And love
Chapter 84 Box destroyed
A/N: I'm back! I've taken some time to work on my CLOIS story, "Army brat, farm boy!" I've written a ton of JAMKO recently; I needed a change of pace. Recharge batteries you know. Gotta attempt to get Danny's head out of his ass. And avoid Culture shock. Wish me luck!
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1-PP: Frank Reagan, Maria Baez, Jacqui Curatola
Previously: After a disappointing 1st meeting with Danny, Maria requested another meeting with the PC.
Once settled in Frank's office Maria starts.
"You encouraged us to be creative," she & Jacqui look at each other.
"I did," he nods.
Jacqui voices, "Well, we have. Sir!"
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"You have, have you?" Frank Reagan looks intrigued. He is very hopeful that this team will be very, very good.
"Yes, we have. We have spent a lot of time trying to come up with a scenario where we can use experienced detectives with mild to moderate disabilities," Maria starts.
Jacqui picks up the baton. "We are proposing the following: In addition to the current training for 1st year detectives, we would like to form 3-man teams. Each team would consist of 2 first year detectives supervised by 1 experienced, but disabled, experienced detective."
Back to Maria; "The team would stay together for 1 year. Thereafter, the 2 'trainees' would be reassigned as deemed appropriate. We envision detective Daniel Reagan being the 1st trial trainer for this new program."
The ladies pause, waiting a response from the PC. He leans forward, elbows on desk, chin in hands. Finally, he speaks; "Well, you two know detective Reagan better than almost anyone. Are you saying that you trust him to be the start-up trainer for this?"
"Yes, sir," Maria answers. "We know Danny. His strengths, his weaknesses, his buttons-
Frank chuckles.
Jacqui picks it up, "We will watch this closely. We haven't approached him yet. Any advice, sir?"
"Well, after I give it some thought, and approve it – I think we should talk with him together. The 3 of us."
The ladies look at each other and nod.
"Sounds good, sir." Maria concludes, and they exit.
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BAY RIDGE
The patriarchs are winding down the day, in their comfy chairs.
"Pops? I'd like to run something by you."
"Ok, shoot."
"I've told you about the shuffle at the Chief of D's position?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"Well, Marka and Jacqui responded to my request to see if we can't reclaim Danny. They presented a very interesting proposal to me today." Frank shares the proposal with Henry.
Silence – as they cogitate.
"Well, how is Daniel going to pass on his skills without his faults, quirks and tendency to break the rules?"
"You know that some of those things are part of being a good detective."
"Yes, but . . .. you've put those ladies right into the fire! Haven't you?"
"Their idea."
"Will Danny, do it?"
"I doubt it. We shall see."
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SATURDAY – ON THE ISLAND
RING – HOUSE PHONE
Eddie answers, "Reagan residence."
"This is sheriff Abdul. Is Mr. Jameson Reagan in, please?"
"Yes, just a moment please," Eddie mutes the cordless phone and goes to find Jamie. She finds him talking with Cassie in the FR. She says 'sheriff' and hands him the phone. He steps into the garage, un-mutes the device and talks.
"Sheriff, sorry for the wait. What can I do for you, sir?"
"That's ok. May I come by this afternoon for a chat, please? Don't worry, no one is in trouble; just a private family matter."
"Surely, what time?" Jamie requests.
"Say 3:00 PM?" The sheriff offers.
"That will be good, I will be expecting you." Jamie hangs up, a feeling of dread in his gut. He goes back into the FR and finds Cassie reading. "Cassie, can we talk?"
"Sure dad, what's up?"
"That was sheriff Abdul on the phone. He is coming over at 3 o'clock to talk with me; not official, no trouble. He said it's a private, family matter. You and his son Eli are classmates, right?"
"Yes, we . . . are," she whispers the last word.
Jamie texts Eddie to join them. She comes in and sits next to her husband on the love seat. Jamie reiterates the phone call.
"Cassie," Jamie starts. "Is there anything I need to know before the sheriff comes?" Eddie looks at him, puzzled.
"Well . . . Eli and I are friends." She stops.
"Cassie," Eddie picks up. "Is there anything we need to know? You can tell us anything, you know that, right?"
"I know. It's just that-
Cassie stops.
"What sweetie?" Mom persists.
"Well, we talk and laugh, like good friends do, you know."
"We know," dad admits. Jamie and Eddie look at each other, worried.
"And?" Mom prompts.
"Well, a couple of times we've been talking and laughing in the hall . . . and the principal has stuck his head out of the office and scowled at us."
Jamie nods, "And?"
"Then for a couple of days Eli wouldn't even talk to me! I don't understand . . . did I do something wrong?"
She drops her head. Eddie slips to the floor, pulling Cassie into her lap.
"No sweetie, I don't think so. Why don't you go upstairs . . . no, stay here. I need to tell dad something."
Eddie rubs Cassie's back as she talks. "A while ago Cassie and I talked, after Eli's older brother had touched her in a way that caused her to feel strange."
"I remember you telling me about that."
"I believe that the older brother, Ibrahim, is not married yet."
"Ah," the light comes on for dad. "And he must marry first."
"So, the older brother may have his eyes on Cassie?" Mom surmises.
"Possible."
"What are you saying?" Cassie whispers.
"It may be that dad doesn't want Eli and you to be friends, especially good friends." Dad suggests.
"But . . . Eli is a really nice boy. He's kind, gentle and considerate. Can't he and I be friends and talk?"
"Of course you can, sweetheart. Let me see what the sheriff has on his mind," dad suggests. "I will talk with you and mother afterwards. Ok?"
"Ok," Cassie gets up and goes upstairs.
"I still don't like that!"
"What?"
"You calling me mother." Eddie scrunches her nose.
Jamie slips to the floor beside her and wraps his love in his arms. "Well, we are 5 kids beyond that, babe!"
"Too late?"
"Too late."
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15:00 ON THE ISLAND
CHIME – FRONT DOOR
4 smart phone screens looked at. "I got it," Jamie calls out. He opens the door for the sheriff and finds sheriff and son. He motions, they follow him to the home office. After shaking hands, they sit.
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FLASHBACK, 30 MINUTES PRIOR
Eddie has placed a nursery monitor behind books on a bookshelf in the office. She is listening in the MBR. The household has STRICT orders to make NO NOISE in the MBR vicinity!
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"Sheriff and Ibrahim, I believe?" Jamie starts.
"Correct, thank you for remembering!" The handsome young man beams.
"What may I do for you, sheriff?"
"Your daughter Cassie, she is a classmate of Eli, correct?"
"Yes, she is." Jamie nods.
"Ibrahim is Eli's older brother. It is our custom that the older brother takes a bride first." The sheriff emphasizes FIRST.
"I am aware of that. How does that concern us?" Puzzle pieces coming into view.
Ibrahim cannot contain himself; he speaks. "I have noticed your oldest daughter, Cassandra. She must be a bride first, yes? She is very-
"Ibrahim! Let me talk to her father!" The sheriff stops his son.
Jamie's heart clenches. He was afraid of this.
"Please forgive my son, he is over enthusiastic, as you say." The sheriff looks like he is about to cuff his son on the back of his head.
Jamie wonders what will happen at home; he remembers Cassie telling them about Eli's bruises.
"Certainly, go on."
"My son has noticed Cassandra. She is very pretty, kind and helpful. Have you, her father, given her hand? I assume she is marriageable, yes?" He smiles and nods.
Eddie is about to explode! 'TALKING ABOUT MY DAUGHTER LIKE THAT! LIKE A HEAD OF CATTLE!'
"I understand you consider a girl ready for marriage as soon as she starts her monthly courses, correct?"
"Yes, then she is a woman."
"Well, we don't consider girls like that, I-
"I'm able to wait!" Ibrahim gets out before his father stops him. He -does raise a hand, but stops.
"Let me say this, gentlemen. Cassandra will never be promised to anyone against her will. My wife and I will never do that to her. When she develops a deep and loving relationship with a young man, we will be available to advise her – as she wishes. I hope you can respect that. Will there be anything else?"
"I think not. Thank you for seeing us today. Let us go, Ibrahim!"
Jamid shows them to the front door.
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MASTER BEDROOM
Jamie steps in and is immediately wrapped in Eddie's arms. "You were magnificent, father!" She starts a make out session right then and there! They are disturbedby Cassie barging in the door.
"Oops, sorry!" She backs out.
"No, come back here Cass. I want you to hear this," mom says. She had recorded Jamie's little speech. They sat on the floor and Eddie hit play on her phone:
"Let me say this, gentlemen. Cassandra will never be promised to anyone against her will. My wife and I will never do that to her. When she develops a deep and loving relationship with a young man, we will be available to advise her – as she wishes. I hope you can respect that. Will there be anything else?"
Cassie turns to Jamie, hugs him tightly and buries her face in his neck. "Thank you, daddy! I love you!"
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TBC
