December 6th
Nicki pushed her way through the crowd at the end of the street, not caring in the least when people cursed her or shoved back. Please! She closed her eyes in concentration, trying to reach God or anyone else who was listening. When she opened them again, a young man was standing in front of her.
Pale, as thin as a scarecrow and with thick black circles beneath his pale blue eyes. Hints of a blond beard. It took Nicki some time to recognize Jamie, but then all hell broke loose. Abandoning her self-control, she jumped into his arms, knocking them both back and onto the icy tarmac. Through the cloth of the black pullover, Nicki could feel Jamie's ribs, but she also felt the warmth radiating from his body. Felt his chest rise and fall, heard his surprised laughter.
"You're alive, you're alive! I missed you so much!" Words didn't even begin to describe it. Nicki smiled and cried and didn't let go until another pair of hands carefully put her back on her feet. That's when she turned around and threw her arms around another beloved family member.
"Uncle Danny! I missed you, too! Thank God you're alive!"
"Hey. Good to be back", Danny answered and hugged her right back. His strong arms welcomed her and finally, Nicki felt like she was home. The revelation only made her cry more.
"Everyone has been waiting for you to show up. Come home now", Nicki said between little hick-ups. She let go of Danny for a moment to help Jamie up, who had been contently sitting there, watching the reunion. Now all three of them were heading back to Reagan Manor, the neighbors whispering around them. This would be gossip for years to come, Nicki thought and shrugged. It wasn't important.
She was practically dancing with joy when she unlocked the front door and announced their arrival by screaming. "They're back!" As a result, something crashed down in the kitchen and then two very agitated women stormed into the room, each one embracing one of the men tightly.
"Danny!"
"Jamie!"
"Hey", Danny said again, burying his head in Linda's hair. Somehow Nicki felt weird looking on as if she was intruding on something private. She stepped back, thereby avoiding two little devils that were rushing down the stairs to throw themselves at the men.
"Uncle Jamie!"
"Dad!"
"Hey. This is getting kind of repetitive, but I don't mind. Not at all", Danny said, scooping up his boys. Although Sean and Jack were too old for that kind of thing, they clearly enjoyed to be held right now. Nicki couldn't stop smiling and Erin hadn't let go of her younger brother yet, which was a wise precaution, seeing how white Jamie was. And where...?
"Why are you holding back?", Nicki asked, strolling over to stand beside the other two Reagans in the doorway, Frank and Henry. Frank had silently followed the three youths into the house after he'd dealt with the driver. Now he seemed to be as cool as a cucumber while Henry was close to tears. He nodded once, twice, three times, murmuring something Nicki did not catch.
"Don't want to smother them with even more attention and hugs", Henry then explained. Jamie snorted, he'd obviously heard the comment. Carefully placing one foot in front of the other, the young police officer came over and embraced his grandfather.
"I hope you don't mind", he quipped tiredly. Nicki's smile wavered for a second when she noticed the lack of enthusiasm in Jamie's behavior, then she blamed it on his fatigue and winked at Henry.
"Doesn't count as smothering when you're not the active party, I'm sure." Her gaze locked with her Mom's across the hall and Nicki opened her arms. Why not extend the blissful fuzziness for a moment? Erin certainly seemed to like the idea, holding her daughter for a long while. Finally she let go, wiping her cheeks. Meanwhile both Danny and Jamie had hugged their father, the latter son nearly falling over when he was released, which made the rest of his family relocate themselves onto the couch.
"So... what happened?", Nicki asked to fill the silence. Curious faces turned to Danny, who sighed and quickly recounted the things that had happened since Jackie had left. It had been exciting at least, Nicki judged, knowing that they'd gotten the child-friendly version of events because Jack and Sean were sitting on Danny's lap.
"There are a few things we still need to talk about", Frank said, already thinking ahead. His brows were furrowed, which meant the topic would not be a positive one. Nicki, Jack, Sean and Jamie groaned in unison.
"That is code for 'send the boys to bed'", Jack moaned while Sean nodded miserably and Linda smiled down at them. Danny patted their backs and Nicki tried to look inconspicuous because she didn't want to be sent away as well. Jamie had other worries.
"I need a hot shower, fresh clothes and a strong coffee or else I won't stay awake long enough to even listen", he stated as a matter of fact. Nobody disagreed as they all saw the shadows lingering on him.
"We should meet again in half an hour", Linda suggested, tugging at her husband's hand. Danny smiled and Nicki found herself grinning as well. It was good to have them back, to deal with the usual stuff like who got the big bathroom and who would take care of the boys.
"I'll drive them home and stay a while", Henry offered, earning a grateful nod from the rest of the family. For a moment Nicki wondered why they weren't simply staying in this house, but then she realized that the only reason for them to stay here - news from Danny and Jamie - had evaporated. Besides, Danny and Linda would want some privacy.
"See you in a few minutes. Don't lock the door", Frank instructed his youngest son when they all got up from the couch. Jamie nodded curtly, already pulling the sweater over his head. Soon the sound of running water could be heard and an engine was starting in front of the house. Only Nicki and Frank had remained in the living room.
"Danny seems fine", Nicki said, biting down on her lower lip. Her sentence also implicated that Jamie, on the other hand, was not alright, which might not be an outright lie, but also not the truth. He didn't seem beaten up or anything, just... pale. A little like she had been before Henry had taken her out to the shooting range.
"Yes, Danny is fine. And Jamie will recover", Frank stated with the self-confidence of a man his age who had seen everything. Nicki tried to make herself believe him, but her gaze kept wandering towards the bathroom door, waiting for the sound of somebody falling. She felt like she was falling, too, which was ridiculous considering that she should have been so very happy.
"Things won't be like before", she answered just as self-assured. Frank wasn't fazed by her perceptiveness, the last weeks had shown him how capable his grandchild really was. Furthermore, she could read him like a book, which was very impressive.
"True. But after a while we'll find our way back to normality."
"Jamie, too?"
"Yes, him, too."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Experience." And who could argue with that? A police commissioner would have to know. Nicki would trust his evaluation until it was proven wrong. And that would never happen, she would make sure of it. Whatever her Uncles needed, she would make sure they got it.
"I'll help", she announced and returned the honest smile on Frank's lips. The sound of a key in a lock disrupted their chat.
"Henry, everything alright? Why are you back so soon?" No answer.
"Henry?", Frank inquired and shrugged in Nicki's direction. I don't know what's going on either, but I'm sure Henry will explain it. He probably forgot which fuel to use or something similar.
"Henry?" Somebody was walking down the hall, making its way over to them, but Nicki saw at once that the shape was too big for the old man. Without thinking, she moved to the weapons cabinet on top of the drawer, only to be stopped by a cold voice.
"No, my name is not Henry. It also starts with an H though."
"Harold Wyrdmann", Frank said tonelessly, blocking Nicki's view of the psychopath and thereby allowing her to grasp the old revolver from its case. Well, he would have and she could have. But Nicki remained rooted to the spot during that critical moment, then she screamed a piercing, panicked cry for help.
Unfortunately that got the attention of the criminal, who pointed the mouth of the gun he was carrying in her direction. Linda and Erin came running from the kitchen, Erin with a broom in hand. She dropped it when she saw the man that was aiming a loaded weapon at her daughter and held up her hands.
"Don't hurt her!"
"Hurt who?", Danny asked, rounding the corner thoughtlessly. His hair was still damp and of course he wasn't carrying, instead holding a towel in his hand. He didn't stand a chance against Wyrdmann either, surrendering the same fashion Erin had, only a lot less polite.
The criminal had the nerve to laugh at them, motioning for them to sit down in a corner. Pushed down by her mother, Nicki did as she was told, too shocked to even feel fear. She heard the water stop and closed her eyes in anticipation as Jamie opened the door and stepped into his worst nightmare.
And that's why lying is never a good idea, no matter how much easier it makes things, it will always come back to bite you in the ass. In other words, karma is a bitch. Danny only hoped that karma would also fling back at Harold Wyrdmann, because he deserved whatever he'd get. As they sat silently against the wall, waiting for Jamie to finish his shower, he already knew what would happen next.
"Don't...", he started, trying to get Wyrdmann's attention. The man turned around, flicked off the safety and pointed the gun in their direction. Danny stopped talking immediately.
"One more word and I'll shoot your sister. Don't ruin the surprise for young Jamison!" And what a surprise that would be, Danny thought, after I told him you were dead he'll get the shock of his life. Another trauma to add to the pile. Why couldn't Arabella do her job properly? He should have been six feet under! And how did he know we were here? Are there still cameras we missed?
The sounds of running water had stopped and the silence changed Danny's line of thought to Don't open the door, don't open the door, don't open the door. Like a broken record he repeated the words in his head, looking on as the inevitable happened. Jamie stepped into the living room, wearing nothing but old jogging trousers and a thin shirt.
"Welcome back, Jamison Reagan!" Bastard. Danny saw his younger brother freeze, the last bits of color draining from his face. Jamie was shaking, blinking rapidly and slowly backing off against the wall. His hand on the cord of the joggers was white from gripping the cloth so hard.
Helplessly, Danny watched Wyrdmann advance on Jamie, a dirty smile playing around the older man's mouth. How unfortunate the situation really was took some time to register. Finally Danny understood why Jamie was behaving so strangely, pressing his legs close together. Shit! The whole business of the would-be-rape must come crushing down now.
"Hey, Jamie! He didn't... didn't do it!", Nicki suddenly shouted. Danny gasped. As brave as his niece was, he really didn't want Wyrdmann to identify her as his target, so Danny joined in.
"You couldn't, could you? Impotence issues?" Oh, good one! Perhaps too good, he seemed to have hit a nerve, because Wyrdmann spun on his heel, fury written across his features. Momentarily forgetting Jamie, he delivered a vicious kick to Danny's stomach. Had he gotten closer, Danny might have tried to take his gun, but as it was, he curled in on himself, trying hard to breathe through the pain.
"Danny!" Erin was losing control, the horror taking over her mind. She was not used to violence, not the way Frank, he and even Jamie were. Danny had to protect the girls.
"Stay back!" Wyrdmann watched the exchange and gradually, he relaxed again, knowing that he was in control.
"Sweet Jamison, please join your family over here. I'm sure you have lots to talk about, but I'm afraid that will have to wait", Wyrdmann commanded, his greedy eyes trained back on Jamie. When he threw a handful of zip ties at his brother and told him to tie up the others, Danny thought for a moment that Jamie would faint. Sweat trailed down the young man's forehead, his chest rose and fell far to quickly. I'm sorry, kid, I shouldn't have lied. We should have hunted him down while we were still in Mexico.
"We don't have all day! Move!"
"No."
"What?" Again Wyrdmann's face reddened in anger. He clearly didn't like to be tested right now and Danny wished Jamie would finally come to his senses. What use was defiance when it didn't get you anywhere? Better to play along until you got a chance. Then he remembered Jamie's expression when they had hidden in the small storage room – the uneasiness to even enter a room that resembled his cell. Maybe he couldn't play along any more.
"I said I won't do it." Oh, sweet Jesus. Wrong answer. Wyrdmann brought his arm down, pistol-whipping Jamie with so much force that his brother was flung to the ground, bleeding from a wound on his cheekbone. Nicki whimpered, started to cry and Danny balled his fists, so very close to get himself killed in an attempt to attack Wyrdmann. Only the hint of satisfaction in Jamie's posture kept Danny from leaping at Wyrdmann. He had to trust his brother to handle this the only way he knew to.
"You! Cuff their hands in front of them!", Wyrdmann said, nodding in Erin's direction. Luckily Erin had collected herself and didn't show any fear when she complied and quickly bound their wrists together. She saved Jamie for last, giving him a chance to ready himself, but when she knelt in front of him, he was still wide-eyed and shaking like the rabbit in front of the snake.
"Don't, Erin, please..." Oh man. Danny couldn't bear it, seeing how Wyrdmann enjoyed the drama and the heartbreak he was causing them. Controlled emotions or not, Danny wouldn't allow the criminal to play them against each other.
"Jamie", he said, urging his brother to look at him. Their gazes met, panic warring with experienced calculation. Get your shit together, Danny tried to convey, knowing that Jamie only needed a push in the right direction so his training could kick in. Of course nobody was prepared for situations like that, but Jamie was a police officer and a Reagan. We don't get broken that easily.
"Okay. Yeah, I'm fine", Jamie said as if answering Danny's mental orders. He showed Erin his wrists, making her cringe when she noticed the old purple and blue abrasions. Nevertheless she didn't pause longer than the blink of an eye before she fastened the plastic around them. Jamie then returned the favor, binding Erin's hands together after Wyrdmann had commanded him to do so.
Good boy, play along. We'll get this asshole, just you wait. Danny nodded slowly, again catching Jamie's attention. They understood each other.
"Now get up!"
"Why?", Frank asked. He'd been so quiet Danny had almost forgotten he was there, but now the air of confidence around him made itself known. Danny smiled inwardly when Wyrdmann seemed slightly off balance, not expecting the charisma of the Police Commissioner to influence him.
"Because I say so!" Which was the most childish answer he could have given. Sadly, it was also the one that didn't really provide any information about the plans of the criminal. Somehow Danny doubted that Wyrdmann planned to shoot them, the set up was all wrong for that. But what else did the psychopath have in store? Not wanting to anger the man more than necessary, Danny got to his feet and helped Nicki to follow suit. Surprisingly she leaned close and whispered something in his ear.
"There's a gun in my room. He doesn't know." Whoa. Danny tried his best so conceal his reaction, but Wyrdmann saw them talking and paranoid like he was, immediately suspected a trap. His gun crashed against Danny's chest as he was pushed against the wall, his own arms pinned by Wyrdmann's body.
"What? What did she say to you?"
Next to Danny, Nicki flinched backwards, which in turn made Wyrdmann smirk. Danny replied with an ice-cold smile of his own.
"I just thought about how much fun it will be to arrest you. Or shoot you, whatever is more convenient", Danny quipped, reading himself for another physical attack. Wyrdmann looked him square in the eyes, cocking his head, then let go abruptly and repeated his order: "Get up!".
They were silent while they were marched through the rooms, Wyrdmann quickly retrieving both the gun Frank had stored in his bedroom and the one in the guest room where Henry had been sleeping. Danny seethed with anger at the reminder how they'd been spied upon, but didn't dare to take any action. Yet. Finally, the criminal ordered them to sit down again on the couch in the living room
"By now you're all wondering what I'm doing here", Wyrdmann announced grandly. "I've worked so hard to set up the perfect circumstances in Mexico, but then you came along", he pointed at Danny, who glared right back, "brought that red haired bitch with you and ruined everything. I couldn't let that happen of course. See, I need answers. I need you to tell me!" His head swung around to Frank, who seemed as baffled by the outburst than any of them. In a comic book, there would have been a huge flock of question marks flying around them.
"Tell you what?"
"The truth about my son! I need you to tell me what really happened! The files were full of lies, you see? They wrote all kind of impossible things in there to confuse me! They hated me, they tried to destroy my family and they succeeded! My wife couldn't see through their web of lies and it killed her! Believing in them killed my wife! But not me! No, I saw it! I knew that the police were trying to cover it all up!", Wyrdmann declared, panting heavily.
Finally things fell into place for Danny. So that's why Wyrdmann had kidnapped Jamie. It didn't quite explain the torture sessions, but in a mind as warped as the criminal's, that might have been necessary to convince the family that he was not joking and was willing to do anything to get what he thought of as the truth. Paranoia and delusions had led the man to believe the New York Police Department had ganged up on him to destroy his life after his son had died. Perhaps Wyrdmann was trying to rid himself of his guilt that way, Danny concluded. The question now was: How could he use his knowledge to free his family?
"They said that Stephen's death was partly my fault, which is is a lie. They said he did drugs, which is another lie. That he didn't like to be at home. Lie. That he and his friends were shoplifting. Lie. Lie. Lie!"
"Mr. Wyrdmann, I can assure you my officers did the best they could. They would never..."
"Lie!" As fast as lightning, Wyrdmann sprang into action, punching Frank in the face. His dad grunted, but didn't react otherwise. Danny fumed silently. He had read the report himself when Erin had sent it to him via cellphone. Danny had rechecked the leads and found them well researched. There had been no mistake, hence there was no truth to tell. Maybe they could make something up? But what?
"The primary suspect is always the family, in this case the father. We had to investigate you and your wife..."
"Don't you dare speak about my wife!", Wyrdmann exploded, advancing on Frank again, who quickly shut up. Danny tried to think of a way he could turn this situation around, but somebody beat him to it.
"People always lie, even my grandpa." Nicki? What was she doing? She had been leaning back, trying to be out of the way, but now she was pushing herself in front of Danny's shoulders that had mostly hidden her frame before. Her eyes were damp and she seemed unsure of herself, biting down on her glossy lips and looking shyly at the criminal. She was the picture of a pretty teenager about to rebel and team up with the criminal. Danny frowned. Nicki was not the revolutionary kind of person and she wasn't usually bullied into anything, why was she acting like this? Well, she had certainly gotten Wyrdmann's attention.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing", Nicki said, letting her head hang low, which of course made Wyrdmann want to chase his prey.
"Tell me."
"I... um, no, it's nothing, really. I shouldn't have said anything", she muttered and if Danny hadn't known any better, he could have sworn that she was teasing him, letting herself be caught. She wanted him to keep asking her, but to what end?
"Now, sweet girl! Even my patience is finite, so start talking or maybe I'll use the gun", he threatened, earning a well-acted frightened expression. Or at least Danny suspected she was acting. Erin didn't seem to think so and neither did Frank, who was shifting uneasily.
"He uses all kinds of lies to get people to do what he wants", Nicki specified. It was like a bubble had burst, suddenly she was talking so fast it was hard to follow her thoughts. "I've seen it. He's a liar with a strategy. It's like price fixing. He simply tells his secretary and she gossips with everyone else and suddenly the whole office tells the same tale and everyone will believe it because they hear the same version from different people!"
"And why does that bother you, little one?", Wyrdmann asked with keen interest. He'd sat down on the small table in front of the telly, seeming utterly transfixed by Nicki. Frank had paled at her accusation, because it was at least partly true. Occasionally, he did tell his secretary to drop a few words into the right ears, but only to help his department!
"Because... because...", Nicki stammered, her cheeks reddening either in embarrassment or in anger. Danny knew that she couldn't stop now, Wyrdmann wouldn't let her off the hook. Nicki seemed to realize the same thing, so she fixed her large eyes on him again, swallowed and continued.
"Because they never catch him at it! And when they do, it's allright, it doesn't matter, he's the Police Commissioner, he's all high and mighty. So he's always absolved simply because he has power? That's so unfair. Lying should not be used like this, it shouldn't be okay!"
Danny blinked, breaking the spell Nicki had thrown on all of them – making them listen without raising her voice. Well, she had been louder at the end, but that had been to make a point. One day Nicki would make a fine lawyer, Danny thought, seeing how smitten Wyrdmann was. At one point he'd even nodded. Clearly he believed every word that came out of Nicki's mouth. And she wasn't even done yet.
"And you know what's worse?"
"What?", Wyrdmann inquired, elbows on his knees, leaning in her direction.
"He's not the only one. Danny keeps telling me lies because he doesn't think I can handle the truth, Linda does it to support Danny and my mom – she's the worst of all! She lies to have it easier, she lies all the time!"
"And Jamie?" Wyrdmann asked as if to test her. Nicki shot a look at Jamie, who was still shell-shocked and not taking part in any of the action.
"He tries to do better", Nicki admitted. Wyrdmann scowled and Nicki changed course elegantly, "Sometimes. But in the end he's no better, not enough backbone to be different. If they tell him to say something, he says it. They are all liars. All of them!"
Smart girl, Danny thought, not feeling insulted but rather proud at his niece's accomplishment. She'd successfully formed an alliance with the criminal by finding common ground with him. The only problem was that she'd painted a huge target on the rest of them in the process.