Eddie absolutely hated waiting for the department of correction to approve their visit, but it was policy. In that time, she decided to bring the twins to see their daddy with the hopes to lift Jamie's spirits. He didn't look good during the arraignment hearing.
Thanks to Frank's in with the right people, they were approved to see Jamie quickly. She dressed the Maria in black leggings under a short sleeve pink top, her hair in neat pigtails. Joe in brown pants, a white t shirt and his hair combed out. Both kids had their pacifiers and stuffed dogs used as a comfort item.
A bag with the kid's diapers, cup of snacks in case they got hungry a change of clothes, and toys sat by her feet. Joe kicked his little legs in the car seat happily babbling away. His sister lay back quietly holding the dog against her chest.
"Can't believe we have to go see him in prison," Eddie brushed a hand over her daughter's hair so it smoothed down.
"It's only temporary. I have confidence that he will be found not guilty," Frank tickled under his grandson's chin, smiling at the giggling boy. "You are such a happy boy just like your daddy was. Jamie was always smiling from the time he was an infant."
Eddie only offered a quiet nod without looking away from her daughter as they drive the miles north.
The car pulled up right in front of two concrete walls that circled the property. Two towers guarded by armed officers overlooked every square inch of the property. They were greeted by guards standing watch just outside the door, who took one look at the police commissioner then away quickly.
They carried the kids inside to sign the visitor's log before going through a screening. Joe reached his little hand out for the guard that searched them for contraband. The process was quick and through because of Frank pre-arranging everything.
Another guard took them down a long hall into a visitation room. Small round tables stayed bolted to the floor so inmates couldn't use it as a weapon. CO's paced the room with careful eyes on every single family inside.
Frank sat at an empty table on the right side of a bare concrete room with no windows. He burrowed a mustache, sad that his boy had to visit them like this. His eyes swept up over Eddie holding Maria on her lap in the hard medal seat next to him. "I know, "she whispered.
The door opened again to let another CO bring Jamie in handcuffed. His eyes swept the room until catching his father, wife and babies waiting at a table. He hated for them to see him like this, in a prison uniform.
"You only have ten minutes," the guard his cuffs off so they could visit.
Jamie took one step right into his wife's arms and breathed in her scent. "I miss you Eddie, I miss you so much. Thanks for coming dad. It's good to see you both."
He picked Maria from her mommy's arms smiling at his little princess then his boy. "Hey, how's daddy's little princess doing? Hey Joe. Daddy misses you guys so much. I feel bad you're left alone with them Eddie."
"Your sister has been staying over a lot so I wouldn't be alone. When I have tour, Henry watches them so your family has been great, but I really miss you." Eddie slipped a hand across the table over his slowly until their fingers slipped together.
It was a small relief to know that Eddie had help with the kids until he got out. Still not being there for his family pained Jamie. "I'm glad but I should be there with you Eddie," he said softly.
His eyes swept across the table at his father's large frame trying to sit comfortable in such a small seat. "I can't imagine how hard this must be Jamie. We have your back and until you come home will help out anyway you can.
"I appreciate that dad, " Jamie bounced the babies on his lap smiling. He kissed the top of their curly heads with adoration.
A guard spun around not far from them in time to see the kiss. "Hey, no more touching inmate, or you'll go straight back to shu. Consider this your only warning. "
Jamie reluctant pulled his hand back across the table to just in front of him. His face held an apologetic look to his wife. "What does he mean back to the shu? Is there something going on with them," Eddie dropped her voice to avoid them overhearing.
"It's nothing Eddie. They're really strict inside here but you know that. Honestly, everything is fine."
Frank sat back in his seat studying his youngest son's demeanor. Even as a child Jamie was never able to lie about anything to anyone in the family. He would fidget with a nervous look on his face, just like now. Still, the commissioner knew better than to push since Jamie would be stuck with the guards who could retaliate if he talked.
"I heard you've been allowed commissary money. I'll put some money in so you can get what you need," Frank changed the subject.
"Thanks dad. I plan on going there after this to get soap and shampoo to shower. It seems like forever since I last took one," Jamie managed a smile.
He looked down at the babies babbling away in their own language. "You guys are being so good. Have I missed anything that they've done? Are they walking yet? Saying more words? Have they been okay?"
"They've been okay. I think they're close to walking actually. They'll take a step then fall down but it's a start. I have a midnight tonight, but I can come back tomorrow to visit. Henry, Danny and Erin want to see you." Eddie smiled at him interacting with their kids, how soft spoken he was.
"Wish I could be there to see it. Hey, you two hold off walking until I'm out of here," Jamie blew out a breath. It hurt being away from his family for being accused of murder. His whole life
Frank changed the subject to family matters just to get their attention away from the negativity. It was hard to find things they could talk about, being Jamie was only there for a day. "Have you heard from Espinosa?"
"He requested a meeting with me when this broke to see how he can help clear your name. I can't say more because they are being interviewed," Frank said softly.
Eddie leaned over the table, "Kara Walsh contacted me asking the same. She said Rhegetti and Reynolds want to help too. "
She pushed back to stand, walked around the table and sat down next to him. "I received another phone call today. Renzulli is sick over this when he saw it on the news. Said a couple of words I won't repeat for the kids' sake but he's pissed. I've never seen him like that."
"Sarg has always been a good guy. It was sad to see him go but he deserved to retire," Jamie bounced his babies a little smiling. He tickled their bellies just to hear that sweet, innocent laugh from his kids.
"Everyone is willing to step in on your behalf son. Just keep that mind until we can clear your name. Alex is doing everything she can to get a fast court date for you.," Frank added.
Eddie reached her hand out to touch his shoulder, needing to touch him but pulled back. "Jamie? What we're you doing in that hotel room with our victim? What happened after you met her at the diner?"
"That's the funny part about all this. I don't remember anything except I got to the diner and she had a booth ready."
Two guards moved in to either side from all the way across the room. One plucked the twins off Jamie onto their mommy's lap while his partner threw Jamie down on the floor. Both guards held him down beside the table until he was handcuffed again. "Time's up. Say goodbye to your family."
"There's no need for that officers. He isn't resisting, and he wasn't doing anything. At least let him say a proper goodbye to his wife and kids," Frank stood up before they could push his youngest past.
"Let us do our job commissioner. His time is up and needs to return. You can see him at his hearing. "The officers pushed their cuffed inmate forward towards the door to take him back to the dorms.
Eddie looked Frank over wide eyed in shock at what just happened in front of them. If the guards had the audacity to that in front of a crowd, what we're they were doing behind closed doors. They needed to get Jamie out.
She kept quiet until they put the kids in their car seats still shaking off the incident. Surprisingly, Frank spoke first in the coldest time she ever heard him use. "They're trying to keep Jamie quiet. Someone doesn't want him talking about what happened in that room, which means someone is covering up the truth."
Even behind the circular glasses he wore Eddie noticed an angry spark in his eye. "The only question is who is covering what and why?"