And love
Chap 39 Troubled waters
RING
Jamie's phone, it's Linda. "Hi Lin, Jamie and Eddie here. What's up?"
"Hi guys. I just wanted to tell you that while Danny was in ICU for a day and a half, Paula was his nurse for two swing shits."
"Trouble?" Eddie wonders.
"He did ask if he knew her. She said they'd never met; which is true. He hasn't mentioned it yet. But he is wondering. And you know, his detective's mind never quits!"
"We know. Thanks, Linda. We'll be extra careful with this." Jamie responds. "By the way, how is my brother doing with therapy?"
"Very well, I am hopeful that he won't need a rehab stay!"
"Wow! That should be good for his mood, eh?"
"For sure! Well, I will let you go. Talk soon."
"Yes, soon."
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4 DAYS LATER, DANNY & LINDA'S HOME
Danny was discharged to home, he was thrilled.
He answers the door. "Hi, sis. Did you bring the holy grail?"
"Yes, mac and cheese from Alston's!" She grins.
Erin had called and asked if she could come by, bring lunch and visit. Danny didn't turn her down! After setting up, they sat down to eat and chat.
"How is physical therapy going?" Erin inquires.
"Very well. I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. My 1st goal is to come back to work on desk duty."
"Is that achievable?" She is worried that he will bite off more than he can chew.
"I think so, in a couple weeks, maybe."
"Wow! Good for you. Say, I heard that Paula was your nurse while you were in ICU. How did that go?"
"Yeah, for two swing shifts. She seemed familiar. I don't know why." He looks puzzled.
"What? You don't remember her?" Erin frowns.
"Should I?" Danny frowns in return.
"Do you remember Eddie's TO before she dropped out to be a paralegal?" Erin prompts him.
"Ah . . . a Joe, somebody?"
"Yes, Joe Hill." Erin is puzzled he doesn't remember.
"Yeah, and my nurse was Paula Hill. I heard someone say that. You mean-
"Yes, dummy. Paula and Joe Hill! Joseph Connor Hill!"
Danny stares at his sister.
Erin continues, "I did some digging and found out that our brother Joseph and a Paula Hill were in the NYPD academy together!"
"So, what are you saying sis?"
"That's all I know; but I think we've got another Eddie/Jamie situation here! We must get to the bottom of both situations, Danny!"
"Whoa, no WE don't." He holds up his hands, as if in surrender.
"What? You don't care?"
"Erin . . . I have all I can handle right now, with my rehab and getting back to work."
"Back to work, a pipe dream-
"SHUT UP! I don't want to hear your negativity!"
"Well, let's be real here, bro-
"GET OUT!" He shouts, and points at the door.
Erin's jaw drops; she takes on a dark look; then stands, grabs her purse and storms out. She slams the door behind her.
Danny's pulse gradually slows to normal as he picks at his mac and cheese. 'I've got all I can fit on my plate right now! And I don't mean food. Priorities, priorities!'
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Erin is steaming, she and Danny never did get all the facts necessary in the Eddie/Jamie affair. Now there apparently is a Paula/Joe affair. Joe as in their younger brother Joseph Connor Reagan.
And she has lost her detective partner. Well, she has investigators. Wow, would that ever create a stir. She can just hear the talk at family dinner!
She is roaring down the avenue, not paying attention to anything but her thoughts. Suddenly lights and a siren hit her consciousness. She is being waved over. Shit!
She pulls over to the curb, puts the gear into park, rolls down her window and waits. A female officer gets out of the RMP and approaches the driver's side door; her partner approaches the right rear, stands and waits.
Good procedure', Erin thinks.
"You missed that light 3 blocks back," the officer says. "It turned RED just before you entered the intersection, ma'am."
"Are you sure, officer?"
"Quite, I have it on tape if you'd like to see it. May I see your license, registration and insurance, please?"
Erin produces the documents. "Is everything ok, officer Walsh?" (her name plate)
"Yes, ma'am. Ms. Reagan. I see you are an ADA. I can give you a warning. Please drive safely, and carefully. And give my regards to your brother, Jamie. Eddie and I are good friends."
"I will, thank you."
Kara gets back into her RMP along with her partner; both cars drive off.
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RING
Eddie's phone. It is Kara, they haven't talked in a while. "Kara! Long time no talk."
So, did you forget my number, huh?" Kara bursts out laughing. "Sorry, didn't mean that. What's up with you and Jamoo?"
"Oh, not much. Adopted a daughter, got a new car, same old, same old."
"WHAT! And, you haven't called and told me any of this? You are shameful."
"I know, hanging my head. So how is Dylan? Fully recovered, I hope?"
"Yes. But don't obfuscate, spill! Now, girl!"
"Ok." Eddie gives her BFF Kara all the details on Cassie's adoption, including the angst over Kelley and the judge. She went on to the story about car shopping and their daughter's excitement over the entertainment system.
"Well, with 3 girls who is the referee?" Kara is skeptical.
"Me, I'm thinking I might need a striped shirt and whistle," Eddie snorts.
"Sounds good!" Kara agrees. "Are you still shooting to be a lawyer? I remember the hot water you got into over that."
"No, I am sticking with paralegal. I like it and I'm good at it, if I say so myself. And my work environment with Gwen and Julie is great!"
"Jamie put the kibosh on that, huh?"
"Actually, no. After we talked and I apologized for not seeking his thoughts, he left it up to me. I thought it over, and decided that with the family, being a paralegal preserved more flexibility for family time."
"Sounds like you've got your priorities straight, girl. Good for you!"
"Thanks Kara. Can we do coffee or lunch next week?"
Yeah, I'll TXT you, my schedule. Look it over and TXT me a suggested day and time."
"Will do, love ya girl!"
"Back at ya, bye."
"Bye."
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J/E APARTMENT, BEDTIME
"Jamie, I've been thinking."
"A good thing to do!" He dodges a swat.
"Seriously; we've talked about riding lessons. Have you found a stables where we can do that?"
"Not yet, I thought that we should try to find one relatively close to NYC." Jamie muses.
"I thought that too. But on second thought, it might be nice to find a place 2 hours away, maybe a little more. Then 3 young ladies I know would have time to actually watch an entire movie," his wife smirks.
"Oh, so you are beautiful, sexy AND smart? Damn, I think I may have won Powerball!"
"Come here and show me, lover boy!"
He does.
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TBC
Someone is feeling isolated; she needs some allies. At least one. Where to look?