That night, at the hospital
Both detectives had been examined, had the appropriate tests and radiology examinations and had been told they should stay overnight. After much discussion they finally acquiesced if they could share the hospital room. Jamie and Eddie traveled to Danny's house and Maria's home and brought toiletries, nightwear and fresh clothes for the morning, presuming they would be discharged at that time. When they arrived at the hospital and went to the hospital room Maria was sleeping and Danny was sitting in a chair just watching his partner sleep. "Danny how are you feeling?" asked Jamie.
"Like I got kicked in my chest by a horse. How's Elena and the nanny doing?"
"Dad convinced her to move into the family home, brought out the highchair and set up what had been Erin's bedroom for the baby and the nanny. RMP will be there for the next 72 hours. Some Federal attorney is with Erin. She got a list of charges she wants to pursue while the Fed just wants to use Sam as an example to anyone else who tries to kill a federal officer. 'Kill a Fed, prepare to die. We will not stop until you are strapped to the stretcher in the federal prison in Indiana and you receive the lethal cocktail.' Maria's gonna be alright, isn't she?" asked Jamie.
"Yeah, she'll be fine. Probably have to take a few days off but it will be good for her to just relax. Thanks for everything you and Eddie did today. What you did was pretty clever, and we got the bad guy in cuffs without us having to fire a shot. I'd call that a win any day."
Just then, Maria woke up. She looked around, found Danny and reached out to him. He moved his chair closer to the bed. "Hey, partner, have a nice nap?"
"Where's the baby and Annie?"
"Guess you don't remember. Dad convinced her to pack a few days' worth of clothes and baby food and move into Chez Reagan for now. She's got Pops there and Eddie will also be there and RMP's around the clock until they decide what happens to Sam. Jamie and Eddie packed a bag for each of us, so we'll have clean clothes for tomorrow. Sean knows what happened and he's also staying with Dad till we get discharged. Did I cover everything?"
"I guess so, for now. We still have reports to write up…"
"And we can do that tomorrow or the next day. Whenever you're ready. For now, relax, maybe I can convince the kids to get us something decent to eat and then we'll do a video call with the nanny so you can see that she and Elena are okay. Does that cover all the bases?"
"Not quite but I'll wait until we're alone…"
"Just doing my job, ma'am. As I would for any other citizen. He smiled at Maria, and she gave him a look that said, 'just wait till they leave and I'm gonna tell you what I really think.' At that moment two nurses came into the room. One was drop dead gorgeous and had a fabulous smile. The other seemed to be from another era and had the military training she would use, if necessary. Jamie and Eddie just watched to see what would happen.
The older woman looked back and forth between the two patients and then checked her clipboard. She looked Danny in the eye, "Mr. Reagan, I presume? My name is Miss Ferguson, and I am charged with your care for the next twelve hours. According to the orders written by your physician, you are to remain in your bed except to use the head. You may have a light dinner tonight that will be," she looked at the next page on her clipboard, "Dry toast, tea and clear broth. Would you prefer chicken, beef or vegetable broth, sir?"
"Thank you for your service, ma'am. May I ask which branch you were in, ma'am?"
"How did you…? I was a nurse in the Navy, served in the middle east for five years before being reassigned to a stateside billet. Did my twenty and retired. Then the pandemic hit and I left retirement and will probably be here for the next twenty. And where did you serve?"
"Two tours in Fallujah, USMC, just a lowly corporal, but at least I was able to come home. And chicken broth will be just fine, ma'am."
"Corporal, I'm going to see about getting the orders changed. Now, if you would please return to your bed so I can do my job?" Danny stood up, gave Maria's hand a quick squeeze and climbed back into his bed. Miss Ferguson brought her cart over, pulled the privacy curtain and began performing her duties. Meanwhile, the other nurse had walked up to Maria, pulled the curtain and began her duties. Jamie and Eddie waited hoping that one of the nurses would find a way to let the patients have a better dinner than what had been prescribed. The curtain around Danny's bed was pulled back but he was admonished to stay in bed for now. Miss Ferguson walked up to Jamie, "He says that you're his little brother. I'm going to track down their doctors and see about getting them a real dinner."
"Ma'am, that would be great. I was hoping I could get them maybe a burger, salad and fries. Can we bring something back for you and your partner?"
"That would be most kind. I'll bring back a few menus for you to choose from. I'll be right back." She headed out and returned to the nurses' desk. She returned a few minutes later with the menu from a diner nearby. "I've spoken to the owner, let me know what your brother and his partner want, and I'll call it in to him. It will be ready when you arrive. He knows what we want but everything there is excellent." Ms. Ferguson conferred with Maria's nurse and then talked to Maria. She came out and told Jamie that with a head injury nausea can be common, so Maria requested their chicken soup with matzo balls. Jamie showed the menu to Danny who asked for the chef's salad and two rolls. Miss Ferguson placed the orders and Jamie and Eddie headed out to pick it up.
While they waited for their food Frank called for an update. Sean helped him make the call so they could see each other using the video capabilities in their phones. Elena was excited to see her mami and her 'da-da.' Annie assured Maria that they were being well cared for and felt very comfortable in the home. Henry loved to chat and loved playing baby games with Elena. Dinner arrived and Danny moved over to help Maria. She ate only about one third of her soup and then wanted to lay down. Danny ate half of his salad and then packed up the remains and asked Jamie to take it home. If there were any updates, Danny would call Jamie who would relay the information as necessary. When they were gone, Danny helped Maria change into her own nightgown, perform her nightly ablutions and return to her bed. Danny did the same for himself but convinced Maria they should share a bed. She finally relented and they spent a quiet night. Miss Ferguson checked on them every hour and found them sleeping peacefully. They were woken at 0600 for vital signs, blood collection and getting a shower.