A Chance for a Better Life
Chapter Nineteen
Jamie learned a lot during his time with OCCB, but nothing could come close to the knowledge he'd learned since he'd been moved to Intel. OCCB had a singular focus and Jamie understood the importance of it more than most, but he liked the wider reach of Intel.
Undercover as Anthony Reghetti, and he won't get to use his legal degree this time around. This time around his undercover persona has a record and has spent some time in prison. He really doesn't like the part that he's about to play in this case but understands that it's part of the job.
Jamie's first couple days as Anthony are uneventful, although since he was working as a bus boy and errand boy in one of the Marconi's restaurants and considers the fact that if he keeps ending up in them that he'll eventually actually have some experience.
"Anthony (Jamie), we need you to run this box over to Vino, when you get there, they'll have something in return."
"Yes sir."
An hour later Jamie was back with a large bag. He understood the risk he took for what he knew was illegal but didn't actually know the contents. He was happy for any assignment he could get because he wanted to work his way up. The further up he got the more information he knew he could get to help take the entire organization down along with their counter points. He had two main goals for this op, the first being that he had to obtain certain information that they knew would take down the Marconi organization and to prove that the Marconi's had been working with a cartel that had ties to a terrorist organization. All Jamie could think was 'no pressure' knowing the ultimate goal.
Mark, his current partner, was his handler and he was happy to see a familiar face at his check ins.
The next week Jamie got the break he needed he'd run so many successful errands that he'd been asked to be a server and if he did well there may be other opportunities for him to move up and make more money.
Jamie had to laugh to himself. He knew that he wasn't like a lot of the world, he wasn't motivated by money. He knew he needed it to survive, but it wasn't what motivated him.
Back at 5-4 Danny had no idea that he would go out of his mind not knowing where Jamie was or who he was with. Even though this was Jamie's second UC assignment since he'd been transferred to intel. Since Jamie's return, their relationship had really started improving. They usually had lunch once or twice a week, and if they weren't able to because one of them was working crazy hours then they would have dinner or a drink. It took a while to hit him, but he realized that Jamie was his best friend. He didn't know if his brother had the same thought.
Jamie had been running around the restaurant as a server. He'd been told to look and listen for specific things. He'd figured out that he wasn't the only person who was working at the restaurant trying to get deeper into the family. The other kid, he'd learned was from the street and he was trying to move up in the world and he didn't care what he had to do to get there, and Jamie knew that he'd find his place in the family eventually.
Jamie had been walking home one day when he'd overheard someone talking about a hit on one of the captains. Instead of going to his tiny one room apartment, that only had one window that looked out into an alley. He tried to spend as little time there as possible. He knew that he worked with two people he could trust with this information, and they were his only chance because he hadn't moved up enough to do anything about it himself. When he got back to the restaurant and told his trusted friend he was immediately whisked away into a town car and taken to the captain's house.
"Anthony (Jamie), I hear that you have some valuable information for me." Captain Costa stated staring daggers into him. Costa wasn't sure if this kid was being honest or if he was just trying to get ahead and move up.
"Yes sir. I was walking home from Pasta Rossi, and I overheard two men talking through their plan to kill you."
"Do you know who they are?"
"Sir, they were so involved in their conversation that I was able to get a picture of them on my phone."
Jamie took his phone out and showed him the array of pictures that he'd been able to take.
Costa knew both men well, and he couldn't believe that they were having a conversation like he'd been told out in the open, but then again if they were planning what they were, perhaps they thought they were untouchable.
"Where were you when you took these photos?"
"Behind a dumpster in an alley three blocks away from Pasta Rossi." Jamie was nervous. He knew if Costa didn't believe him that he'd most likely end up dead.
Costa didn't want to believe him, but at the same time recent events were starting to make sense.
"I am going to confirm this information. While I do that, why don't you stay for dinner. My wife is a wonderful cook."
"Yes sir."
Jamie knew he was in for a long night.
It had been weeks since Danny had seen Jamie. He was sitting at his desk working on paperwork since Baez was out sick. He hated paperwork because he couldn't ignore his thoughts.
"Hey Reagan, what'd you do to pull desk duty?" Mark was surprised to find the loud detective at his desk.
"Nothing Ansley. My partner is out sick. If you're here who's watching my brother's back?"
"He's deep undercover he doesn't have backup. Know that he's safe as he can be. I heard from him last night."
"Is he really doing, okay?"
"He's doing great. Your brother found his calling. You know I've been doing this a long time, and your brother has a way of getting people to trust him, and once they trust him, they'll do whatever he wants or needs."
"Yeah, but he can't lie to save his life and I worry about that." Danny looked down at his paperwork, he didn't want Mark to see his fear.
"Yes, he can, and I've seen him when he's under. He's not Jamie anymore. He becomes his character. You know all the training UC's go through, but your brother is a natural at it like his grandfather."
"Our grandfather didn't do UC work. Other than little cases no one in my family has."
"I don't mean Henry Reagan; I mean Captain O'Hare. He was a legend in the intelligence and UC world."
"Oh yeah. I'm surprised Jamie told you about that part of his life. He usually doesn't talk about life before us with anyone other than us." Danny was surprised.
"He didn't I was told about it before our first case together because of what it involved."
"Oh okay." This is why Danny was a detective. He ran smaller ops, but he learned every day that there were a lot of things that those above him had to think about. It was about the people, all the people involved and not just the case.
"Listen your brother's been under for a while so far, and I've been told that I'm to give you, updates. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes! How often can I get updates?" He was shocked and thrilled that his dad was allowing this to happen.
"Your brother will determine when I can include you in the updates, but this was requested by him, so I think that it'll be often." Mark stared at Danny for a few minutes. "Your brother is very protective, the only thing I ask is that you don't get angry with him if he makes a choice to protect you."
"I can live with that. Have you done UC work?"
Danny response surprised Mark, he along with everyone else at the 5-4 were used to his angry outbursts.
"Yeah, I spent the first half of my career after I got promoted as UC, I wasn't Mark again full time until I decided to get married. Marriage didn't work out well, but I've got a solid career." Mark laughed.
"So, you're training him?"
"I'm mentoring him. He knows what he's doing, and your brother is very smart. I understand that you worry, but you have to trust him."
Danny and Mark kept talking for a while, mainly about Jamie.
It was two days later by the time that Jamie returned home. He hadn't really slept during that time because he was afraid for his life. He learned that Costa's wife was a really good cook.
A week later he was in for a surprise when he was called back to Costa's penthouse.
"Anthony (Jamie), the information that you brought us was valuable and saved my life because the hit had been planned for the next day."
"Yes sir."
"Because of what you've done we are promoting you to my assistant. Part of being my assistant means that you will now be living in apartment 10B."
"Thank you, sir. I'll move in this weekend."
"Great. We can get you help too. We are happy to have you with us."
The next few weeks were why he imagined Mason enjoyed this life. The only thing that didn't make sense to him was why they were living in the Bitterman houses. He no longer worked at the restaurant, and he was making three times the money he was before. The apartment he was living in reminded him of places that he and Sydni had looked at when they had talked about moving to New York before he decided to stay in Boston.
The next morning Jamie was organizing Costa's schedule when he heard a commotion in the kitchen and when he got in there, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Costa's sixteen-year-old son and another member who worked for Costa fighting over the milk. He had to wipe his eyes and shake his head to realize that what he was seeing was reality.
Jamie didn't even think. He knew if the fight kept going that the ramifications were going to be bad. He knew nothing would happen to Costa's kid, but he knew his co-worker was likely to be in trouble if he continued, so Jamie stepped in, and attempted to stop the fight.
Ten minutes later when Costa walked in Jamie was on the floor in and out of consciousness and had a broken arm, and his son was trying to help him.
"Andrew take Anthony (Jamie) to St. Irene's. Michael will drive." Costa voice boomed with authority.
"What do I tell the cops when they ask?" Andrew knew that they always asked.
"That he saved you from someone who invaded our home."
"Ok, and when they want to send units to the house."
"Tell them that the guy got away when you picked up the phone to call the cops." Costa smiled he'd done this before.
"Ok. Do you want me to wait on Anthony (Jamie)?"
"Yes, find out how long he's likely to be in the hospital. If you see him after he wakes up tell him not to worry about the cost."
"Ok dad."
Forty-five minutes later Jamie had been taken upstairs for tests and the nurse had told Andrew that with as severe as Anthony's (Jamie) concussion was he would be in the hospital for a few days.
Back at the 5-4 Mark had just been informed that his partner's UC identity had been admitted to St. Irene's. His first thought was that he'd been made, and they attempted to kill him and dump his body, but despite Jamie's age, he knew he was skilled and that wasn't likely to happen. At least he knew he'd get to talk to him soon and find out what really happened so he knew what his next steps would be.
"Hey Danny, are you headed out?" Mark yelled across the room.
"Baez and I are headed to lunch you wanna come?"
"No, but I need you to come with me. It's about Jamie."
That sentence stopped Danny dead in his tracks. He didn't want tacos anymore.
"Go Danny. Let me know if you need anything." Baez headed back her desk.
Fifteen minutes later Mark and Danny were pulling into the hospital parking lot. Danny didn't know much but understood that Mark didn't know much yet either. What surprised Danny was that his dad had yet to be informed. Jamie had been moved into a private room where he could be safe. Andrew had been told that he would be waiting to get tests the remainder of the day and if he wanted to visit, he needed to come back the following day. After the day he'd had he went home and updated his dad.
Mark and Danny made their way up a service elevator so they could get to Jamie's room. Flashing their badges allowed them access.
"Jamie! Are you okay?" Danny hated the way that he looked.
"Hey Mark. I don't have my written update. I couldn't get it without it being found."
"Don't worry about that. Just tell us what happened so we can plan."
"I was doing my morning prep for the day when I heard something going on in the kitchen. Another member of the family was upset that Costa's kid finished the milk for breakfast. The guy must have been high."
"That's not allowed." Danny stated as he began to understand that his brother may not in as much trouble as he had worried about.
"No, it's not, and as long as I've been in the house this guy has been walking the line, but he's the kid of one of Costa's top guys so he's gotten away with a lot."
"Whose kid, is he?" Mark was taking notes to take back to his boss.
"Antonetti."
"Their top hit man, they don't want to harm that relationship." Danny worried if something did happen to that kid, that something would happen to Jamie.
"Yeah, I'm not gonna say anything. It will all be documented for later. I just want to get back to work."
"Kid, you're gonna have some downtime, you have a broken arm, concussion and three broken ribs. How big was this guy anyway?"
"He's over six feet."
"I know. Costa already said that I don't have to worry about anything. I'll be fine Danny."
"I know you will. You're good at this."
Jamie looked back and forth between the detectives.
"Mark, can I have a few minutes with Danny before they take me back for some more tests?"
"Yeah, keep me updated. You know the code words."
"I will. I'm gonna request a regular room so Costa or anyone can visit since I'll be here overnight. Staying here would be too suspicious."
"I'll get it set up Jamie. Take care, and remember I need my partner back so get out safe."
"Thanks Mark and I'll be back annoying you before you know it."
Mark left the room, and the brothers were silent for a few minutes. Neither one was sure what to say at first.
"Danny, will you tell dad about our visit?"
"I will. Can I tell the rest of the family I saw you. They're all worried."
"Please and tell them I'm good." Jamie smiled.
Danny scrutinized Jamie's face trying to determine if what he was saying was the truth.
"Are you really good?"
"Yes. Some days are easier than others, but I promise you I'm good."
"Are you happy?"
"I'll be happy when we can get as many of these guys behind bars, and if we can do it without one of them going states evidence the better."
"Ok, be careful. My boys need their smart uncle who can help them with their homework."
"I'll try and be home as soon as I can. I bet that I'll get some time off too, so I'll watch the boys while you guys enjoy some time alone. They can even come and stay with me, so you'll have the house to yourselves."
"Ok kid. You better keep that promise."
"I will. Now go so I get poked and prodded and the hopefully get some pain meds so I can sleep."
Danny laughed after giving Jamie a big hug. Jamie felt like Danny didn't want to let him go.
A few hours later Jamie's tests were completed, and he was moved back down to the general area. He shared his room with two other guys.
At the same time Danny had already called home and told Linda that he was gonna have dinner with his dad and grandpa.
"Hey pops." Danny said trying to steel a veggie when he walked in the kitchen door.
"Danny hold off a few minutes. I don't know how Linda puts up with you." Henry shook his head.
"I don't know either, is dad home yet?"
"Yeah, he had a long day. He heard one of his UC officers is injured." Henry looked at his oldest grandson carefully to make sure he understood what he was saying.
"I know. I saw him today. That's why I asked about dinner tonight."
"Oh, I just thought you and Linda had another fight."
"There's that too, but I don't want to talk about it now."
Frank had been listening to the conversation by the door. With Jamie UC, it's not that he ignored his other children, but they were a lot older than Jamie and should be able to handle a majority of their problems on their own or at least ask for help. He had to laugh sometimes because the child that did that the best was Jamie.
"Talking about it may help." Frank said finally entering the kitchen.
"I don't know if it will. There's a lot to talk about, and Linda doesn't want to talk right now so we are just in a constant fight right now."
"Daniel, think about your kids."
"I am, and I don't have an answer for you, now do you want hear about Jamie?"
"Yes, how is he. His handlers report seemed to only have the basics."
"Jamie's cover is safe, he's as safe as he can be in his current position." Danny was waiting for the onslaught of questions.
"How badly is he hurt?" Frank didn't get enough information on that from the report, but knew he'd have the full report from the hospital tomorrow.
"He has a concussion, a broken arm, and a few broken ribs. He's gonna be down for a while. He's at the hospital tonight, and then one of Costa's men will pick him up when he's discharged tomorrow."
"Does he seem okay?"
"He seems great. He really does love the work, and Mark his partner can't talk enough about how good Jamie is. He's a natural, and I saw it when I saw him in the park one morning. It was like he was the homeless guy on the street and not my little brother."
"I've heard similar things from his superiors. A couple guys want him to go in long term deep cover because they feel he could do it, but I haven't approve it yet."
"Why not Francis?" Henry often felt that Frank let the family aspect get in the way and this was most prominent with his youngest.
"Because he's not ready. He hasn't been a cop that long. He needs more experience under his belt."
"Dad, with this case he already has almost two years of being a UC, and that doesn't include what he did with Templar. He's already been a cop four years. He's good dad." Danny was a little surprised that he was on Jamie's side. He wanted nothing more than to protect him but hated the idea of their dad holding him back.
"You'll feel what this is like when Jack or Sean does something that puts them in danger."
"I feel that way now, but I can't stop them from living their lives which is what you want to do for Jamie. What's gonna happen when you retire?"
"What do you mean?"
"When you retire, you won't have any say over mine or Jamie's careers any longer. He'll be free to do what he wants, and he wants to work undercover."
"I won't be responsible then. I am now and there's a chance he won't be doing UC work when I retire. He may have a position at 1PP by then."
"Dad, back off."
"Francis, your son is right."
"I know he is, but it doesn't make things easier."
"How did you handle it pop?" Danny wondered why this was such an issue now. He didn't know if it was an issue when he and Joe were coming up.
"I stayed out of most things with your father, but I always lived by no hook and no sinker. When you father wanted to take a more dangerous assignment I hated it, but I had to remember that at work he was just another cop."
"Francis, if Jamie is qualified then you need let him do the job. Talk to his partner, do something, but what you're doing isn't fair to Jamie."
"I know, pop. Alright. I hear both of you."
Danny left an hour later after he and his dad talked about his situation a little. Danny didn't want to but knew if he didn't things could be worse.
Jamie never thought that getting beaten up would be a good thing, but it was because Costa was thankful that he stood up and protected his son. Because the hospital had said that Jamie shouldn't be left alone, he was set up in Costa's penthouse. This gave Jamie ample opportunity to get a lot more information. It gave him the opportunity to get the vital information that he needed.
It had been a long six-month assignment. When the opportunity came Jamie got the information and got out.
When Jamie walked into the 5-4, he realized that he'd spent more time undercover since he'd been transferred to this house then he had working in uniform. He knew he'd been in the office for a few weeks at least. His arm was still in a cast, and then he had physical therapy.
Because of Jamie's injuries he was stuck in the office during the take down of the Mancini family. He had wanted to be there, but he was just happy that the family was off the street. He hoped his work would save a lot of lives.
Jamie was tired after a long day of paperwork; he decided to go and spend some time with his dad and grandpa. He wasn't surprised that he hadn't seen Danny all day because he'd working a hard case.
"Jamie! Welcome home." Henry gave Jamie a gentle hug. He didn't want to hurt him anymore than he knew he already was.
"Hi grandpa. How are you?" Jamie knew he'd been missed.
"I'm great. I'm happy that you're home."
"I'm happy to be home too. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight."
"Will you be okay at home with your arm?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I'm supposed to get the cast off later this week."
Frank had watched the two talk for a few minutes. Jamie made it home safe, and despite one close call he was okay. His close call meant that he'd be in the station until a doctor signed off on full duty. For now, he knew his son would be safe.
"Hey Jamie. Thanks for coming out tonight."
"Hey dad. Happy to come out."
"Does your arm hurt?" Frank would always worry.
"No, I know PT will. I'm good now."
"I'm glad you're home safe. I hope you get to stay home for a while."
A couple hours later Jamie makes his way back to his apartment for the first time in six months. Now he had to see if Eddie was still willing to talk to him. Before he went under for his last assignment, he thought he was ready to take the next step if she felt the same way. After living life with the mob again he knew that he could never ask her to take a chance with him. He'd decided he was content living his life alone. All he had to do was call her and let her know, but when he did, he got her voicemail.
"Hey Eddie, I just wanted to let you know that I'm home and will be for a while. Call me."
Jamie sighed. He knew no one in the family would understand. Eddie may not understand, but it was the right thing to do. It didn't matter what anyone told him, the mob was in his DNA just like the NYPD was.
When Friday came and Jamie got his cast off, he'd never been happier. It itched, and he was ready to have full use of his arm. Plus, he had plans to hang out with Eddie assuming neither one of them were called back into work.
"Jamie, I'm glad you made it home safe." Eddie whispers in his ear as they hug.
"Me too. How are you?"
"I lost one of my kids last week. It was a hard week."
"Ed, I'm so sorry."
"Jamie, it's the life that I choose. It's not always easy. Yours isn't either."
"No, but you're right, and that's why we support each other."
Eddie couldn't stop fidgeting. Even though it had been six months earlier she couldn't stop thinking about their last night out before he left.
"Ed, are you okay?" Jamie was worried, it seemed as if she had zoned out.
"Did we go on a date before you left?"
"No, we just hung out. I would ask you out on a date."
"Is that something that you want to do?" Eddie cringed; this was getting awkward.
"Yes, but I can't." Jamie hated seeing her frown.
"Why? I'm not in a relationship right now."
"Eddie, you're my best friend. I can't imagine life without you, and I do like you as more than a friend."
"But?"
"But I work undercover, and how can you know that I won't end up like Mason? I can't ask someone that I love to take that risk." Jamie was close to tears, but he couldn't put someone at risk because of his past.
"I know you won't end up like Mason because I know you and I've known and seen several Mason's and you are not and could not be him."
"Ed, I just spent the last six months living with the mob and a mob hit man. It was hard for me to not see Mason when I was there. My dad had my updates going to Danny because every time I do anything with the mob my dad's afraid that I'm gonna see that life and like it like Mason did."
"Jamie, your dad is just worried about you. What you're doing is hard and scary. I've been worried about you. I didn't know if I'd get to see you again."
"That's the life I've chosen, and I know the risks and I like the work. I know that I can help people."
"I know that, and that's why I love and support you. I would never ask you to stop what you're doing."
"You wouldn't?" Jamie isn't sure what to say.
"No, I love you and I want you to be happy. Would you want me to stop working with social services just because it can be a challenging job?"
Jamie was still shocked. This was not a relationship experience he'd ever had. "No, you love your work and you're good at it. I would never ask you to stop doing what you love. You do a lot of good in the community."
"Where is this uncertainty coming from?"
"I almost got engaged when I was in law school. We were living together, and it was getting close to graduation, we were talking about the next step. She wanted to live in Manhattan. We'd both gotten offers from firms there and she wanted to live in this loft. It wasn't me, and I was looking at apartments in Brooklyn. The only place in Brooklyn she'd consider is Park Slope. I wanted Brooklyn Heights or downtown, but she wouldn't hear my side, and then when I was offered the job with Boston PD, she didn't want to even think of staying there, and we broke up."
"I had no idea. I'm sorry that happened to you."
"Thanks, it's not your fault. She didn't know me as well as I thought she did. She was a second-generation student and thought that everyone had lived her life. Both of her parents are lawyers."
"Well, that's not true, both of us know that."
"Yep. Now what about what happened at the Cancer walk?" Jamie wanted the air to be completely clear.
"That is always an emotional time of year for me. My mom always tells me that I don't think clearly or make the best decisions which is why I normally take a couple days off work. My mom reminded me that what you went through was very hard and can be hard to think about. She also thought that it was sweet of you to allow me to focus on Alex."
"I know how hard that battle is, and family means everything. I didn't want anything I dealt with in the past to get in the way. I survived and I'm here."
Eddie hugged him. She'd missed him so much and this conversation had gotten very heavy quick. This was the Jamie she loved, the one she could talk to about everything and anything.
"Edit will you go on a date with me?"
"Yes! I would love to go on a date with you." Eddie couldn't contain her excitement. She'd been in love with Jamie for a long time but didn't think he felt the same way.