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Eddie Jenko lay awake watching her bedside clock click toward 5:45 AM. She had planned to be up early to get ready for court but this was ridiculous. She obsessed all weekend, over her testimony, her new evidence, her hair, her clothes.
This case was her first arrest that was prosecuted by Erin Reagan and she wanted it to go well. She held Erin in high regard and wanted very badly to earn the woman's respect. Having partnered with Erin's younger brother as a patrol officer, she had listened intently to Jamie's insights about his sister.
Eddie had read and studied her notes so much that she could recite them verbatim, yet she leafed through her notebook one last time as she dried herself after stepping out of the shower. Later, she practiced the answers she would give as she slipped thigh top stockings onto her legs. Her wardrobe could be described as professional chic, a gray pinstripe skirt and jacket over a bright yellow silk blouse, matching yellow heels and smoke gray stockings.
She pulled her blonde hair back into a french braid rather than the loose shoulder length style she preferred because she felt it more appropriate for court.
Protocol dictated that she informally check in with her precinct commander. This was done to make certain that he was aware that she was in court for the day and unavailable for calls, so Eddie stopped by the five-four for the obligatory hello/goodbye. As she was leaving the squad, she passed the desk of Erin's older brother Danny, a senior detective in the same precinct.
"Hey, Jenko," he said, "good work on that murder case your working on with my sister. She said you really pulled her bacon out of the fire on that phony alibi witness."
"Thanks sergeant," she replied, "that was really nice of her to say, you know I really respect Erin, and it means a lot that she thinks I did good."
"Yeah, she's pretty impressed by you to, she was going on and on yesterday about your work ethic and how you volunteer at the Y and all so I think you got a fan." he said.
"Oh, wow, well I better get to court to testify or she might change her mind." said Eddie as she headed to the door.
"Ya do good work kid." he said, giving her a boost just when she needed it.
Arriving at the courthouse, Eddie found Erin outside the courtroom with two other witnesses, the crime scene investigator and the medical examiner.
She was planning to call the medical examiner first, then the evidence tech. After they finish they would be free to go.
"I'll call you last Eddie, hopefully by 10:00 AM. That should give me time to finish before the judge calls for a recess for lunch. Then the defense will cross examine you after the recess. They're probably going to get to present their case today which means that if you can stay, we'll get to your other testimony today." explained Erin.
"I'll be here whenever you need me ADA Reagan." replied Jenko.
As the other witnesses filed in and out of the courtroom on cue, Eddie remained at the ready and was called just ahead of schedule a little before 10:00. Her testimony went smoothly and just as planned. While they hadn't rehearsed what she was going to say, Eddie was aware of the questions Erin was going to ask and was prepared to answer appropriately.
In addition, Erin provided several questions she expected the defense to ask, so Eddie was well prepped, as Erin finished her examination, for the cross. Looking at his watch, the judge surprised Erin by instructing the defense attorney to begin his cross examination rather than breaking for lunch.
He simply asked for clarification on a few of the details that Eddie provided and to both Erin's and Eddie's surprise, ended his cross examination after barely half an hour. As Eddie left the stand and walked toward the door, Erin stood and pronounced, "The prosecution rests, your honor."
"Court will stand in recess until 2:00 PM at which time the defense will present its case." said the judge, as he pounded his gavel.
As Eddie stepped into the hallway, she stepped aside as the crowd from the gallery were exiting behind her. A couple of reporters cam to her asking questions about her testimony. To which she gave the standard "I can't comment on an ongoing case."
Her answer didn't stem the tide of questions however and she repeated it again and again. As Erin exited the courtroom, she immediately saw the reporters questioning Eddie and heard Eddie repeatedly state, "As I have said, I can't comment on an open case."
"But now that the case has gone to trial, isn't it closed?" asked another reporter.
Erin listened intently as the detective responded.
"Come on, I have seen you here covering cases for at least a couple of years. You haven't learned enough about the system to know the case is open until it has been adjudicated." said Eddie, "Now, if ya want to know what I'm having for lunch, I'll be happy to tell ya, but please, stop wasting my time and your breath asking questions you already know I can't answer, otherwise I'll think you're only trying to trip me up and cause me to make a mistake you can write about."
With that, the reporters silently turned away from the detective allowing Erin to reach her and whisper, "I'd be interested in what you're having for lunch, detective."
"I'm having the fruit salad from that little cafeteria around the corner," smiled Eddie, "would you care to join me ADA Reagan?"
"I would, Detective Jenko," said Erin, "but there's one condition."
"What's the condition?"
"That when we are outside this building, I can call you Eddie and you will call me Erin." she said.
"Deal." replied Eddie extending her hand to 'shake on it'.
It was a short walk down the block and around the corner to the nondescript lunch counter that Eddie spoke of. As the two women found an out of the way both for 2 Erin said, "I've been working in that courthouse for ten years and my office is across the street, but I never even knew this lunch counter was here."
"Jamie and I actually found this place while we were on foot patrol, must have been my first week on the job." explained Eddie.
"I've always wanted to ask one of my brother's partners how it was working with them, but I've always been kind of afraid to." confided Erin.
"I've enjoyed the time I spent with Jamie and with Danny." said Eddie.
"I didn't know you worked with Danny." said Erin.
"We've had a couple of cases we worked together," she explained, "I was still trying to get my bearings in the detective squad, but Danny helped a lot." Then she went on to say, "I can say that Danny and Jamie have quite different styles of work, I guess would be the best way of putting it."
"I think I know exactly what you mean." laughed Erin.
"I have to ask you though," said Eddie, feeling the bond with Erin growing, "how was it growing up as the only girl in that house?"
Erin laughed as she remembered her teen years saying, "Lets just say, it was a challenge, especially for any boys that came along and asked me out."
"How about you, Eddie," asked Erin. "Tell me about your family."
"Oh wow, my family," sighed Eddie, "lets just say polar opposite of yours. I'm an only child. I grew up... with means shall we say. Then I find out my father is a crook and now he's in federal prison and I send my mom money so she can make ends meet."
"I'm sorry Eddie, I shouldn't have pried." said Erin.
"No, no Erin, its fine." said Eddie, "I don't hide it, I don't like secrets, our life is what it is, and you do your best with what you have and don't begrudge someone who has more."
"That's a really healthy attitude Eddie." replied Erin.
The women sat silently eating their lunch for a few moments before Eddie broke the silence.
"It seems we are developing a sort of professional friendship Erin and I think I should tell you something," began Eddie, "that might have a bearing on that friendship."
"Please go on" responded Erin.
"Jamie probably didn't mention it, but I'm gay Erin," Said Eddie, "and I would completely understand if you want to keep your distance. I just thought you should know and not be surprised."
Erin didn't hesitate, "You know Eddie, Jamie didn't mention it, so I wasn't aware. I do appreciate you telling me, but not so that I can potentially protect myself."she continued, "I appreciate you having enough confidence in me and feeling that we are close enough that you can share personal details with me. I'm honored in fact."