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THE END OF EMPIRE
Chapter 7: THE END OF EMPIRE
January 1, 2021:
As Frank rode down the elevator from the 14th Floor for the final time, he felt at peace with himself and was confident that the history books would accurately reflect the good works of his police force during his stewardship. Maybe someday he would be asked to return and if so, he would have to make that decision on that day and at that time but for now, he was content to be just another citizen of New York City. His city.
When the elevator reached the first floor, he stepped out to find Baker, Dino Aborghast, Garrett Moore, Tony Renzulli and a few others waiting for him. They applauded their boss and friend. Frank was deeply moved.
Garrett had resigned effective December 30th and was already getting ready for his new job as political commentator on a major network. He looked forward to analyzing the efforts of both DeMaslio and Bracken and holding them publicly accountable for their actions. "Crucify" was what he had told Frank.
Dino had put in his papers as well and while he was wearing his Chief of the Department uniform, he too would process out on Monday morning along with Jamie, Joe and Danny. Frank's days with Dino were also far from over.
Baker had 19 years in the NYPD. She would ride out the next year under Bracken and then most likely put in for her 20 year pension. Frank had future plans for Abigail as well and he would disclose these to his family.
His primary body man, Detective Sargent Andy Mulroney would also be resigning next Monday and would join Frank as well.
Finally, Detective Lieutenant Tony Renzulli, who had been both Jamie and Joe's training officer, would be punching out after putting in 25 years. Frank had plans for Tony.
Everyone there had shown unswerving loyalty to Frank and his family for the past 12 years or longer. Now he would return that loyalty in spades for the nice thing about being the Police Commissioner was that all those events, parties, dinners and other functions Garrett had forced him to attend, put Frank in touch with the power and money that drove this city and he collected a lot of favors and markers over the past 12 years. He had recently begun calling on these favors and collecting his markers and had lined up several big dollar investors in a new deal he was putting together.
Standing in the lobby of One Police Plaza, he hugged or shook hands and thanked them all for their service, kindness and friendship and let them know he would be in touch next week to begin planning the next phase of their professional lives.
He'd have to wait a year for Baker and maybe by then Garrett would come along as well. He could always use a good P.R. man but knew Garrett was there if he needed some piece meal work done in the interim.
As Frank walked out of One Police Plaza for the final time, Andy ran ahead of him and opened up the rear door to the Batmobile.
"Sorry Andy, that's for the exclusive use of the Police Commissioner. I'm just a private citizen now."
"You're going to need a ride home Commissioner and I don't want you taking a cab." Andy responded.
At that moment, a brand new shiny black Cadillac Escalade ESV pulled up, the front license plate spelling out REAGAN. Joe was at the wheel with Danny riding shotgun and Jamie in the left rear seat. Danny got out and opened up the right rear door for his father. "Need a ride home Commissioner?"
Frank smiled and saluted Andy. "Looks like I have a new Batmobile. I'll talk to you next week Andy. Happy New Year" and with that he hopped in his new Caddy, enjoying the new car smell and the soft leather while Danny closed the door and jumped back in the front passenger seat.
Joe produced a chauffer's cap and placed it on his head. "Where to Sir?" He asked his father
"Home Joe" he smiled and with that Joe gently pulled out as Frank gazed upon the edifice that represented the greatest police force in the world.
Joe took the Brooklyn Bridge route and as they crossed the iconic landmark, Frank turned to look again at his city and then looked at each of his sons. "We did some damned fine police work boys and I'm very proud of all three of you and that I can also say that we all survived our tours and are coming home together."
"Amen to that Dad." Danny intoned from the front seat and his brother's stated their agreement.
The Reagan family spent that weekend enjoying football and hockey games as well as solidifying their future plans. On Monday morning they would begin putting everything into action.
Frank was sure to tell everyone as to how Jamie undressed Bracken in front of everyone and Bracken's reaction to it.
"What a sanctimonious bastard." Jamie grumbled.
January 4, 2021: 10:00 a.m.
Joe piloted Frank's Cadillac through the streets of Brooklyn and into New York City arriving at the New York City Police Academy just before 10:30 a.m. As the four of them exited the SUV, Danny badged the cop on duty and informed him that he and his brothers were processing out. When the cop noticed Frank he snapped to attention and saluted. Frank waived him down informing him that he was just a civilian and wished the officer a safe and happy New Year.
They went inside and submitted the forms which Jamie had prepared per Bracken's instructions. Weapons, shields, identifications and all other NYPD property were surrendered. In return they received their new Retired identification which properly bore their new ranks, along with their new Concealed Carry permits. Frank already had a Concealed Carry Permit from when he had retired as Chief to become Commissioner as the PC was not a sworn officer and could not otherwise carry a weapon.
The brothers were photographed and the new photos laminated to their new identification.
With that, they turned around and left the Academy having gone out the same way they came in as Danny had demanded.
They each strapped on their off duty weapons which were legally registered per New York law and climbed into the SUV with Frank.
Their next stop found them back in New York City idling in front of 100 Center Street, otherwise known as the Criminal Courts Building which was also the main office of the District Attorney for New York County.
At 11:00 a.m. three very beautiful women came out and joined them in the SUV. Frank was in the front passenger seat with Joe driving. Danny and Jamie were in the far rear seat which allowed Erin, Alex and Casey to easily slide into the middle seat.
"Ok Dad, the deed is done" Erin said referring to what had just transpired in the office of Stewart Harvey, District Attorney for New York County.
"How did he take it?" Frank asked.
"He was shocked but after we explained why we were doing it he understood. I think he'd like to strangle DeMaslio and Bracken and knows his office is in for a very long haul in that the quality of work coming out of the NYPD will drop off significantly making it more difficult for his office to secure convictions, but that isn't our problem anymore as we are now private citizens who will shortly be representing the very Defendants who he tries to prosecute."
Danny chuckled. "He just lost his three top ADAs at the exact moment he needs them most, and now they are going to be on the other side of the aisle working against him. Poetic justice."
Erin turned around and smiled at her big brother. "And you big brother better help us get the goods that sets them free."
Frank looked out and around catching his children's looks. Joe asked him what he was thinking.
"I'm thinking that today formally marks The End of Empire. Our Empire."
"Dad?" Jamie asked.
"The Reagan Empire son. Your great grandfathers, grandfathers, myself, you and your brothers and sister and Casey and Alex, all the people in this family that created a great crime fighting empire and as of today, it's come to an end." he said sardonically
"Yeah Dad, but look at it this way. We're beginning a new empire, a new chapter in our family history. From the ashes rises the Phoenix and we hightailed it out of Dodge before we could be destroyed. It's not like we're Odysseus wandering around lost after Troy's fall. We are in control of our own destiny." Jamie replied
Joe looked at Frank. "Come on Dad, time to tell the truth. You and Mom were visiting a monastery in Tibet when you saw this cute little golden baby so you slipped him in her purse and brought him home to Brooklyn with you, correct?" to which they all laughed.
"No Joe, the stork brought Jamie. You were delivered by the postman, postage due I might add, Erin arrived by overnight FedEx and has been in a hurry ever since and Danny someone just left on our doorstep and rang the bell but before we could open the door he had climbed out of his basket and broken off the knocker." This brought out such laughter that Joe almost had to pull over.
"Cute Dad." Danny responded. "I'll bet that knocker cost you all of five bucks back then."
"Which was still less than the postage we had to pay for Joe!" Frank exclaimed. "We thought someone had sent us a butterball turkey." Frank joked at his middle son bringing on another round of laughter.
"I wonder how much the overnight freight charge was on beanpole because there couldn't have been much weight to that package." Jamie joked.
"Keep it up golden boy and I'll have your wife give you a waffle butt tonight." Erin responded
"Better zip it while you're ahead Jamie" Casey cautioned with a grin.
"I want to hear more about butterball Joe" Alex commented. "Was he really that big a baby?"
"Joe was the biggest by far but he lost his baby fat fairly quickly unlike Casey's hubby who still has that cherubic look to his face." Danny remarked.
"Danny still has some of his baby pot belly." Jamie retorted.
"Do not. That's good food and a couple of beers." Danny defended himself.
"Excuse me?" Joe asked looking at Danny in the rear view mirror.
"Shut up Joe" Danny growled and then turned to Jamie. "You too and unlike him, you're sitting right here where I can get my hands on you."
Erin turned around and sounding just like their mother. "Don't make me have to come back there you two or somebody's going to regret it." She warned.
"Yes Mom!" They replied together.
Frank just shook his head and smiled.
The rest of the day was spent having lunch and fleshing out their new plans.
Frank looked forward to building a new Reagan family empire on the ashes of their former careers and was very confident that this time around, nobody would be able to destroy their work.
-30-
