And Love

Chapter 17 Moonlighting?

CU-LAW

It's a Tuesday afternoon. Jamie had a midnight tour last night with his rookie partner George McGee. He got home in time for a late breakfast then off to bed. Eddie had been doing homework all day; he had asked her to wake him 90 minutes before his scheduled interview at CU-Law. While he had showered and dressed Eddie had put together some sandwiches and had soup warming on the stove.

"Lunch ready, babe?" He asked as he came into the kitchen. His hair was still a little wet and he let out a small yawn. She thought he was so cute.

"Yes, but I am afraid we better take the sandwiches and bottled water to eat in the car. Knowing traffic, we don't have time to eat here. I'll put the soup in the fridge for supper. Can you grab Mary Rose's bag from the nursery? Mal, is your bag packed, hon?"

"Yes, mommy. I've got it!" The big sister appears with her back pack on her back. The 3-year-old was so much a blend of her parents.

"Good girl," Jamie says as he backtracks to the nursery. He reappears in 5 seconds, puts on his jacket and grabs his phone, keys and off-duty weapon. He ushers everybody out the door.

Eddie secures Mary Rose in her car seat, Mal and her backpack climb into the back seat, Eddie and Jamie settle in front and they are off. While driving, Eddie distributes a sandwich, water, and a few chips. The parents cringe, knowing how 'chippy' the back seat will be after this. It warms Eddie's heart knowing Jamie will do the clean-up, as always. He is such a good husband and father. She is so blessed to have him in her/their life!

When they arrive at CU, they follow Julie's directions and park in the Law school lot. They organize their gang and find the lobby and receptionist.

"Jamie Reagan to see the law school chairman." He announces himself.

"Just a moment," the secretary says. She picks up the phone and talks. Soon Julie and Gwen appear. "Come with us, we will take you to the interview. There will be space for the kids if they get fussy."

After a couple of hallways and turns they enter a large anteroom and find seats. Julie knocks on large wooden double doors; "Enter," is heard. Julie sticks her head in and listens. Soon she turns around and motions for the group to follow her inside. They do.

Gwen, Julie and Jamie find chairs in font of a large oak desk; behind the desk sits the CU-Law chairman, Mrs. Carolyn McCormick.

Eddie and kids find space in a back corner of the office where there is a love seat, chair and a colored carpet.

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INTERVIEW

Gwen takes the initiative and introduces Jamie. He is impressed at the ease with which Gwen and Julie interact with Carolyn McCormick and introduce him to her.

"Jameson Henry Reagan, hm. I don't have to guess where Henry came from; the former PC. But Jameson?" She pauses, and looks to him for an explanation.

"Has daddy told you, mommy?" Mal whispers rather loudly.

Eddie shushes her daughter.

Carolyn looks interested, in a gentle voice she asks "Young lady, come here please."

Mal looks to her mommy then daddy. They nod for her to go.

She slowly approaches the pretty lady behind the desk. What is your name, pretty girl?"

"Mal, that's short for Malina."

Carolyn reaches down, picks up Mal and places her on the desk. "And what does Malina mean?"

"Sweetheart," Eddie answers. "It is Serbian."

"And a middle name?"

"Josephine, my grandmother," Eddie supplies. "And Jamie's deceased older brother, Joseph."

"Ah, I see. Meaningful names. So, Jameson must be meaningful too, no?"

Silence.

"Jamie?"

"Well . . . not as meaningful as the others."

Eddie, Gwen and Julie were becoming nervous.

"Come now, I love a little mystery!" Carolyn smiles.

"Well, you've heard of the Irish whiskey, Jameson?"

Silence. Jamie raises an eyebrow.

Carolyn grins, "Enough said."

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"Now Malina, tell me what kind of man your daddy is?"

"Really?" She looks nervously at her parents. They gulp, but nod.

"My daddy is kind, and he loves mommy and me very much. Oh, and sissy too!"

"What is sissy's name?"

"Mary Rose."

"Beautiful names, all of them. Eddie . . . a nickname I assume?" She looks to Eddei this time.

"Edit, English would be Margaret. My grandmother."

"Beautiful again. Mal, anything else you'd like to tell me about your daddy?"

"He helps mommy a lot around the house; especially with sissy. Except feeding her, he . . . ah . . . can't-

"I'm breast feeding," Eddie pipes up, blushing furiously.

Carolyn chuckles, "Well, let's leave it there." She smiles at the group. "You may find that strange, but I like to know as much as I can about the person I may hire and work with. Right now, I am not only looking for a distance learning instructor, but a supervisor for that part of what we do."

Her guests look at each other. 'Wow!' they all think. Gwen and Julie weren't aware of the scope of this opportunity.

"Well, that raises the stakes!" Eddie mutters.

Jamie nods, Carolyn smiles.

"So, what can I answer for you?" Jamie starts.

"What is your experience with depositions?"

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This part may go AU. So be it.

The group leave, smiles all around. Jamie and Carolyn have agreed on a contract. He will supervise and instruct students in the art of preparation for, and conducting a deposition.

In his relatively short legal career, he had found that a well trained and experienced paralegal was worth his/her weight in gold. If the research was impeccable, and the questioning incisive, the case could crack wide open and the opposing team would be begging for a settlement – at least. Instructing in this area was a bit of a long-shot, but Jamie was definitely intrigued. Actually, he was pumped!

AT HOME

"Jamie, this seems to be a golden opportunity."

"Solid gold, babe!"

"This may be a bomb on Sunday."

"Middle of the table!"

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REAGAN FAMILY DINNER

"So, Jameson, what's up with your family?" Pops asks.

"I am working part time with CU-Law."

"How are you going to find time for that?" Frank wonders, rather surprised.

"I'm an instructor in distance learning, dad."

"Cool!" Sean is excited.

"What class?" Erin inquires.

"THE ART OF THE DEPOSITION."

Erin scoffs, "Jamie, a paralegal doesn't do depositions!"

"I know, but-

Jamie explains how this was what was suggested by the CU-Law chair; and it meshed with his law practice experience. The planets aligned, so to speak. Both his ladies added their endorsement. Mary Rose slept through it all.

"Dad, just so you know, I'm going to pursue the fastest track to Lieutenant."

"Good for you, kid!" Danny reaches across the table to shake his brother's hand, A huge grin on his face.

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Jamie talks to several people including sergeant Renzulli, captain Espinoza and Lt. Gormley. Surprising many, he maps out a strategy and pursues it enthusiastically. He achieves his goal in 18 months.

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TBC