Recovery

Chapter 27

Journal of John Nolan

Even with private security, everyone at Angela and Wesley's second wedding was on edge. We were all wondering if La Fiera would find some way to invade the Evers' estate. But whatever La Fiera is doing, it no longer seems to involve Angela – at least as far as we can tell so far. Everything went off without a hitch, that is until Angela and Wesley took the dance floor. They were halfway through Etta James' incredibly appropriate "At Last" when Angela's water broke.

Angela's fine, and so is the baby. It's a girl, and the lovebirds named her Miracle. That makes sense to me. After Angela was abducted by La Fiera, a lot of folks, even cops, were afraid that she and the baby would end up dead. I think I was too busy working with Silas to locate mother and child to let myself believe they wouldn't be found alive. But not everyone could push the terror aside that way. Still now, so far, so good.

Bailey was my date again, but this time she knew everyone and vice versa. She helped calm Wesley down when Angela started dripping. She also went in the car with Angela and Wesley when Jackson drove them to the hospital. Along with much of Mid-Wilshire, I followed them.

I have to give it to Miracle. She didn't keep anyone waiting long. She greeted the world about an hour after the cop caravan delivered Angela to Chapman Memorial. From what Wesley told me, she came out yelling even without a tap on the behind from the doctor. It sounds like the kid will be every bit as kick-ass as her mother.

The only one who was disappointed was Lucy. It turns out that Bradford has such an outstanding record as a T.O. that the N.Y.P.D. is borrowing him from the L.A.P.D. for a month. He'll be teaching a course on how to be a training officer. So Lucy didn't get her dance with him. But he will be back. Until he gets a new rookie, he'll be giving classes to the cops in L.A. That's one course I mean to take. It will get me closer to my goal. I don't know how things worked out with Rachel or even if they did. Lucy is pretty closemouthed about that. Or it might be that nothing's settled yet. Tim's tenure in New York could give the couple more time to come to a decision.

But I don't know if more time will make things any easier. Henry made it clear to me that Sarah and I should have cut the cord long before we did. Maybe Tim and Rachel should rip off the band-aid. But that's not my decision to make, and I don't have a good enough track record to offer any advice. No one's asked me for it anyway. I just hope things work out for the best. Tim and Rachel both have enough grief in their lives.

I almost forgot. Harper brought James to the wedding as her date. With everything he copes with in his family and his neighborhood, I wouldn't have thought he'd be phased when Angela sprang a leak. But I would have been wrong. He was a wreck. And Nyla had a weird look on her face. I don't know if she found his distress endearing or it turned her off. We haven't had a chance to talk about it, and I don't know if she'll tell me if we do. Either way, I hope it doesn't screw things up with our assignment around the center.

I have a feeling that something is about to break. La Fiera's fleet hasn't been there for nothing. And I'm also waiting for the hammer to fall on Del Monte. I'm hoping with the new restrictions in place, he'll be desperate enough to slip and get caught. I suspect Grey feels the same way. But I don't know whether to be proud or nervous about thinking along the same lines as the sergeant.

Henry called about an hour ago. He said he and Abigail found a place they like, but he wants me to take a look at it in case something they didn't notice will be a problem. I'm a little flattered. It's been a long time since Henry solicited my opinion on much of anything. He didn't ask about dropping out of school or hitting Ben up for a job. Not that being able to detect potential trouble spots in an apartment is earth-shaking. Or maybe with all the earthquakes in L.A., it is.


Lucy and Jackson stand up together as the roll call room fills. The sound of Lucy banging on a table cuts through the morning chatter. "Listen up! West and I are hosting a baby shower for Lopez at our apartment on Saturday night. We'll be providing the refreshments, but Lopez wants no part of shower games. Diapers and spa day certificates will be welcome."

Grey clears his throat as he moves to the podium. "If West and Chen are finished updating the social calendar, I have the work-related announcements for the day." He holds up a clipboard. "This is a signup list for Tim Bradford's class in field training, scheduled to begin when he returns in a month. While not mandatory, attendance by anyone with aspirations to become a training officer is strongly encouraged.

"I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that in part through the efforts of Wesley Evers, Officer Smitty has been cleared. He'll be sitting for his final interview with I.A. today and returning to the property room tomorrow." A smattering of applause sounds through the room. "Those who have been rotating through that duty will return to regular patrol schedules.

"I assume it is evident to you that with Smitty no longer a suspect, the question of who tipped off La Fiera remains open. Until it's answered, we are maintaining the highest security at all divisions. Let this serve as a reminder that no L.A.P.D. business is to be discussed with any civilian. That includes attendees at the Lopez shower and any other contacts."

Nolan raises his hand. "Sir, how about the citizens cooperating in observing suspicious activity?"

"They share their observations with you. You promise to check them out but don't offer any further information," Grey instructs.

"Understood," Nolan acknowledges.


Del Monte struggles in the grasp of two of La Fiera's soldiers. They plant him in range of the searing gaze of their boss and back away. "You've been a hard man to reach. I hope you were engaged in following my orders. So, what information have you gathered for me?" Sandra de La Cruz demands.

"Smitty's been exonerated." Del Monte offers.

La Fiera's eyes narrow. "I don't need you to tell me that. My people have been tracking his situation. Give me something I can use."

Del Monte shakes his head. "The cops know you want information. They've locked everything down tight. I can't even get to the files."

Sandra waves a dismissive hand. "Then what good are you? You've failed me, and I have no patience for failure."

"I helped you get free," Del Monte protests. "I provided the route. I'm the reason you're standing here."

"My people could have obtained that information in other ways. They could have followed the transport and called ahead. A simple ambush takes no genius. Tell me what you can offer, here and now," Sandra commands.

Del Monte struggles against the tightness in his throat. "Only my continued loyalty."

"Clearly, I can't count on that," La Fiera retorts. "You've betrayed one trust. You'll betray another." She signals to the two men who dragged Del Monte in. "Take care of him, and make sure the body isn't found. He doesn't deserve a decent burial."