Chapter 10:
Frank Reagan was seated at his kitchen table counting his blessings, while Henry busied himself with the pot of chili and fixings he had made for dinner. The kitchen smelled like spices mixed with the sweeter scent of corn muffins. Frank was hoping he could keep all of them happy after Danny arrived with his developments. The past week and a half had resulted in all of the adult Reagans and "soon to be Reagans" using their contacts and combined efforts to figure out what Eddie's father was most likely up to. This was not going to be easy for Eddie to hear.
When everyone was had arrived, been seated and was eating their meal, Eddie spoke first.
"I hope you all realize how much I appreciate everything you are doing to help my mother and me. I am beyond embarrassed about my father and I can't believe you are still welcoming me into your family after this." She was clearly upset and barely holding it together. Jamie squeezed her hand for support.
Danny was the first to chime in. "Linda and I want you to know we are in no position to judge. Not to change the topic from your wedding to "crappy family members", but after the honeymoon we are inviting you guys over to tell you all about her brother. Let's just say, we completely understand."
Erin smiled sympathetically. "And we have a couple of cousins who have a checkered past as well. Anthony's brother is in jail. Nobody has a perfect family. Remember that. Now let's put our heads together and see if we can stop this in its tracks before the wedding even starts."
Based on general information from Narcotics, as well as the reports of overdoses and deaths provided by Linda from the hospital, they had all but determined that the drugs were not going to be smuggled inside the cake, but more likely the packaging. Since Lena was asked to hand deliver it, the box itself was unlikely to be the vehicle. Danny, Frank, Eddie and Jamie all agreed that the wax paper liner was probably most likely.
Jamie had run down the employees of the catering division under the guise of checking security for many of his high profile guests. "The Winery was more than happy to provide us the information we needed, as well as being forthcoming that some of their employees do have a record. But, they insist those employees would not have direct contact with any guests. Eddie and I have assured them that would not be a problem, unless they have a connection to someone who is attending." The catering division at the Brooklyn Winery was a great place for people to start over and learn a trade, however Jamie had realized one of their new employees was not interested in the type of cooking skills being taught.
Danny, Maria and a friend of Baez' from Narcotics had asked Lena to contact Armin, letting him know she would begrudgingly bring him what he asked for. Her phone had been wired and ready for his scheduled phone call earlier that day. All three detectives were very impressed when they listened. "That mother of yours sure missed her calling for undercover work." Danny bragged to Eddie. Lena Janko had been absolutely calm, cool and believable when she spoke with Armin. She channeled the anger she felt about what he was doing to Eddie into her performance and never once wavered. "Lena told Armin that it was only because of Eddie that she would do him this favor and afterwards, he was never call her again. When the call ended, Baez and I quickly de-briefed her and then we all left." What Danny didn't say publicly, was they could tell she had needed privacy to release the emotions she had bottled up. Immediately after they left her apartment, Danny had texted Eddie, suggesting she stop by to spend some time with her mother. As a result, Eddie was already aware of this development in the investigation and was able to focus on the praise they offered for her mom.
Erin had looked into some of the drug cases she had prosecuted recently. "I've also been in contact with another prosecutor from Albany who recently tried a pretty big case involving smuggling drugs and other contraband into the state prison system. He identified a few people who were specifically involved in moving LSD or at least suspected of it. I think I can have Anthony run those names against our current cases at Rikers and the names Jamie has without breaking confidentiality. I'll let you know what I find out."
Henry had a suggestion that really made everyone feel more at ease. Rather than wait until during the event to package up desserts, the caterer at a luncheon he'd attended the week before had made up boxes of treats for the guests beforehand. "If we chose to linger, we could open them. If not, we could bring them home without creating a challenge for the catering staff at the end of the event." Henry suggested they move the time table up for getting the cake to Armin by telling him the caterer was already preparing some goody boxes and trays for the reception the evening before. "We could arrange for "someone", preferably someone employed in undercover narcotics, to deliver it to him at Ft. Dix at the same time the wedding is going on."
"That's a great idea, Pops." Jamie gushed! "The cake is coming from Buttermilk Bakeshop. Eddie also picked out a bunch of other desserts for them to serve alongside at the reception. They have to be making a delivery to the venue pretty early or even the night before. I am sure we could have a small cake made for him - nothing fancy - with the same flavors as the wedding cake. Then it won't raise suspicions for anyone who might be involved from the winery or bakery."
The plan to stop Armin from ruining the day for Jamie and Eddie was shaping up well.
After they all went home, Frank and Henry remained at the table talking. For the life of him, Frank couldn't understand how any father could do something to intentionally ruin their child's wedding. Armin Janko was clearly involved in something illegal, and he was willing to involve his wife and child on the most important day of their lives. While he felt sorry for Eddie in all of this, Lena was the one he was most worried about. How would she feel after she realized that her ex-husband was willing to involve her in drug crimes? There would have been no minimum or medium security federal prison for her if she had been implicated. Drug trafficking would result in hard time at a maximum security facility. Even though she was innocent, it would have been so easy for her to be caught up in Armin Janko's mess if she hadn't turned to Frank and Henry for help. Who would have believed her if she said she was only trying to bring her ex husband some cake? The absurdity of the truth was not lost on him. Lena's face would be the first image that came to mind from now on when any of the Reagans suspected someone's family member of being complicit in the crimes of their relative.