Chapter Ten
Thank you for your fantastic comments from the last chapter! I hope that you are all still enjoying this story- it is not intended on being quite as long as it's prequel however there is another story in the pipeline after this one. Please keep reading and please keep reviewing!
Chapter Ten
The moments his father's image disappeared from the screen, Danny braced himself for the comments he knew would be coming from the journalists covering the story- his bloodshot eyes were fixed on the picture in front of him- his ears burning with the intensity that he was listening to what was being said.
"So now New York has to question whether a police detective can ever legitimately justify the fatal shooting of a thirteen year old child? The police commissioner would have us believe that this horrendous act was self-defence, and in line with all protocol that the NYPD have had in line- there are others however that believe that this is closer to an act of murder. David it's over to you" the reporter stated as the shot swung back to the studio- just as the screen went blank.
Danny didn't move, didn't speak and didn't flinch. Linda blinked back the tears that were welling in her eyes as she had just heard the words spoken about her beloved husband and she hated to see him torture himself. After a few moments silence, Danny got to his feet- shrugged his suit jacket on and walked to the door, not saying a word. Only then did Linda let her tears fall.
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Erin rested her head in her hands as the news broadcast drew to a close. She was devastated for her brother, she had no idea how he was going to cope with this, especially when he was still recovering from his injuries that had nearly cost him his life- and now this battering of his already fragile psyche.
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"How's the head?" Renzulli asked his partner softly, noticing the damage.
"It's fine sarge, I am more worried about Danny" Jamie replied softly, his face showing the grave concern he currently felt for his eldest brother.
"How's he holding up?" the veteran officer asked, his own tone carrying his worry for a fellow officer.
"Not good, he is pushing us away and now the media are on a witch hunt" Jamie replied, not sure that his brother would appreciate him being so open in his reply, but in his worry he couldn't help it.
"Today's news is tomorrow's fish wrappers" Renzulli commented with a small smile. Jamie managed a weak grin in reply. "Come on kid let's get out on patrol" he continued and the two men headed straight to the car with the usual banter and chitchat flying between them.
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"What the hell are you doing here?" Jackie asked her pale and drawn partner as he walked through the precinct.
"Working" Danny replied as he poured himself a much needed cup of coffee and one for his partner. He made his way over to their desks and handed hers across, whilst he tapped four pain killers out of his pocket into his hand and dry swallowed them.
"Danny" Jackie stated warningly.
"Please don't start Jack" Danny whispered, his pain filled eyes meeting hers.
"Danny, did you get any sleep at all?" she asked, her voice soft but heavy with concern for her friend.
"Some" he replied, and was spared from further questioning by their supervisor stepping out of his office and quietly calling Danny in. He got to his feet, his partner not missing the sway and unsteady walk as he headed into the office.
"Oh Danny, when are you going to talk to me" Jackie whispered to herself, scared for her partner. She vowed there and then that she would do whatever she could to get him out of this current situation, and for now she would focus on getting to the bottom of the death of the young convenience store robber- if nothing else than to prove that her partner's actions were fully just, legal and proportionate.
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"Reagan, are you sure that you should be here?" the sergeant asked softly, he was not blind and he could see that his detective was on the edge, it was written all over the pale face and the tense- rigid shoulders.
"Yes sarge, nowhere else to be" Danny replied, his eyes not leaving the desk in front of him.
"What about at home with your wife and sons?" the bigger man prompted him.
"Not going to hide away, need to get to the bottom of this" Danny replied, rubbing his head in an attempt to ease the pounding, an action not unnoticed by his colleague.
"You feeling ok Reagan?" the older man asked softly.
"Just a headache" Danny replied- and reached into his pocket to take out the packet of pain killers, easily tapping three into his palm and swallowing them, sipping his coffee to help them down.
"You know the rules Reagan, you can't play an active part in the investigation. I gotta say I am worried out you" the sergeant continued.
"Please don't" Danny whispered, knowing exactly where this was heading.
"Danny I am not here to hurt you, I just need to make sure that you are okay- you mess up and IA will suspend you before you know it- and then I can't protect you. You're a good cop Danny- one of the best, anyone would have shot that kid exactly like you did"
"That doesn't bring him back" Danny whispered, "Is that all sarge?" he asked, keen to get out of the awkward situation and back to his work.
"For now" the other man replied with a sigh. Danny nodded before getting to his feet and heading back to his desk, his heart heavy and his mind a torrent of different thoughts and feelings.
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"He shot our son, I need to know what type of man he is" Henry Weston stated to the lawyer in front of him.
"Mr Weston, I appreciate you have suffered and unimaginable loss, and I sympathise with you and ordinarily I would leap at the chance to prove wrong doing from a member of the New York police department, but in this case there is nothing to assist" Charlie Bell told him, his voice heavy with sympathy- but unwilling to pursue a civil case that they had no chance of winning.
"There must be something" Henry urged, desperate for anything that would help them to clear their son's name.
"Sir the detective involved is a highly decorated veteran marine who carried out two tours of Iraq, he is a senior detective that has a list of commendations as long as your arm and fifteen years good service. There is nothing to suggest that on the day that he shot your son that he was doing anything other than his job" the experienced lawyer continued. Weston sighed deeply.
"If you won't help me then I will go elsewhere" he told the lawyer.
"And any other reputable lawyer will tell you the same as I have" Charlie continued. "I am sorry for your loss, deeply sorry- but suing the officer will not bring him back, nothing will" Weston hesitated before getting to his feet, choking on the emotions that the words forced forward.
"Thank you for your time Mr Bell" he bid farewell and left, intent on finding someone else that was willing to help him.
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"Sir, IA have been in touch they are wanting a meeting this afternoon" Baker informed the commissioner softly.
"That quick?" he asked, his heart speeding up at the possible implications.
"Yes sir, they stated on the phone that it is fairly clear cut and that they don't see any benefit in prolonging matters" Baker replied.
"Clear my diary Baker and let me know the time" Frank continued, wishing with every ounce of his being that this whole episode could be finished and Danny could move on with his life, although he had no doubt that in actuality this was merely going to add to his nightmares.
End Chapter Ten
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