Danny's pov
As Baez, Jackie and I ate the piecakies while a sunny day beat down on the residents of New York City, we discussed the case and our new findings while we had split up. I spoke first as we ate at the 5-4, surprisingly alone. Today was a slow day, and I hope I did not just jinx it by thinking it. Curious about Baez's end of the investigation, and still holding out hope for my twin, I asked
"Baez. Anything from forensics and the lab?"
She sighed, sorrow in her eyes
"Nothing all that good, forensics wasn't what it is now when the kidnapping occurred. I was only able to get a positive DNA match on Jessilyn and on Monica Miller. The male DNA was John Doe. On all databases. I even checked Witsec. Nothing. This kidnapper guy is a total ghost. Roach crawled into some type of figurative sewer and hasn't come up for air since."
Speaking up, Jackie asked
"Did you try all the service databases? Monica described him as having the Sempre Fi tattoo on his pinkie. On the side of his right pinkie. Marine Corps."
She then came down from her exasperated rant-like tone and apologized
"Sorry, it's just... ever since we went to visit Monica I've been feeling off. Weird. Like her and her place were... a memory to me. I don't know if I'm paranoid, or crazy, or what... But it felt like deja vu being there."
All three of us spoke at the same time at that
"Weeeird."
What made this even weirder is that I remembered something about Jackie. Her birthday was close to mine. My mind switching from one partner to the other, my thoughts began to be consumed with Maria Baez. I wish this would stop, it was beginning to be very hard to concentrate... I was close to literally shaking myself out of my thoughts...
Jackie's pov
I was having a hard time keeping a straight face around Danny and Maria. It was so painfully obvious they had feelings for each other! Danny could barely contain himself, but I don't think Maria noticed. If there was any chance of them getting together, I would have to meddle. But, along with rooting for them, I knew I was also focusing my energy on them in order to forget about the whole ordeal at Monica's house. And forget my own weird upbringing. And the fact that mine and Danny's birthdays were close, although I could not remember the exact day made me feel a bit uneasy... to put it mildly. So, focusing on the obviously in love detectives it was. Besides, my family, though never really showing that much affection towards me, was Italian. Curatola. Reagan was Irish. Irish on Irish, as far as ancestry, a Reilly marrying a Reagan. The Reagan's were of Irish descent, as were the Reilly's. Don't ask me why I know and remember that. I also envied their strong family bond, something my parents never cared enough to build with me. Oh well... At least it helped me when I joined the force. I was brought out of my reverie at the sound of a message arriving to Maria's instantly looked at the screen, Danny and I catching the slight drop of her jaw.
"The hit on the service database just came in. Guy was a dishonorable discharge. He then turned to petty crimes first, then larceny, grand larceny, and finally kidnapping and active on the black market... John Smithson."
We took a minute to let the new information sink in, but I was getting more worked up by the moment. My mind was going a mile a minute, causing me to literally jump in my seat when my phone received a text, especially since I was not expecting any messages. All the day's events occupied my mind at once while I accessed the message. My eyes widened, my mouth fell agape and my phone fell to the ground. Before my partners could properly react, I stood up abruptly, swallowing harshly to try and hold back the bile rising in my throat
"I need to go to the bathroom."
I strode away without glancing back. I couldn't. Not right now.
Baez's pov
I hated to see how hard today was for Danny. It was just not fair. And I was glad to have a friendly new face in Jackie, as we had never really gotten a chance to meet, let alone ride and work together. But, even though I've known her for a short period of time, I knew how to read people. Came with the territory, and, quite frankly, with my past. And the puzzled look on Danny's face confirmed my hunch that she was acting VERY off and hiding something. And while I absolutely hated and loathed the idea of jumping to conclusions and possibly giving Danny false hope, a far-fetched but somewhat factual possibility started to take form in my mind. I just hoped I wouldn't be wrong, I could not bear to see him crushed any more than he already was. I loved him. But at present moment, I was glad to not have blurted that out loud. I braced myself for what I was about to say, however.
"Danny. I'm about to sound crazy, but I want you o rationalize a small possibility with me, just for a second, ok?"
Trusting me, he nodded
"What's your hunch, Baez? At this point I'm desperate for anything."
He was desperate. His whole family was, and have been for so long. Which is why I was praying I would be right, instead of bringing them more pain. Clearing my throat, I spoke
"Is there any possibility Jackie could be Jessilyn? Your birthdays are one day apart, but close enough for twins. You have similar personalities. I see how you two act like family, more than partners on the job already do. You both are able to reign the other in, which not many people can do with you, Danny. And then there's the memories and uneasiness Jackie herself said she felt when she was with Monica at her place. Is this even a possibility? Is it a long shot? Maybe. But what do we have to lose?"
He was put into stupor by my words, not that I blamed him. I briefly wondered if that would be his reaction if I had told him my feelings instead. But this was not the time or place. Danny was about to speak, when Jackie spoke from behind me
"I want to do a DNA test. I'm sorry I ran off like that, but I thought I was going to throw up. I had gotten a text from my adopted parents, revealing they had adopted me, and done so illegally, through the black market. Their seller? John Smithson. I don't think your idea is so far-fetched, Maria."
Danny looked over at Jackie
"Are you serious, Jack? This would change... everything."
She smiled
"If we're right, it would change it for the better. Let's do it."
Danny's pov
At Jackie's words my whole body was shaking, but I smiled.
"Let's do it."
At least, if my hopes turned out to be dashed right in front of me, I would have two of my closest friends, partners and confidants to get me through it. Maria broke the silence
"I'll drive to St. Vic's. You both can do the test there. Danny, do you want your family there?"
I shook my head
"No. Not until we're sure. Sunday is coming up. If there's truth to this, we can tell everyone over Sunday dinner."
Both girls nodded in approval, and we entered the hospital, going straight to the genetics wing.