Restoration

Chapter 23

"Come on in, John," Grace invites, unlocking her apartment. "I'll make some coffee."

"Sounds good," Nolan agrees, hefting a home center bag. "After all that pasta, I'm beginning to feel a little sleepy. I might nail more than the wall when I swing a hammer."

"I wish you'd told me that before you drove me home," Grace teases as they stroll into her living room together, "but I'll make sure you're awake before you leave. You know where everything is. Make yourself comfortable."

"If I get too comfortable, I won't be able to fix your wall and teach you how to hang pictures. Where's the damage?"

"The hall outside Oliver's room. You won't have to look hard to see it."

"No problem."


Almost simultaneously, John and Grace plop down on the couch. John sighs, sinking into the cushions with his arm curling around Grace's shoulders. "It's a good thing the home center had quick curing spackle, or we'd still be at it. I don't think you'll have any more trouble putting up Oliver's masterpieces. You passed stud finding 101 with flying colors. Ooh, I must be fried. That didn't come out right."

"It's fine John, but if you're that tired, maybe you should stay instead of getting back behind the wheel. You don't have to make roll call in the morning. What time is your appointment with Councilman Abbot?" Grace asks.

"Ten a.m. What time do you have to be at the hospital?"

"Nine. I won't have to rush out of here. We could have breakfast together."

John smooths the hair out of her face. "Sounds nice. Are you still keeping the extra bedding in the hall closet?"

"John, Oliver's not here. There's no reason you should sleep on the couch."

Nolan turns to her, his large hand cradling her cheek. "Are you sure, Grace?"

Cupping the nape of John's neck, Grace stretches up for a kiss. "I'm sure John."


Waking up with Grace in his arms, John flashes back 20 years. Believing he'd found the perfect woman for him, he had visions of a future with Grace. He would be a lawyer. She would be a doctor. Together they'd take on the world. Then Sarah peed on the stick and the dream vanished.

Months ago, as he saw the anger and hurt in Grace's eyes when she faced him with his cowardice, he told her the truth. If he'd had to tell her that he was breaking up with her face to face, he couldn't have done it. But he needed to do it.

When John was 10, he and his mother had to fight for survival when his father walked out. He could never leave Sarah in the lurch like that. And he could never, never, walk away from his child. But everything has changed now. Henry is a capable young man and Sarah can take care of herself too. There's no reason John can't try for a second chance with Grace. He isn't going to walk away twice.

From long ago, John recalls the little purring noises Grace is making. They mean she's on the edge of wakefulness. It's early. They'll have time to wake each other up together.


Lucy braces herself before walking into roll call. It's always comforting having John next to her at the front table. Somehow, they managed to make the almost impossible leap from lovers to friends, and just his presence makes her feel more secure. At least there's one decent guy who's willing to be there for her with no strings. Well, actually, at least three. Jackson has been totally supportive, even breaking a date with Sterling when she needed him to stay around. And Tim, sometimes Tim's as much of a jerk as ever, but he's there for her too.

"Quiet down now," Sergeant Grey calls from the front of the room. "As most or all of you know, A.D.A. Sean Del Monte was found to be conspiring with Rosalind Dyer. This raises a huge problem for the L.A.P.D. Every case he's ever prosecuted will be subject to examination and possible appeal. Some lawyers have already moved at lightning speed to get their clients back out on the street. So far, only a couple have succeeded, but I expect the trickle to become a tidal wave.

"You'll be facing old threats alongside new ones. That means you'll have to be twice as alert. You'll also have to be twice as careful. Whenever the specter of corruption is raised, we all become suspect. Make doubly sure your body cams are functional. Document every word you say and every move you make. Any discrepancy could mean a walk for our suspects and further doubt of our credibility.

"We're going to mix it up a little today. Chen, you're going to be with Harper. Bradford, you're with Detective Armstrong. Be careful, people. That's all."

Armstrong motions Bradford into his office. "I've been tracing Del Monte's cases and contacts. They're a f***ing mess. The asshole made insane deals. He recommended maximum sentences for non-violent offenders and cut breaks for total sleazeballs, particularly when domestic violence was involved. I want to check in on the victims, make sure they're all right. From the slap on the wrist their abusers got the first time around, chances are they were afraid to ask for help a second time.

"You heard what Grey said. Isn't looking into Del Monte's cases going to make things worse for the department?" Tim wonders.

"In the short run, probably yes. But if we can get the bastards who are walking around because of him off the street again, and provide some basis for appeal for the poor guys he just threw in a hole, the whole city will be better off. There may be some narcotics cases. Can you handle that?"

"If Del Monte let the sonofabitches who got my wife hooked, off, I can more than handle making it right. Where do we start?"

"With the domestic violence cases. I worked up a list. But drugs are also involved in some of them," Armstrong adds.

The muscles in Bradford's jaw pop. "Let's go."


Springing out from behind his desk, Councilman George Abbot extends his hand to John. "Officer Nolan! Good to see you again. Have a seat. I've been running some figures for your proposal. L.A. has funds allocated for the demolition of abandoned homes. As far as I can tell, the city may save at least a small amount by transferring those funds to the project you put to me."

"Would a plan be easier to push through if the gap were larger?" Nolan inquires.

"Dollars and cents always get attention," Abbot allows. "What did you have in mind?"

"Having at least some of the people who'll be occupying the homes invest time and effort in making them livable. We both know that many of the homeless have skills. Some of the builders take advantage of that by hiring them for gigs and paying them under the table to avoid payroll taxes. For the ones that don't, we could set up classes. I may be able to teach some of them myself. I've had experience in that area. The home centers already offer classes too. The city could partner with them to bring in the unreached population that can really use the help. L.A. would spend less money and produce a more skilled workforce. Everyone wins."

"It's a good thought, Officer Nolan. I'll update my proposal and send you a copy before I submit it to the council," Abbot offers.

"Thank you, Councilman. I really appreciate the time and effort you're putting into getting my notion off the ground."

"Not a problem, Officer Nolan, but if another unhappy demolition contractor comes after me, you may have to save my ass again."

"Always ready to serve and protect, Councilman."