Chapter 3

Chief of Detectives Amanda Burton walked into the firearms analysis section of the crime lab. "Inspector, Detective, what have you got?" she asked as she approached the bench. "Are the ballistics a match for her service or an off-duty weapon?"

"No, neither is a ballistic match; we can rule out both. Until divers recovered these from the river." The crime scene technician pointed to the Glock barrel, and the firing pin sat on the workbench.

"She swapped out her barrel and firing pin?" The chief of detectives asked

"Yep, look at the comparison scope on the left; it is the casing we test-fired with the barrel and firing pin enclosed in the bag recovered by the divers from her off-duty weapon. On the right is one of the casings found in the bag. They are an exact match, including the extractor marks. This is your murder weapon," the Technician explained after he changed the barrel and firing pin.

"Do we know where she got the barrel and firing pin from?" She asked her detectives.

Detective Broadbent shook his head. "No, the lab will try to enhancethe scratched-off serial number. We have the lineup later to see if the eyewitness can pick Reagan out of the lineup. If we can place Reagan by the river, we can put that bag in her possession. We might be able to get her prints of the shell casing or from Beresford's cell phone casing. The print lab thinks it might be possible as long as she wasn't wearing gloves," He briefed his chief of detectives.

Pondering the facts of the case, she looked at her two detectives. "Nyall, what do you think?" She asked

" We can place Reagan at the scene of the crime. We have the text message arranging the meeting on her cell phone. We have an eyewitness placing Reagan and her Porsche by the river. Who witnessed her throwing that bag into the river? There was gunshot residue on the clothes she was wearing. Following the evidence we have so far, she had the opportunity. She has no alibi. She was home alone. We have a strong, evidence-based case. The DA should have no problem charging her with first-degree murder. " Inspector O'Day summarised.

"Do we have camera footage of Reagan and her car tossing those into the river?" Enquired the Chief of Detectives.

He shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, the camera was down, waiting for a spare part. We have some footage of the Porsche driving around, and we could get clear footage of the driver." Detective Broadbent handed over his iPad.

Chief Amanda Burton scrolled through the pictures, stopping to enlarge specific photographs. "Did she not pass any of our more modern cameras?" She asked, not looking up from her iPad screen

"No, chief, she took a circuitous route. She knew the camera was down by the river and worked out the best route, avoiding the more up-to-date cameras," Inspector O'Day summarised.

She looked up after the last statement, "You can prove that. That proves intent,"

"She used the police computer system to check. She was logged in and processing parking tickets. For ten minutes, she checked on the status of the cameras, mapping out the route she took while avoiding the high-definition cameras. Reagan checked on the status of the repair for the broken camera. Everything she did was recorded under her username on the central server."

Inspector O'Day explained.

"What about your eyewitness?" Chief Burton asked

"Marisol Bright, the lineup is arranged for later. If she picks out Reagan, the DA is content that we have enough to charge her; we don't need to wait any longer. The evidence we have is solid and damning." Detective Broadbent explained

" Have you checked out Marisol Bright? I want all the I's dotted and crossed. This will be high-profile once the news gets out about the daughter-in-law of the police commissioner being charged with murder." Chief Burton checked.

"No red flags, Chief,"

BB

Jack Boyle leaned against the wall while the detectives prepared Marisol Bright for the identity parade.

"They can't see you. Okay, once I lift the blinds, I want you to look at the five females and tell me if you know the one from the river. Take your time, alright, Marisol. " She nodded as she positioned herself in front of the observation window.

"No. 3," Marisol pointed. "That is her,"

"Number 3 is the woman you saw throw the bag into the river on Sunday afternoon," Detective Broadbent asked officially.

"Yes, number three is the woman I saw," she confirmed.

"Thank you. Please follow this officer," smiled Inspector O'Day.

"Happy, councillor?" they asked Jack.

Jack nodded in confirmation; Marisol Bright had identified Eddie as the woman she had seen.

The ADA on the case, Lisa Patterson, walked into the room, smiling. Jack kept his emotions off his face. He knew Lisa through his wife; she was a very ambitious attorney. Successfully convicting Eddie Reagan, the daughter-in-law of the police commissioner, would elevate her career above that of her peers.

"We will charge her with the first-degree murder of Simon Beresford. She will receive twenty years' parole in fifteen if she pleads guilty at her arraignment. If she refuses, I will push for life without parole. Jack, this is a one-time offer; she won't get anything better," Lisa warned, knowing the weight of the evidence was stacked against his client.

"How long has she got?" Jack inquired

ADA Lisa Patterson checked her watch. "We are charging her at 13:00, and she will be arraigned at 15:00. Then, off to Rikers. Don't worry, councillor; she will be in protective custody in the special wing of the RMSC."

BB

"Jack, what's going on?" Eddie asked as he walked into the holding cell, now dressed in an orange Department of Corrections jumpsuit. "They're going to charge me, aren't they?" she asked, dejected.

Jack nodded; he owed Eddie everything. She had successfully persuaded Erin to give him a second chance after all the hurt he had caused her. "You are about to be charged with the first-degree murder of Simon Beresford." He paused, not wanting to tell her about the deal the ADA had offered.

"Jack, tell me," Eddie urged

Sighing, he nodded. "They offer you twenty years' parole in fifteen if you plead guilty at arraignment. If you refuse, she will push for life without parole. Eddie, this is a one-time offer." Jack explained, hating himself for broaching the offer.

"I didn't do this, Jack, I am not doing fifteen years, screw that. How screwed am I?" She asked as she glared at the two officers waiting with handcuffs and leg shackles.

The evidence against you, Eddie, is damning. I won't lie to you; it will take considerable skill to prevent you from going to prison for the rest of your life. You are not alone, Eddie Reagan. Keep your head high and look them all in the eye. I will be with you at your arraignment." Jack squeezed her shoulder, showing his silent support.

"Okay, officers, all yours,"

"Jack, don't you dare hurt my sister-in-law again, or I will be forced to break out of jail and kick your ass, am I understood?" Smiling, Eddie tried to take her mind off being shackled.

BB

"I am not guilty, Your Honor," Eddie declared, her eyes locked on the judge. The newest Reagan felt alone for the first time since joining the family. Realising they had to distance themselves from her publicly, she felt a profound sense of isolation.

"Bail?" The judge asked the prosecutor.

ADA Patterson stood up and smoothed her skirt before she answered, "The people feel she should be denied bail. Her role as a police officer requires that she be remanded to prison."

"Your Honor, my client has a spotless record as an NYPD patrol officer and has received many commendations. I believe it is inappropriate to deny her bail because she is not a flight risk." Jack countered the ADA's recommendation.

The judge glanced at the charge sheet displayed on his screen and contemplated. "Bail is denied; you will be remanded to the Rose M. Singer Center at Rikers Island. I will issue an order to place you in protective custody. A trial date will be set for four months from now. Return her to the holding bailiff for transfer to Rikers," instructed the judge, striking his gavel to conclude her arraignment hearing.

"I will see you tomorrow, Eddie," Jack said with a supportive smile.

"Hands behind your back," ordered the court Bailiff.

Eddie obeyed by putting her hands behind her back, feeling the cold stainless steel tighten around her wrists. The gravity of her situation struck her deeply, causing her knees to buckle. She would have fallen if the court bailiff hadn't caught her. " I will take it slowly, Officer Reagan," he whispered as he double-locked her cuffs.

True to his word, the bailiff guided Eddie to the holding cells.

BB

'It is done. Remanded to Rikers, our orange butterfly nearly collapsed as she was cuffed.' She typed out her group text message. She smiled as she hit send and walked out of the central booking.

Rebecca Lowes tucked her cell phone away and resumed her parking enforcement patrol. Spotting an expired tag, the NYPD auxiliary officer grinned as she printed the parking ticket. Her phone beeped three times, signalling that her co-conspirators had seen her message, and this day marked the climax of four years of meticulous planning.

Officer Edit Janko had stolen the love of her life from her; she had arrested him. He had died during a fight in the yard over a perceived slight to a rival gang while serving time in Rikers Island five and a half years ago,

Jake Singer was her soulmate; despite his rough edges, she cherished him. That blonde bimbo Janko ruined everything by crying wolf. Jake got arrested during their enjoyable lunch.

Rebecca stuck the parking summons to the windscreen while she hummed to herself.

BB

The past two hours have been the most degrading of her life, enduring a full-body search that included her intimate areas. All she wishes for is to retreat to her cell and weep.

The cell door slammed shut, engulfing her in despair. What could lead someone to such lengths? Eddie understood now that she would be on suicide watch for the next week. She would be held locked in her cell for 22 hours a day to keep her safe. She was considered a high-value target, with every aspect of her life tightly regulated. She did not influence her circumstances.

'Why me, how,' repeated on a loop in her head

She curled up in the corner of her cell, hugging her legs and burying her head as she wept under the stress of facing a first-degree murder charge. This is my life for the next six months.

"Or the rest of my life!" She shuddered at the thought

"Stand now, Reagan!" voiced the guard. Eddie hadn't heard her cell door open. She mentally chastised herself for letting her guard down.

The female guard scrutinised Eddie. "Do you have any suicidal thoughts, Reagan?" she inquired mechanically, her voice devoid of any compassion.

"No, Ma'am, just peachy," snarked Eddie. It came out of her mouth before she realised.

The guard glared at Eddie, "Not a smart move, Reagan," smirked the guard.

"Partner, please restrain Reagan's hands. She carries too much attitude and hasn't grasped her new status in this hierarchy. Here, you are insignificant; your surname adds another target to your back." She enjoyed putting the blonde in her place.

The guards fastened her cuffed hands to the leather belt around her waist. "You'll be released in the morning, Reagan. That will teach you to behave properly." Warned the guard as she slammed her cell door shut.

"Nice one, Reagan," she scolded herself. " five hours is all it took you to get yourself into trouble with your smart mouth,"

BB

Jack Boyle reviewed his afternoon notes. The evidence gathered thus far is overwhelmingly against Eddie Reagan. All signs indicate that Eddie is the murderer. Additionally, her alibi is non-existent; she is home alone and unwell. Arms wrapped around his chest as Erin leaned in for a kiss.

"That bad, I know that face," Erin sighed as she cast her eyes over his notes.

"Defending her will be challenging due to the strong evidence against her." Jack leaned in for a kiss, smiling. "Are you certain about this, Erin? Remember that defence lawyers are often seen as evil demons," Jack asked, admiring the diamond engagement ring on her finger.

Flashback

Manhattan DA's Office

14:23

Erin faced DA Kimberly Crawford, her boss, feeling wide-eyed and speechless as her resignation letter lay discarded on the desk.

"Erin, I know we've had our disagreements. I haven't always been the easiest to work with, but this feels drastic. Are you sure you want to resign? You deserve this position," Kimberly said. Erin merely shrugged at her former boss's praise.

"Where do you plan to practice law?" she asked as the initial shock faded.

" Although I intended to do this eventually, recent circumstances have pushed me to expedite my plans. It's time to begin a new chapter in my career and personal life," Erin explained.

Crawford looked at Erin, realising her mind was made up. There was nothing she could say or offer her best ADA. Sighing, she stood, offering Erin her hand. "If you need help, don't hesitate to give me a call,"

End of flashback

Erin snuggled into Jack's side. "Partners again," she smiled happily, determined to make this second attempt. Eddie's predicament was the elephant in the room. Now clear of her prosecutor duties, she would sit in the second chair with Jack.

"Can we see her tomorrow?" she asked, eager to visit her sister-in-law.

Jack nodded his head, his mind focused on the case. "Why pick Simon Beresford?" he asked.

"What?" asked a confused Erin.

He was taking a moment to collect his thoughts. " Why Simon Beresford. Why did he frame her? Does he mean something to the UnSub," he asked aloud.

"Why her?" Erin asked. "To frame her this well, they must have been planning for a long time. We are going to have to dive deep into everything. I can't let her get convicted, Jack. It would destroy her soul, locked away for 22 hours a day."

Erin's cell phone rang to let her know it was time to face her family and tell them about her engagement with Jack. Hopefully, they would accept him this time around.

Erin turned to her new fiancé with a smile. "Jack, do you think we can help her? As a former prosecutor, I could readily persuade a jury about her guilt based on the evidence I've seen. Give me a few months, and I can make it foolproof." A worried woman asked, "Eddie getting life without parole would kill Jamie."

He pulled her close. "We're not alone; Maria and Luis are here as investigators. The whole Reagan family will back us up, either directly or indirectly. It won't be easy; I can't guarantee her acquittal. I wish I could, but Eddie is stuck between a rock and a hard place." He leaned down and kissed her. "I will do everything I can to help Eddie. I love her; she helped me get you back. I owe that blonde spitfire the world." Jack emotionally told her

"I know, thank you,'

BB

To be continued