Restoration
Chapter 60
"Settle down," an exhausted Grey urges a roomful of cops anxious to go home. "I know I don't often call you all in here after a shift, but this is important. I have no doubt that sometime today, the grapevine started buzzing with the news that Commander West shot Ruben Derian. Ruben Derian was in possession of a weapon, and as yet, Commander West has not been charged. We all hope that charges are never brought. There are complications to this situation as there are to any situation. As with any officer involved in a shooting, the commander's life will be under a microscope. That may be further impacted by the position he holds. However things proceed, I urge you not to jump to any conclusions or make any premature judgments. Commander West is subject to the law, no more or less than any of you. That's all I wanted to say."
"Officer West," Grey calls as Jackson slides out from behind his table at the front of the room. "A word."
"Yes, Sir."
"How are you doing?"
"All right, Sir, but I need to go. My mother asked my brother and me to come to the house tonight," Jackson explains.
"Of course. I won't keep you. And if your family needs anything, you let me know."
"Yes, Sir, I will."
It's not a night that Janet expected to meet up with John Nolan, but he was sitting at a table near the big screen T.V. eating nachos and watching a game. She doesn't know what game, and she doesn't care. Apparently, he doesn't much either. With eyes hardly riveted to the screen, he waved enthusiastically when she entered the bar.
"I'll tell you right off the bat that I heard you're representing Commander West, but I won't ask you anything about it. I know better," John begins.
"Good," Janet responds, taking a seat at his table. "How are the nachos?"
"I've been told that with my Midwestern upbringing, I'm not much of a judge of Mexican food," John confides, "but I think they're pretty good."
Janet signals to a server. "I'll take your word for it. So, Officer Nolan, skirting subjects we can't discuss, what was it like on the mean streets today?"
"A little quieter, I think. Ooh, Harper told me never to say that. It's supposed to be bad luck. But I'm wondering if the downfall of the Derians has had a chilling effect on some criminal behavior. I can only hope so."
"I doubt you're the only one who hopes so," Janet replies. "How about your housing project? My clients testified to what Serj Derian was up to in the real estate market, so it's not confidential. Are you and Councilman Abbot going to be expanding your efforts?"
"To tell you the truth, I have no idea," John admits. "I only have so many hours to work on it, but Abbot may be able to bring others in and expand to additional areas of the city. Right now, most of what I'm doing is in watch and wait mode."
"You're not alone," Janet offers, "but things you never expected tend to poke their heads up. We just have to roll with them."
Grace examines the newly arrived generous offer from Wheeler County in Oregon. When she put a preliminary query on the web, she expected to hear from communities in the Midwest or the Deep South. She wasn't even thinking about another state on the West Coast. But apparently, rural areas all across the country are desperate for medical personnel.
She'd be looking at general rather than emergency medicine, but she's seen and coped with just about everything during her time in emergency rooms. She can handle the job, but she's not sure she wants to. Then there's Oliver. He hasn't settled into school, but he loves his art classes. If they move, will he have the opportunities to develop his talent? She has a lot to think about and research.
Grace would also be leaving John Nolan behind, but she's thoroughly screwed that relationship up anyway. Right now, she'll have to think about both Oliver's and her own safety and future. Getting away from L.A. and Eric, whether in Oregon or elsewhere, might be the best way to do that.
To describe the atmosphere around the table in the West household as awkward would be the understatement of the century. As Jackson regards the plate of food in front of him, he can't figure out how he'll choke any of it down. Most of what he's based his life on ever since he can remember is going down the tubes. What is a good cop? He doesn't know anymore.
His brother's voice comes as through a buzz of static. "Can you pass the potatoes?"
Jackson looks up, uncomprehending. "What?"
"Pass the potatoes," Marshall repeats.
"Yeah, sure," Jackson mumbles, not moving.
Percy springs from his chair. "Look! I screwed up! I'm human. Everyone on the L.A.P.D is human. We make mistakes, sometimes big ones. We all do things we regret. Jackson, we all know that you're as much a part of that as anyone. So I hope you can understand that when I did some things Ruben Derian was holding over my head, I thought I was acting for the greater good. I was wrong. But I still think that what I did last night was right. It was right for this city. It was right for this family. And if I have to pay for that, I will. But I need you, especially you, Jackson, to understand that I've always tried to do the best I could. Can you accept that?"
Jackson pushes away from the table. "I don't know. I'll have to figure it out. But right now, I have to go."
Swiping moisture from his face, Percy watches his son leave the home he made for his family. He can only hope that when Jackson's had some time to think, they can talk again.
With 30 seconds to go until roll call, Jackson drops heavily into his seat. "You weren't around when I got up this morning. Are you all right?" Lucy asks.
"I stayed with Sterling," Jackson explains, "but I can't talk about anything right now."
"Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be ready to listen," Lucy promises.
"We're here for you, Buddy," Nolan adds.
Grey takes his place at the front of the room. "First, the good news. Yesterday's calls were down by 30%. We're seeing a drop in drug sales, protection, car theft, pretty much across the board. Now here's the bad news. We don't know how long it will last. We've already received intelligence that other organizations are looking to fill the void left by the arrest of Serj Derian and the death of Ruben Derian. At this time, our people have yet to even guess how successful they will be. If they manage to find a foothold, we could see the crime rate climb, and we have no way of knowing how high.
What that means is that it is more important than ever for you to stay alert and keep your eyes open. New bad actors won't be adhering to old patterns. The same patrol routes, the same sources may not yield the results we need. So shake things up. Keep watch on previously clean spaces. Watch old trouble spots but don't concentrate on them. Be flexible enough to respond quickly and gather information as you go. In the coming days, I hope to have more data for you. But for right now, get out there, be careful, and stay awake."
"Who do you think is going to try to make inroads into Derian territory?" Nolan asks Harper as he loads their gear into their shop.
Harper slams the hatch. "I don't think, I know. C.D.S. has been trying for years to penetrate the Derian territories in L.A. They sell purer products than the Derians did, and they can sell them for less, the advantage of high volume production. We'll need to carry more Narcan. Within a week, maybe less, we're going to see overdoses skyrocket."
