy. Romano knows where. He is due, but won't pay. If need be Andrew will crack the safe, I want him alive, but I want the money. You have two hours. Do this, and do this well, and we will start prepping you for the bigger jobs. Don't and you're out. Time starts as soon as I turn that corner. Meet back here when you're done." She slid into her car and sped off, and we got back into the truck. Off to rob some innocent man because he stood up to bullies.
When we pulled up across the street from the bodega I took a deep breath as Romano started giving orders. "Harper, stay with Moretti. You two stick near the back of the group unless we need Harper. Twins, we are to see if we can get him to cough up without Harper, but we can't hurt him. We can threaten him and his loved ones however. The bosses don't care. But if he doesn't cough up quick, we get the kid to crack the safe, take it all and get out. Got it?" Everyone nodded and it was show time.
I flipped the hood on my hoddie up as we approached the building and saw Harper do the same next to me. I was sure he was only mimicking me because he had no idea what to do, but that was good. Easier to contain him if he was already paying attention to my every move.
We entered the bodega right before closing time, so there were no civilians present besides our target. He looked up when the bell rang and his face paled. He was an older man. Skinny and obviously Italian by the look of him. "You know why we are here, yes?" Romano spoke first, and Edward, apparently he was the enforcer, laughed menacingly.
"Y..Yes. I will not pay. My family needs the money." Edward chuckled louder. "Wrong choice pop." His brother stepped forward a step as he spoke. "You see, the Luchesse's want their money. We are here to collect it. We can do this the hard way," he punctuated that with the crack of his knuckles, "or the easy way. You give us the money we leave you with whatever is extra. You don't. We take it all. Think fast old man."
It was silent for a moment, but I saw the older guy gulp, and his hand move. Shit, he had a gun under the counter didn't he. I shifted closer to the kid, wanting to take the fire for him, but I wasn't the only one who picked up on his movements. Victor pulled his weapon before Santorini did. "Big mistake thinking you could draw on me without me noticing." The older man stuttered. "I…" He didn't get to finish because Edward hopped the counter to come face to face with him, and the hulking form of him scared the man into silence. Santorini was small, not even six foot and the Cisneros twins were 6'2" easily.
"Give us the money now and we forget about that." The old guy started shaking but walked to the register and opened the drawer to pull out the money. I released the breath I was holding, but we weren't out of the woods yet.
"Is it all there?" Edward was looking to Romano so I am assuming he knows how much is owed. He counted it quickly and then nodded. I looked at the stack of cash, had to be at least 2 grand. We left the guy shaking behind the counter, Victor tucked the gun away and we were off.
Andrew let out a deep breath when we got out of the bodega and then mumbled a quiet thanks in my direction. I nodded, wondering again just how badly they must need the money for a kid obviously new to this life getting in over his head on his first try. We made our way back to the warehouse, we had only been about an hour by the time we got back, and once again the Camaro was parked out front with Taylor resting on the hood. We got out and she began a slow round of applause. "Great job, and only an hour to do it. I say you pass. Welcome aboard. We will meet again tomorrow night and start planning your next job. I may also borrow some of you from time to time before that, so be prepared. Now give me the cash." Victor handed over the envelope and we were waved away.