Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 10 – Know your Enemies
Danny's hands fling out and brace themselves against the side panel and front dash section as the aged police car barrels through the intersection; Renzulli trying to flip on the sirens to keep people out of the way.
"Damn, sirens aren't working!"
"Honk the horn!" Danny utters in a loud tone as Renzulli quickly complies. At least the honking sound keeps the intersection free and clear but they now had to find a way to get the speeding vehicle stopped quickly but safely. "Not…good," Danny states in a small panic as his eyes frantically look around and ahead for something – anything they could help use to stop the car.
"We need…something to stop us," Renzulli states firmly as he tries to find a road that will take them uphill to slow them down; all the while honking on regular intervals to keep anyone out of their path. "I swear this…"
Danny continues to frantically look around and knows no matter what they use, it's gonna hurt them and do damage to the car. But he and Renzulli are most worried about any innocent civilian injuries or casualties injured in the vehicular melee. "How about…interstate barrels or…damn…look out!"
"I see…it!" Renzulli groans as he swerves the car to the left. It feels like it starts to careen onto one side, but in reality it just lists without flipping over. However, the back end finally connects with something else metal and both male occupants cringe at the sound of scraping and crunching as the metal crumples before sending them on their way.
"Air bags?"
"Doubt it…this thing is a piece of crap now!"
"Great!" Danny growls as he continues to hold onto the sides of the speeding car.
"Tell me when you see…"
"There! Interstate entrance, that way, that way!"
"I see it! Okay, hold on Danny!"
Danny watches as the large black and yellow, water-filled barrels loom closer and closer and tries to brace himself for what he knows will be a painful impact. So far Renzulli has done a masterful job of navigating the speeding death trap away from anyone who might be mowed down without cause and he had to applaud him for that. However, as the barrels come more into focus he wonders how well they'll survive this.
At the last minute, Renzulli shouts that he's going to turn the car so that the impact would be on the backend, the driver's side if possible.
"No mine! Renzulli! Mine!" Danny shouts as he tries to jerk the wheel, not wanting Renzulli to be off work. The impact is mostly felt on Renzulli's side but the back of the car bears the brunt. Both bodies jerk roughly in response, Renzulli's frame flying forward but thankfully being held fast by the jerking motion of the seatbelt before they could crash into the steering wheel – the hard round object promising to do more damage than just the seatbelt. Danny's frame jerks forward and then slams into the window as the car comes to a rest; both of them then slumping back into their seats.
"Are we…alive?" Danny groans a few minutes later as his fingers reach up and gingerly touch what will become a large bruise on his forehead. "Tony, you okay?"
"Yeah…" Renzulli replies with a small hiss. "What the hell happened!" He demands angrily as he looks at Danny to ensure his passenger is okay. "You okay?"
"Yeah fine," Danny muses with a soft sigh; sirens being heard in the near distance. "Damn brakes."
But what neither of them know is the whole thing was orchestrated and then filmed by a man bent on personal revenge. The little recording is then sent to a salacious new source – labelled an anonymous sender.
Danny slowly stumbles out of the car and then leans against it just as the first police car arrives. But those that arrive aren't as understanding as he might have hoped.
"HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
"What?" Danny asks as two officers raise their guns and point them directly at him.
"Are you deaf! Hands up!"
"No I'm…" Danny starts only as one of them makes a motion to shoot. "Okay…Renzulli…need you out here…"
"Danny, I'm stuck!"
"Call these guys off!" Danny calls back as he glares at the two officers before them.
"We don't kno…"
"Call Frank Reagan. He can vouch for me being here!" Danny tosses at them before he lowers his arms. "They hurt and if you wanted to shoot you would have! Probably lousy shots anyways!" He tosses back sourly as both officers exchange surprised glances.
"Oh yeah…you'll make one hell of a Detective," Renzulli slightly grimaces as Danny leans back into the busted up police car to see why Renzulli couldn't get out. Danny offers him a smirk as he tries to help unjam the seatbelt keeping Renzulli trapped in the car.
The two officers rush toward the car and peer inside as Renzulli glares up at them. "Stop busting his chops and get me the hell outta this thing!"
Danny steps back as one of the officers pulls a small pocket knife and slices through the seat belt and then helps free the shaken officer.
"What's he doing in the car with you?" The uniformed officer asks Renzulli.
"I lost my bus pass," Danny tosses back in annoyance as the ambulance finally arrives. Knowing that Frank will hear about it from other officers, he quickly pulls his phone and makes a call.
"Are you and Officer Renzulli okay?" Frank asks in concern.
"Yeah…we're both fine," Danny huffs as he looks at Renzulli who is trying to shoo away the attending medic. "Brakes failed."
"We should have decommissioned that one a while ago."
Danny tries to hold back his tongue and be polite, especially in public but a small huff tells Frank that he doesn't believe him.
"What is it?"
"Renzulli said he checked the car over a few days ago and it was fine. Plus…ah damn a bunch of people filming. Great now all this will be on social media."
"That the commissioner's office will deal with. You think someone tampered with the brakes?"
"Maybe I'm just paranoid."
"What's going on Danny? No…let's talk later. I'll get started on the brakes."
"Okay," Danny answers with a heavy sigh as he hangs up and then slowly heads back to Renzulli. "You okay?"
"Yeah a bit sore and some bumps and bruises. You?"
"My hard head's still intact," Danny replies as a medic looms in closer to take a look at the bump on his forehead. Feeling a pang in his shoulder, Danny submits himself to the medic's attention and slumps down onto the stretcher. His gaze narrows as he fixes on the busted up vehicle a few meters away; his mind desperately wanting to know if the brakes were indeed tampered with or they gave up from rigorous wear and tear over the last decade. Maybe I'm just overly paranoid…his mind trails off as the NYPD impound truck arrives. Thanks to Danny's quick thinking to call Frank, Frank had taken the liberty of getting a driver he could trust to take the car to an NYPD mechanic he could also trust to give him an honest report – specifically on the brakes and sirens. The truth would come out and they wouldn't like it.
About an hour later, Danny slightly limps into Frank's office; Frank looking up at Danny's appearance in surprise.
"Am I interrupting?" Danny asks softly as Frank puts the phone back down.
"This call can wait," Frank gestures for Danny to sit. "Are you okay?" Frank asks in concern as he gets up to inspect Danny's surface injuries.
"Yeah. Renzulli too, for the most part. Nothing broken. I told him to ram the car on my side as I know he needs to work but um…"
"But an officer is trained to put his life first. You'd have done the same. Danny…you should go to the ER to get checked over."
"I'm okay. I'm just…it was pretty tense there for a few moments. I hope Renzulli doesn't get into trouble."
"I sanctioned the ride along."
"Then I hope you don't get into trouble," Danny retorts as Frank's face softens. "Frank…"
"It's going to be okay Danny. Now…what made you think someone tampered with the brakes?"
Danny shakes his head and looks away, his fingers gingerly touching his throbbing temple. "Gut feeling. Renzulli said he checked that car over a few days ago and I trust him."
"But?" Frank gently goads when Danny hesitates. "Come on Danny."
Since he had no proof that Sonny had even had any odd visitors he goes another route. "When I was with um…McGuiness?"
Frank's expression turns from concern to outright wonder; his large frame leaning back in his chair. "Why?"
"It's just a feeling."
"Did you talk to Detective Rogers?"
"Is he in trouble if I did?" Danny retorts as Frank's lips twist into a small smirk.
"No. Spencer and I are very close and he has a soft spot for you and Jamie. He too was concerned by the visitor McGuiness had that we didn't know."
"Did he find out something about him?" Danny asks eagerly.
"We're trying to get the whole picture before we jump to any kind of final conclusions. As you know…your family history is…"
"Screwed up!"
"Complicated," Frank adds at the same time as Danny; Danny's lips slightly pursing. "He could just be handling some estate issues."
"Estate? What?"
"Financial matters. Or he could be someone else."
"Yes Detective Rogers explained all that to me."
"But it makes sense you'd be jittery after hearing that a man was visiting McGuiness and my top Detective didn't know who he was; I'd be also."
"Where is the car now?"
"With someone I can trust to give me an honest report," Frank tells Danny in truth. "Thank you for telling me so quickly."
"I know what crap social media can be at times."
"Go home now and get some rest."
"I wanted today to be a success," Danny grumbles as he remains in place. "We talked a bit but um…he's a great cop and I just wanted to spend some time with him."
"You'll get to do it again and once you enter the academy and progress there will come times when candidates will have a day to shadow an on-duty officer. I'll request Renzulli."
"That'd be great. Who's um…Larry Abalos?"
"Did you have a run in with him?" Frank inquires as Danny nods in agreement. "He was Joe's mentor in the academy, then his TO and then they remained close friends until Joe's death a few years later. They just…hit it off. What led up to it?"
"I uh…" Danny's voice nervously stammers. "I was kinda teasing with Renzulli and um…said Officer Reagan reporting for duty."
"And he heard."
"I swear it just…I know you said not to mention anything yet and I quickly downplayed it but…but it just kinda came out," Danny sheepishly explains. "I didn't mean to offend anyone."
"Larry was very protective of Joe. It's nothing against you. He'll come around."
"I hope so."
"He will," Frank replies with a tight smile. "Now…I want you to go home and rest. As soon as I find something out I'll let you know."
"Okay thanks."
Danny leaves Frank's office and slowly heads for the entrance to the precinct, his mind anxious to know if indeed the brakes were cut and then who it would lead them to. He had tossed out McGuiness but inside his mind there is only one name that comes to the fore – Sonny Malvesky.
XXXXXXXX
"Were you scared?" Jamie asks as he once again sits on Danny's bed, watching his brother as he slowly removes his tee-shirt to reveal an ugly bruise along his right side; the outline on his skin from where his body connected with the side panel of the car upon impact.
"Actually a little," Danny admits as he pulls on a sweatshirt and then slowly eases himself down onto the foot of the bed and looks at his brother in concern. "I'm just glad that we didn't hit anyone."
"Do you think someone actually cut the brakes?"
"I don't know. I hope it was just something faulty. It's an old car…things break down I get it. Look at the pieces of junk that Demarcus's father always has in his garage? Cop cars take a lot and over the years…I don't know."
"Danny…"
"I don't know. Frank has a good mechanic looking at it right now and then we'll know for sure. No point in stressing until then right?"
"Right," Jamie agrees with a small frown. They talk a bit longer until about Danny's harrowing day; Danny taking a shower to clean up a few hours later and then texting Renzulli to make sure he was okay.
"But you do suspect someone."
It was an hour before dinner, Erin was home and the three young people were in the kitchen working on dinner. Danny had briefly recounted his day to her but her question makes both Danny and Jamie stop and look at each other and then her.
"Oh come on, I can tell by the tone in your voice," Erin continues as Danny's lips purse.
"I honestly don't know. I told Frank the same thing. I don't want to point fingers if its just something…mechanical."
"Well I hope that's all it is," Erin states flatly as turns back to her task and Danny's eyes lock with those of his worried brother.
"I hope so too," Jamie whispers as he quickly looks away.
The accident is discussed a bit during dinner but without any specific finger pointing; Frank wanting to stem the tide on any growing agitation between the boys. The talk during dinner is a bit quieter but there is a singular thought being contemplated by them all they couldn't quiet – did someone cut the breaks?
'You sure you're okay?' Linda texts Danny later that night.
'Yeah. Frank will let me know what really happened with the car. Will worry about it then.'
'Liar.'
Danny's lips slowly twist upward into a soft smile as he pictures her face calling him on his weak comeback. You should be comfortable talking to someone you love, especially about the tough day to day stuff…building that trust even in smaller things is what will carry you both through until the end.
'Okay yeah I was worried the crash would be worse. But I am okay. A few bumps and bruises. Renzulli took the brunt but he's okay also. Car's toast.'
'Okay thanks for telling me. I love you.'
'I love you too.'
Danny remembers talking to Erin and asking why girls always wanted to know if guys were 'okay'. 'Sometimes she'll just want to know what you're thinking and other times, if you are hurt she'll just want to know if you're actually okay or hurting. Don't be macho. Just tell her at the time. She's not going to broadcast it. You'd want the same back right?'
Erin's reply made him chuckle slightly but she was right. If Linda was in an accident, he'd push her for an answer if she said she was just okay or told him not to worry about it. Why not tell her the same back? Because your lame ass father told you that for a man to share his feelings isn't manly. Forget him!
But old habits die hard and both of them are still working on fully opening up and trusting others that care about them and only have their best interests at heart. If you want long term with Linda you need to start slowly building it now. He had told Jamie that he wants to marry Linda but wonders if asking her before he goes into the academy and she starts nursing school would be wise or they'd be too busy with school and it should wait until after their year was over? Can we still get engaged and then…ah damn…
It wasn't going to be an easy decision to make.
XXXXXXXX
"So what did you decide?" Henry asks Jamie early the next day.
"I want to go and see George's daughter," Jamie replies softly as he looks up at Henry with a small frown. "I am expecting the same kind of reception. That she doesn't care but at least I'll know for sure," he answers and then quickly turns away.
"Jamie?" Henry asks as he nears Jamie's tense frame. "You don't have to go if you don't want to."
"No I do it's just…" he pauses before he turns around, finally doing so with a perplexed expression. "What does it cost to um…you know if I wanted to find a home for George? I don't have much money but I want to help him."
Henry's heart instantly sinks into the pit of his soul. Jamie's selfless caring always endears the young man to him even more but the fact that he wanted to go so far to help a kind-hearted stranger was something else entirely.
"It's expensive right?"
"It can be," Henry replies in mild truth.
"Right."
"Jamie, you have a very big heart and that tender, compassion is a reason I love you. But I just worry that you'll become too attached to…"
"Other homeless people when you can't save everyone?" Jamie interjects in haste as Henry's brow furrows but he's forced to nod.
"But you helped us," Jamie reminds him with a small sigh.
Henry pulls Jamie into his arms and hugs him tightly. "Let's wait and see what his daughter has to say."
"Okay," Jamie looks up with a smile as Danny comes walking into the room.
"Morning. What'd I miss?"
"Nothing," Jamie replies in haste as Danny shrugs.
"How are you feeling today?" Henry asks as he pulls away from Jamie and heads toward Danny, wanting to see how his other would-be grandson was feeling.
"A bit stiff and sore," Danny admits with a firm nod. "Is Renzulli working today?"
"He'll get a day off to recover because our officers need to be in…." Henry starts and then stops as all three males in the room look up at Erin after she had let out a rather audible gasp.
"What is it?" Jamie inquires in haste.
"Yesterday's out of control police car accident is on YouTube."
"What?" Danny asks angrily as he stomps toward her. "What the hell?"
"What is it Danny?" Jamie dares to ask.
"Caption is: Cop and hitchhiker joyride without concern for civilian life or city property. What the f…"
"Who posted that?" Jamie asks in haste as Frank enters the kitchen.
"Did you see this Francis?" Henry asks with an angry hiss as he pulls away and reaches for his phone to call his PR assistant.
Frank looks at the video clip and then at Danny who's jaw grits.
"We weren't joyriding!" Danny hisses angrily.
"People like scandal. Pop's office will prepare an official statement that wil…."
"How will they explain me?" Danny asks as he rubs his slightly scuffed face, Jamie's eyes bouncing from Danny to Frank. "I should say something."
"No," Frank replies with a kind but firm tone.
"But the public…"
"The public doesn't need to know everything," Henry retorts with a small hiss as he reaches for his coat.
"Yeah and what will you say to the damn public?" Danny counters and then recants. "Sorry I'm just…I don't want Renzulli to get into trouble. Frank I don't want this to reflect badly on you. I just…"
"It's going to be okay Danny," Frank tries to assure him.
"The public needs to know only what they need to know. They'll know an officer was taking a car to be decommissioned when its brakes failed. Thankfully the public wasn't hurt and our officer suffered only some minor injuries. The car, which was already a write off will rest in peace," Henry concludes with a lighter note and then frowns. "Francis will get to the bottom of the brake fiasco. I'll see you all later."
"Text when you'll be on TV," Erin tells her father as Frank follows his father and both head out the door and disappear from view.
"Ah damn it!" Danny growls as he throws up the balled up towel into the sink.
"It'll be okay. Grandpa knows how to handle these things."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Erin replies with confidence. "His office has had to diffuse a few…"
"Scandals?" Danny interjects with agitation as Erin offers him a kind smile. "Sorry. I just I gotta do something to help with this. Frank can't take the heat for this. I asked for this. I should make it right."
Erin looks at Danny and offers his shoulder a tender squeeze. "You're a Reagan," she whispers warmly as Danny's eyes widen in wonder. "Joe would be proud of you wanting to make this right. But don't worry, grandpa will handle it."
"Okay," Danny agrees with a small smile. "And thank you. I never want to see harm come to this family. Neither of us do."
Erin gives them both a hug and then heads back to the coffee maker.
"Danny," Jamie leans in with a soft whisper.
"It's okay kid," Danny whispers back. "We just have to trust this will work out okay."
"Who could have done this?"
Danny looks at Jamie's face and shakes his head, his jaw hardening. "I don't…know."
"Are you sure?"
XXXXXXXX
A low, evil laugh is heard permeating a small corner of the prison that same morning.
"What the hell are you laughing at Malvesky!" One of the guards not on his payroll snaps as they hover around the table where Sonny was on one of the shared inmate computers, seeing what was making him so happy.
"Just enjoying watching the city's finest in action," Sonny leans back with a smug smile as he puts the clip on replay. "I wonder how your commander in Chief will explain this?"
"Turn that crap off!" One of the guard's bellow.
"Freedom of the press," Sonny grins as he leans back in his chair, his eyes zooming in on Danny's panicked expression as he gets out of the busted up car. "Having fun Danny boy?" He whispers softly, his voice ending with a small hiss. "You haven't seen anything yet. Say hello to Jamie for me. I'll see you both…"
XXXXXXXX
"Saw the buzz on social media this morning," Spencer Rogers tells Frank with a low growl as he walks into Frank's office later that same morning; his phone slamming down on Frank's desk. "Tell me who did this!"
"The commissioner's office is working on it. I have something else for you."
"Frank…"
"Danny has great instincts."
"He does," Spencer resigns as he looks at Frank's expression. "Sometimes I actually forget he's not your blood son because he has you're your instincts. And I mean no disrespect to Joe."
"Spencer I think we've known each other long enough to know that when you pay either Danny or Jamie a compliment with regards to this family, that includes Joseph."
"Always."
"And I appreciate that," Frank answers with a smile. "Danny said the brake lines on the car were cut."
"What? But…"
"And he was right."
"Ah damn," Spencer curses as he the printout results from Frank's NYPD trusted mechanic. "Are you sure?"
"Leon did the inspection."
"And we both trust him."
"We both do," Frank agrees as he leans forward, his hands folding into a tight ball on the top of his desk. "The job wasn't a total botch and anyone else might have just passed it over and said it was a faulty part. However, those brake lines were deliberately cut and that car was deliberately tampered with to ether hurt the man or men inside, the public or make us look like irresponsible fools. I won't tolerate any of those scenarios."
"Son of a bitch," Spencer lightly curses.
"That's…who I want you to find," Frank tells him with a grave tone.
A/N: So just a bit of hurt for Danny and Renzulli but enough for Sonny to enjoy it. Hmm think he'll just stop there? How will Jamie's visit go with George's daughter? What will Spencer find? I hope you liked the brotherly bonding broments and the bonding between the siblings and of course with Frank and Henry. Please do review before you go and thanks so much!