A Chance for a Better Life
Chapter Eighteen
Jamie's first case was a big success. Those in the Intelligence Bureau were very impressed. He gained a lot of traction and sources that he could carry forward. He'd seen the Homeless Avengers a few times during his time undercover and while he'd missed the work, he understood why he couldn't volunteer any longer.
He went from being the new kid on the squad to being a trusted member because he followed protocol and worked with his team members. He didn't go looking for anything but justice for those who were killed. Teamwork was essential part of intelligence.
"Hey kid, you got a minute?" Danny was happy to see Jamie back at his desk, and he'd heard about all of the arrests and the volunteer organization being shut down.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I heard about how great you did with your first assignment. I just wanted to make sure that you're doing, okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I'm happy to be home sleeping in my own bed." Jamie laughed, but at the same time knew how lucky he was to have that roof over his head.
"I was surprised to see you out there even though I shouldn't have been. Dad told us you were undercover and that's why you were missing dinners."
"Yeah, it's better if Linda and Erin don't know anyway. Can you imagine if they knew?"
"No, and I don't want to. I would never hear the end of it at home. Linda would've had me out there with you or bringing you food every day."
They were interrupted by FIS Carlson calling Jamie into his office.
"Reagan, have a seat."
"Yes sir"
"Reagan, how are you after spending so much time on streets?" Carlson was looking him over closely. A few people had talked about his weight loss, but other than that he was in a good mood.
"I'm good and glad we got all of them boss."
"Me too. I heard you got one of the guys you met out there a job at the 12th as a janitor."
"Yeah, he fell on some bad luck. It could happen to any of us. He doesn't know that it was me who helped him, and I was a janitor at the 12th when I was in high school."
"Ok and good. Listen, we all wear the same uniforms in this unit. I believe that we all need to know how to do everything, and that we all have strengths and weaknesses. There's a new OP starting tomorrow, and I want you to assist running this OP with Detective Mark Ansley."
"Okay, what's the OP?"
"There's a group stealing cars and selling them. The money is going to terrorists."
"Okay. Do we know how many people are involved in the theft?"
"Right now, it isn't very many that we are aware of, but I want you and Ansley to work together to figure out more of the details. He's waiting for you in the secondary office."
Jamie gathered his notebook and case folders that he'd just been given and made his way across the room.
"Detective, I was told to report to you."
"Hey Reagan, you're not reporting to me, we're working together, we are partners for now."
"Where do you want me to start? The Serge made it sound like this was an active OP, and I'm coming in later because I just got back."
"We started getting intel in last week. You should have everything in the case file. I don't think that we will need the entire team until the takedown."
"I'll start some research based on what I've found in the files. When do you want an update?"
"When you can. You'll notice that they have been staying in a couple of neighborhoods."
"Okay."
It was a long first day back at the precinct sitting behind a desk, but he knew that all police work wasn't done out on the streets.
A week later they found enough information to start the OP. Jamie and Mark were situated in the van.
"Good call on having the unis canvass the area and find out if any of these people had security cameras." Mark liked mentoring the next generation, they always taught him as much as he was teaching them.
"Thanks. My grandpa lives in a really nice neighborhood too, and several of his neighbors have security cameras."
"Bay Ridge, right?"
"Yes, it's a nice neighborhood."
"I can't imagine having the money that these people do." Mark looked at all of the cameras and the huge houses.
"I'm happy to just have my two-bedroom apartment and there are times I wish I'd gone smaller." Jamie leaned into one of the screens. "Hey look, check the temp plate coming down the street. It's one of the cars on the website that was sold."
"Good eye Reagan. What house does it belong to?"
"The red brick with the gazebo on the side yard."
They both watched to see if the car made its way to its home and wished the windows were not blacked out so they could tell if the owner was in the car.
"Let's have someone follow, just to be safe." Jamie had a feeling but knew he couldn't act on the feeling alone. It wouldn't hold up in court.
Mark radioed to one of their follow cars. Ten minutes later they had their answer when they received a call that the owner had called 911 and that his new car had been stolen.
An hour later they had caught up to their guy who had followed it to a body shop. It was a quick takedown. There were ten guys inside, and they each played their part in the crime. Three hours later they'd brought arrested everyone, and they were bringing every back to the 5-4. This was the second big takedown that the 5-4's intelligence unit had completed in the last three weeks.
"Great job everyone. Reagan, Ansley, I would like to see you both in my office."
"Yes, sir."
Once everyone was seated and comfortable, FIS Carlson looked at both members of his team. Ansley was one of the oldest members while Reagan was one of the newest, despite the difference in time on the job they were the two best members on his team.
"You both did a great job on this last OP. It didn't take long for you to figure out and find these guys. How did you put the pieces together so quickly."
"Easy, the rookie isn't really a rookie. He's great at finding the needle in a haystack." Ansley stated proudly.
"Care to elaborate?" FIS Carlson thought that it had been Ansley's good mentoring abilities and Jamie's quick ability to pick things up.
"Reagan has investigative experience. He was able to pinpoint how the organization was finding which car to steel. His law degree is useful too."
"When did you have time to shadow a detective?" Carlson was curious.
"When I was in the legal department with the Boston PD. I decided to apply to the academy when I was spending more time working investigations than I was spending in court."
"How long were you with BPD?"
"About three years, after graduation. I interned there for a year my last year in law school."
"Well, you both did excellent work, and I've decided to rearrange partnerships. I know this may be unpopular with your partners, but I've decided to keep you two together."
"Yes sir."
Jamie and Mark make their way over to their desks and continue on the paperwork from the last case.
"Any big plans for the weekend Reagan?"
"No, just family dinner on Sunday. What about you?"
"I have my kids this weekend. I think we're gonna go to the zoo while it's still warm enough to enjoy it."
"That'll be fun. How many kids do you have?"
"Two, an eleven-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl. They keep me busy." Mark laughed but was wishing he got more time with his kids.
"Do you get to see them very often?"
"Every other weekend they come into the city. Their mother moved them up to Westchester a few years ago."
"Do they miss the city?"
"I think they do. I know they love when they are here for the weekend. I don't know what my ex-wife wanted to get away from more, the job or the city or me."
"We all handle things differently." Jamie really wasn't sure what to say.
"Yeah, and my ex-wife had it rough growing up. I really tried not to bring work home with me, but there were days I just needed some support."
"Have you ever thought about talking to one of the department psychiatrists?"
"I have when it's been required, but never on a voluntary basis."
"Listen, I know everyone knows my family and they all think that they know me, but they don't. I've been going to a mental health professional of some type most of my life. I went the first time when I was seven and moved in with the Reagans."
"Moved in with the Reagans?" Mark was curious.
"Yeah, I was adopted. I spent my first five years in and out of the system or living with my abusive father, and then when I was seven despite the fact that my mom and I were living in an abandoned warehouse my birth father was still able to find my mom and kill her. After that he put a hit out on me."
Mark didn't know what to say. He like a lot of cops thought that all of the Reagans led an enchanted life. The talk around the department made it seem like Jamie was the golden boy who'd never dealt with anything in his life. Wow, they were wrong. He now understood that there was an obvious reason as to why he was so passionate about the homeless.
"Wow."
"I didn't tell you for any other reason than we're partners and so you can understand that it's important to take care of yourself. If you don't your family will suffer."
"Ya know Jamie, when Carlson partnered us up couple weeks ago, I was all set to train you and help you navigate life because I believed the gossip. I was wrong. I graduated the academy with Danny. I've seen how he's been treated in the department."
"I know that I can learn a lot from you, and I want to. I've been proving myself in one way or another my entire life. It seems like even when I've been able to prove myself to someone, they always find a way to doubt me."
"You have proven yourself here in a short time, and that's hard to do."
"Thank you."
Three hours later Mark had already left for the day, and Jamie was rereading his paperwork double checking a couple things before it was entered into the system and their FIO Lieutenant read it and it was moved onto 1PP.
"Hey kid, you're still here. When does your tour end?" Danny was surprised to see his little brother at his desk.
"It was over a couple hours ago. I was just finishing up some paperwork from my last case."
"Let's go and get a drink."
"Ok, where do you want to go?"
"Meet me at McGinty's in a half hour."
Forty-five minutes Danny walked into the bar to find his brother lost in thought.
"Sorry I'm later."
"You're always late. It's okay."
Danny laughed. He was. Jamie was the only one in the family that seemed to be okay with his tardiness. Danny thought that was funny because Jamie was never late.
"I've seen you around the house a few times this week and you've looked down. Is it case related or personal?"
"I haven't heard from Eddie since the race. I think my lie of omission lost me my best friend."
"And your crush."
"Fine, I like her! But it doesn't matter because she doesn't want anything to do with me."
"Kid, I've known you a long time. When things get rough, you tend to get quiet. Have you tried calling her?"
"No, but I've sent her a few text messages, and she hasn't replied to any of them."
Danny felt for his little brother. Linda was his angel who helped him through the hard days. He doesn't know what he would do without her.
"Don't give up. She's a social worker, right?"
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"She might be busy. You haven't had a lot of time lately either, between your undercover assignment and the last case you worked on."
"I know and if we were talking it wouldn't be a big deal. She really understands the job and we used to talk about the toll it can take on me and she would talk about hers too."
"It's important to have that in a relationship. Mom and Dad had that type of relationship, and Linda and I do. I worry about you being all alone."
"I know you do, and dad and probably pop too, but it's not like you guys can really do anything about it."
"But we can, we can encourage you to get out and date. We can talk when things are good and when they're bad. Just because you're not married or in a relationship it doesn't mean that you are alone."
"Thanks Danny."
"How's work going?"
"Good. Nothing crazy lately. What about you?"
"I've had a couple interesting cases. Nothing crazy. When are you gonna go to Dad's for dinner during the week again?"
"Next week, unless something comes up with work."
"They need that time with you. Now, is there anything else that happened in Boston that we should've known about at the time?"
"No, and I never said anything because we'd just lost mom. I couldn't do that to any of you."
"And if things had turned out worse, and we never knew, and we'd lost you. How do you think we would've felt then?"
"Not surviving wasn't an option. If it had gotten bad then I would've come home or said something, but it never did so it's a non-issue and I've promised dad that I will never withhold information like that from him again."
"Not just dad though right, I mean my wife is an oncology nurse."
Jamie shook his head. He wasn't a kid anymore. "No, but do you tell me everything about your life?"
"No."
"Danny, I know everyone is still mad at me for the information I withheld, but its over. Let's move on."
"Okay, let's move on."
"I'm gonna go home. I'll see you at dinner on Sunday."
"Ok kid."
Jamie had a good relaxing weekend. He'd called Eddie and she hadn't picked up, he guessed because she knew who was calling.
"Hey Ed, I know that your still mad at me and I understand. Please call me back when you have time, so I know that you're okay. I worry about you too."
His message was short, but Jamie just hoped that she called back.
After another couple of busy weeks Jamie was able to head over to his dads for a weeknight dinner.
"Hey Jamie. I'm glad you could make it. You haven't been around much since you started your new job."
"I know pop. I'm sorry. I'll try and do better."
"We just worry."
"I know. Can I help with dinner?" Jamie didn't want to have this conversation again.
"No, I got it all under control. Next week when you come for dinner we can cook together."
"Sounds good. When will dad will be home?"
"He's on his way now. He should be home soon."
The two continued talking and Jamie set the kitchen table so everything would be ready when his dad arrived home.
They had a nice relaxing dinner before Henry decided to go up to bed and read for a while so his son and grandson could have a much-needed conversation.
"Jamie, I'm glad you came out tonight."
"It was nice not eating alone."
Frank frowned. He hated that Jamie was alone and that Erin was a single mother. Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about either situation. The only thing he could do was support them.
"How do you like the new job?"
"I really like it. I got a new partner."
"Already? That seems quick. Was there problems with your previous partner?"
"Nothing, I worked on a case with a detective, and we worked really well together, and FIS Carlson wants us partnered for the foreseeable future."
"That's not uncommon in intel. I was curious about your first case. I know it hit a little close to home."
"The only thing it accomplished was to make me thankful for the roof over my head."
"Danny told me that he saw you."
"He did. I think we were both surprised. I had no idea that he did that."
"He started doing it when you were in the hospital, and he couldn't visit because you were so sick. It was a way he could be close to you."
"I know he understood what I was doing, but I could see the worry in his eyes."
"He wanted to bring you home before the group killing the homeless got to you. He had no idea that they had already gotten close."
"And I couldn't let him know that. I needed him home safe with Linda and the boys."
"How are things going with both of you in the 5-4?"
"Good. We've had lunch a few times. He seems to be trying really hard, and I know I am." Jamie smiled.
"I know he is, but I think that he's happy that you're at the 5-4 where it's easier to keep an eye on you."
"He doesn't need to keep an eye on me and he's not going to be able to unless we end up working a case together."
"You could end up working a few cases together. It depends on what your FIS decides."
"I know. I just hope if it does happen, I'm undercover and not working Ops with him."
Frank understood. Despite how well they were doing, both brothers being confined in such a small space probably wouldn't end well.
"You'll cross that bridge when you come to it." Frank couldn't help but laugh a little.
The next couple of weeks go smoothly.
Jamie woke up early to an alert about a cop that had been shot. He'd been called in early. He couldn't stop his anxiety. He'd sent a couple of texts to Danny, and he hadn't heard back. He didn't want to lose his last brother.
"Mark, have we heard anything yet?"
"Reagan, in the last hour I learned that it was a hit, but we don't have more than that. Was your brother working on a case tied to the Marconi family?"
"Not that he's told me." Jamie was trying to think of every work-related conversation that he'd had with his brother over the last two weeks.
Jamie had his head down going over all of the files that they'd received about the case so far.
Text from Eddie: Jamie, I heard about the officer from the 54 that was killed, please let me know that you're okay.
Text from Danny: Hey kid, I'm okay. It's not me. I heard you guys are taking over the Marconi case. I'll be in touch, I caught Detective Maloney's case.
Reply to Danny: Have you let everyone know that you're, okay?
Text from Danny: Yes, I just finished texting dad and Erin. Erin's gonna call pop and I called Linda as soon as I heard.
Reply to Danny: Ok. Stay safe.
Reply to Eddie: I'm okay.
Text from Eddie: I'm glad that you're safe, and I'm sorry I haven't returned any of your calls. Listen I know you're gonna be busy until this is solved, but I'd like to get together when you can. I think we need to talk.
Reply to Eddie: I agree. Are you free Friday night?
Text from Eddie: I'm available. What time?
Reply to Eddie: I'll pick you up around 8.
Text from Eddie: See you Friday.
Any other time Eddie had hung out with Jamie they'd met somewhere. Eddie was beginning to wonder if this was an actual date. She liked Jamie, which was a big part of why she was so mad that he had never told her that he had cancer. She thought that they told each other everything.
Eddie had been really busy at work. There were a lot of people who needed help, and she was doing everything she could to help them. She hadn't realized how much having Jamie around had helped her. He helped with the weight of the job, and he understood the bad things that she saw and read each day. He did nothing but support her even though he dealt with many of the same things that many of those she was working with did. She needed him back in her life. The more she thought about Jamie's omission the more she realized that he didn't tell her to keep the information from her, but so she could focus on the memory of her brother. Another thought that came to mind is that Jamie didn't want to bring it up because it was yet again another painful memory.
Jamie and Mark were busy working on the Marconi case. Jamie was happy that all of Mason's attempts to return to New York had failed. It was beginning to look like he may be going undercover again. He knew as long as it looked like he might be going undercover Mason didn't have a chance to come back to New York.
The fact that Eddie had contacted him when she thought he might be hurt brought him hope. He really was thinking about taking things a step further and really asking her out, but all of his doubts were creeping back into his mind. He wondered if she thought Friday night was a date because they usually met at the location, they were going to hang out in. His mind was swirling in a million different directions, he hoped that he hadn't further hurt his relationship with Eddie. He was afraid to lose his best friend.
By Friday Jamie was exhausted. They were working hard finalizing the plans for the Op that would put him back undercover for an undetermined amount of time.
Both Jamie and Eddie were quiet during the drive from her apartment to the restaurant.
"This is all very nice Jamie."
"I thought this would be the best way to apologize."
"Jamie, you have nothing to apologize for. My mom and I talked about it, and I realize that I overreacted. My mom reminded me how hard it was when my brother was sick and that you probably don't like remembering that time of your life."
"Yes, that's true to a point. It's not easy to talk about that time for a lot of reasons, and not just because I was sick."
Eddie cocked her head to the side like a cute puppy. Watching her brother when he was sick was hard enough.
"I don't know if you remember from the first day of HA training, but I'm adopted, and I'd been homeless before. When I got sick, I'd been with the Reagan's for a while, and I was finally getting used what it was like having a family. A family that loved me."
"Yeah, I remember when you introduced yourself. You made a big impact that day on me and several others. I guess I never put all the pieces of your past together."
"That's okay Eddie. I never expected you to. My family even forgets that I'm adopted sometimes. They are always telling me that I need to gain some distance from my past. Mainly about the time before I became a Reagan."
"I'm gonna guess that time is similar to the things I see when I have to remove a child from their home."
"You're right. Unfortunately, when I was a kid, the system had some cracks, and I was that quiet lonely little kid that fell through them all. Things would be different now."
"The cracks still exist, they're just smaller and there are more people to help." Eddie smiled. She always knew Jamie was a good person who cared, now she understood him a little better. Maybe he could help her understand how a child who lives through so much violence can come out with such a kind heart. Based on what she'd learned so far, his formative years were spent in terror and yet he was one of the sweetest most helpful people you would or could ever meet.
"Mary and Frank Reagan saved me. Without them I would've gone into foster care where my dad would've easily been able to get to me and kill me." Jamie was waiting for Eddie to leave or ask him to take her home because as nice as he looked on the outside, she was starting to see the monster on the inside.
"Why did he want to kill you?" Eddie's curiosity won out.
"I don't know. Maybe because I'd witnessed him abusing my mother so many times or just because I existed. He'd abused me too, but according to my dad the last couple times he abused me before my birth mom, and I left should have been considered attempted murder."
"Frank Reagan worked your case before you knew him?"
"Yes, and when I met him two years after the last time, he knew my family's name and remembered me."
"Oh Jamie! You are an amazing person."
It was Jamie's turn cock his head and look at Eddie with wonder and curiosity. He was expecting her to run.
"What? You are, and never doubt that. You are one of the kindest, most patient people I've ever met."
Jamie didn't know what to say. He hated getting compliments. It was easier to just move on, but knew he always blushed.
"Again, this is to apologize, so please order whatever you want."
"When your dad spoke at the race, he said that you'd relapsed when you were in college, but it seemed like your family didn't know about it at the time. How did they find out?"
"Health assessment when I applied to the academy. I knew my dad would find out then. I had hoped that my grandpa, brother, and sister didn't ever find out."
"Why didn't you tell them when you got sick again?"
"Because a few months before, my mom died from cancer. The doctors thought that it was stress of the situation that led to my relapse. I've been healthy ever since."
"Oh Jamie. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. It's funny though because of who my family is, they like to assume that they know who I am and what I'm like. It's one of the reasons why I stayed in Boston when I graduated."
"If you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here and despite our recent history I promise no judgement." Eddie placed her hand on his in a show of support.
"Thanks Eddie. I appreciate it."
Ten minutes later their food arrived. The food looked and smelled amazing. The night was turning out better than Jamie hoped.
"Jamie, this is amazing. Thank you for bringing me here. You know you didn't have to."
"I wanted to. I'm happy that we're talking again. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too. Can we start meeting after work again?"
"I want to, but I have a case coming up that might make it hard for me to do much until it's over, and we are still working on figuring out when it's gonna start. I'm sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for, its your job Jamie. I understand."
"Thanks Eddie. If I can meet up next week, I'll let you know, but if things move faster than I anticipate please know that I'm not upset with you. And know that I'll miss you and be thinking of you while I'm working."
"Jamie, I want you focused on work, so you come home safe."
Things move quickly, and Jamie is able to get an in with the Marconi family, and if all went well, he could be under by Friday.
Jamie had been tying up loose ends before he was once again playing a part, and he hoped that like the last two times he was able to make a positive impact in the community. He'd been able to let Eddie know that he wouldn't have time to meet up, but that he'd be safe and would call her when he was home.
The OP had been approved by 1PP, so he guessed his dad already knew, but he was heading to Bayridge that night to say goodbye before he wouldn't see them his dad or grandpa for a while.
"Hey pop."
"Jamie! Your dad, is running late, but has said that he will be here before you leave."
"Pop, it's okay. He is very busy."
"It's not okay. Jamie, you have a very dangerous job. Your father would never forgive himself if he didn't get to see you before you left." Henry made sure that Jamie understood what he was saying.
"Thanks pop, and I won't leave until I see him." Jamie smiled.
"Now, do you have any idea how long you're gonna be gone and are you gonna have time to say goodbye to anyone else before you go?"
"I'm gonna see if Danny has time for lunch tomorrow, but I'm not gonna have time for anything but calls with everyone else."
"They'll understand." Henry knew they wouldn't, but he didn't want his son to worry about that.
Jamie laughed. "No Erin and Linda won't, but I'll never hear about it."
Henry laughed knowing his grandson was right. "I will."
"It hasn't been that long since your last assignment, are you ready for this one?"
"Yeah." Jamie knew this was what his life was going to be like when he moved to intel.
An hour later Jamie and Henry were enjoying another drink before dinner when Frank walked through the door looking exhausted. He had spent the afternoon going over the file for the Marconi family and he'd spent longer than he should have reviewing Jamie's part in the case.
Henry could see that something was bothering Frank, and after glancing at Jamie, he could see it too. One of the things that Henry loved was how similar Jamie and Frank were.
"Everything okay dad?" Jamie had a feeling that he knew where his dad's head was because he knew his LT. had a meeting with him earlier in the day.
"It was a long day, but I'm gonna go change and then let's eat. I know that you have a lot of things to take care of before your assignment starts."
Jamie's always been one to think things through. At times the family have thought that he's made decisions for reasons other than himself, but the funny thing is that each time anyone's made that assumption they've never talked to him. By the time Frank comes back down Jamie's lost in thought.
The last thing Frank wanted to do, before his youngest left for his new assignment was throw him off of his game. He needed his son focused.
"Jamie, I know that this assignment is gonna be hard."
"Nothing in life is easy."
"That's true, but sometimes you have a habit of making your life harder than it needs to be." Frank wondered if he was going to upset Jamie with his statement.
"Yeah, I know. I don't do it on purpose, and ya know every time I work on a case involving the mob, I'm extra careful. I realize the added risk." Jamie paused watching his dad carefully. Frank didn't know that Jamie had overheard a conversation he'd had about his concerns of Jamie flipping sides because of who his birth father was. "Nothing could tempt me into changing sides."