And love
Chap 59 Trouble X 3!
Eddie's driveway – 10-13
Eddie dashes out the front door, opens the back of the Honda, throws her bag in and turns around to look for the girls. She sees Cassie flying out the door, dashing toward the car. Out of the corner of her eye she sees flashing red and blue lights.
Forgetting the girls for a moment, she races to the SUV that now blocks her driveway. "Get the HELL out of my way!" She gesticulates wildly.
She sees a female officer circling the back of the SUV. "Mrs. Reagan, I am here to drive you. Get in my car!"
Eddie turns back, she grabs her bag and directs the girls toward the flashing lights. The officer helps the girls get their bags then themselves into her SUV. Eddie slides into the passenger front seat, then they are off.
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3 WEEKS EARLIER
Lieutenant Jameson Reagan was the commanding officer of a joint ATF-NYPD task force. They were taking down a new drug cartel that was attempting to get started in the tri-state area. The ATF had been gathering intel for 3 months. Now a group of NYPD officers were brought in to be the troops in the final raid (along with ATF agents) in what was hoped would be a crushing blow.
Jamie was tasked with picking the NYPD people to participate. He had selected his brother Danny to watch the take-down from an NYPD surveillance van, and be their eye-in-the-sky. Danny was under strict orders to NOT leave the van; under no circumstances. Also on the task force were NYPD detectives Baez and Curatola; Renzulli, McKenna, Walsh & Miles from the 12th precinct.
TODAY
The task force had spent 2.5 weeks going over intel and firming up the final take down plans. Early this morning, they had received the GO to proceed.
A large shipment of cocaine had been received overnight. Word was that workers would be busy checking inventory and repackaging supply; preparing for distribution. Too many men would be busy with those tasks, guard duty would be relatively light. The plan was to strike at 12:10 – at lunch time.
The raid went down perfectly; all inventory salvaged, 4 perps killed, 8 perps in custody including two top leaders. Danny was watching the clean up from the van when he saw Jamie bring 3 NYPD brass in for a debrief of the successful operation.
With Lt. Reagan were Lt. Syd Gormley, Captains Espinoza and Wells. They were in a circle with Jamie facing the door through which they had entered.
SUDDENLY
3 hostiles burst through the door Jamie was facing.
"DOWN!" He shouted, drawing his weapon and kneeling down quickly.
The 3 men with him hit the floor in an instant.
As the hostiles raised their long guns to fire, Jamie emptied his clip rapidly at them. Danny was watching this, and leaped from the van and ran toward the action. Syd Gormley managed to draw and fire at the one hostile who was still moving. They were now all under (dead).
Danny quickly entered; he saw that Jamie wasn't moving; as Syd and the others went to assess the hostiles status, Danny rolled his brother over. Just before he lapsed into unconsciousness, Jamie whispered "Eddie".
Danny saw that Jamie had sustained 2 GSW; 1 in the vest and 1 in the right shoulder. Danny removed the vest and saw that it had slowed one slug down significantly, so that it barely pierced the skin. The shoulder wound was bleeding freely. Danny applied pressure to that wound while captain Espinoza called for a bus, forthwith!
After assuring themselves that all the hostiles were no longer a threat, and that some task force members had returned to secure the perimeter, the brass came over to assess Jamie. Two joined Danny in caring for Jamie, Captain Espinoza called Frank, the PC.
"Detective Baker, how may I help you?"
"Abby, this is Espinoza. I need Frank STAT!"
Baker knew the urgency of this call; she connected the two men immediately. Frank called Eddie and got the ball rolling.
When EMT personnel arrived, they assumed Jamie's care. They readied him for transport and headed for the ER at St. Victor's.
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SHERIFF'S SUV
"Where are we going" Eddie asks as the deputy speeds off. The girls are listening carefully, their hearts in their throats.
"St. Victor's hospital in Manhattan" she speaks with clipped speech, concentrating on her driving.
"Ever been there?" Eddie questions carefully.
"Nope. But I've got the GPS set."
"I know short cuts; I lived in Manhattan a lot of years. May I give you some help?"
"Sure, I'm listening."
"Mommy, what's wrong," Msl asks. Her voice is trembling.
"Daddy was hurt on the job," Eddie tells them.
"I heard grandpa say SHOT. Was that daddy," Mary Rose chokes out. Cassie puts an arm around her little sister and hugs her tight. Mal hugs Mary Rose from the other side. Eddie wonders how much to say. She doesn't know much herself at this point.
"OH! DAMN IT!" Eddie grabs her arms across her tummy. "That hurt."
"MOMMY? WHAT'S WRONG?" Mal exclaims.
"Just a little tummy ache," she downplays what just happened. The girls aren't sure. Eddie is terrified! 'This can't be, not now!'
8" LATER
"Oh, damn!" Eddie covers her mouth, to keep relatively quiet.
"Mommy, what's going on?" Cassie leans forward to see her mom better. She sees a very pale mother. She sees her mother's phone in the cup holder. Cassie grabs it and sinks down in the back seat. Scrolling thru the contacts, she sees Doc Casey. She dials.
"Doctor Nelson, Eddie?"
"No, Cassie, her daughter. We have trouble. Mommy has had 2 stomach pains." Cass is whispering.
"Cassie? Where are you?"
"In a sheriff's car."
"A sheriff's car? Where are you going? What's happened?"
"Daddy was shot. He's a cop you know. We are headed to St. Victor's hospital. Can you help mommy, please?"
"Yes, Cassie. I'll call you back soon. Ok?"
"Ok, thanks." Cassie lays the phone down beside herself, continuing to comfort Mary Rose.
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HELP, I NEED SOMEBODY!
Dr. Casey Nelson rushes around her home, collecting her GO BAG, coat and medical ID. "Gregg, I need to go, babe. Patient emergency."
"Ok, be safe. Anyone I know?"
"Eddie Reagan, your paralegal."
"Oh . . . OH! Take good care of her! I need her!" 'She's having twins, I think. God, take care of them.'
"I will, bye."
She speeds to her car, throws her stuff into the backseat. She connects to blue tooth and programs the GPS; then starts to make calls as she drives off.
"Hello, Casey?"
"Yes Debbie, Eddie Reagan may be in trouble. Her husband, Jamie, was shot while on duty. Eddie and the girls are on their way to St. Victor's ER in Manhattan She has had 2 pains; she's at risk of going into labor, Debbie!"
"I know, what can I do?"
"Can you swing by the clinic, grab her chart and come to the hospital?"
Debbie agrees, and will pick up Eddie's chart on the way.
NEXT CALL
"Dr. Young here. Casey?"
"Yes, Bob. MY patient Eddie Reagan may be in trouble. Her husband, Jamie, was shot while on duty as an NYPD Lieutenant. Eddie and their 3 girls are on their way to St. Victor's in Manhattan She has had 2 pains; she's at risk of going into labor. Is there any way you could meet me at that ER?"
"Yes, I can. She is at 36 weeks now, if my memory is correct. If so, we'll recommend an emergency c-section. Her boys should be ok. We can't risk having her go far into labor."
"I agree." She thanks him profusely, and barrels on, as fast as she can safely go.
Doctor Young gathers his things and heads out as well.
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SURGERY WAITING ROOM
Frank has given consent for Jamie's emergency surgery on his shoulder. His son had been resuscitated in the ER, after 2 U of RBCs. Frank is now in the small surgery waiting room. He has sent Pops down to the ER to await Eddie's arrival and escort her and the girls up to where he is.
Pops was also tasked with calling Danny and Erin. Both siblings promised a soon arrival. Joe and Paula had been forgotten.
SHERIFF'S SUV
Eddie looks for her phone. "Where is that damn thing?" She mutters, as they cruise along.
Cassie snakes her hand, with phone, around the seat and into Eddie's lap.
"You had this? Did you make a call?" Eddie demands.
"Yes, I called Doctor Casey." Cassie shrinks back, still fearful of parental anger.
Eddie pauses, she collects her thoughts. "What did you tell her, sweetie?"
"About daddy getting shot. And you –
"Oh . . . damn! Again?" Eddie doubles up in pain.
Now Mal and Mary Rose are aware of what's happening. At least they think they do.
"Mommy, are you going to have the babies in the car?" Mal exclaims. She is wringing her hands.
"What" Mary Rose jumps up and down. "Yippee! We'll get to see the babies right here!"
"I hope not," Cassie mutters.
Eddie pants, per La Maze class. "NO, I hope not. How far is it?" She looks to the deputy.
"5 blocks."
ST. VICTOR'S ER ENTRANCE
A few minutes later they pull into an ER ambulance bay. Cassie is 1st out, shouting for a nurse or doctor. "My mommy is in labor, help her please!"
Linda Reagan is on duty and recognizes Cassie's voice. She rushes out to the SUV, which still has lights flashing. "Cassie, what's wrong?" She exclaims.
"Aunt Linda, it's mom. She is having stomach pains. My dad has been shot-
"I know, sweetie. Calm down for me-
Just then Eddie tumbles out of the sheriff's car in the ambulance bay. "Oh GOD . . . it hurts so bad! HELP!" She stumbles to the ground.
"Stretcher, NOW!" Linda screams. She kneels down and helps Eddie to a sitting position. "Cassie, what happened?"
Mal and Mary Rose are now fussing over their mommy. Cassie is telling Linda what happened.
"Grandpa called about an emergency code, or something. Then mom went nuts, shouting Its JAMIE!"
SUDDENLY
3 cars screech to a stop, simultaneously. 2 women and a man jump out of their cars. A woman shouts, "Eddie Reagan, where is she? I'm her doctor, Casey Nelson!"
"Here," a weak voice is heard. They turn and see Eddie sitting on the ground by a sheriff's SUV. A stretcher is just arriving; Linda, Debbie and Casey assist Eddie onto the stretcher. The 3 ladies rush her inside, followed by Dr. Young. While the ladies rush Eddie to an examination bay, Dr. Young heads to the ER registration desk.
"I am Dr. Young, an obstetrics sub-specialist at Stony Brook. My patient Eddie Reagan just arrived, in premature labor. May I talk with the Ob-gyn doctor on call, please?"
"Just a moment, sir. I will page Dr. Kelso." The receptionist picks up her phone and dials.
GROUND FLOOR ELEVATOR
Two nurses have just finished a coffee break. They are standing in front of the elevator, about to return to the ICU. The car arrives and the door opens. Shocked, they see an elderly gentleman sitting on the floor, slumped in a back corner.
"Push the EMERGENCY STOP," one of them shouts.
The other complies. They both crouch down to assess the man. "That's Henry Reagan," the older nurse exclaims. Her name tag says PAULA.
The man is looking about, wild eyed. He is breathing rapidly, his pulse is tachycardic but regular. He cannot move his right arm or hand.
"I'll stay with him," Paula says. "You go find a stretcher, Gayle." She does.
Paula brushes the hair away from Henry's face. "What happened Pops? We'll take care of you. Don't you worry, my dear."
Gayle soon arrives with a stretcher and an ER orderly. The 3 of them get Henry loaded and on his way to the ER.
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TBC
How many balls can we juggle? Well, it's only 1 family, right?