Sorry about the delay on posting a new chapter. I am a criminal justice major and am taking summer classes, needless to say my professors have been keeping me on a tight schedule.
CH. 11: Back to Work
Part 1
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The following Thursday evening, Linda was busily preparing dinner for her family when Danny came in. "Hey Linda," Danny called from the front door. "I talked
to the school today and they said they need to test Andy's skill level, before they can place her in a class." Linda enlightened him of the day's events while
Danny filled him a cup of coffee, "when's the day?" "Tomorrow," Linda replied. "Talk about short notice," Danny mentioned, looking around the house and
noticing neither of the kids were around. "There upstairs," Linda spoke up, before he had a chance to ask. Danny sighed, "have you told her yet?" "Not yet,"
Linda replied, a hint of worry behind it. "Get ready for the fireworks," Danny said placing his coffee cup on the counter before heading up the stairs. Stopping by
his own bedroom first to lock his gun and shield away in his safe Danny proceeded to his daughter's room. "Hey kiddo," Danny said getting her attention. "Hi
Dad," Andy looked up from where she sat on floor looking through the CDs, her Uncle Jamie recently purchased for her. "Listen Andy we need to talk," Danny
said pulling out her desk chair. "Whatever it is Jack did it," Andy teased. Danny chuckled, "sounds like you are getting the hang of this older sibling thing."
"Sounds like my mission has been accomplished then," Andy grinned. "Yah well you still have one more mission to accomplish," Danny crossed his arms and
leaned back in the chair. "What's the mission Detective," Andy asked getting intrigued by the whole family business? "It's a highly dangerous assignment with
everything ranging from thefts, fights and long stake out hours that can result in extreme boredom," Danny made it sound intriguing. "What's the job," Andy
was becoming impatient? "It's at St. Victors Catholic School." "Danny," Andy stood raising her voice. "Easy kid," Danny's pitch became a bit higher, "your dancing
with insubordination, and that's an offense punishable by removal of property," Danny glanced at her CDs. "Yes sir," Andy managed to calm herself and return
to where she was sitting at the foot of her bed. "Like I said, after completing the training, this assignment will last for several years." "Any chance I can refuse
the assignment," Andy asked? "Not likely," Danny shook his head. "It would show a lack of respect toward your superiors as well as make it appear that you
are not willing to take one for the team." "In other words a coward," Andy played it down. "Pretty much," Danny replied. Andy sighed, "I accept" "You will not
regret this cadet," Danny finished. "I hope not detective, for both our sakes." Danny smiled, "I have no doubt that you will succeed." "Thank you Sir," Andy
stood. "My pleasure cadet, and I can sure you the Reagan family will be forever in your debt," Danny smiled making his way to the door. "Dad," Andy sighed
stopping him. "Are you sure about this," she asked, her voice showing sure signs of apprehension. "I'm positive" Danny held his arms open to her. Andy usually
wasn't much for hugs but the second she entered the Reagan family, she noticed she had better start. And now, now was one of the times she needed one.
"Thanks Dad," Andy hugged him. "No problem kiddo," Danny rested his chin gently on the top of her head.
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"That went over well," Linda mentioned, when Danny returned to the bottom floor. "I didn't hear any yelling." "It worked out," Danny answered. "So how did
you do it?" "Psychology" Danny smiled, "with a little family business." "Oh no, not my daughter there is no way she's going to be a cop." "I don't know," Danny
smiled shrugging his shoulders. "I think she's got something." "This is where put my foot down," Linda was serious. "We can't tell her what she can and can't
do Linda, that's not how this parenting thing works." "I know," Linda sighed. "Otherwise Jamie never would have become a cop, mom didn't want that to
happen and my father certainly would have honored her wishes," Danny implied. "And what about you," Linda asked? "What about me," Danny shrugged, "I
was her first born, but I think she gave up when she noticed I was just like my dad." "I understand your mother's fears," Linda took a sip of iced tea from her
glass. "Listen honey, I don't think it's something we have to worry about right now, she's 12." "I know Danny," Linda agreed, "I just can't help but think of the
future at times." "I know honey but that's a long time away. Besides we should keep our mind on the here and now." Linda sighed, "speaking of the here and
now, how about getting those children of yours down here to eat." "Yes mam," Danny winked at her. "I'll get right to it."
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"Can we stay up and watch a movie tonight Dad," Andy asked before taking a bite of mashed potatoes? "No you may not," Linda answered for him. "Why not,"
Sean whined. "Don't talk with your mouth full Sean," Linda corrected. "Because tomorrow is going to be a busy day," Danny answered. "You boys have school,
and Andy has a test tomorrow and you all need plenty of rest," Linda chimed in. "But mom," Jack complained, "one movie won't hurt." "Don't argue with your
mother Jack," Danny chided, "besides you will be difficult enough to get up in the morning, Mr. Give me five more minutes." Jack smiled, "what do you expect I'm
a growing boy, I need my sleep." "You mean your beauty sleep," Andy teased. Jack threw her a look, "very funny Andy." "Every once in a while a good comment
like that comes to me," she grinned.
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The following morning came early and getting Andy to walk through the doors of the school was as if you were sentencing her to a firing squad. "Can't you just
take me to jail," Andy looked up at Danny seriously, "there ain't much of a difference." "Isn't much of a difference," Linda corrected. "That's what I said," Andy
tried. Danny opened the door to the designated room, Andy was set up to test in, only instead of making any attempt to walk in Andy simply stared. "So this is
my cell, Andy looked up at Danny again. "Are you sure you won't reconsider, because at least prison has a TV?" "Positive," Danny edged her into the room. "No
cot either," Andy noticed. "Oh well I've never had any trouble sleeping in a desk anyways," she shrugged. Danny shook his head, "good luck," he said before
closing the door in between them. Linda settled herself into a seat outside the room, as Danny prepared to leave for work. "Call me if you need me," Danny
added before turning for the neighboring hallway. "I will," Linda assured him, "be careful." "Always am," Danny smiled at her before making his leave.
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Nicki was just rounding the corner at a run, down the hallway for her science class, when she ran directly into a man's chest. Nicki opened her eyes and saw
the light blue shirt and darker colored tie, it looked familiar but she wasn't sure. She certainly didn't want to open her eyes, she was much too embarrassed.
The man reached out to grab her and she noticed something that was indeed familiar. There was a gold shield on one side of the man's belt and a service
revolver on the other side and Nicki knew immediately, it was her Uncle Danny. "Wow slow down there kid," Danny kept her from falling over. "Sorry Uncle
Danny, I got delayed at my locker and I'm late for class. "Mhmm, delayed by your friends no doubt," Danny corrected her. "How do you always know," Nicki
looked at him annoyed. Danny chuckled and replied with another comment similar to the one he told his own children just the night before, "I have the ability to
see right through phony excuses in order to avoid trouble. I invented the technique after all," Danny sounded proud of himself. "You know something Dad I'm
beginning to think you invented everything, after all you have a comment for anything any of us ever do." "You don't know the half of it Andrea," Danny turned
when he heard his daughter's voice. "Sometimes I wonder how I even survived some of the things I did," Danny cleared his throat, "but you don't need to
know about all that." "I bet you Aunt Erin or Uncle Jamie knows some of these stories," Andy grinned at her cousin. "Don't even think about it," Danny looked
at them menacing. "And what are you doing out here anyway?" "Bathroom break," Andy shrugged. "We just got here Andy that's impossible." "Maybe for you,
but you're not the one facing a day of testing." "Get in there," he pointed back to the class room, "and you," he turned back to his niece. "You get to class, and
on time for a change too." "If we have too," the girls sighed walking down the hall. "Have a good day," Danny couldn't help but smile at the girl's lack of
eagerness.
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Danny pulled his jeep into the 5-4 precincts parking lot and smiled, he was back to work. "Hey Partner, you ready to go to work?" Jackie was the first to greet
to him. "More than ready," Danny loosened his tie, before taking a seat at his desk. "My headaches back again," Sergeant Gormley said the first thing he saw
Danny." "Nice to see you too Sarge," Danny took a sip from his coffee, Jackie brought him. "It looks like you certainly missed me," Danny implied shifting through
the stack of cases. Gormley chuckled, "don't count on it Reagan. Just show me some of that ingenuity in solving those cases so I can remember why I keep you
around in the first place." "No problem Sarge, I live for making you happy and miserable all at the same time." "I can tell," Gormley wasn't kidding, turning back
to his office. Danny glanced at the case on the top of the desk, robbery turned homicide. The second read, drug ring expansion in south side park. The third,
immigration murder. "How's Andy and the rest of the family," Jackie asked taking Danny's attention away from the cases. "They're doing alright, Danny looked
up. "The boys just ended their spring break and are back in school, while Andy is testing today so they can even place her in a class." Jackie looked confused,
"why couldn't they just transfer her records from her old school?" "Apparently her grades are kind of low and they think she will have to be placed in a lower
class," Danny explained. "This isn't going to end well," Jackie leaned back in her chair. "I certainly don't want that to happen, but we will just have to see what
the school tells us," Danny replied turning back to cases atop his desk. "Reagan get in here," Gormley interrupted him. "Can't it wait Sarge, I'm trying to pick
which case to hit first," Danny looked over his shoulder. "No," Gormley said sharply, "now get in here, you too Curatola." Danny and Jackie glanced at one
another, they already had a desk full of cases they needed to get started on, and were running behind on at that. Danny sighed, "were coming Sarge." Taking
a seat in front of Sergeant Gormley's desk, Danny pretended to get comfortable, he had been in this position countless times. "You caught a case," Gormley
enlightened them. "Yah we know Sarge, there all on top of my desk right now collecting dust," Danny sat up annoyed. "Not those Reagan, you caught another
one," Gormley raised his voice! "Another one," Jackie stood. "And this one's straight from the Commissioners desk." Gormley enlightened the two detectives.
Danny stood and turned serious, "what do you got?" "A mysterious murder on a college campus, no witnesses and no leads, you will be flying blind." Jackie
took the case file from Gormley and Danny started asking questions. "When did this happen?" "An hour ago so get moving," Gormley ended the questions.
Danny and Jackie started for the door, but Gormley stopped them short. "The commissioner wants this case to take first priority, and he wants it over ASAP."
"What's so important about this one, Jackie was the first to ask? "The teacher murdered was one that beat out several other applicants for the position, this
was apparently his first semester, and a bunch of other technical problems that weren't mentioned." Danny and Jackie exchanged confused glances and Danny
replied seriously, "we will take care of it Sarge." Danny grabbed the coat he draped over the back of his desk chair and smiled, his dad wasn't kidding, his desk
was covered with cases. And he just got handed another one, he was going to be one busy detective. Danny and Jackie were just walking out the back door of
the precinct, when they looked up and noticed the Commissioner standing not a few feet away from his detail. The two detectives were about to stand at
attention but Frank stopped them short, and instead motioned for them to approach. "I take it you have been briefed," Frank asked sullenly? "Yes Sir," Danny
and Jackie answered immediately. "The teacher was supposedly a very intelligent man and was offered this position with high recommendations, and the city
and school board now wants to shut down the college, needles to say we are on a schedule." "We understand Commissioner," Danny nodded. "I'll just go bring
the car around, excuse me Sir," Jackie excused herself, leaving father and son a moment to talk freely. "I don't guess I have to expand on the seriousness of
this case," Frank looked at his son seriously. "No Dad, you don't," Danny shook his head. "This needs to be handled with complete professionalism son," Frank
added. "I know Dad, and I'll do my best" Danny signed. "I know you will, that's why I had you assigned the case." "Thank you Sir, it's appreciated." "How are
the kids?" Frank asked changing the subject, a little concerned about Andy. "The boys didn't want to go back to school," Danny smiled. "And Andy," Frank was
curious. "Trying to push Andy through the front door of the school, was as if we were shoving her in front of a firing squad," Danny was by no means joking.
Frank chuckled, "you were like that at the beginning of every school term." Danny shivered, "I remember it well." "It's about time you have one to cause you
just as much grief as you caused your mother and I." Danny looked at him confused, "what kind of father wishes grief on their child?" "The kind that could write
a book, on the mischief you caused." Danny cleared his throat, "I think I better get to work," Danny noticed Jackie pulling the car around. "Let me know how it
comes out with Andy," Frank reminded him. "Will do," Danny said before sliding into the passenger seat for a change.
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Pulling into the college parking lot, Jackie looked at her partner. "I don't think quick and painless is going to work," Danny eliminated the most obvious choice.
"Probably not," Jackie agreed getting out of the car, to follow Danny so they could examine the crime scene. "What do we got," Danny asked lifting the yellow
police line tape? "Not much," the officer in blue replied. "Anything useful," Jackie was trying to get back to business. "The Vic was shot twice, once in the chest,
the other in the stomach." "I want a ballistics report on both bullets," Danny ordered. "What do you think," Jackie asked after speaking with another officer?
"There are two separate blood piles," Danny pointed. "One behind the desk and another near the wall." Jackie nodded, "so you think he was standing behind
the desk when he was shot the first time in the stomach. It didn't kill him so he started walking, and that's when he got it in the chest," she interpreted.
"Exactly," Danny was glad to see they were on the same page. Danny looked around the classroom a bit longer, before stepping out into the hallway to search
for any piece of evidence that would be plausible to the case. "We swiped the area Detective," one of the officers enlightened him, when they saw Danny
downon his hands and knees. "Well apparently one of you needs glasses," Danny grunted, before wrapping his pocket knife in his handkerchief, to try and dig
out a small casing that appeared to have gotten stuck under the trim that ran alongside the wall. "Get this checked for prints," Danny dropped the casing into
an evidence bag. "Yes Sir," A rookie officer by the name of Alexis Ryder took it from him. "It looks like whoever it was that pulled the trigger, was just outside
the door," Danny mentioned. "Do you think the Vic saw his killer," the rookie voiced a question? "I don't know," Danny shrugged. "It's certainly possible,
although they probably shot him the first time and then after they realized they missed, they stepped closer." Ryder nodded, "probably a student then,
because a professional wouldn't have missed." "All options are open right now, and it could literally be anyone at this point, students, or even jealous faculty"
Danny shrugged, not wanting to jump to any conclusions. "Yes Sir, excuse me," the rookie officer excused herself to finish up her job. "I apologize for
herbattering questions Detective," an officer with a few more years on the job, approached him. "She's very inquisitive, and has heard a lot about the famous
Danny Reagan." Danny chuckled, "it's fine, I used to do the same thing to my father when I was a kid, just about every day he came home from work." The
officer smiled, "thank you for your understanding," he excused himself. "You ready to go" Jackie asked him, returning into the hall. "Yah," Danny answered. "I
need to go somewhere where I can think."
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"Alright you got to tell me," Jackie slid into the passenger seat after Danny took over as the driver. "What?" Danny looked at her, before pulling out of the
college parking lot. "How you saw that casing under the trim," Jackie continued. "You liked that," Danny smiled at her? "Yes, now tell me how you saw it," Jackie
was pushing him. "The sunlight from the window, splashed a glare on the floor and I saw it reflecting." "Danny it was under the trim," Jackie said half believing
him. "Well it only lasted a second," Danny was telling the truth. Jackie sighed, "either you are the luckiest guy around, or you are just that good." "Would it be
that hard for you to admit that I'm good," Danny tried hiding the grin that kept threatening to escape. "Maybe," Jackie laughed. "Now you sound like my sister,"
Danny teased pulling into the precincts parking lot.
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Jackie glanced through the file on her desk, while Danny looked through school records on both faculty and students, on his computer. Danny yawned, "I have
been going through names for the past two hours," he stood to go in search for a cup of coffee. Danny held the cup in his hand and was just about to take a
sip when his cell buzzed. "Hey Linda, how are things going," Danny questioned? "Not too good," Linda replied. "What happened," Danny sighed, figuring it was
Andy. "According to Andy's test scores, her History and English levels are too low to be able place her into the class she's supposed to be in." "Well is there
anything we can do, so she won't be held back," Danny asked? "The school said we have two options," Linda replied. "Either we can hold her back or we can
work with her for a couple weeks and help her learn the material and then she can retest those subjects." "What does Andy want to do," Danny asked?
"Neither one," Linda was serious. Danny sighed, "I could have guessed that one." "She isn't in a very good mood," Linda added. "That's why I waited to call
you until after I dropped her off with Pop and was on my way to work." "I'll talk to her this evening," Danny assured her. "So what do you want to do," Linda
asked him? "Get her caught up," Danny was more than certain. "That's what I was thinking, but I didn't want to say anything without talking with you first,"
Linda agreed. "All we have to do is call the school, and they will get us some text books," Linda added. "Let's call them," Danny replied. "I'll do that on my
break," Linda replied pulling into the hospital parking lot. "Danny I have to go, I just got to work." "Okay have a good day," Danny replied before hanging up.
Danny handed Jackie a cup of coffee and preceded on to his desk. "Anything from the lab on the casing," Danny questioned? "I called, but apparently they are
really backed up and said it may take a few days." Danny muttered something under his breath and signed, "I guess it's back to the computer then."
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"Jackie I think I got something," Danny said nearly an hour later, showing a hint of curiosity. "Now it's only a slim chance, but apparently there are a few
students that have records." "Let's go talk to them," Jackie was more than ready to follow his lead. "Wait," Danny stopped her mid-step. "Danny what's the
matter? Let's go shake these kids down." "Jackie we can't," Danny started. "We don't have enough evidence for an arrest warrant, and if we go talk to them
and one of them really is the killer, we take the chance of making them run." "What can we do then?" Jackie was annoyed. "I think we need to send someone
under cover," Danny looked at her serious. "I think your right," Jackie considered his suggestion and replied, "I don't guess we have any other option." "Then
it's all settled, you can start tomorrow," Danny leaned back in his desk chair. "What!" Jackie stopped when realized she raised her voice. "You are the only
logical choice," Danny tried. "What's wrong with you doing it," Jackie was more than serious. Danny laughed out loud, "me a professor, that's even a little too
far fetched for me to believe. In fact you are talking to someone who wouldn't go to school even if they were paid," Danny added for emphasis. "Find anything
interesting," Gormley interrupted. Jackie scoffed, "you should hear Reagan's idea." "Nothing surprises me with him anymore," Gormley nodded at Danny. "I'm
flattered you think so much of me Sarge," Danny interrupted the conversation. "What's the idea," Gormley changed the subject? "It's an under-cover
assignment Sarge," Danny thought it best to tell him himself. "As a professor," Jackie started, "and he wants me to do it." "It's not a bad idea," Gormley
thought it over. "But I think Reagan should take point, considering it was his idea." "Come on Sarge," Danny stood. "You know that's not exactly my thing." "It
will help broaden your intellect," Gormley mentioned. "Let's be serious Sarge, it's me were talking about." "I just said that nothing you do surprises me
anymore, so if anyone can pull this off you can, needless to say, make it your thing," Gormley headed back for his office. "Yes Sir," Danny sighed, before glancing
over at his partner. "Your loving this aren't you?" "Every minute of it," Jackie teased. Danny turned unusually quiet for a moment as he glanced through the files
again, trying to gather as much intellect on the people and buildings. "What are you doing," Jackie started to get worried with his silence? "Thinking of a way I
can ask dear old dad, for a different assignment," Danny leaned back. Jackie just starred at him and Danny continued, "not really." He jumped up and walked
into Gormley's office, leaving Jackie alone to figure out what he was up to. "This isn't going to be the standard under cover assignment Sarge," Danny started
working on his con. "What do you want now Reagan," Gormley shook his head. "I want to form a team, and I want to place someone under cover as a
student." "Why," Gormley asked? "I want to cover all of our bases here, we don't know if it's a professor or a student." "Makes sense," Gormley replied. "You
got any body in mind that's willing to work for you?" "I do," Danny nodded." Alright then Reagan," Gormley started. "The Commissioner said for you to take
point on this, so do what you got to do." "Yes Sir," Danny hurried out of the office to begin work on forming his team. Danny what do you got up your sleeve,
Jackie asked seeing a grin on her partners face? "I'm forming a team, so welcome to the group. You just won yourself countless hours of surveillance on the
students that have records," Danny smiled menacingly at her. "And just who gave you that authority, to tell me what I'm going to do?" "I'm taking point on this
assignment," Danny pulled out his cell, and dialed his brother's number. "Jamie, do me a favor and meet me at dads in about an hour." "What's going on," Jamie
was curious? "I can't tell you now," Danny replied, "so just meet me there." "Okay," Jamie agreed still a bit curious. "I have to go receive a little training, before
I'm ready to go in," Danny looked over at Jackie while packing up the case file. "We start rounding up the team first thing tomorrow morning," Danny added
hurrying out the door.
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Danny opened the kitchen door to his father's home and reached into the fridge for a cold drink, before making his way into the living room, in search of his
father, grandfather and daughter. "Hi dad," Andy looked up from her puzzle. "Hey Andy," Danny placed a hand on her shoulder. "How was your day?" "Awful,
the school board is too demanding." "There just trying to help you honey," Danny tried reassuring her. "I doubt that," Andy scoffed, still obviously upset with
the whole ordeal. "You know something that is the second scoff I've received today," Danny mentioned. "Now I may have to take it from my partner, but I do
not and will not take it from my own daughter." "Yes sir," Andy sensed a mood she didn't want to push. Danny signed and ran a hand through his hair. "Listen
Andy, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped on you the way I did. I've just had an odd sort of day, and I'm still trying to figure out what all I'm going to do." "It's
okay Dad, I've had one of those days myself," Andy smiled a half smile at him. Danny chuckled, "we'll think of something to get you through honey. In fact, the
school is going to give us some text books that you can study, and then all you have to do is retest on those subjects," Danny enlightened her. "And what
happens if I fail those too," Andy was turning upset all over again? "That's not going to happen again sweetheart," Danny reassured her. "We're going to get
Uncle Jamie to help you." "I hope your right," Andy looked at him. "Everything's going to turn out fine," Danny stood up, to find his father. Frank closed the book
he was reading, and placed it on the coffee table next to him when he saw his eldest son walk in. "How's the case coming?" "I take it you want an update
Dad," Danny took a seat across from him. "That would be correct," Frank replied. "I don't exactly know how to tell you this," Danny paused, unsure of what his
father's reaction would be. "But I'm going under cover as a professor," Danny spit out. Frank couldn't help but smile, when he thought of his oldest son
standing in front of a class room in charge of teaching a class full of students. "I know what you're thinking Dad and I thought the same thing, that's why I
have reinforcement coming in." "Jamie," Frank guessed. Danny nodded and Frank continued. "What about Erin, she went to college?" "No way, absolutely not,
she would never let me live it down" Danny wasn't kidding. Frank chuckled, "I won't say a word, but I have a feeling it's going to take a bit more persuasion on
your brothers part." "Danny, I'm here," Jamie called from the kitchen. "I'm in the study, now get in here," Danny hollered. "Please," he added when Frank
looked at him. Jamie went into the room and took a seat on the couch next to his brother. "I need your help on a case I'm working, but first you have to swear
to complete secrecy," Danny started. "Of course," Jamie wasn't sure where this was headed. Danny sighed, unsure if he should continue, knowing full well, his
brother wasn't liable to act in any manner similar to his father, when he heard the news. Then again he had a case to solve, and figured it was a choice he
would have to take. "I'm going under cover as a professor at the college." Jamie laughed out loud, "that's a good one Danny, now tell me why you really called
me over here." "I'm not kidding Jamie, I caught a case that requires it," Danny wasn't laughing. Jamie chuckled again, till he realized Danny was serious. "What
do you need me to do," Jamie turned professional? "I need you to help me prepare," Danny answered. "How long do we have?" "The rest of today and
tomorrow, I start Wednesday." "That's not a lot of time," Jamie sighed, "especially considering I have a tour tomorrow." "Not anymore," Danny looked at him.
"Starting tomorrow, you're working for me." "What," Jamie looked shocked! "Dad, can he do that?" Jamie turned to his father for help. "Afraid so son, he's
taking point on this investigation and he's forming a team." Jamie didn't appear too enthused, and glanced at his brother. "Why me?" "Because I get to pick
who I want, and you've been to college," Danny enlightened him. "Well it's not good, but it's a reason," Jamie admitted. "You know something, you'd think
someone who went to college for as long as you did, would be smart enough to show their new boss a bit more of respect," Danny joked. "Your pushing it big
brother," Jamie glared. Danny laughed out loud, "it will be a life changing experience. And one other thing, under no circumstances is Erin to know about this
little brother, and I'm beyond serious."
