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Office of the Police Commissioner
7:45 A.M.
Frank Reagan and Alexis Castle finally get their laughter under control after a moment.
"Gates is early," Frank Reagan replies, "She must've set a new record for. Please tell her to wait."
"Of course, Sir," Baker smiles and closes the door.
"She's never going to live that nickname down," Alexis shakes her head.
"I forgot to tell Larry that comparison was off the Record, oops," he replies.
"You just forgot, huh," Alexis gives him a look.
"That's my story and I'm sticking to it," he feigns innocence, "Still, it might have been worse, I could've compared her to the Tasmanian Devil chasing Bugs Bunny.
"Okay, where were we?" Alexis tries to suppress her laughter again.
"You were describing a lot of coincidences," Frank suppresses his own laughter again.
"You don't believe in coincidences Uncle Frank," Alexis counters, "But my dad does, and he says they usually take lots of planning.
"In Storm series, Derek Storm would use strategy and subterfuge as much as brute force stop the bag guys who thought they were having a run of bad luck."
"Yeah," he nods, "And Rick's fictional plans were so realistic that we might have been "inspired" by for some of our own but keep that to yourself."
"Not a word, promise," Alexis crosses heart, smiling, "But seriously?"
"Chief Don Kent always says Rick was his best student," he responds.
"Dad does say he picked up a lot from Uncle Don," she nods her head.
"Even as detective Don was a brilliant strategist," Frank adds, "As a young officer in the Corps, he was one of John Boyd's acolytes."
"John Boyd?"
"An Air Force Colonel who passed in '97," he explains, "Possibly the best military theoretician America ever had but ignored by the services, except the Marine Corps."
"I sense some Devil Dog pride there," she tases him.
"You know it," he smirks, "Boyd advised the Corps in the 80's on updating its doctrine, helping it become the most intellectual military branch.
"He inspired an entire generation of officers. At the Quantico Marine Corps Research Center lobby there's display that's practically a shrine to him."
"Has he written anything I would have heard of?" she asks.
"Boyd didn't publish," Frank responds, "Rather he distilled lessons from historical events and great thinkers into incredible teaching presentations."
"Like Boyd, Don's as much a teacher as a leader. He'd give Rick reading assignments. Then they'd discuss it for hours often using Boyd's OODA Loop concept."
"Sounds like a toy."
"Observe, Orient, Decide Act," he chuckles, "The side than can repeatedly and accurately loop through it on multiple levels and topics concurrently the fastest, wins.
"You, Beckett, Martha, Gates, and even I have often misjudged your father by confusing how he speeds through as impetuousness or carelessness."
"Grams said that dad was naturally observant," she ponders, "And Larry mentioned you and the others would play games with him to increase his skills."
"Pop and I did the same with you and Nicky if you recall," he replies, but your dad was a beyond scarry. What Larry said about him being hyper-observant, complete understatement."
"I understand what you're saying Uncle Frank," Alexis counters, "But it's hard for me to believe all this about my dad, the boy who wouldn't grow up, a real-life Peter Pan."
"Did you hear about your dad getting Douglas Stevens, the driver from your kidnapping, to talk?" Frank asks.
"Yes," Alexis replies softly, "But the specifics"
"We all have different sides to us," Frank nods, "The person the world wants them to be, the person their loved ones want them to be, and the person they want to be.
"Those get mixed together in different ways depending on the situation. When your dad walked into that room, is face was serious but neutral.
"Stevens was injured but defiant. Rick evaluated him and understood, choosing his words carefully, used very few of them, and spoke in calm and even voice.
"He explained he who was, what he wanted, and the pound of flesh he would take if he didn't get it. Pragmatism and efficiency took over."
"How do you know all this?" Alexis asks, "Esposito said there was only the two of them in that room."
"Rick needed to tell somebody," Frank explains, "On very rare occasions I've that part of him. The first time was when he faced Hindley.
"So, you're saying my dad is part Grand Admiral Thrawn," Alexis says exasperated.
"Who?"
"Star Wars character," Alex smirks sarcastically, "One of my dad's favorites which makes sense now."
"From your tone, I take it that doesn't sound good," Frank replies.
"Hey, at least I didn't say Darth Vader," Alexis smirks, "Is that why you want him working directly for you? You want another Don Kent."
"I do think Gates is wasting his talents," he replies, "But I also think he's wasting them following Beckett around like a puppy."
"I would prefer him working for you," Alexis states, "Not chasing Becket into gunfire."
"Shouldn't you be discussing that with him?" Frank asks.
"Maybe, but I can't find him."
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Outer Office
Office of the Police Commissioner
7:45 A.M.
"I don't appreciate being called that," Captain Victoria Gates says to Detective Baker as the younger woman sits back at her desk.
"Yosemite Sam?" Baker gives wry smile, "My apologies, Captain."
"Do you know how long the commissioner will be?" Gates asks.
"You are about 15 minutes early," Baker responds, "And he's still speaking with his Goddaughter."
"I didn't know the commissioner had…" then it hits her, "You don't mean?"
"Alexis Castle," Baker confirms.
"Oh," Gates loses all bravado.
"If you'll excuse me," Baker says, "I have to get these personnel files ready for the Commissioner. Have you heard about Captain Block?
"No," Gates says warily, "What happened to him?
"Nothing bad," Baker replies, "He turned in his papers which means The Commissioner will need to assign a new Captain to the Paid Detail Unit.
"That position is like a revolving door. I guess it would be mind-numbingly tedious, but someone has to manage officers trying to make extra money in uniform.
"I understand its mostly dealing with fighting over things like who works security at Knicks games and who gets stuck directing traffic in front of NYSE."
Gates' stomach just dropped fourteen floors as Baker hides a devious smile.
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Office of the Police Commissioner
7:55 A.M.
"If dad is really as good as you say," Alexis continues, "Then why does pretend to be less than he is?"
"It started out as a defense mechanism," Frank explains, "Then it became a habit."
"I really don't understand," Alexis responds.
"Did you know that your father has an I.Q. of 197," Frank states after a pause.
"Your joking," she blurts shocked
"You sound like his teachers and school administrators," he replies, "They kept revaluating him using, different tests but with equivalent results.
"How do you think he'd get a scholarship to a new elite school after the last one kicked him out. They all wanted to harness his potential."
"He did write two bestsellers before he was 21," Alexis ponders, "So, I always knew he was smart, but Einstein only clocked in at 160."
"Intelligence isn't uniform," Frank replies, "Someone can be a genius at anything. For Einstein it was how the universe ticks, for your dad, it's people.
"People?"
"He also has an emotional quotient is 35 on of scale between 27 and 108, "Frank adds.
"Hold on," Alexis responds, "A low EQ is better. A 47 or less is high, and an IQ like my dads usually means an EQ in he high 90's, emotionally clueless."
"He's a rarity," Frank replies, "Not only can he read someone like an open book, he has access to the index and table of contents.
"As a kid, he was smart enough and emotionally in tune enough to know he was different, and people feared what was different.
"Other kids teased for being illegitimate and a scholarship kid. He didn't want to be more of a target. Whenever they started to get wise, he'd get himself expelled."
Alexis' expression turned deeply sad as her heart shattered thinking of her happy go lucky dad as a lonely little boy who just wanted to be accepted. A glance at Frank Reagan's expression and she knew he was thinking the same.
"How did he deal with it?" Alexis asks hesitantly, "You can't just turn off something like that."
"He channeled into creating stories," Frank explains, "He creates fictional people to express what he sees in real life.
"Conversely, it makes it easy to relegate the worst of what he sees to an overactive imagination, a kind of denial."
"But he's an adult now," she counters, "He's not dealing with kids anymore."
"Some things don't change," Frank replies, "On their first case, Beckett dared him to 'tell her story', profile her, and he picked her apart. She dismissed it as a party trick.
"When Roy later he talked to her in private, she was on the verge a serious melt down, paranoid Roy or someone had told him all those things."
"And Roy told dad," Alexis surmises, "And he toned himself down even more, for her. But something's changed, hasn't it?"
"Who is your father's favorite Shakespearean character," Frank Reagan asks.
"Henry V. You know what he'd always," Alexis smiles, "Give rousing speeches, score one of history's great military upsets, and win the heart of the beautiful princess. Pretty good way to spend an evening."
"And the name of the princess?" Frank asks.
"Catherine of Valois," she sighs and rolls her eyes, "But might I point out her name started with a 'C'."
"I don't think Rick cares," Frank laughs lightly, "But remember, that King Henry is also in two other Shakespearean plays, Henry IV parts 1 & 2."
"As Prince of Wales, 'Prince Hal'," Alexis nods.
"There's also The Black Shield of Falworth," Frank adds, "Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, 1954."
"One of dad's favorites," Alexis recalls, "Dan O'Herlihy plays Prince Hal who only pretends to be a foppish, playboy prince to put the conspirators at ease."
"Yes," Frank smiles, "Your dad likes to compare that version of Prince Hal to Bruce Wayne pretending to be harmless to throw off the bad guys."
"He would," Alexis rolls her eyes.
"And like in plays and that film," Frank sighs, "There comes a time that Prince Hal has to grow up."
"Is that what it's all about?" she read angrily from the paper, "Fun fact, by statute, the Police Commissioner doesn't have to be a professional police officer, and until the 1960's, they all came from civilian life."
"This isn't about Beckett! This is all about him making his bones so that he can prove he has what it takes to succeed you!"
"Make his bones?" Frank looks taken aback, "Where'd you even learn that."
"My dad, Pop," she smirks, "And you."
"Okay, first of all," he responds with a sheepish grin, "I'm not going anywhere just yet, and second, one way or another, Beckett is involved in this."
"You just can't tell me how," Alexis scoffs.
"But I can tell you is this," Frank replies, "All we can do is be there to support him when he needs it."
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Terminal 2, Gate B16
2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd,
Arlington, VA 22202
Monday, 13 May 2013, 7:30 A.M
8:00 A.M.
Exiting the restroom, Kate makes a right towards the curved, glass walled historic lobby of the airport that holds the conference center.
The flight attendant told her to take the escalator by terminal door 3 to get to the main taxi stand area.
Luckily, she had no baggage to claim, just carry-ons consisting of a purse, leather briefcase, and a Modoker luggage garment bag.
She was so on edge, even before reading the column that she was afraid she'd spill or rip something, so she brought a complete change of clothes."
Then she suddenly recalls the bags were part of a matched set Rick bought for her, and then quickly curses herself for the thought. She needed to focus.
"Detective Beckett," female voice calls from behind her in a British accent causing Beckett to turn around.
She's a stunning young woman of African descent, Kate guesses her to in her late 20's, about 5' 8 with straight hair, with bangs, that fell past her shoulders.
"Yes," Kate replies and moves towards her.
"FBI Special Agent Diana Barrigan," the woman displays her credentials, "Would you please come no me."
"Are you on the Task Force?" Kate asks.
"Good God, no," the Brit replies chuckling, "I work White Collar in New York. I'm down here on temporary assignment."
"Then may I ask what is this all about?" Kate asks at stop at a nearby conference room door.
"Actually, I was doing a favor for a friend," Diana then opens the door lets it swing wide.
Kate can see Diana's friend sitting at the far end of a white conference table in the brightly lit white room.
He's dressed in a black, expensive suit, open collared white button shirt with what looks like a light breakfast in front of him.
"Hello, Kate," he says standing up, "I'd be honored if you'd join me."
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Mount Sinai-Union Square, Plastic Surgery
10 Union Square E #2l,
New York, NY 10003
8:00 A.M.
Man dressed in a dark suit enters the doctor's office He's 5' 9", a little on the chubby side with neat blonde hair and square head.
"May I help you?" the receptionist asks.
"Yes," the man replies taking out his credentials, "My name is Agent Otto Carson with the Internal Revenue Service. I'd like to speak to Dr. Kelly Nieman."
"May I ask what this is about?" the receptionist asks. The guy seemed pleasant enough with jovial face and smile, but she worried. He was with the IRS after all."
Just then, the Doctor herself walked in, a beautiful redhead standing 5' 7" but taller in expensive heals, wearing a pricy, tailored Navy skirt and blazer.
A simple string of pearls adorned her pale freckled neck. Her pale green eyes barely register any distraction as she gives the assistant following her a bit of a chewing out.
When she sees the man, her face takes on a no-nonsense seriousness, and moves towards the receptionists' table.
"I on see drug reps by appointment," flipping her dark red hair to the side.
"The gentleman is not a drug rep," the receptionist explains, "He's from the IRS."
"IRS?" the Doctor actually shows some emotion then.
"Agent Otto Hutchens," He repeats, showing his credentials again, "IRS Enterprise Corruption Division."
"Should I call my accountant?" she asks.
"That would be advisable," Hutchens responds, "You may also want to call your attorney as well."
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Some reviewers pointed out that they've never seen the show "Blue Bloods" so I decided to put the response I gave them just in case.
I don't think it's necessary to have watched it "Blue Bloods". I could have just made up the characters to fill the roles.
First, it's a thinly disguised dig Castlefan6 who used a version of the daughter, Erin as Beckett's romantic rival several times.
"He even includes Erin's daughter as Alexis' best friend. He changed their last name to Boyle which is Erin's married name on the show.
In the show, Frank Reagan is the Commissioner of the NYPD, played by Tom Selleck who does bear a striking resemblance to Teddy Roosevelt. His father, Henry Reagan, was Police Commissioner at least two guys before.
Frank has three children. The oldest, Danny Reagan, is a police detective. The second child is Erin, a prosecutor. The youngest is Jamie Reagan. He's a uniformed police Sergeant. The third child, Joe Reagan, was murdered by a crooked cop shortly before the show began.
I feel that Rick's character was always smarter and a better investigator than Beckett, but the writers kept dumbing him down to make her look better. That's just my opinion and I've given up arguing who was responsible because it's likely we never know.
In this story, like the mirror opposite of Tom Hagen in a way (Robert Duvall in The Godfather 1 & 2), the unofficially adopted son, in Rick's by a big cop family instead of mobsters.
I just felt that Rick's backstory needed to support the changes, a "forge" if you will that would hone his natural skills into something more formidable.
In the show and fan fiction, Bracken is called the Dragon. In the game Dungeons and Dragons, he would be one of the Chromatic Dragons, the evil ones. I'd say he's a Green Dragon: highly territorial, greedy, and deceptive who loved secrets and intrigue.
I figured you match a dragon with another dragon. In D&D, the Metallic Dragons where the good ones. Rick might be considered a Bronze Dragon, inquisitive with a fascination for strategy and tactics, seeking to fight evil, often aligning with heroes.
He might also be a Silver Dragon, who likes to take human form to blend in with human and elves. They were very smart and preferred not to fight unless necessary, preferring to outthink the bad guys first.
This chapter should complete the setup/prologue.