A Chance for a Better Life

Chapter Twenty

Jamie was truly happy for the first time since Joe died. After he and Eddie talked, they both seemed to feel better, and Jamie was surprised to find that in many ways Eddie felt the same way he did. He had thought that they discussed all of the important things, but later that night he was having a hard time sleeping. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Eddie is any way.

Their first official date had to be canceled. Jamie was back on full duty, and he was called into work on his day off.

"Jamie, I got a call that we never want to get, but I need your help." His Sergeant hated the news he had for his newest team member.

"Yes sir. How can I help?"

"Something's going on with the major crime's detectives. There have been several instances where evidence has gone missing."

"Is it a specific detective or a specific evidence type?"

"It's been anything from money to bullet casings, and every detective in the squad has had something go missing."

"Including my brother?" Jamie was shocked. The thought that Danny was dirty wasn't' an option. He knew it wasn't true, but he thought that someone might set his brother up as a perfect distraction.

"Yes, your brother has had some money go missing and IA is already looking into him because of his financial issues."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Well, you have done excellent here and you have really shown that you are a great investigator. You have really impressed Mark, and I don't know if you knew that he was a training detective before he was transferred to intel."

"Thank you, sir."

"Mark has only put you in for a promotion to detective. You will stay in intelligence, but everyone will think that you've been transferred to the major crimes detective squad, and will be partnered with detective Mulvey, she is the training detective in that squad."

"Is this a real promotion or will this just be for this assignment?" Jamie wasn't sure what was really going on. His world was often grey, and the lines were blurry.

"Mark isn't the only one that put you in for the promotion, I put you in for it and the captain at the 5-4 did as well. You have really impressed a lot of people."

"Thank you, sir."

"Your promotion ceremony will be at the end of this week, and your transfer will go through, and you'll start next Monday."

"Thank you, sir, but you said that I'll still be in intelligence? How will this work?"

"Mark is going to be your handler, but to everyone at the 5-4 it's going to look just like two friends and former partners hanging out. You don't have to move for this one either."

Jamie started thinking through each scenario. He hated that it was someone inside the NYPD. He knew he'd hear about Danny's investigation at dinner on Sunday, and he wasn't looking forward to it.

"Ok."

The rest of the week is spent doing research on each of the detectives in the 5-4. Not something that Jamie ever wanted to do because he had to research and suspect his own brother. Danny had two things working against him his financial situation and things with Linda were not good. Jamie had known things between his brother and sister-in-law were rough, but he hadn't known that it were so bad that Danny was staying at the precinct some nights.

"Hey Dad. How was your week?" Jamie hadn't been sleeping well since he'd gotten his new assignment.

"Long, but good. Are you happy about your promotion?" Frank was so proud of his youngest.

"I am, but I'm gonna miss intelligence. I worked with a great group who taught me a lot."

"You'll find the same thing in the Major Crimes squad. Ya know Jamie, it's a big deal that you're starting there as a rookie detective. All of the detectives there started in other units."

"I know dad. I didn't ask to stay at the 5-4." Jamie felt guilty. Luckily his dad thought the guilt was for his new position and not something else.

"I know you didn't and give yourself some time and intel with request your return. You did some great things in that unit, and that's why the chief of D's fought for you to end up in Danny's squad."

"I'm just nervous about Monday. A lot to live up to ya know." Jamie laughed.

"I know. I hated being in any unit that your grandfather had been in."

They continued to talk for few minutes before they were interrupted.

"Linda, I do the best I can." Danny yelled. He tried to not bring the issues they were having to family dinner or around the boys, but it couldn't be avoided.

"If you did then we wouldn't be having this conversation. I just want you to actually take your days off. You seem to be the only one in your family that doesn't take the days."

"Lin, that's not true. Jamie hardly takes his days off. He works more than I do."

"I'm sorry Danny. That's true. I just want you around more for the boys." Linda finally saw where Danny was coming from.

Jamie had been waiting for a break before he entered the kitchen.

"Hey Danny, Linda, where are the boys?"

"Out back playing basketball. They know to come in, in fifteen minutes."

"Ok, grandpa's making a good dinner tonight. I hope that they're hungry."

"Did you help?" Danny askes almost accusing him. Danny's temperament when he and Linda were fighting wasn't the best and Jamie was typically a good person to take his bad mood out on.

"No, I wasn't allowed so dad and I have just been talking."

"Oh, why weren't you allowed? You're weird and love to cook." Danny laughed.

"Grandpa just wanted me to relax. I have a busy day tomorrow. Are you and Linda, okay?"

"Just another fight about me working too many hours. She has to understand that we're down a couple guys and things have been rough the last few months. We have three new detectives starting in the squad tomorrow, so I hope that helps. I know Baez is tired too."

"If I can do anything to help let me know."

Erin and Nikki finally arrived a few minutes late. They'd been fighting about a class Nikki wanted to take next year. Erin didn't think that the class would benefit her future.

"Food is on the table." Henry stated unhappy that the girls were late.

It took fifteen minutes for everyone to get seated and grace to be said. The tension was still there between Danny and Linda.

"Why are we having all the kid's favorites? I know it's not his birthday." Danny sighed.

"Because we now have two detectives at this table."

"No actually we have three detectives at the table and a patrol officer." Danny corrected.

"Daniel, we have two PCs at the table and two active detectives as of tomorrow morning." Henry corrected.

"You did it kid! Congratulations!" Danny was so excited. "Where are you headed now?"

"Thank you! I'm staying at the 5-4 and I'll be transferring into your squad."

"What?" Danny was shocked.

"That's great Jamie!" Linda was happy. She knew Jamie was good and could take some of the load from Danny.

"Thank you. I'm excited."

The remainder of dinner was spent celebrating Jamie. Jamie had noticed how quiet Erin was when the discussion turned to the fact that he'd be a part of the Major Crimes Unit. He didn't think that Erin was happy with his change and wasn't sure why, but he'd have to deal with that problem later.

Monday morning Jamie's ceremony was fairly quick, but Frank noticed that his entire Intel team was in attendance. Usually, a single team member maybe two at the most would come and support their former team member, but the entire team being there was just odd. Danny and Baez noticed it too but didn't say anything.

"Mark, why are all of you guys here?" Jamie said as he walked over to his intel team.

"We had to come and celebrate our favorite rookie. You really deserve this promotion. You have the instinct and skills that can't be taught."

"Thanks Mark. I'm gonna miss working with you every day."

"Jamie, remember that we're not far if you need us." His former Sergeant said with a knowing look.

"I know boss. Thanks for coming today."

"Just because you're a detective now doesn't mean you can boss us around." Intel Officer Maya said through a laugh.

Frank was watching Jamie as much as he could. There were three other officers who had been promoted, and he wanted to spend time with each of them. Any of his concerns or worries about why his intel team where quickly wiped away when he saw that they were all talking and laughing. They weren't here as his old team they were here as his friends, and they were supporting him. Considering how hard it had been for Jamie to make friends when he was younger, knowing he fit into the NYPD so well made him happy and he knew it would make Mary happy to know Jamie had found his place.

When Jamie walked into the squad room of the 5-4 it felt different. He was wearing a suit, which he hadn't done much of since he'd quit working for Boston PD. He was waiting for the comparisons to start but knew he couldn't let it get to him. He had to find the dirty cop and clear the 5-4. He had to, for his brother and his dad. On top of that monumental task, he was learning how to do a new a job with his brother breathing down his neck.

"Kid, are you ready for your first day at your new big boy job?" Danny was joking. Jamie looked like he was freaking out a little. He could only imagine what was going through his head. He knew joining his squad wouldn't be easy for him because of him, and that hurt.

"Shut up Danny." Jamie laughed.

"You can't get lost in thought like that here. Too much going on."

"I know. It's just been a been a busy day."

"Well, hold on tight you're in major crimes now. Things don't slow down."

"I know. I got a meeting with Lt. G. I'll talk to you later unless you caught a case." Jamie smiled.

"Good luck. There are days it's better to just leave him alone. We can talk about what it's like in the squad tonight."

"Sounds good. Dinner or just beers?" Jamie really had no idea what the rest of the day would look like.

"Let's just have a couple beers so I can be home for dinner." Danny didn't have the energy for another fight.

"Okay, I'll meet you at O'Malley's at five,"

Danny was watching the clock. He'd been getting some really rough feedback about his paperwork and decided to actually work on improving it instead of having Baez constantly completing it.

"Detective Reagan, it's nice to have you in the squad." Lt. G was looking forward to having Jamie in the squad. He'd requested him as soon as he'd heard that Jamie was getting promoted.

"Thank you, sir. I'm happy to be here."

"I know that you have some investigation experience from your time with the Boston PD, and with your time in Intel. I don't know if you know this or not, but we don't do a lot of big undercover work in this squad. You are here because you are the best. Now I know you're a third-grade detective, but I don't want to hear the word rookie because you aren't one. You have years of experience and I understand from Sergeant Carlson had some really good things to say about your work."

"I already know my brother's gonna call me a rookie."

"Listen, having brothers in the same squad is rare but it has been done before. Just let me know if you have any issues, and although it may happen, I doubt that you two will be working together much at all."

"That's probably good. We don't see eye to eye on things when it comes to work."

"I'll keep that in mind, but just between you and I your brother doesn't usually work well with many others including his partner, but I think he's working on it."

"I can believe that. Who will I be partnered with?"

"I'm gonna start you out with Detective Lisa Mulvey. She's been on the force for seven years and been a detective for the last four. She's been here for the last two years. I think that you two will work good together and can teach each other different things."

"I'm looking forward to working with her."

It wasn't long after G finished explaining some of the specific things that he looked for in reports and how he liked case updates. They went over some quick housekeeping stuff like how much time he liked his officers to give him before they took a day off and what his main office hours are.

Jamie couldn't have been happier when he saw that his desk was in the corner opposite his brother's desk, and Danny's desk faced away from him, but he'd be able to glance over and see his brother. Lisa's desk faced his.

"Hi welcome to the squad." Lisa was nervous to work with a Reagan.

"Thanks. Please call me Jamie, since there are two detective Reagans now, I think that will be easier. Do you prefer Lisa or Mulvey?"

"Lisa, my brother's a detective at the 12th and he goes by Mulvey. We are close enough that it can get confusing. Lt. G gave me a quick rundown last week when we knew that you'd be joining us. You've been with the NYPD about four years, and you were in the intel division before major crimes. Anything I'm missing?"

"I started my career in the legal department of the Boston PD, then I decided to change paths and ended up at the academy."

"Legal department? So, were you a paralegal or an assistant?"

"I was a staff attorney, but I did a lot of investigations. Lt. G told me a little of your history too."

"You have a law degree?" Lisa was surprised.

"Yeah. I enjoyed the work; my heart wasn't in it." Jamie wasn't surprised by her reaction. It was a typical reaction.

"I have a general idea about your family, but are you seeing anyone?"

"I'm trying to." Jamie laughed and hoped it didn't sound as creepy to his partner as it did to him.

"What does that mean?" Lisa didn't get creepy vibes off of Jamie, so his answer was confusing.

"I've asked her out and we've attempted to go on three dates, but we both work a lot and have unpredictable work schedules, so it just hasn't worked out. We still haven't had our first date yet."

"That sucks. My husband and I met in high school. I couldn't imagine dating now."

"I hope it will happen someday, and if it doesn't, I guess it's just not meant to be."

"Don't focus on that. Let's focus on our new case. Lt. G gave it to me this morning. I haven't had time to read through it yet because I was going over my paperwork from my last case and just turned that in."

"What's the case?"

"There have been some issues with the gangs at the Bitterman houses."

Jamie couldn't stop thinking of Vinny. Of course, his first case as a detective would take place where many of his and Eddie's nightmares came from, but there wasn't anything he could do. He knew it wasn't a child abduction because that case would've never been allowed to sit for so long.

"What happened?"

"Domestic abuse, but it's been building, and I honestly don't know how this guy is still on the street." Lisa was reading her copy of the file.

Jamie was listening to everything that she was saying, but reading the details in the file and he was thrust back into his life before the Reagan's saved him.

"He has really good lawyers and is probably connected with the mob or a cartel and he's living in the projects to stay under the radar." Jamie said to himself mostly, but also out loud.

"What makes you think that?" Lisa thought what Jamie said was either insightful or shortsighted. She couldn't decide which yet.

"I pulled his record. He's been arrested for attempted murder, this is the fifth call to this apartment for a domestic, but he's had other charges that have been dropped. He's had a few different attorneys but they're all from the same firm. Someone is helping him, or he has money that's being held where we can't see it which means he could be holding his money, or he has it in a bank account under an alias that we don't know about."

"Have you worked a case like this before?" Lisa went with insightful.

"I've been to Bitterman a few times for a domestic when I was at the 12th, and my partner was killed there about a year ago."

"Okay well, we are going to go in a little deeper than you have on patrol."

"I know, and I know Bitterman well. It's been a part of my life since I was little." Jamie couldn't hide his sadness. At this rate he didn't want to meet with Danny tonight.

"Did you have a friend there growing up?" Lisa thought it was an odd statement for Jamie to make.

"No, I did. This case hits very close to home. At least there aren't any kids involved. We need to get Ms. Garcia to safety so she can live her life without fear."

"Yes, we do. Let's head to Bitterman, and you can tell me more about what this case means to you."

Twenty minutes later they had arrived and were already interviewing Garcia's neighbors and Lisa learned how right her new partner really was. She had to laugh a little because Lt. G had told her not to underestimate him and that he might not need as much training as she'd expect.

It was three hours later before they were able to talk again because despite what Lisa thought that members of the community weren't going to talk to them, and they were talking to them but mostly Jamie. Jamie had a way with the community that she didn't think a kid from Bayridge would have.

"Hey partner, want to take a break and go over what we learned and decide if we come back here or back to the office?" Lisa could see that Jamie was thinking through something.

"Yeah, we should probably eat. I didn't get lunch today. What sounds good to you?" Jamie hadn't heard much from his partner, so he wasn't sure if he made a good impression or not. He just wasn't sure how he was going to meet his ultimate goal and find who or how many people were dirty in the squad.

"I'll eat anything. I got lunch today do you want to stay around here or head back to the precinct?"

"Does the diner by the precinct work?"

Fifteen minutes later they'd arrived at the diner. Not much had been said since leaving Bitterman.

"Jamie, help me out here, you have more of a background with Bitterman than answering a few calls there. Listen I know you're the PC's kid so I'm trying not to make any assumptions. I've worked with your brother for a while now too and he knows Manhattan, but he's a Brooklyn boy through and through."

"I'm adopted. The Reagans adopted me when I was seven. I lived in Bitterman until I was five when Mason my birth father tried to kill me for the second time. Once my mom and I were out of the hospital we decided to live on the street because it was safer than possibly coming in contact with Mason again. In the end it wasn't enough because he found her and killed her anyway." Jamie had to hold back tears. His first day as a detective sucked.

"I never knew you look so much like your brother Joe, and I hear a lot of people including your brother talk about how much you're like the PC."

"Most people don't. It's not something that's talked about much because I'm a Reagan. Frank and Mary saved my life in more ways than one those first few years."

"Oh. I can't imagine. So, you said that this case hits close to home." Lisa was intrigued. So many cops thought that they knew the Reagans. They are NYPD royalty.

"Yeah, Mason was a hit man for the Irish mob, and he has money stashed away. Although after killing my birth mom he thought he was good enough and he left too much evidence that ended up tying him to some of his other crimes. He's never getting out of prison."

"Wow. Jamie I can't lie this is all surprising to me. We are going to get this guy. He can't run forever, and we can get Ms. Garcia to come forward. Because of you we have a lot of witnesses."

"I hope so. Patty never wanted to testify because she knew that would guarantee that we would be killed and as much as I hate that it gives these guys the power, I understand it. I testified against Mason when he tried to kidnap me and kill me, but I did it because I knew I was safe."

"You were seven when this happened?" Lisa was shocked. Her partner was a hero from a young age.

"Yeah, ya know we can't change our past we can only learn from it."

"I'm really happy that you're my partner. Lt. G told me that I could learn a lot from you, and I already have. Any idea where this guy might be?"

"If he's staying in the city to finish what he started he's either got a hideout or he's staying with someone. He might be hiding out on the streets where the only person he has to depend on and worry about is himself. I have some contacts on the street."

"Do you want to head back in or go meet with your contacts?"

"Let's head back in. I have to talk to my brother and then I'll head out to talk to my contacts later tonight. I'll record the conversations so you can hear them, but my contacts are skittish around cops. They don't know I'm a cop."

"Great. I'll schedule a conference room for us tomorrow morning so we can go over everything that you find."

"Thank you."

Once they were back Lisa had some things to take care of something from another case that Lt. G reminded her about as soon as they got back. To Jamie it seemed as if G was coming down hard on everyone. Focusing a lot on paperwork. He had a meeting with G and the two other new detectives to the squad tomorrow about completing the paperwork properly. The meeting wasn't optional.

"Hey Danny, I have to cancel. I caught a case and I have a few more hours at least tonight." Jamie watched Danny carefully.

Danny had to get used to seeing Jamie walk into the bullpen in a suit. "Wow, on your first day. What's the case, do you guys need another set of eyes?"

"Domestic at Bitterman, and we're good we just got the case today. I'll let ya know if we need anything."

"Okay kid. I'll let Linda and the kids know that you're having a busy and good first day."

"Thanks Danny. If we can get this case closed by Friday what if I took the boys for the weekend so you and Linda could have some time to yourselves?"

Danny wasn't ready for the request. Jamie had been working so much he hadn't gotten much time with the family and knew that his boys missed their uncle. "I'll talk to Linda. I don't know if the boys have anything planned for the weekend either."

"Cool. I can come and pick them up if needed too."

"Thanks Jamie. Hey, are you okay with Bitterman?"

"Yeah. Can't control what cases you catch right." Jamie laughed.

"No, you can't. Talk to Eddie lately?"

"No, she's either been working, or I have been. She's out of town this weekend."

"Oh. Don't work too hard kid."

"Thanks Danny."

Danny headed home to what he hoped would be a peaceful night.

"Hey babe." Linda said with a hug. Danny wasn't the only one that wanted a peaceful home.

"Hey babe. How was your day?" Danny wasn't sure what to expect when he got home anymore.

"Long, we had three new kids come in today. One of them looked a lot like Jamie when he got sick. Brought back bad memories." Linda loved her job, but some days were worse than others.

"After the ceremony this morning I think Jamie's been on our minds a lot. He got his first case today and it's at Bitterman. I don't know what he was like at Bitterman, but he wasn't saying much at the precinct."

"Want to have him over for dinner this week? I'm off Thursday." Linda always loved Jamie.

"What about this weekend?"

"I'm off Saturday and Sunday."

"Jamie offered to watch the boys from Friday night until Sunday." Danny watched his wife carefully. Despite the issues that they've been having he still loved her with his entire heart.

"It's his first week as a detective. Doesn't he want to go out and celebrate with his friends?"

"I know Lin. I don't know, I know he's missed time with the boys, and I think that he wants to do it to help us since we've been fighting more."

"Yeah, we need to work on that. Ya, know I don't want to fight all the time."

"I know. I don't want to either. Where are the boys?"

"Sheryl is picking them up from soccer practice and bringing them home. We have some time before they get home."

"What do you want to do for dinner tonight?"

"What if we order in some Chinese?"

"That sounds great."

While Danny and Linda were working through some things Jamie was reliving some of his nightmares.

Being on the street wasn't anything new for Jamie. He'd been on the street for work before, but this was different. He needed to find Alvaro Garcia. He needed to end up in prison for a long time.

"Hey Lucy. I got some food." Jamie handed Lucy half a sandwich that he'd gotten close to his apartment.

"Jamie, I thought something happened to you. I haven't seen you in a while." Lucy liked Jamie. He'd helped her out often. She reminded him of Patty a little bit.

"I decided to head to Queens for a bit. I have some friends there and we were able to get some work. Are you doing, okay?"

"Oh sweetie, I'm fine. I've been going to the soup kitchen at least once a day and Shelly has been very nice."

"So, I'm trying to decide if I'm going to stay here or move onto the Bronx, have you heard of any issues with anyone here?"

"There's a new guy, but he's dressed really nice. I've stayed away from him." Lucy's fear was coming through as she spoke.

"Does anyone know anything about him?" Jamie didn't want to push because he knew Lisa usually had a strong fear of men. He seemed to be the exception, but he was young.

"Yeah, talk to Rich. He's been trying to figure out how to help him."

"Thanks Lucy. Stay safe. I'll be back in a week or two. I gotta see if I can find more work." Jamie hugged her and started walking to the alley where he knew he'd find Rich.

As Jamie walked the streets memories of walking the same streets with his mom flowed through his mind. He was transported back in time and was trying to focus on his goal at the same time.

"Jamie, what are you doing back here man?" Rich said when he saw the kid. "I thought maybe you got out."

"I thought I was close, but it wasn't in the cards. I'm trying to figure out my next move."

"There's a new guy out here that's said he needs some help, his name's Max. You might be the kinda guy he's looking for."

"Where can I find him?" Jamie had to hide his smile. He was hoping that he'd learn something tonight, but this is more than he was hoping for.

"Two blocks down. I got him set up in the back of the alley."

"Thanks Rich. When's the last time you went to a shelter?" Jamie wanted him off the street for the night in case things got dangerous.

"Last week. There's more new people out here and they need the shelter more than I do."

"Rich, why don't you go and get Lucy and go the shelter on sixth." Jamie truly cared for these people.

"Sounds like a good idea. The new guy scares Lucy. Thanks Jamie."

Jamie kept going to find the new guy. He had a plan in mind and hoped it would work out. He wasn't sure what he was walking into, and he could almost hear Danny yelling at him to no go in without backup. Despite the fact that he knew Danny would do the same thing. It was currently one of the things he and Linda were fighting about.

"Are you Max?" Jamie asked as he got to the corner of the alley.

"Yeah, who are you?"

"Rich told me that you were lookin' for people that can help you." Jamie said knowing this guy would be suspicious of everyone.

"Yes, he's helped me hide tonight but I might need a place to hide tomorrow. I need to be able to hide from the cops until Saturday when I got a ride out of town. Can you really help me kid?"

"Yeah. I've lived on the streets half my life hiding from the cops. I can help you." Jamie said confidently.

"Ok kid. Meet me here tomorrow night. I think it's best I move at night right, do you agree?"

"Stay back here all day. I'll bring you some food in the morning and let you know what time we should move based on what I see patrols doing. Got it?"

"Got it. So, you'll be able to help me the next few days?" Garcia liked this kid. He knew what it meant to hide from the cops.

"Yeah, but you gotta do what I say. You don't do what I say, and I'm done." Jamie was dead serious. He kept looking around like he was waiting for something or someone to pop out of anywhere.

"Got it. What's your name?" Garcia wanted to organize something to help the homeless kid.

"I'll tell you my name when I get you in the car headed to your destination until then no name because I don't want you giving my name to the cops."

"Damn kid what did you do in the past?"

"My past is none of your business. One thing that you gotta learn about living on the street is that we help each other, but we protect each other. One way of doing that is by not asking questions." Jamie glared at him as he lectured.

"Okay, chill. I got it. Thank you. I'll see you in the morning."

Jamie smiled as he walked away.