Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 13 – A Trail of Bread Crumbs
The next morning, Jamie's tired eyes awaken to see, not Frank sitting on the bed but Danny. "Danny? Where's Frank?" Jamie asks in a sleepy tone.
"Had to go into work early. You didn't hear him leave?"
"No…I uh…I had a few nightmares last night and then just…what time is it?" Jamie asks as he looks down to see Buddy in his grasp.
"10."
"Wow."
"Yeah that's late for you. Maybe you are normal after all," Danny teases his brother as he playfully muses his hair, Jamie pulling back with a mock pout.
"Thanks for bringing Buddy last night," Jamie tells his brother as his mind recalls the night before when he was just about to fall asleep beside Frank and Danny snuck into the room and slipped Buddy into his grasp.
"He was feeling lonely," Danny lovingly smiles. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"A bit sore," Jamie admits as he slowly lifts his pajama top to reveal a purplish bruise on his pale skin. "Coulda been worse right?"
"Yeah," Danny replies softly as he recalls finding Jamie helpless in the middle of the cemetery. "I'm glad you had Frank there with you last night."
"Kept seeing zombies coming for me and I couldn't fight back," Jamie huffs as he looks up at Danny in frustration. "They didn't want anything."
"Oh they got what they wanted," Danny blurts out his argument; Jamie's expression instantly turning cross. "Sorry. But it's true. They wanted to scare you and cause me and Frank and all of us panic. And it worked."
"Oh right because I'm the youngest and the weakest…"
"Hey now hold on a second," Danny interjects in haste. "The same would have happened no matter if they took Erin or me."
"You're never scared."
"That's not true," Danny replies softly as Jamie's soft blond brows gently arch. "I was scared yesterday. Come on, it's just us for breakfast."
"Danny…"
"Frank's working on it and we'll just have to be a bit more careful right now."
"I couldn't give him anything!"
"That's not true," Danny pushes back.
"What do you mean?"
"I overheard Frank talking to Scott this morning and he's going to pull the traffic camera's in the area and at least try to get a license on the van. It'll probably be stolen but at least it's somewhere to start. Come on now."
"Where's Erin?"
"Study date with Jack."
"Studying…yeah right," Jamie snickers as he gets out of Frank's large bed. Danny helps him make it and then both head downstairs to get dressed and get ready for their day. Both are working and Jamie tells Danny that he wants to stop by and see George but promises he won't go alone into the underground tunnels if George isn't on the street again.
"And you still want to go see his daughter, Pamela?"
"I gotta know," Jamie resigns as they both make themselves lunch. "Who do you think was behind what happened yesterday?" Jamie changes the subject suddenly, prompting Danny to look up with a heavy frown.
"I don't know. What did Frank say?"
"Only that they won't get away with it," Jamie answers curtly. "It kinda makes me nervous about this whole adoption thing."
"I'm sure Frank's thought of all the angles? Need a lift?"
"Sure. You want to go this early?"
"I'll feel better knowing I know where George is and that my stubborn brother is safe," Danny tells Jamie in truth as Jamie purses his lips.
"What do you think Frank will find?"
"This time…I'm not sure I want to know," Danny replies in a soft whisper.
XXXXXXXX
"When I'm quiet it means I'm thinking, when you're quiet it means I should be worried," Frank tells Spencer directly as he and his partner Detective Eric Chin stand outside the small automotive shop where Ed Vickers moonlights as a mechanic.
"I am worried but I think you are also and I think with good reason. We just reached a seemingly dead end and we both hate it. So I'll voice it."
"We found a bank receipt for five thousand going into his account," Chin tells Frank as he holds up the bank receipt now wrapped in a clear evidence bag.
"And before you ask if we found a matching five thousand withdrawal…at least a suspicious one we didn't," Spencer adds with a low growl.
Frank looks at his two top detectives and then back at the yellow taped off building and grits his teeth. "Someone's playing us…" he hisses in an undertone as Spencer and Chin trade worried glances. "So someone…gets five thousand from somewhere and pays Ed Vickers to tamper with the brakes of the aging car. It might have been to just sabotage the car or make the NYPD look stupid and we know there are plenty of disgruntled employees who would have motive. However, we have had runs all week but they waited for this car with these particular occupants."
"Might narrow it down but we still don't know who the person was that paid Vickers or where they got the money from and since he's dead he can't tell us a thing. However, we haven't been able to look at all the bank accounts of every NYPD employee as that would take too long," Spencer groans as Chin nods. "Scott's starting with the mechanic team and then working his way out. There's no easy or fast answer on this Frank, just more questions. Yeah I'm quiet."
"Which forensic team is here?"
"Molly Jenkins and her partner Tony Myers," Spencer replies in truth.
"Okay I'll go and talk to them. Head to Vickers home and look for anything that might lead us to that someone. We have the means and the end. Now we need the motive and the person behind the motive. Find it for me."
"Yes Sir," Spencer replies as he and his partner turn and hurry toward his waiting SUV; Frank heading back into the mechanic's shop to give a few more instructions to the forensic team.
"We'll try but with this kind of place…finding that one piece of evidence might be trying to find that elusive needle in the haystack."
"We need that needle," Frank tells Molly before he turns and leaves; the senior forensic Detective shaking her head before looking back at her partner.
Frank gets back into his SUV and then pulls his phone and texts Scott. 'Anything on the van that kidnapped Jamie?'
He puts his phone back and tells the uniformed officer to head back to the precinct; his mind now swirling with a myriad of things.
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"I don't see him Danny," Jamie mentions later that same day as Danny slowly drives down the alley behind the bowling alley.
"He might still be trying to recover," Danny reminds Jamie as he stops behind Jamie's place of work. "I'll give you ten minutes and then I really gotta go."
"Okay."
The two of them get out of the car and head toward the building that George had been in a few days earlier. "I don't see him Danny," Jamie whispers as they descend deeper into the darkness. "Do you?"
"Nope."
"Nora?" Jamie calls out softly.
"There," Danny nudges Jamie in her direction.
"Nora, where's George?"
"He left us yesterday."
"What? He died?" Jamie blurts out in haste.
"No dearie he left this place…here…went back up to the street. We told him to stay here but you know…men," she lightly laughs; the sound putting Jamie somewhat at ease and making Danny's face crack into a smile. "Did you not see him?"
"No," Jamie answers glumly.
"Well I'm sure he's okay. He might be out looking for bottles or something. He told me to hold his bed for him here so I think he'll be back at night. You're a kind boy to worry."
Jamie thanks her and takes his leave, him and Danny heading back for the surface. On the way there, Jamie's eyes dart nervously around, looking for the man that had accosted him a week earlier. Nothing. At least that he can't see. The dark eyes, however, were watching him intently. Watching. And…waiting.
"I promise I'll only check the alley once more during my next break and if I don't see him I'll just go back inside," Jamie tells Danny sourly.
"Hey come on…you can't blame me for being overly paranoid about you after yesterday," Danny tells Jamie as he wraps his arm around his shoulders and gives him a tender squeeze. "Right?"
"Right," Jamie huffs as Danny snickers. Jamie watches Danny leave and then looks into the alley once more, hoping to see his friend before he goes inside for the first half of his shift. He doesn't. With a morose exhale, Jamie slips back inside and heads for his station, emptying the popcorn maker from the day old popcorn and putting it away for later; hoping to see his old friend on his meal break.
XXXXXXXX
"Hey Danny!"
"Hey Ralph," Danny greets his co-worker at the warehouse with a nod.
"Heard about what happened the other day."
"Youtube?"
"No the news. You okay?"
"Yes. The brakes failed. Stupid social media," Danny grumbles as Ralph looks at him in wonder. "They twisted it all around on that stupid site."
"At least the Police Commissioner's office was quick with a response and clarified the facts."
"Wouldn't have had to if people minded their own damn business."
"Hey my nephew who's ten has his own phone," Ralph retorts with a shrug. "Sign of the times I guess. Some probably are given a phone at birth," he chuckles as Danny can't help but laugh at that comment.
"How are the kids? Your sister um…did she…how are they?" Danny asks with a small stammer.
"They are getting used to having their dad at one place and their mom at another. It's hard on them you know? Ah I don't know what to tell them. I hope she comes to her senses and comes back but he says she's got some other guy and he wants to be there for the kids and now they're talking custody and crap…I don't know. Wish the kids didn't have to suffer."
"Yeah it affects them the most," Danny agrees as he hangs his jacket in his locker and follows his line-mate back outside into the warehouse. "How are your kids doing with their um cousins affected by all this?"
"They don't get it…well maybe they do. I know my wife has talked to them about their aunt not being around as much but I'm not sure they get it yet. Next family gathering they might. But we don't talk about it. How are things with Linda?"
"They're great," Danny answers in truth; his smile somewhat strained as he worries that he's pushed his friend too far with the personal stuff. "Ralph…"
"Don't worry about it Danny," Ralph replies in haste.
"Okay."
Their conversation turns to things work related but Danny can't help but wonder how being married to a full time cop would affect a family – his own family – in the future. During his break, he answers Linda's text about Jamie, telling her that he's okay and at work and he'd see her tomorrow.
XXXXXXXX
"George?" Jamie calls out as he stands at the back of the bowling alley with the bag of popcorn in his grasp. "Come on George…" Jamie's voice whispers as he looks up and down in concern. Finally he sees a figure slowly emerge from behind the dumpster and relief washes over him. "George!"
The older man looks up as Jamie rushes toward him and can't help but smile as he nears. "Hello my boy," George greets as he slowly eases his frame down onto a tattered mattress; Jamie helping him to a seated position. "There…now what did you bring me?"
"Some popcorn and a snickers bar," Jamie offers George as he looks at him in concern before he plunks down onto the cement; telling himself he had about ten minutes on his break. "I asked Henry how much it would cost to find a good place for you…like a um…."
"A home? Jamie…"
"I know but I don't just want to find you here one day…in the winter or something…anytime. I know you said your family doesn't want you but I do. I just can't afford it right now," Jamie sighs as George's hand rests on his; adding a bit extra warmth and prompting Jamie to look up in misery.
"You have such a kind heart but if I were to die tomorrow I'd now die a happy man. You've given me that again and I'll be forever grateful. Don't you worry anymore now."
Jamie tries to offer George a firm smile but feels his heart sink at hearing George's latest confession.
"So, what is your bowling score?"
Jamie swallows and then starts to reply, knowing that George didn't want to dwell on his current plight and he didn't want to hurt his friend further by belaboring the point so he replies about the game and then goes on to tell George about his new bicycle; leaving out the fact that he was just learning to ride.
XXXXXXXX
"Francis," Henry greets his son as Frank enters his father's office. "What did you find?"
"Another dead end," Frank groans as he slumps down into a chair in front of his father's desk. "How's the fallout from the joyride?"
"Still falling. Ah this social media stuff. I don't get it…what's this Twitter?" Henry grumbles as Frank looks at him in amusement.
"It's the new age pop. Everyone has Twitter even…" Frank starts and then stops; Henry looking at him in wonder.
"What is it?" Henry presses.
"Everyone…even convicts…" Frank continues in a soft whisper as he pulls his phone and texts Spencer to come to his office as soon as he was done at Ed Vickers place. "It's a hunch and we'll see how it plays out."
"Speaking of that joyride, did you find the mechanic who tampered with the brakes?"
"He's the dead end. Quiet cop. Good mechanic the bulk of his NYPD career. Made a few enemies, Spencer's looking at a few left but so far they've all had viable alibi's and then he gets paid in case to fix the breaks and is then shot to death during an apparent late night robbery. No prints and robbery seems to be the only motive."
"But then why would he tamper with the brakes only to make the NYPD look careless?"
"It makes no sense. But someone paid him. We just need to find that someone."
"Think anyone else is in danger?"
"I don't know," Frank replies with a heavy sigh as he rubs his face. "Scott's working on the van that kidnapped Jamie but it comes too soon after the joy ride for me not to think they're connected."
"Or…someone wants us to think that and took advantage of the timing of the joyride. Think McGuiness has that much pull?"
"He knew Amanda lived in Philly, ah hell he was there when Wade killed them, he helped. So having connections in Philadelphia isn't out of the question. But would he want to spend money on just giving the boys a big scare? He doesn't seem like a game player to me," Frank concludes correctly.
"No he's a playing for keeps kinda guy and by that we both know it means dead bodies, one after the other. He would have ordered Jamie to be…I don't want to go there," Henry's voice dies out with a small hiss as he looks at Frank with a cross expression.
"Me either," Frank replies as he looks at his father thoughtfully. "I am wondering if McGuiness has gotten wind somehow of the adoption. The timing on all this is almost too perfect," Frank ponders, not realizing that it was just indeed good timing and that as of right now neither Angus McGuiness nor Sonny Malvesky knew of Frank's plans to adopt – but that was going to change for one of the two incarcerated males.
"You think…"
"My two most trusted officers, Spencer Rogers and Scott Daniels knows and I can't think either one of them would have told McGuiness and Troy swore to me under oath."
"Money is a very powerful motivator," Henry reminds his son gravely.
"Their loyalty is without question," Frank insists.
"Then we have an insider. Either that or…"
"Or what pop?"
"Our House itself is bugged," Henry suggests with a shrug as Frank looks up in surprise. "Well it is possible. We've had a few maintenance workers in there over the past few weeks, tinkering with the gas and then the city worker outside checking the hydro connection.
"Get the House swept."
"What can it hurt? At least you'll know for sure if that's the case," Henry continues. "Someone is out to bring down the family Francis, and we better make damn sure they don't succeed."
XXXXXXXX
"Hey Erin," Jamie greets their would-be sibling as he enters the car; Danny having texted his brother to tell him that his boss wanted him and Ralph to work a few extra hours and he was all too happy to earn the extra money. "Thanks for the ride."
"How's George?"
"He's back on the street," Jamie states glumly as he looks at her in wonder. "Do you know if Henry's heard anything about the scholarship for next year? I got my email notice that it's almost time to register for September."
"I don't know. I think he's become a bit preoccupied with all this YouTube stuff and wondering why people are so addicted to social media," she concludes with a small giggle; Jamie's face relaxing into a small smile. "Ask him again, I know he won't mind."
"Okay. I don't want to leave my friends either. I got a text from Lucas the other day and we're going to meet up in the park this weekend just to hang and stuff but I know it'll come up. Would like to tell them in advance if I could."
"Ask him tonight. He won't mind," Erin suggests with a warm smile. "How's that online law study group working out?"
"It's…interesting. I think most didn't take me seriously at first because of my age but I just removed that and…"
"Jamie…"
"No no I didn't lie I just didn't make it public," he quickly retorts. "Now some of them take me a bit more seriously. The others have left," he shrugs. "I don't mind. I'm more open to listening right now anyways…or watching the texts scroll by."
The two of them share a small laugh over that as they reach home, Erin showing Jamie the mock case she had been assigned for her study group and quizzing him on a few basic amendments and their effect on the case. After that he goes to his and Danny's shared computer and pulls up Facebook and sends Lucas a message and then starts to look at which courses he'll want to take next year in grade 12 – anything that will help him get into the local college law program.
Henry comes home first, telling them that Frank had to work late and would see them either tonight or tomorrow; so it was just the three of them for dinner.
"Come in," Henry gestures to Jamie about an hour after the three of them had dinner. "What's going on my boy? Did you see George today?" Henry asks with interest as he beckons Jamie to sit beside him on the large leather chair.
"I did. He's back on the street," Jamie sighs. "I brought up the idea of the shelter again but he brushed it off. Why are…" he starts and looks at Henry with a slack jaw.
"Old people so stubborn?" Henry interjects with a small chuckle as Jamie's expression droops. "They just are. It's a rite of passage as it were."
"He said that too," Jamie huffs. "But I wanted to ask you…well about the scholarship and school starting in September."
"I haven't forgotten. In fact, yesterday I met with Principal Adams and he stated that since it is the Joseph Reagan Scholarship Fund that a Reagan…or a soon to be Reagan…winning would be a conflict of interest and he's right. If his son or grandson were to win the Adams scholarship fund you can be sure others would say something, myself included. I expect honesty and while this wouldn't be dishonest you, by that time would probably be Jamie Reagan. Even if we were to hold off on putting the last name Reagan on to you until after school was finished, it would come up later and it could be stripped away and I don't want you to suffer that shame because of us."
"No…I wouldn't, I promise," Jamie tries to protest as his anxiety soars. "Grandpa I need that money."
Once again, Henry's heart sinks at Jamie's tender plea and the use of the affectionate term; the look in his warm blue-grey eyes tugging at his heart strings. "Oh sweet boy don't be sad."
"But…"
"But I came up with plan B."
"You did?" Jamie asks with a slight sniffle. "What is it?"
"As you know there is a district scholarship that is up for grabs by any student that is able to maintain their marks within the top 2 percent of their graduating class. You need to be sponsored for that but because it's awarded by a separate scholastic body I am allowed to recommend anyone, even my grandson."
"Really?" Jamie asks with a small frown.
"Yes. And I think you'd be able to maintain that and have a real shot at that top prize. There are also a few lesser funds available but this way everything is kept free from scandal."
Jamie looks at Henry and at first wants to protest, telling him that he'd talk to the school board on his own and tell them that he has just as much right as anyone else to that money. But as he ponders Henry's words and realizes there is more at stake than a few measly dollars – like the professional reputation of the family he loves more than anything, putting his own advantage first is selfish and wrong. He'd just have to work twice as hard to make sure his marks were in the top like they have been the past two years and take home that top prize.
"So…if I say yes to the district scholarship then I can stay where I am and start grade 12 as…Jamie Reagan?"
"If Francis gets all he needs and fast-tracks the paperwork, then I don't see why not. Do you want that?"
"I do," Jamie answers in truth as his arms wrap around Henry's neck; Henry holding the young teen close. "Thank you! I love you grandpa."
"Oh my sweet boy I love you too," Henry whispers as he looks at Jamie's adoring glance. In that moment his love swells but also his anger at the thought that someone wanted to hurt Jamie to either just scare him or attack the family. If anyone tries to hurt my family again – I'll kill them, his mind echoes the same sentiment Frank had the night earlier. A battle was coming…and it would get bloody – his promise would be tested for sure.
XXXXXXXX
"What did you find at Vickers?" Frank asks Spencer as he and Chin enter Frank's office later that same night.
"Not much. I think whoever took him out either went to his place before or after. Molly and her team are in there right now and his laptop is with Scott – what's left of it."
"Meaning?"
"Someone took a sledge hammer to the damn thing. But you can tell it was targeted."
"Why do you say that?" Frank looks at Spencer directly.
"Because if you're looking for something specific you ransack everything. If you're wanting to make it look like you're looking for something specific you get careless and you miss the everyday things that a regular robber might look at. Trust me Frank…it was staged."
"Yeah…but by who?"
"That…is the sixty-four million dollar question," Spencer retorts seriously. "But we did find something interesting…" he mentions as he pulls out a small baggie and slides it across Frank's desk.
Frank's hand reaches out and carefully lifts the baggie and stares at the object in surprise; his dark brows lifting as a few seconds later he looks at Spencer directly with a serious expression.
"Damn it."
"That's right Frank…the Templar's back."
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"And you're sure that you and Shawn left nothing behind that can be traced to him, you or I in any way?" Sonny asks in a quiet hiss as he and the crooked guard stands inside the small chapel confessional box.
"Shawn's not careless that way. It'll look like a robbery and nothing more. Case closed."
"Case closed…things are never that closed with Frank Reagan at the helm."
"Trust me he won't find anything!"
"We need to make sure of that."
"I just said…" the guard starts.
"I want to send Frank Reagan a message," Sonny states with a small growl.
"Are you in…"
"Insane?" Sonny retorts with a twisted sneer. "Oh no…I can assure you I'm quite sane."
"Taking on Frank Reagan directly is suicide."
"What can he do? Arrest me?" Sonny's voice distorts into a small cackle. "Yeah…I'm scared."
"He can make things miserable for both of us!"
"Not if he's DEAD!"
A/N: And the plot thickens! Always like to get some tender brotherly bonding broments in there and hope you liked them also. Some Erin/Jamie bonding. But more clues or more dead ends for Frank and his team? And how will Jamie's meeting with George's daughter go? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!