Sam and Dov were wrapping up their interview with Mrs. Clarke. She was very broken up over her Son's death, understandably so. She was also completely blindsided by the revelation that she has a granddaughter.
"I understand this has been a lot to process Mrs. Clarke," Dov said.
"Yes, it has," she agreed. "It just seems so surreal."
"I'm going to give you my card so you can call me if you think of anything." Sam fetched one out of his wallet and grabbed another one out of the folder he was holding. "This is the card for the case worker from Family Services that is in charge of your granddaughter's case. She is expecting a call from you, but you can take a little time if you need it."
"Thank you, detectives. I'll give her a call. And I'll try to think of anything else. But I really don't think there will be anything else. Clearly my son and I weren't that close." She began crying again and Dov handed the nearby box of tissues to her. When she had composed herself, they walked her out.
"So that's it, we're done with it?"
"Pretty much, it's out of our hands," Sam answered. "The baby's is under Family Services jurisdiction now, there is no case left. And there is no way we are going to find the mother, since no hospitals had a birth record for her. Home birth, or something else. Regardless, the trail is cold."
"It just feels weird leaving something so open?
"Yeah, it's not easy to accept but you get better at it. You'll see a lot more of this before you hang 'em up, Epstein."
They got back to their desks and sat down.
Dov asked, "What's our next case?"
The next couple days had been more of the same dreariness that accompanied any situation like this. Sam wasn't close to Young, especially, but he definitely felt it. When Jerry died, Sam's destructive spiral almost cost him everything. He felt awful knowing that Young's family and friends would be going through the same things now.
Finally, the day of the funeral came. The majority of the Service, save for those assigned to duty, came out in their dress uniforms. Members from the O.P.P., R.C.M.P., Toronto Fire Rescue, and law enforcement from across the country were there as well. Andy and Sam slid in next to Oliver and Celery. Most of 15 Division was seated nearby. Dov and Chloe were just in front of them. Zettle and Foxx off to their side. Peck and Anderson behind and to the side. Andy looked around trying to see who else she could spot. She saw Marlo across the room sitting with people from headquarters. Frank and Noelle were over in that direction as well as Luke. She nudged Sam.
"Did you know Marlo was going to be here?", Andy motioned towards the other side of the sanctuary.
Sam glanced where Andy indicated. "Yeah, I figured she might be. She and Young were in the same academy class."
Andy nodded and looked to the door at the back of the sanctuary as it opened and Traci and Chris walked in. they sat two rows behind Andy and Sam and she wondered why they didn't take the seat right behind them. Then the door opened again and Andy's father, Tommy, walked in and took the vacant seat behind her. She reached back to hug him and he kissed her on the cheek.
The service began a couple minutes later and was filled with friends and fellow officers sharing stories. The Chief of Police gave a final eulogy in which he closed with "…and Officer Young's heroic sacrifice, saved the life of an innocent, victimized, baby girl, who deserves a life of happiness. Officer Young, you gave that to her, and in doing so embodied what is to serve and protect. Embodied who we all strive to be when we put on this uniform. I think I speak for everybody when I say how greatly we are honored to have served with you. Officer Young, rest easy. We'll take it from here." He departed the pulpit and returned to his seat, stopping to place a hand on the shoulder of Young's brother.
The service closed as the honor guard carried Officer Young's flag draped casket out of the church with a trailing officer carrying her cap on a cushion. The officers and the rest of the attendees filed out orderly and silently with those that would be carrying on to the cemetery forming up to proceed down the blocked off streets. The march was solemn and chilly but the sun was shining the whole way. Later, Young's friends would remark that she would have approved of that highly.
The entire march was lined with Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and the citizens of the Toronto that came out to pay respects to a fallen officer. Andy felt overwhelmed by the support the City gave when it lost one of its own. At the cemetery, Andy and Sam stood behind and off to the side of the chairs assembled, letting her brother, friends, close co-workers, and higher-ups fill them in. After final prayers and ceremony, the final act was presenting the flag and cap to Young's brother who received them and thanked the honor guard for all they did.
Andy and Sam filed out with the majority of those gathered leaving those closest to her some time and privacy. They walked back to the truck which was strategically parked half-way between the church and the cemetery. When they were back in and trying to navigate the congestion of the departing crowds, Andy remarked that the service was very beautiful.
"Yeah," Sam agreed, "the Chief spoke very well."
"I didn't know her, really. But after today, I feel like I did, you know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I feel the same. The whole thing, ceremony, march, burial rites.
"Everything went just right. Really, the least we could do for her."
By the end of the week, the events of that awful day had been put together. Officer young ran the plates of the car seventeen seconds before she radioed in a pursuit. The Crime Scene guys say she broke and swerved hard to avoid hitting the car when it was obvious it would lead to her crashing through the house. Recovered video from the dash cam reveals Sean Adams placing a bundle in the trunk when Young turned around a corner behind him. Nobody could tell from the video what the bundle was but Young must have been able to, or assumed at the very least. The video also showed that in the moment of truth, Young showed no hesitation in swerving into the house with a realtor sign in the front yard to avoid the car. Brave, quick thinking, and heroic to the very end.
The following week Sam wrapped up a minor case with Dov regarding fraudulent credit cards. Andy's days went much smoother and she fell into a comfortable routine. The calendar had turned to December and a big day at 15 had finally arrived.
Zettle and Foxx stood at attention on the squad room floor. The rest of the platoon stood gathered around with Diaz and Peck standing behind their respective rookies. Oliver stood in front of them explaining that they had both had demonstrated the ability and traits ended to do this job. "And now a time-honored tradition of 15 Division. Coppers, cut those ties. Diaz and Peck obliged and everyone applauded and congratulated the newest no-longer rookies.
"One more thing," Oliver spoke up above the commotion. Today is also the end of Dov Epstein's training rotation with Detective Swarek. And what do you know, Epstein? You did such a fine job that I've decided to keep you there. And even better, Detective Swarek has agreed to keep you as his partner." Another round of applause and congratulation came. "Final thing," Oliver said when the voices died down. "Tonight, The Black Penny, be there. A celebration for our graduates." The loudest applause and cheer came after that announcement which elicited a laugh out of Oliver. "Enough of that. Get out there everyone, do your jobs. Serve, protect, and get to the Penny on time."
That night at the Penny, as the celebration was winding down, Oliver came around Sam and Andy's table and discreetly handed an envelope to Sam. "That is an invitation for a Christmas Party at the cabin. Inner-sanctum only so keep it on the D.L."
"The 'inner-sanctum'?", Sam asked unable to contain a smile.
"Yeah, our group."
Andy and Sam both knew what he meant but put on faces or confusion to try to drag him on.
"Okay, I'll break it down. Us, the rookies from Andy's class, maybe some old friends, and plus ones."
"Oh, the 'inner-sanctum'," Andy said nodding in understanding. Then she and Sam began to chuckle and Oliver figured it out.
"You guys are pulling my leg. Ha-ha very funny. You two better bring a fine bottle of scotch to make up for this."
"You can count on us," Sam said raising his glass.
The next day at work Sam checked his email and found an email from the case worker assigned to Baby Adams. Her grandmother had assumed custody of her, and as a nurse, Family Services was confident that baby Lacey, as she was now named, would be taken care of. Sam smiled, forwarded the email to Dov and Oliver, the called Andy to tell her the good news. That was what everyone needed right now.