Eddie's eyes fluttered. She was disoriented, blinking slowly and tried to see where she was but it was pitch black…nothing but blackness. She was still drugged and her hands and feet were tied. She squirmed to get lose, but the restraints only pulled and tore at her limbs. Her mouth had been taped for so long she was struggling to breath, and what air she was able to breathe was musty and dank. The darkness was suddenly pierced by two gunshots…
Shot fired, shots fired….she screamed in her head. Tears streamed down her face as her body shook with terror and anticipation. She remembered what Jamie had told Danny and Maria at the start of the case—people who infiltrate terrorist groups end up on execution videos. It suddenly occurred to her that she had been out cold. She might not even be in New York anymore. She felt sick to her stomach, tired and exhausted. Running out of options, she closed her eyes, grateful that she had the weekend with Jamie. She didn't have a real family to speak of, or to think about, only regrets…she should have forgiven her father; she should have told Jamie the truth about her feelings; and she could have been a better cop.
Please help me….the prayer floated around in her head and heart.
A loud noise reverberated somewhere and a white light broke through the dark and instantly blinded her. She turned her head away, fearing it was him.
With police and emergency vehicles behind him, Jamie held the trunk of the car open. "Eddie!" She was lying in an awkward position, her clothes torn and pulled apart. He reached inside, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Hey…" he whispered. Eddie finally looked back at him with a tear-streaked expression. "It's okay," he said as he went to work trying to remove the electrical tape. "Just a second and I'll get you out of here." As his hands worked on the tape, his eyes looked her over for wounds, noticing bruises on her rib cage and chest. Her eyes were having difficulty focusing so he made sure she knew it was him. "Hey, partner, can you hear me?"
The tape suddenly tore free and she gasped for air. Eddie coughed and gagged, trying to move, but her body was still sluggish. She blinked again, her eyes adjusting to the light, and the flashing red and blue lights of vehicles in the parking garage. Jamie put his arms around her and carefully lifted her out of the car. She was shaking and clung to him. "Jamie," she said trying to find her voice again.
He knelt down and tried setting her on the pavement, but she wouldn't let go. "Eddie," he whispered against her hair, "it's ok, it's over." She loosened her grip and he carefully eased her on to the ground. He shrugged his jacket off and covered her, his hand caressing her head. "You're safe now." He turned his head and shouted over his shoulder. "Hey, I need an EMT here!"
Eddie's eyes finally began to focus. "Jamie," her voice was hoarse, "the recorder. It's in my purse."
He stood up and checked the trunk and found the purse. Looking inside he saw the blinking green light of the small pen shaped recorder and smiled. Roger was going to be put away for the rest of his life. He also saw the pink rose tucked in to a pocket. He grabbed the bag and leaned back down over her. "I got it. But the important thing is you're okay." His fingers tenderly brushed her hair from her face. "It was Roger. We have him in custody." As she nodded two med techs showed up and knelt down over her. Jamie moved aside, looking for Danny and Baez.
Danny held Roger, face down, against the hood of the gray Dodge. "Why'd you do it?"
Roger tried to turn and look at him. "You know what she's worth to those guys over there?"
Danny jerked him up so he was standing in front of him. "You mean all of this was for money? How many women, Roger!"
"I want my attorney!"
Jamie leaned in to Roger's face. "You're going down for kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder of a police officer you son of a bitch!"
"You friggin' idiot!" Roger spat at him. "Do you know what that little tight piece is worth? With her blond hair and big…" Jamie's fist slammed in to Roger's jaw, pounding the words back in to his throat along with one of his teeth. Blood splattered as he flew back against the car.
Danny's arm shot out around Jamie, holding him back. "Hey, kid! Enough!" He pushed Jamie to the side and patted his brother's back. "Let me be the one to jump the leash with this guy. One of us is ultimately bound for One PP with the whole shebang, and it sure as hell isn't gonna be me. Let me handle this piece of crap."
Jamie shook his hand which was covered in blood and a deep cut. He flexed his fingers. "I don't want that bastard to see the light of day for the rest of his life!" He dug in to his pocket and pulled out the recorder. "Here. Eddie got the whole thing on tape."
Danny smiled and slipped the recorder in to a clear plastic bag. "You got it, Mr. Reardon. Exhibit A."
An EMT ran up beside them, looking at Jamie. "Excuse me, sir. We're ready to transport your wife to the hospital. You want to ride along?"
"Yeah, thanks!" Jamie followed the tech.
Danny watched as Jamie headed to the ambulance. Maria stood beside him and he turned to her. "I think the whole vow renewal ceremony thing went to his head."
Baez smiled at him. "No. It went to his heart."
~~00~~00~~
Jamie climbed in to the ambulance and sat down beside Eddie. Her eyes were closed and she appeared asleep. The unit jerked forward, maneuvering through the parking garage. The EMT looked at him as he checked the IV. "The drug he gave her was sodium pentothal."
Jamie looked puzzled. "Truth serum? Is she going to be okay?"
"He gave her a pretty heavy dose, but she'll be alright. But don't be surprised if she talks about things she might not normally discuss. It's kind of like intoxication; you know, when someone has had too much to drink."
He nodded, and reached for her hand. "I noticed she had bruises on her midsection and upper body." He looked at the EMT. "Was she…I mean did he…?"
The technician could read Jamie's expression and shook his head. He lowered his voice. "No, there was no sign of sexual assault."
Eddie opened her eyes. Her fingers squeezed Jamie's hand. "Hey. Partner." Her speech was still slightly slurred.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "How do you feel?"
"Tipsy."
He chuckled. "You're going to be okay. We're on our way to St. Vince's."
Her brow furrowed with worry. "What happened to your hand?"
He flexed it. "I bumped in to Roger."
"I'm so glad you're here." She pulled their clasped hands against her chest. "You know what, Reagan?"
"What?"
She smiled. "I have a secret."
He leaned closer to her. "What is it?" He was relieved she was alright but slightly amused by her inebriated state.
"Come here," she muttered crooking a finger drawing him closer. He leaned down so her mouth was next to his ear. "I love you." She whispered.
He glanced at her, not sure what to say. "Uh…"
She tried to speak normally, "I've had these feelings for a long time….I didn't want it, Reagan. I mean, do I look like I'm carrying a torch?"
"Shhh…no." He whispered.
"It just happened. And I couldn't tell you." Eddie's eyes watered. "And then today I thought I'd never see you again."
"Eddie…"
"So I just wanted you to know. And if…"
"Eddie…."
"…you don't feel…I'll understand…."
He pressed his lips against hers muffling her protests, brushing her lips with his. He squeezed her hand and Eddie felt sleep pulling her under, but this time she felt safe and protected. A beautiful, restful sleep where the last thing she heard was his voice…
I love you.