Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 14 – Secrets & Lies

Frank looks at the object in the little baggie a few feet away; his mind spiraling as he recalls a conversation with Spencer about the elusive NYPD insider a few months back.

'Joe was murdered Frank. The Templar….he found out who it was and they killed him for it. Made it seem like an accident.'

He also recalls that it was Danny that helped uncover the truth and that…Sonny! "Sonny Malvesky," Frank's voice hisses as he opens his file drawer and pulls out a thick, manila folder and opens it. He looks at Sonny's academy entrance picture and then narrows his eyes.

'Sonny Malvesky helped plan and execute Joseph Reagan's murder.'

Upon hearing his own voice telling him that his fist balls and then comes down hard on the file; Scott pausing at the door but stopping before he makes his presence known.

"Chief Reagan?" Scott asks in a somewhat timid voice as Frank looks up in haste.

"Scott, come in," Frank entreats as he closes the file.

"I'm not interrupting am I?"

"No, just dealing with a few personal issues."

"How's Jamie?"

"He's getting better, what did you find?"

"Another dead end I'm afraid. I traced the van's route that, according to Danny would have been the one to kidnap Jamie. We have followed it through a series of traffic cams to the cemetery and then a few after it left. Van was abandoned and as you can see here the men still wear their masks. Not taking any chances. Ran the plates and…"

"It was stolen," Frank grumbles as Scott nods.

"Sorry Sir, these guys know the game or were hired by someone who knows the game."

"And before the actual kidnapping?"

"That was tougher as we didn't know the route to follow but it appears that it was a van sitting on a used car lot. The images are a bit fuzzier but you can see two men, all in black, hotwire the van. Wasn't able to see where they came from as you can see they came from the shadows and there were no cameras on the other side of the lot. Sorry Frank."

"You did your best Scott, thank you."

"I know but I just feel…I don't want to let them or you down."

"You can't work miracles but maybe we can put out a few little feelers on the down low to some folks out there. Everyone has a phone or camera these days and I'm willing to bet someone, saw something. At least I hope so."

"I'm on it," Scott nods as he pauses before leaving. "I'm sorry Frank, I just can't go with Jamie to see George's daughter, Pamela."

"I know Jamie will understand. Don't worry, he won't be going alone. Thank you for your concern."

"Always," Scott replies with a small smile before he disappears from view.

As soon as he's gone, Frank's eyes instantly zoom back down; the pictures of the seemingly pointless abduction on the left and the file containing information about Joe's death on the right. It would seem they were not related in any way, shape or form…but something inside, deep inside was trying to tell them they were. When would he listen?

XXXXXXXX

"Really? Office Renzulli wants to come with me?"

"With us," Danny reminds Jamie; chuckling as Jamie purses his lips in mock anger. "Yeah nice try goober," he snickers as they head toward the off-duty Officer's home.

"He doesn't mind?"

"I think he's bored sitting around doing nothing all day," Danny states in truth as they near Renuzlli's home.

"Nice place," Jamie comments as Danny stops the car and they wait.

"Yeah…looks…homey."

"That almost sounds…bad?" Jamie looks at Danny in wonder, his dirty blond brows gently arching.

"No, it's just…ah I hear one thing from Ralph and the opposite from Frank and Renzulli but…I just don't want to screw up you know?" Danny retorts somewhat rhetorically as Renzulli appears and heads toward them with a friendly smile and wave. "Morning. You sure you don't mind doing this?"

"Are you kidding? I need to get out of the House," Renzulli replies with a groan as he gives Jamie in the front passenger seat a big smile and then claps him on the shoulder. "I swear I was about to go one on one with the vacuum cleaner."

Jamie can't help but laugh as he pictures the frustrated officer pulling his gun on the inanimate object and ordering it to stand down. "Thank you for helping with this."

"Frank told me what I need to know and I'm happy to help. He told me his son didn't want to help. I hope you get a better response from the daughter," Renzulli tells Jamie as the car pulls away and heads for the interstate.

"I hope so too," Jamie agrees with a heavy sigh. Frank reminded Renzulli, that even off-duty he should still carry his weapon. Renzulli a bit taken aback at first, especially due to the nature of the outing, but when Frank told him that it could be necessary if they ran into trouble, Renzulli didn't need to ask further and did as was told – his weapon, although concealed was there just in case.

On the ride upstate, Jamie tells Renzulli the history of his friendship with George, including George getting attacked and ending up in the hospital and then finally ending with the story of their visit to George's son. Renzulli told Jamie the same as everyone else, that he hopes for the best but knows that real life isn't like the movies and sometimes, those we feel are deserving don't always get the happy ending we'd want.

"I know and maybe if I just tell them, it'll be enough for them to start thinking about him and wanting to help," Jamie ponders as he stares out the front passenger window. He sees the sign that will take them toward another part of the state they'd never been and instantly his anxiety soars, would this be another wasted outing? They'd know soon enough.

XXXXXXXX

"This…can't be," Henry states with a soft whisper as he looks at the object in the baggie before handing it back to his son. "And you're sure he found it in Vickers apartment?"

"Yes and before you ask no, I don't believe Spencer or Chin would have planted it. Someone else might have."

"Damn so the insider has returned or maybe never really left. Just lay dormant these past few months. That would explain a lot of things around here," Henry reasons as he slowly paces his office; Frank looking at him with a heavy frown.

"I am starting to finger McGuiness less and less," Frank states, prompting his father to stop his pacing and look at him with a small wince. "Any NYPD insider would have no use for a man like McGuiness. Even in jail he has no real outside pull that might benefit anyone outside of McGuiness and his clan."

"He only wants to hurt the boys," Henry mutters under his breath.

"And that makes only us mad or if something happens to Jamie under my watch it makes only me look incompetent. But the Templar and his minions make all the NYPD look bad; they want to divide from within. That mandate of theirs has never changed."

"Thought we broke them for good," Henry sighs as he returns to his desk and sits down. "So now we might have bugs in both House's," Henry states gravely, referring to their own home and now the infrastructure of the NYPD. "I'm going to take this on Francis."

"Pop…"

"You have a lot on your plate right now with Troy and the adoption; McGuiness, Vickers death and the day to day operations of the force; not to mention the academy starting in a couple of months. The Templar was something I created and now I need to destroy it for good. No matter the cost."

Frank looks at his father with a grave expression and knows him to be right. "You need an insider you can trust but one that can play both sides if necessary."

"I know that," Henry replies with a heavy sigh as he looks at his son in concern. "I will find the traitor Francis and stop him for good."

"I think you need to consider something else also."

"What's that?"

"It could also be someone who not only hates the NYPD, but you and I just as much. Do you know anyone like that?"

"Yeah…a few."

XXXXXXXX

"Let me see," Sonny whispers to the guard, Darren, the crooked guard and well paid insider. Sonny's friend, Shawn, the same man who had orchestrated the death of Ed Vickers after he tampered with the car had followed Danny and Jamie to Philadelphia, sending a seemingly innocent tweet to Sonny about being in Philadelphia.

After that Sonny had relayed a message through Darren to Shawn that he wanted to mess with the boys and give Frank another reason to panic and be distracted about the boys and keep him so preoccupied with them that he wasn't looking at the slow insertion of his own baddies back into the NYPD, building for another major takedown – that of the Police Chief himself. Shawn then called a local buddy and they stole a van and took the Jamie for a terrifying joyride. That's why Scott wouldn't be able to find too much – it was a spur of the moment arrangement. But one that worked.

Sonny leans in closer and looks at the little video clip on the phone and smiles widely. Shawn had recorded a few minutes of Jamie's helpless struggling and his merciless taunts; something Sonny hits replay a few times. "Too bad this can't go viral," Sonny snickers as he slaps Darren on the back.

"What now? Are you still wanting to go ahead with your plan to um…you know Frank and…"

"Yes!" Sonny hisses as he narrows his gaze and leans in closer. "The war is coming and he will pay – with his blood! I tried taking him out and failed. I won't make that mistake again!"

XXXXXXXX

Jamie's inner anxiety once again soars as they near Pamela's place of residence and he wonders what will happen this time around.

"Ready kid?" Both Renzulli and Danny ask at the same time and the lightly chuckle; Jamie's nervous expression slackening for a few seconds as he nods in return.

"Lead the way," Danny gestures.

This time, Jamie's inner anxiety isn't as severe as with his son as he tells himself it's going to go the same way and he's prepared for the harsh reaction. That is if she's even there. As he slowly climbs the steps to her front door, his heart starts to feel heavier inside his chest; each beat feeling more like a dull thud than a vibrant beat.

He offers a somewhat timid knock on the door and the holds his breath to wait. A few minutes later, the door opens and a young boy's face appears.

"Hi um…is your mom home?" Jamie asks as the boy darts back behind the slightly ajar door and disappears from view. Jamie turns back to his brother and Renzulli with a shrug and waits; all of them hearing footsteps a few minutes later.

"Yes? Can I help you?" Pamela inquires as she appears in the door, her young son's face squishing between his mother's leg and the door.

"Hi yes I'm um…I'm Jamie and I'm here about…well to talk about your dad…George?" Jamie nervously stammers; his brain chastising him as his opening sounded so much smoother in his head.

"George?" Pamela looks past Jamie to Renzulli and Danny standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Yes. I just want to talk to you about him for a few minutes," Jamie adds eagerly.

She looks at him and then them and then back at Jamie and frowns; silence starting to grow. "Is this a scam?"

"Ma'am I'm with the NYPD and my friend here has located your father and wanted to let you know," Renzulli tells her as he pulls his badge to show her. "I understand your apprehension about letting us into your home. Perhaps you can spare a few minutes to talk outside? We don't mind."

"My son is home sick today but…sure please come in."

Jamie's mind at first is very hopeful for the somewhat friendlier response than George's son; but his brain cautions him about getting his hopes up too high.

"I'll wait out here," Danny tells them; not wanting to make her feel too uncomfortable and knowing he'll get the full story from Jamie and Renzulli.

"We won't take too long," Renzulli tells her right from the start as she gestures for them to sit.

Jamie looks around the neatly manicured home and can't help but smile; children's toys, books, family pictures – everything he had wanted growing up but was denied. "I like your home, it's very…warm and inviting," he comments as she looks at him in surprise. "Sorry if that sounds lame. I grew up on the streets so um…yeah."

"Sorry," she offers with a soft whisper. "So what's this about?" She asks directly.

"Your father is living on the street behind the place I work and…" Jamie pauses as his core starts to enflame from the inside out. "And well he's my friend and I just want something better for him. So I came to tell you where he is and was um…well hoping you'd want to help him."

Pamela looks at Jamie's earnest expression and feels her own heart sink. Once again, she's seeing the same as everyone else – genuine concern for a man she knows well but others don't seem to.

"My father…" she starts and then stops. "Do you know much about our family history? What has he told you?"

"Not too many details but um…but he told me about your younger brother and…I don't know your family or all that happened or any of the other details but I met George….well have known him for almost a year now and I um…I just want to help him. I know what the streets are like and I don't want him to die alone on them."

"You're a very kind young man and I'm sorry you had a tough childhood. I am. I am not sure what you wanted from…"

"Just to tell you," Jamie blurts out in haste.

"He only wanted you to know ma'am, nothing more," Renzulli tries to reassure her further. "He's not here asking for money, a hand out or even a favor. He only came here to let you know."

"There was a time when I was your age and I loved my father. When he was at war, I had to watch my mother every day suffer emotionally without him there, leaning on me for help, or sometimes doing it all on her own while he was off with his war buddies," she pauses as she tries to bite back the bitterness in her tone. "Then he heard about my brother and came back but he wasn't there. He was lost and he couldn't deal with it and left again. This time for good. My mother was devastated and I heard her begging him to come back and then had to help her deal with her bitterness which she carried with her over my brother and my father until she died."

"I'm sorry," Jamie agrees in remorse. "I didn't want to upset you further."

"It's not you personally," Pamela replies in haste. "It's just that I haven't had to relive those painful memories for a long time now. I sided with my mother when my brother was suffering, blaming my father and watching him waste away until he finally took his own life to escape…we don't even know what he was trying to escape. When he died our family was torn apart. When my mother left, I went with her. My brother Robert was on his own. I know you came here with good intentions and I can only thank you for your kindness. But I want nothing to do with him."

"Okay," Jamie nods as his eyes threaten to well. "And I just wanted you to know that he um…well he told me he blamed himself for what happened to your brother and um…your family splitting up. I guess it doesn't mean much."

"It would mean something to him that you took the trouble to come here. You can tell him that."

"Actually I can't. He doesn't know," Jamie huffs. "He told me not to come and find you all as he said he made his bed and that was it. He wasn't seeking anything. I just wanted…well as I said I grew up on the streets and someone gave me a second chance so um…I wanted that for him. That's all."

Pamela's eyes instantly water as she looks at Jamie's soft expression; her heart sinking. "You're very kind."

"More like naïve right?"

"Maybe a little, but I understand your reasoning now and I can't fault your intentions. I wish I could tell you what you want to hear – that I'll find my father and take him home to spend whatever time he has with his family. But I can't. I'm sorry. I loved my mother and seeing her like that it forever changed me. When she died, a part of me died also."

"I'm sorry but I understand," Jamie is forced to agree with a glum smile. "Thank you for listening to me."

Pamela looks at Renzulli and then back at Jamie and feels a small pang of guilt starting to develop inside. But the pang wasn't strong enough for her to want to reopen the past and find forgiveness for her father. It would take something a lot stronger than that. Destiny, however, was about to give her little help with that.

"Thanks for your time," Renzulli stands up and pulls out his police card. "If you change your mind, you can call this number anytime."

Pamela takes the card, puts it onto her living room table and then walks Renzulli and Jamie to the front door. She watches until they reach their car and then turns back and looks at the card on the table. Her eyes well and she leans against the couch and cries. The card would remain where it is. Seemingly forgotten. But someone would find it and ask about it. Someone who might be able to help mend the past.

Danny looks at Jamie's somewhat flushed expression and knows he's trying very hard to hold back some fluid emotion. Obviously this was another disappointing end and he's sure Jamie expected as much but once again he knows his brother will be sad because of it.

"She won't help," Jamie states simply as he moves past Danny and gets into the front seat; Danny looking at Renzulli who offers a small shrug.

"He tried," Renzulli tells Danny in truth as they finally get into the car, not wanting to talk about her in front of her home.

"Sorry," Danny whispers as he squeezes Jamie's shoulder.

"I expected it," Jamie sighs as he tries to swallow back a small sniffle, looking out the window as his eyes finally well. "I don't blame her for being angry. I hate my birth father also."

Both Danny and Renzulli hear the bitterness in Jamie's tone; neither able to fault the young teen for his parental disdain.

"But at least I know now, right?" Jamie continues as heh finally glances back at Danny; Danny's heart instantly sinking as he looks at Jamie's downcast expression.

"Yeah," Danny is forced to agree with his brother as gives him a kind smile. Jamie nods and then turns back just as Danny's phone buzzes. And the timing couldn't be better.

"Who is it?" Jamie inquires as he twists his head back to see his brother.

"Demarcus. He's having a few over for a barbeque to watch the game. Want to invite Lucas? He said you could."

"Really?" Jamie asks with a small smile.

"Yeah," Danny agrees as he prepares to text back their affirmative reply. "Text Lucas and ask."

"Okay," Jamie replies in haste as he turns back and pulls his phone.

For a few split seconds Danny wonders if it was almost selfish for him to want to see his brother happy and not dwell on George's current plight for a few hours but when he sees Jamie's face light up he remembers the promise he had made the night they fled into the night – Jamie's happiness would always come first. Today was no exception.

"Lucas says yes if it's not a late night," Jamie gently snickers, his voice stifling a small sniffle.

"Hey I know today was tough but hanging with some friends tonight I think will help after today's stress."

"I think so too."

"We all have to work tomorrow so text Lucas back and tell him it'll only be for a few hours. Besides…it's summer holidays. He has curfew?" Danny asks in shock.

"He's a nerd," Jamie deadpans as both Renzulli and Danny laugh.

XXXXXXXX

"Thanks again Officer Renzulli."

"Tony, please," Renzulli offers, as they stand outside his House. "You did good today. You have good instincts and a big heart. Got a bit of detective in you. You should think about joining the NYPD after you graduate," Renzulli pats Jamie on the shoulder. "Never know who your TO will be by then," he concludes with a smirk.

"Thanks," Jamie tells Renzulli before he turns and heads back to the car and gets inside. "Can we pick Lucas up?"

"Lost his bus pass?" Danny teases his brother as Jamie nods and smiles. "Yeah, let's just stop home and I'll call Linda and then we'll pick her up and Lucas and head to Demarcus's."

"Sounds good," Jamie replies with a soft whisper as Danny looks at him in concern.

"I know today was tough so if you really don't want to go…I just thought I'd be good."

"I want to go," Jamie insists as they head home. "It's just that sometimes…well I have the same feeling about mom…I feel bad having fun or doing something fun and…George sleeps in the garbage and his family hates him!"

"First of all, you know mom…or George for that matter would never begrudge you having fun."

"I know…I just miss her."

"I know you do. I do too," Danny sighs as they reach home. "Get changed and we'll go."

Danny watches Jamie head for his bedroom with his shoulders slightly slumped and feels his own anxiety starting to rise. Just before he can take a step in that direction, his phone buzzes and he's quick to pull his phone and look at Frank's message.

'How'd it go with Pamela?-Frank'

'She said no also. Jamie's sad but Demarcus invited us to come for dinner and to just hang. See you later?-Danny.'

'Thanks for telling me. I'll talk to Jamie tonight. Yes go and have fun. Both of you. It'll be a nice break for him. Talk later.-Frank.'

Danny puts his phone away and then goes in search of his brother, knocking on the door and slowly pushing the door open to see Jamie quickly pull his sweater down. "You okay?" He asks as Jamie looks at him with a soft frown and nods.

"I tried right? What else can I do? I can't afford to put George somewhere better on my own. I hoped his family would want him but they don't and so…it just sucks Danny. He said he was sorry. I just wanted them to know."

"You did what you could. If anything it'll get his family talking about him and you never know. Each of them has a card for either Scott or Renzulli and…who knows right? You sure you want to come?"

"Yeah," Jamie answers as he puts on a tight lipped smile. "I want to go. I need this break."

"Come on," Danny smiles as he puts his arm around Jamie's shoulders and gives him a squeeze, poking his side and making Jamie laugh as they head into the hallway. Jamie waits while Danny changes and as much as he had only wanted to sit at home and sulk after another depressing outing he tells himself that this will do him some good. Danny returns and they head to Linda's to pick her up first; Jamie sliding into the back.

He tells her about the results with George's daughter but the discussion instantly veers away from George as soon as Lucas joins them; the talk turning to summer activities.

"Thanks for inviting me Jamie," Lucas states with a smile as they reach Demarcus's. "I've never been in the 'hood before," he adds as the other three laugh.

"Hey Danny!" Demarcus greets his friend as he opens the door to them. "Ma man," he gives Danny a half hug as Lucas looks at them in suspect.

"He thinks you're part of a gang," Danny winks at Demarcus as he nears Lucas.

"I think the gang needs a nerdy Asian gang banger."

"Yo I'm your man," Lucas replies in a mock serious expression before he snickers and then all around start to laugh.

"Come on little man…my House is yours," Demarcus put his arm around Lucas's shoulders and leads him inside; Danny, Linda and Jamie following.

"You look tense," Linda mentions as she sits down beside Danny; her eyes looking at Jamie along with Danny's. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah. Today was tense. I just hate seeing him so disheartened. He'll be okay. Just need today to be over."

"You know, you're gonna make a great father," Linda whispers as she kisses him on the cheek, Danny looking at her with a growing smile.

"Needed to hear that," he whispers back as he kisses her on the lips.

"Ah man get a room! Just not in here," Demarcus chuckles as he and his girlfriend Kesha sit down beside them. Jackie and Ian join them a few seconds later and the six of them sit in the living room with plates of food talking about the upcoming NYPD picnic in a month.

"Having fun?" Jamie asks as he sits beside Lucas in the kitchen nook.

"I am," Lucas replies as he looks at Jamie and then frowns. "Summer has been busy but um…well I try telling my parents I just want to hang with some friends but they don't get it. Tonight has been one of the funnest things so far this summer."

Jamie looks at his friend and offers him a morose smile and tells himself that despite Lucas's great upbringing, having most everything and two loving parents that as an only child he was lacking that bond that Jamie shares with Danny, always having a friend there to fill that needed void.

"I'm glad you came."

"Thanks for inviting me."

"Hey wanna play pool?"

"Sure!" Lucas grins and nods as they head for the basement.

"Uh oh…" Demarcus nods to Danny as they watch Jamie and Lucas disappear downstairs.

"Come on."

"Danny," Linda groans as Danny grins.

"Oh we only want to watch," Danny retorts.

"Then we're coming too."

Jamie and Lucas look up to see the six young adults joining them and soon the space is once again filled with talking, laughter and lots of fun pool matches.

But while Jamie and Danny were enjoying their time together with good friends after a very stressful day, someone else's stressful day was still continuing.

XXXXXXXX

"Commissioner? What's this all about? Why are we meeting in this back alley on the other side of the city?"

"Couldn't take any chances. I need a favor Anton."

"Henry…"

"You do this and we're even. For good."

"You want me to take someone out?"

"I do but I don't know who yet."

"What?"

"The Templar's back. And this time…we're gonna bring him down for good."

A/N: I know everyone wants Sonny to go away fast but he is the main antagonist in the story and I'm hoping to not end the story so soon. And I know some have asked about the connection with the kidnapping but back in chapter 11 there was the hint that it was Sonny interested in the boys going to Philadelphia (yup even the little clues in this story mean something *wink*) and of course that was further cemented in this chapter. Well the meeting with the sister didn't go so well (at first) but you know the George storyline isn't done so stay tuned on that. A few more insider details and the plot thickens! But we end it with a happier notes for our boys! So would love all your thoughts on how things are developing so please do review before you go and thanks so much!