Chapter 24

Frank gazed out his thirteenth-floor window at the plaza, which always helped him think. He had just finished talking to Captain McNichols, who informed him of Officer Reagan's unexpected visit. He had expected some pushback from his officers but hadn't anticipated this.

"Have you heard?" Sid asked.

"I just spoke with Captain McNichols," Frank answered without turning.

"Transferring her will only change the location of the ill will against her, boss. Do you have a plan?" Sid asked curiously, knowing how Frank liked looking out his window when thinking.

"Please ask Chief Collins and Chief Taylor to come to my office, Sid," Frank asked as he turned to face him, smiling.

It never failed him; looking down from his office seemed to stimulate him. He had solved many problems looking down from this spot in his thirteenth-floor office. He had an idea to help Eddie; he only hoped she would accept his help. He knew how hard-headed and stubborn she could be, worse than Danny if possible.

"Plan Boss?"

Frank asked Sid to request Abigail to obtain the service jackets of Officer Reagan, Walsh, and Detective Baez, but Sid needed clarification. "Let me figure things out before I take action," he said.

Sid nodded in acknowledgement, knowing the commissioner would only share when he was ready.

'How is Eddie holding up? Paula McNichols phoned to let me know about her impromptu visit.' Frank messaged his father before he took his seat at his desk.

His cell dinged a few minutes later.

'She was not well and had hardly said two words since we returned home. Even her best friend dismissed her, which was not good, Francis.'

He tossed his phone onto his desk after reading his father's reply.

BB

Eddie was standing by the pond, lost in thought, as she remembered her recent visit to the precinct. She couldn't stop tears from streaming down her face as she recalled some of the humiliating things she had done to get her next drug fix. She knew those actions would end up on social media sooner or later, but she hadn't shared this with anyone and wouldn't even bring it up with the department psychologist during her upcoming appointment. She felt too ashamed to talk about it.

"Is it worth returning?" Eddie asked after she read the letter confirming her upcoming appointment with a psychologist. The letter indicated that she had been cleared to resume limited duties, subject to assessment, and her rehabilitation advocate and doctor both believed it was a good idea. "Well, at least they can't hate you anymore," she sighed.

Maria and Pop had been listening to Eddie as she debated with herself aloud. Part of her wanted to return to work since she lived to serve, but she was unsure if that was still enough. Eddie had been affected by her visit to the precinct.

"Would you share your thoughts with me, Eddie?" Henry asked.

"I was just thinking, Pop. I promise there's nothing to worry about," Eddie smiled, unaware they had overheard her self-debate.

Maria raised an eyebrow and motioned for Henry to leave her alone with Eddie.

Henry smiled in acknowledgement. "I have some things to sort out down in the basement. Shout if you ladies need anything," he excused himself, giving Maria a wink as he left.

Eddie watched as Henry descended the steps to the basement, looking confused.

"We both heard everything, Eddie. You were having quite the debate with yourself," Maria said, referring to Eddie's earlier conversation. "I understand how you feel. Can I tell you something?"

"Of course, Maria," answered an embarrassed Eddie.

Maria sat down beside Eddie and took a deep breath to steady herself. "After everything that happened to me, it shook me how close I came to losing my little girl. I can't bear the thought of orphaning her a second time. I've talked it over with Danny and only told Pop. He worked it out at your precinct. I will ask to be reassigned to a less front-line role, which means only one of us will be in danger." Maria explained she had to blink hard to stop her tears from falling. Her memories of her time at the asylum haunted her, the what-ifs on a loop in her head,

'What if they cut too deep?'

'What if they had sold Elena?'

'What if they never let me wake up?'

"Oh Maria," sniffed Eddie as she took Maria's Hand, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Why didn't you say something?"

Maria started to cry, her emotions too much to contain. She felt responsible for Eddie's struggles and had sacrificed herself to let Maria escape with Elena. "This is all my fault, and I listened to what they all said to you. Behind your back, this is on me. You don't deserve any of this; you should be accepting all the adulation for a great job." Announced a tearful Maria

Eddie comforted Maria, and the two women hugged each other silently, finding solace in their shared experience. "Don't blame yourself, Maria Baez-Reagan. That wicked woman and her little minion are responsible. You did what you had to do, and I would do it again without hesitation," Eddie said reassuringly. "You've got your man and put a ring on his finger. I can't blame you for taking a step back now that you have that beautiful princess to think about. I'm sure you can keep your husband from doing anything foolish, especially since he also has a young daughter to consider." She laughed, "If you can't, both of you will have to deal with her Godmother," Eddie smirked.

Chuckling, Maria looked at her friend and said, "What about you? Are you going to stick it out or Hand in your shield?"

She reflected on her earlier musings, "Hand in my shield after what happened this morning. I so wanted to stay and prove them all wrong. After Clarisa, my best friend, shunned me, the fight left me…." Eddie wanted to tell Maria everything, but she was petrified Maria would hate her.

"You can tell me, Eddie. I promise I won't judge, and you saved us; nothing can change my mind, no matter how bad you think," coaxed Maria.

Eddie needed to tell someone; the shame was eating her from the inside. Nodding, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "I did things for drugs that I am ashamed of; I expect to see them online soon…[BAAARRRFFF]." Eddie vomited

"Let's get you to the bathroom and clean you up," Maria assisted her embarrassed friend.

"Sorry," Eddie managed

BB

Eddie was embarrassed; she couldn't believe she vomited in front of Maria. The thought of telling another living soul made her feel sick.

"Eungh!" Eddie's Hand shot to her mouth as she fought the urge to vomit.

Maria noticed Eddie was visibly upset, so she changed the subject. "Did you know I had a brother named Javier? We called him Javi. When we were younger, he protected me from bullies and gangs at school. We were very close," Maria said, wiping away a tear as she fondly remembered her brother. "However, I had to cut him out of my life. He became addicted to drugs, which caused a lot of problems for our family. He even stole from us, which eventually led to our parents' separation. I know how far he would go to get his next fix." Maria lifted Eddie's chin.

"Can you look at me, Eddie Reagan?" she asked gently. She waited patiently for Eddie to look up. "Take your time, but you must tell me what's happening. If you don't, it will only make things worse. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. Don't make me take you to the box and sweat it out of you," she joked.

"I did things to myself..." Eddie's words trailed off as she began to dry retch.

Maria didn't need to be a detective to know what that evil woman had made Eddie do on the barge. Her blood boiled with anger. "She made you touch yourself? Didn't she?" she asked, detesting Barry even more.

Eddie's sobbing answered her question. Embracing the distraught woman, Maria rubbed calming circles on her back as she sobbed. "I am proud of you, Eddie Reagan; you survived to come home to Jamie. Heroin is so addictive that once it has you hooked, it changes you. Javi was a monster while he was chasing the dragon. This family doesn't care about that anymore. What matters to us is that you are back with us, and we will be here to support you. You could have a new career as a social media sensation," smirked Maria

Eddie let out a little laugh as she sobbed into Maria's shoulder, "I could have my own brand lingerie in NYPD blue," she chuckled. "What happened to Javi?" Asked Eddie

"Something else that both of you have in common is that he saved my life. He courageously stood between me and a criminal, taking the bullet that was headed straight towards me. He died in my arms on the floor of the warehouse. He had finally turned his life around and assisted the DEA as an informant. Danny held my Hand as I informed my mother about what had happened," Maria explained emotionally.

"Oh, Maria, I am so sorry," sobbed Eddie

BB

Henry sat on the step, crying. He had listened to Maria and Eddie talking and was concerned about Eddie. He loved her like a daughter, and he could tell something terrible had happened on that barge. She shut down any probing question by changing the subject or avoiding answering with more than a one-word answer.

'Family meeting, no exceptions one hour (10-13)' read the Reagan family group text.

Henry quietly walked to the kitchen, bearing some food,

' Francis, Eddie intends to hand her shield in after what happened at her precinct. Please tell me you have a plan to stop her from throwing away her career. Please tell me if you know who is putting up these video clips\? Dont make me dust off my weapon,'

To be continued..