And love
Chap 75 Progress?
Long Island Mall
The family is spending some time Saturday at the mall. At the top of the list is shopping for the upcoming school year. Right behind is ideas for the October birthday bash. Eddie is with the girls; Jamie has gone ahead with the dual stroller and the two boys; to get the 2 tables they need for lunch together. Sometimes it is nearly impossible. As he cruises around the food court, a lady calls his name.
"Jamie, is that you?"
He glances over, 'she looks familiar'.
"I'm Helene, a paralegal. Eddie and I talked a while back."
"Ah, yes. She's around somewhere; I'm just looking for space for our crew for lunch."
"Well, that's perfect. I'm just resting and the table next to me is vacant. Let's spread out and we'll be good."
They do; he leaves AJ in his car seat with Helene, he and Patrick take the table next to her. He sends a family TXT telling them that seating has been found. 2" later the girls arrive. They sit before Eddie recognizes Helene.
"Helene! Didn't realize that was you. How are things?" Eddie scoots over to the older woman's table so they can talk. The girls keep their brothers at one table; Jamie joins Helene and Eddie while they catch up.
Helene drops her voice. "It's been kind of rough. That Dan we met with a while back."
"I remember." Eddie senses trouble.
"Well, we formed a loose partnership. Three months later . . . he, ah . . . wiped me out." The last 4 words were whispered. Now tears are trickling down her cheeks.
"NO! I'm so sorry. I thought something was off with him." Eddie reaches over, takes Helene's hand and gives a supportive squeeze.
"I was uneasy too. But he came on as so in need. I should have checked him out more fully," she ruefully admits.
"Have you reported it?"
"Of course. The fraud division says this is the 3rd case that he's involved in. Suspicions, but not enough evidence for an arrest."
"But he kept his license? Eddie wonders.
"Apparently so. It seems paralegal licensing isn't as strict as for lawyers."
Eddie looks over at Jamie – he has been listening. He raises his eyebrows. He mouths 'Danny', she nods.
"Helene, are you expected to be somewhere soon?" Eddie asks.
"No, why?"
Jamie has stepped away to call.
"Well, Jamie's older brother is an NYPD 1st grade detective. He's out on disability – shot while on duty. He's looking for work; I bet he can help you."
Jamie comes back; "Helene, Can you wait 20 minutes?"
"Yes." A puzzled look on her face.
"Ok, stay right here. Danny will text me when he gets here to the mall. Eddie or I will come back and introduce him."
"Ok, thank you so much." She seems a bit brighter.
"You're welcome, I see Eddie has my lunch. Say, did you want anything?"
"No . . . I can't-
"Here, take my burger and FF. I'll get another."
"No, Jamie-
He's gone.
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24 MNUTES LATER
Danny skids to a stop in front of the 2 most messy tables in the food court.
"I saw you guys as soon as I came in," He announces with a smirk.
"Just like when your boys were little, huh?" Eddie retorts.
"Helene Watson, this is my brother-in-law, Danny Reagan."
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MANHATTAN DA'S OFFICE
Danny bursts into his sister Erin's office. "Do you have that arrest warrant yet?" He's out of breath.
"No, you don't have probable cause, Danny." Erin glares at her older brother.
"What the hell! I gave you all you needed!" Danny snorts.
"Except. Probable. Cause." She stares. She's not backing down, and he knows it.
"Hmpf . . . will this do? Sis?" He hands her a sheaf of papers. Exasperation obvious in his voice.
She snatches them out of his hand, and goes through them quickly. "Why didn't you include this from the start?"
"Because I just got them!" He glares. "Now do I get my warrant, or at least stop funds from transfer offshore?"
"Give me 15 minutes, I'll get Anthony right on it."
"That fat bozo?" Now he's angry. He stands, hands on hips.
Erin pauses, "Yes, I need Anthony for this. And I need YOU to stay out of the way!" She emphasizes those last words with not too soft pokes to her brother's chest. She turns, and heads for her boss' office.
Danny sighs, takes a seat and waits. His leg bouncing all the while.
The secretary glares.
He glares right back.
(They love Danny in this office)
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BAY RIDGE, THURSDAY EVENING
RING – FRANK'S CELL PHONE
"Hi, Danny. What's up?"
Frank listens, Pops is interested.
"Yes, you can stop by."
Frank listens some more.
"Yes, we'll be here. Come in the back door. Bye."
"Danny has some good news." Frank smiles.
"That case Jamie and Eddie sent his way?"
"I assume so, he sounded rather upbeat."
"Well, have we turned a corner? It's about darn time!" Pops huffs.
They both chuckle, and reach for a sip of their scotch.
10" LATER
The kitchen door bursts open. I'm here, dad!"
"Join us, bring a glass if you'd like."
The eldest son grabs a glass out of the china cupboard, and storms into the sitting room. He holds his glass out to Pops, who obliges by pouring 2 fingers of an amber liquid.
Danny sits, sighs and sips.
"You know about that fraud case that Jamie and Eddie sent my way?" The gents nod.
"Well, it turned out that it intersected with 2 other cases. All involving paralegals and fraud. The other 2 cases had been declared cold."
Frank and Henry look at each other; "And?" Frank looks to his eldest.
"So, with help from Erin, her team and her boss – we opened the cold cases, linked them, and solved all three. We prevented offshore movement of funds, and retrieved a lot of funds."
"How much money are we talking about?" Pops voices.
"4 million." Danny shrugs.
Eyebrows raise. Breaths stop. Pulses pound.
"4 million? And your fee?"
"Standard is 30%." He grins.
"1,200,000? Can you justify that? This basically fell into your lap, with help from Jamie and Eddie," his dad holds out his hands; palms up.
"Your point, dad?"
"Well . . . I mean, that's somebodies nest egg, isn't it?" Frank's brows crinkle.
"And Jamie and Eddie," Pops adds. "What about them?"
"Well, geez! I bring good news and you guys' crap all over my parade!" He stands and starts to pace.
"Wait just a minute here," Pops stops the pacing with a look. "What happened to those two cases you got from Eddie's lawyer clients? Are you working those?"
"I've looked them over, but now-
"Daniel!" Frank exclaims. "This one giant windfall will NEVER happen again! Small cases like those others will pay the bills for years! Let alone the good will you can establish with two lawyers. And with Jamie and Eddie."
"Oh, I see. I need to peck at the crumbs from Eddie's hand in order for them to like me? SHIT!"
He exits the back door. The kitchen dishes rattle from the slam.
The patriarchs look to each other.
"And here I thought we had turned a page," Henry exhales softly.
"We had . . . only to find ourselves in the same chapter." Frank sighs. They both take another sip.
"Supper on the island tomorrow?" Pops asks.
"Supper on the island," Frank nods.
Dad calls his youngest.
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SUPPER ON THE ISLAND
Pops had purchased 10 pounds of ground sirloin; he told Eddie she could keep frozen what they didn't use. She was grateful. She was teaching her daughters how to make lasagna; the beef would come in very handy.
Jamie and Eddie could sense bad news. They had questions themselves regarding Danny's big payday. They had not breathed their concerns; this would afford them the perfect opportunity to do so with dad and Pops.
Grandpa and GG were welcomed with open arms. GG set Mal and Mary Rose to work shaping hamburger steaks with him; they were seasoned with salt, black pepper and Kikkoman soy-sauce. He has Eddie and Cassie working on sides and dessert. Fortunately, Eddie has a chocolate cake in the freezer, plus some ubiquitous vanilla ice cream. Supper came off beautifully. Afterwards, they retired to the FR.
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Frank leads off, "Eddie, have you heard from the lawyers who referred cases to Danny"
"Yes," she drops her head.
"And?" Pops prompts her.
"They have heard nothing back; they are wondering when he is going to report." She picks up her head, shaking it slowly. "I don't get it."
"Do you know about his windfall, Jamie or Eddie."
"NO," they look surprised.
Frank and pops tell what they know.
"DAD! There are rules for windfall profits! That money isn't all Danny's! Eddie and I deserve a share," Jamie huffs. *
"I thought so. Has he contacted you?"
Jamie and Eddie shake their heads – NO!
Everyone looks around at each other, shamefaced.
"I was afraid of that," Frank exclaims.
"WAIT JUST A MINUTE!" Eddie exclaims. "How did Helene's case get declared cold this fast?"
Puzzled faces all around.
"FISHY!" All agree.
"Francis, forget fishy. The Manhattan DA, and the NY State AG can have a field day here! This is a big-time risk – we must clean this up! NOW!" Henry is livid! As senior protector of the family name and reputation, he bears a large responsibility here.
They all nod, gravely. This could drag the whole family down the drain together. Their sterling reputation is at stake. No doubt about it.
"I will get my team working on it ASAP," Francis sternly declares.
Before they leave Frank texts his team; setting up an emergency admin meeting for 7:30 AM in the morning. He personally invites Jamie and Eddie, and Erin and Pops to join the meeting in his office. Frank imposes strict secrecy on all in the know. They vow to oblige.
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MASTER BEDROOM
"Jamie, this is a critical issue," Eddie vents as they prepare for bed.
"I know, babe. But if we keep our noses clean-
"Jamie! The grapevine doesn't care about a clean nose! It's the name that counts, hon! Reagan is all they will hear, and you know it!" Eddie jumps on this. "You, me, our 5 kids! We'll all get smeared." She stands with hands on hips.
He slips on his robe, sidles over to her and gets and gives a huge good-night kiss. "I love you, Ed!"
"I love you too, Jamie!"
They slip into bed and cuddle as they fall into a restless sleep.
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TBC
A/N: I'm having a devil of a time getting Danny OOT. Some may think I have him OOC. I disagree; I think it's just lurking beneath the surface. Does Linda deserve this? Probably not. Maybe we need a miracle! Pray, baby, pray!
I'm not sure about cold-case definitions. Helene's case may well be fishy. Jamie and dad need to visit the pier – and go fishing.
A whole lot of fishing goin' on!