Jamie's Encore
Chapter 8 Family Matters
REAGAN FAMILY HOME – SUN ROOM
Erin is calling her boss, the Manhattan DA.
"Hello, Barnett here."
"Rob, it's Erin."
"It is Sunday, don't you know?"
"I know, sorry. I really need to know something quick and dirty. When you gave me that name from Mississippi a while back; did you learn anything else?"
"Yes, I-
"Don't tell me, please. Have you told anyone else what you know?"
"No, should I?"
"NO, please don't!"
Rob chuckles. "Are you in deep shit, Erin?"
"With some family, yes. Promise me that your lips are sealed, please!"
"Ah, for you, of course they are sealed. You do know how to unseal them; don't you my dear."
"Ass!"
"And you have a fine one!" He laughs as he hangs up.
DAMN!
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FRANK'S SUV
"Frank here, Erin?"
"Dad, my boss knows more. But I'm pretty sure he won't tell. He really has no incentive to talk."
"I certainly hope you are correct; if he does, a fine young lady will be terribly hurt. You know that, right?"
"I know; tell Caitlin how sorry I am."
"No, that's your responsibility. You are a big girl, act like it!"
3 MINUTES LATER
Caitlin's phone rings, she doesn't recognize the number. She shows her phone to Frank.
"That's Erin. I wouldn't answer. Let her stew for a couple of days."
She smiles at him. "That's what I was thinking. Thank you so much for your support, Frank!"
"You're very welcome my dear."
CAITLIN'S HOUSE
"Would you like me to be on the call when you call Jamie?" Frank asks.
"Then he will know something is up."
"He will know as soon as he hears your voice."
"Um, you are right . . . well, yes. Let's do it. Come inside with me?"
He does.
She makes two mugs of coffee while she collects her thoughts.
"Thank you, shall we sit?" Frank goes to the dining room table, she follows. They each sip their coffee, then she calls Jamie.
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THE CALL
"Jamie here, how is my sweetheart? I miss you terribly!"
"Jamie, my love; your dad is with me on speaker."
"WHAT THE HELL! Why didn't you say so?"
*I did, first chance I got."
"Relax Jameson, you didn't say anything that I didn't expect. That I wouldn't have said to your mother."
"Well-
"Jamie, listen. Your dad and I have some distressing news."
"Now what?" His stomach drops. What has his family done now?
Caitlin and Frank talk through the day; from Mass to dinner to Danny's outrageous question, and the affect it had on Caitlin.
Of course, Jamie is outraged. They banter back and forth.
Finally: "Dad, I don't think that I can ever forgive Erin and Danny. I know how that sounds, but that is how I feel right now."
"I understand, son. I am right there with you."
Caitlin weighs in, "I am too! But, if we are going to follow Jesus' example, we must forgive. The bishop last week emphasized that forgiveness a) doesn't equal forgetting, b) doesn't negate punishment, and c) is a gift from God. I know I will need that gift if I am going to forgive Erin & Danny. Please pray for me, both of you."
SUDDENLY
Frank Reagan sees his probable future daughter-in-law in a whole new light. "Amen to that," he says quietly.
"Amen," Jamie concurs.
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MANHATTAN DA'S OFFICE – NEXT DAY
Frenk and Henry Reagan stride down the hall. As they pass Erin's office she looks up and frowns. 'Damn, this is trouble'. She steps out of her door, "Dad, can I help you?"
The men pause and turn around, "Not needed Erin, we are to see your boss. We will stop by on our way out." They turn back around and continue on. They stop at the receptionist and are ushered in.
"Commissioner, and Henry, what can I do for you?" The DA starts.
"We had a very distressing experience yesterday at our family dinner," Frank begins. Henry picks it up-
"A very fine young lady, Jameson's girlfriend, was embarrassed in the extreme by a question. The question included very private information which Erin obtained through you."
"We are quite disappointed that you would provide such confidential information to a colleague," Henry adds.
Frank concludes, "What do you have to say for yourself?"
The DA scowls, red in the face. "I will handle this within this office. Is there anything else?" He has his hands on hips. He obviously has no more to say.
After a glare session Frank and Henry turn and leave.
They stop by Erin's office and step in.
"What was that dad?"
"Just expressing our extreme disappointment."
"Was that necessary," she snorts.
"Yes!" Henry snorts right back.
They leave.
Erin shakes her head.
The DA sticks his head in her doorway. "My office, NOW!"
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SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Olivia is hard at work organizing the office for Dr. McKenna. Caitlin has given her the go ahead to interview candidates for a 2nd admin assistant. She has 2 that she considers finalists; they will be interviewed by Olivia and Caitlin the next time the 'boss' is out from NYC.
She has done furniture shopping and has the two large offices furnished, as well as the 2 admin assistants' areas and the small waiting area.
She will leave it up to Caitlin and her vice-director to select instruments (pianos). The grand piano in the NYC home is Caitlin's and will go in the condo. They will need to select new instruments for the offices and 3 practice rooms. The symphony has a concert grand which resides at the Rady Shell.
Jamie recruited help and Olivia is moved into her 2-bed apartment. It was originally thought that she would be in a 1-bed; but a larger apartment became available. Jamie and Caitlin may need to provide her a little rent help. They are willing and able to do so. She now lives only 2 blocks away from them. All are pleased.
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OCEANSIDE CA – THE BEACHFRONT INN
"Manuel, we've got a problem!" The employee in charge of the maids is excited, speaking to his manager, Jose.
"Now what?" Jose frowns. Manuel is always excitable.
"Anna found something in room 205, come see."
They take the elevator to the 2nd floor. They enter 205 and find Anna running the vacuum. Manuel taps her shoulder; she stops and turns around.
"Show Jose what you found, Anna."
She digs some papers out of her cart. She hands them over – they all are distressed to see what she found.
There are 2 brochures about the hotel, and a sheet of paper with info about an upcoming event on site. A wedding of two young ladies – to occur this next Saturday. Over the sheet is a large X in RED and one word in RED-
HATE!
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TBC