CH. 13: Professor Derrick Ryder

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The following morning came early, and at 7:55 am exactly, Professor Derrick Ryder (aka Detective Daniel Reagan) made his way up to the third floor classroom,

for his upcoming 8 am class. Stepping into the classroom, Danny surveyed his class of 24 students that were already in their seats with textbooks, spirals and

pens covering their desks. He recognized both of their suspects sitting side by side in the middle of the classroom. Well at least that answered one question,

the two at least new one another, Danny made mental note of the observation. He would have Alex figure out just how well later on. Thinking of Alex, Danny

noticed there was one vacant seat in the middle aisle directly next to suspect Lacy Timmons. Alex of course wasn't there yet, although he suspected she was

just killing time around the corner until her set time of entrance at 8:30. "Good morning, I am Professor Derrick Ryder, and I will be your interim professor until

the school can find a permanent replacement," Derrick greeted the students. "Good morning," several of the students responded on cue. "Whereas I could go

on and on by telling you a little about myself for the next thirty minutes like most professors do," (at least that's what Jamie told him he was forced to listen to

for several years.) "I would prefer to get down to business, something I know that you would all prefer as well," Derrick joked. Some of the students chuckled,

while some actually voiced an actual yes. Reaching for the roll call, Derrick began class with calling attendance. "It looks like all but one is here," he said aloud.

"All but Morgan Calloway," Derrick noticed before closing the folder on the roll call. After flipping through the textbook, Derrick rested on the appropriate pages

just before announcing the day's topic. "Whereas the topic of making arrests with a warrant is equally important," Danny found himself repeating some of the

very same things his father had told him. "Today we are going to focus on a topic I find most rewarding, entitled making arrests without the use of warrant.

This knowledge can prove quite rewarding if your job is in law enforcement or within the courts. There are two key requirements an officer must do in order to

make an arrest without a warrant. Number 1: The offense is committed in the presence of the officer and Number 2: The officer has knowledge that a crime has

been committed and probable cause to believe that the crime was committed by a particular suspect." Just as Derrick was getting into the essence of the topic

when he was interrupted by his missing student. "Morgan Calloway, I presume," Derrick looked at her questioningly? "That's me teach," Morgan Calloway (aka

Officer Alex Ryder) waved her hand. "Do you know that you are over thirty minutes late for class today Miss Calloway," Derrick made sure to show an annoyed

look to the class? "Yeah about that," Morgan looked innocent. "I got caught up doing something extremely important." "And what may I ask was so important

to keep you away from class," Derrick wondered aloud? Morgan thought about it for a second, "oh you know sleep, breakfast, and a few other things," she

added. "If you don't mind taking a seat Miss Calloway," Derrick pointed to the one and only vacant seat. "So I can continue, and your fellow classmates can get

the education they are paying for." "Of course professor, anything to help," Morgan hurried to her seat. "Now that we are all here," Derrick glared directly at

Morgan. "We can continue with our topic on making arrests without a warrant. Miss Calloway, do you have any enlightening information you can pass on to the

rest of the class?" "I believe I do professor," Morgan smiled before she began her rant on the subject. After Morgan literally took over the class for the

remaining of the time period, hardly giving Derrick a chance to say another word, it was five minutes till class was scheduled to be over when she finally

stopped talking. Derrick sighed, "Miss Calloway stay after class, the rest of you are dismissed." Waiting for several minutes after the remaining of the class left,

Danny placed his feet up on the desk, "I've always wanted to do that," Danny smiled. Alex took a large gulp from her water bottle, "I've never ranted on

something for that long in my entire life." Danny chuckled, "you did good though." Alex smiled, "thank you Sir, it was my pleasure." "I kind of gathered that,"

Danny nodded. "So are you going to yell at me or something, so it looks real," Alex questioned? "I probably should," Danny stretched. "Yeah my dad used to

fake punish me sometimes," Alex remembered. "Really," Danny looked at her questioningly? "Sometimes I would like barely do something and my mom would

be mad at me, but my dad wasn't. Needless to say, she would send my dad up to punish or yell at me, and he would fake it." Danny laughed, "yeah very

seldom was I lucky enough to escape punishment." "That's probably because you deserved it," Alex teased. "Now you're completely out of line, Miss Calloway,"

Danny shook a finger at her. "I had a feeling you were going to say something like that," Alex chuckled. "Yeah well we better get on with our day," Danny

cleared his throat before raising his voice at her.

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Danny was careful to leave a few minutes after Alex did and instead spent the time packing his textbook and notes up, that he didn't get to use much anyways

considering Alex took over his class. Alex spent the rest of her time wandering around the campus being careful to make sure, Lacy and their other suspect

Chris Miles saw her several times throughout the day. Danny in the meantime, spent his time speaking with other faculty members and discreetly gathering

information from them. The time finally reached 6:00 pm, and Danny and Alex met up with Jackie and Jamie at the precinct for a chance to discuss the day's

events. Heading into conference room, Danny was quick to jerk his tie off, followed shortly by untucking his shirt before plopping down into the lead chair.

"Tired," Jamie teased. Danny glared at him, "shut up." "Did either of you gather any useful information from today," Jackie decided to get straight to business,

rather than listen to the brothers constant battering? "The detective here is a good yeller," Alex joked nodding at her current supervisor. Danny turned his

attention to the young officer, "you want to get me a cup of coffee?" "Not really," Alex was being honest. "It really wasn't a request," Danny shook his head, a

smile on his face. Alex stood, "in that case I would be happy to." Returning with Danny's cup of coffee, Alex returned to her seat. "Okay I'm ready to get down

to business," she tried to look innocent. "Please do," Jackie replied. "I was careful to stay in close contact with Miles and Timmons throughout the day, although

never speaking to them, I made sure they saw me." "They didn't get suspicious of you did they," this time it was Jamie's turn to ask a question? "I don't think

so, no" Alex shook her head. "Good," Danny nodded, "be sure and do the same tomorrow." "Right," Alex agreed. "How about you Reagan," Jackie was curious?

"I spent most of my time asking about our victim, Professor Clemmins. From what I was told, he was a good man," Danny shook his head, "absolutely no

reason for him to die." "So we're no closer to finding the truth," Jamie said the obvious. "Doesn't look like it," Jackie replied. Danny sighed, "on the up side at

least I don't have to prepare a lesson for tomorrow, considering I never got to teach today's," Danny looked at Alex. "Hey you told me to annoy you," Alex said

in all defense. Danny chuckled, "I know. Now tomorrow I want you to try and talk to them, see if you can get into their inner circle." "I'll do my best Sir," Alex

leaned back in her chair. "In that case, there's not much we can do tonight, everybody go home and get some rest," Danny dismissed them and headed for

home.

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"How was work," Linda asked later that evening after Danny got home and took a shower. "Interesting," Danny described his day with one word. Linda

chuckled, "they treating you that bad?" "Nothing like that," Danny shook his head. "In fact my day was rather slow compared to the usual," Danny admitted.

"At least nobody was trying to kill you," Linda saw the bright side. Danny laughed out loud and Linda continued, "you laugh, but I could get used to not having

to worry about you." "Apparently, not even being a professor is safe," Danny replied, "in fact no job really is." "It's the world we live in Danny," Linda agreed.

"And that's why my family does what it does," Danny answered. "Why do you do what?" Andy joined in the conversation, taking a seat on the couch next to

Danny. "We strive to make the world a better place, by keeping the peace and working in law," Danny explained. "Does that mean, I have to be a cop," Andy

was curious? "No, absolutely not" Linda said immediately. Andy this time faced Danny and waited for an answer. Danny made eye contact with his daughter and

turned completely serious. "I would never force you or your brothers into joining the criminal justice field. Do you understand?" "Yes Sir," Andy nodded. "That

being said" Danny continued, "and I know your grandfather would agree with me, you would always be welcome in the family business. But again, it's

completely your decision." "I understand," Andy replied, "and I'll think about it." "You by no means have to decide now," Linda assured her, "you still have

several years of school left." "I know," Andy smiled, "and that's a good thing, it means I will have more time to decide." Linda finished folding her last t-shirt

and handed Andy her pile of clean clothes, "take these up to your room, and put them up," Linda made sure to remind her to put them up, considering most of

the time her children just set them anywhere. "But there so much easier to get to if I leave them out," Andy tried. "Easy or not, put them up" Linda ordered.

Andy sighed, "fine." "Thank you," Linda placed a pile of clothes on her husband's lap. "Take these up to your sons please, and make sure they are doing their

homework instead of playing video games." "It's most likely video games," Danny stood and headed up the stairs behind Andy. "I have a feeling when your

mother sent you upstairs, it wasn't to play video games," Danny stood in the doorway to Jacks bedroom. Jack tensed and Sean slumped the second they heard

their father's voice behind them. "I think we're going to need a lawyer," Jack looked at his brother. "It wouldn't do any good," Danny said coming into the room

and taking a seat on Jacks desk chair. "You were caught in the act, there isn't a lawyer alive that could get you out of the trouble your in." Andy leaned against

her brother's doorway, "you know something, I find it very refreshing to not be the one in trouble for a change." "You are about to lose that experience," Danny

warned closing the door on her. "Now considering today was a school day, I automatically assume you have homework, am I correct?" "Yes Sir," Sean mumbled.

"That brings me to my next question," Danny continued. "Why aren't you doing it?" The brothers exchanged worried glances each trying to figure out a way to

answer without digging themselves in deeper. "I would prefer an answer sometime today, and your punishment would be to the less extent if you answer

quickly." Jack sighed deciding to come clean, "we thought we would have had plenty of time to get it done after we played, without anyone finding out since

mom was downstairs doing laundry." Sean was about to object until he caught a glimpse of his father's face and decided to remain silent. "You know that

wasn't the right thing to do," Danny said gently. "We know," Jacks face fell. "In that case I'll leave you two to do your homework, while I come up with a

suitable punishment," Danny said before leaving the room. "You sure gave in quick," Sean glared at his brother once their father left the room. "What did you

expect me to do lie?" Jack was aggravated. "No, not exactly," Sean would have preferred to slide past the incident. "That's a good thing," Jack found his voice

raised. "Because all that would have gotten us, is a trip over his knee." Interrupting the brother's conversation was a knock on the door and their sister's

voice, "boys it's me, let me in." Sean opened the door and Andy hurried in, "what did you get?" "The judge hasn't handed out punishment yet," Jack rubbed his

face. "I knew I never should have let you talk me into playing games before we did our homework." "As you can tell," Sean looked at Andy, "Jacks a chicken." "I

am not," Jack felt like strangling his brother, then again that would only get him grounded for life. "Like I said before I was interrupted by our fathers

dominating presence, I've only been here for a couple of weeks, and since then it has seemed like I have been threatened with punishment countless times.

Note, that nothing has come of it, yet I am almost positive it will not be long. Needless to say, I am sure your punishment will prove quite rewarding for me,"

Andy looked at them menacingly. "Andy," Jack looked serious, "shut up." Andy sighed, "well I'd love to stay and chat, but I believe it would be in my best

interest to disappear before the judge returns and starts handing out punishments left and right, and I'd kind of like my first to make history." Jack laughed out

loud for the first time since the whole video game incident began and looked at Andy. "Having you as a sister was nice while it lasted, because you don't know

Daniel Reagan the way we do, one step too far out of line and it can mean instant death." Andy nodded, "I'll try to remember that," she winked before slipping

out the door. Andy made it into her bedroom seconds before she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "I still got it," Andy mumbled to herself remembering the

countless times she outsmarted her many foster parents. "Nice try kid, but everyone has to lose their touch sometime," Danny stuck his head through the open

door. Andy's mouth dropped open, "how did you know?" "Because you're talking to one person who has nor never will lose their touch, at being secretive

among many other countless talents I possess." "Oh really," Andy took it as a challenge. "Yes," Danny sounded serious before he made his way to Jacks

bedroom once again. "I assume the two of you did some thinking, regarding how what you did was wrong." "Some," Sean admitted proudly, although most of

the thinking was done by his brother, then again he wasn't dumb enough to admit it. "Yes Sir," Jack replied apologetically. "In that case, I'm sure I don't have to

continue this evening with a lecture on how important school is." "You don't," Jack was being completely honest and begging to God, he believed him. "Because

doing your homework alleviates a lot of trouble, in which I'm sure you will come to realize when I disconnect your Xbox for the next week." "A whole week,"

Jack was almost certain Sean was about to have a heart attack. "Don't worry," Danny continued. "I'm sure this week will give you plenty of time to think about

how you are never going to do it again." "I think that's a safe bet," Sean moaned. "You'll live," Danny proceeded with the disconnection.

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It was nearing 11:00pm and Andy laid in bed comfortably. In body, she was as comfortable as anyone could be, but in her mind it was quite the opposite. The

day's events had her thinking. The boys didn't do their homework, and they got their gaming system confiscated for a week. Some would say the punishment

was a little harsh for such a small offense. Then again perhaps Jack was right regarding the real Daniel Reagan and how he could make your life miserable in

just a matter of minutes, or as Sean exhibited in a matter of seconds. She knew her first offense had to be something epic, then again hardly ever did she do

anything small, because in her mind, it was go big or go home regardless. Andy considered several different options, she could run away, but she really didn't

want to, she was by no means unhappy, life with the Reagan's was anything but dull. She could disappear one day or even night for that matter, then again

why risk death with Danny by disappearing at night. Needless to say it was all settled, she would get started on her disappearing act as soon as she figured

out what and where she would go in the meantime. A brilliant idea popped up in the back of Andy's mind. Rolling over in bed, Andy reached for her newly

acquired cellphone to begin placing her plan in action. "Hello," Nicki mumbled into the receiver of her own cell. "Listen, Nicki I need your help," Andy went

straight to business. "What did you do?" Nicki didn't even have to think about which question to ask her new cousin. "Nothing yet, but I have a brilliant plan,"

Andy added. "Whatever it is leave me out of it," Nicki was quick to say. "But there's no fun in that," Andy whined. Nicki sighed, "what do you want to do?" "I

have a plan on what I can do to annoy Danny and get into trouble for the first time," Andy enlightened a bit of excitement showing in her voice. "You are

actually devising a plan to get into trouble with him," Nicki couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You are out of your mind," Nicki wasn't kidding. "Yeah well

I've never been one to just let things fall into place," Andy admitted. "I'm gathering that," Nicki started. "Anyways my plan is to disappear for several hours

without telling anyone where I am," Andy enlightened her. "Nice knowing you," Nicki was about to hang up the phone.

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"Why is that the first thing everyone says?" Andy sounded annoyed. Because you don't know Danny or any of the other Reagan's and how they handle

insubordination. Does it matter, Andy questioned? "What do you want me to do anyway?" Nicki changed the subject. "I need you to hide me out while he's

looking for me, Andy explained. Absolutely not, Nicki was quick to turn her down. Why not, Andy was pleading. Because that would be called "harboring a

fugitive" and that's against the law," Nicki explained. "Needless to say Uncle Danny could arrest me, or even worse, which is probably what he would do." "You

should try living life on the edge," Andy suggested. Nicki scoffed, "I appreciate the suggestion but I'd like to see my next birthday." "Please Nicki," Andy turned

serious. "I'll tell him it was all my idea." "It won't make a difference, but I'll do it," Nicki gave in. "Really," Andy was thrilled. "I can't believe I'm saying this but

yes," Nicki sounded as if she was making her own funeral arrangements. "Thanks Nicki," Andy was about to hang up. "I just have one request," Nicki was

bargaining. "Name it," Andy was quick to reply. "You can stay here, but just show up, I don't want to know a date." "But why" Andy was curious? "I want

plausible deniability when Uncle Danny starts poking around." Andy laughed, "you got it cousin." "I'm sure I will live to regret this whole ordeal but your

welcome," Nicki sighed. Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, Andy talked fast, "somebody's coming Nicki I've got to go." "Goodnight," Nicki was quick to hang

up. Tossing the phone, Andy rolled over and pretended to breathe heavy, just as Linda opened the door to check on her. The where was configured, all that

was left was the when, Andy decided the second Linda closed the door. "When, when, when" Andy repeated the words to herself. He was working an

important case at the moment, and she figured it probably wouldn't be the best of time to pull her disappearing act, at least if she didn't want to get thrown

under the jail.