And love

Chapter 86 OK corral

1-PP

Frank & Danny Reagan, Maria Baez & Jacqui Curatola are meeting to extend a proposal to Danny. There is a mixture of hope, dread, optimism and nerves in the room.

Everyone is seated in the small conference room. The PC starts.

"Detective Reagan. After these ladies were installed in their positions, I asked them to assess whether we could find a way to not lose you and your considerable skills to the NYPD detective force. They have come up with a very innovative proposal. I sincerely hope you will evaluate this with care." He motions to Maria to begin.

Detectives Baez and Curatola carefully, and methodically present their proposal. Danny listens carefully, but silently. After they are done, he asks a question.

"Will I be considered 1st grade?" He sits back, arms crossed in front of his chest.

The ladies look to Francis; this is something they had not discussed. The PC rubs his chin, "Frankly detective, we had not discussed that. I really can't answer that today."

"Well, sir. Are any trainers below 1st grade?"

Jacqui answers that, "Yes, some are 2nd grade." That weakens his argument a little.

"Well, there shouldn't be any of those," he mutters.

"Does your answer depend on ghat?" Maria asks.

Danny pauses to think, he wrings his hands in front of him. He remembers yesterday.

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FLASHBACK – 24 HOURS AGO

RING – 9 AM

The house phone rings at Danny & Linda's home. Jack picks up, "Reagan residence-

"Jack! It's mom-

"Mom! We need you, please-

"I'm coming home, Jack-

"Thank God, when?"

"Tomorrow. Is dad there?"

"No, he didn't come home last night. I think he was in Bay Ridge."

"Well, tell Sean and dad that I will be home tomorrow evening. I love you guys!"

"Love you too! I can hardly wait!"

"Shall I bring a pizza!" She breaks out into laughter.

"NO, don't you dare! Chinese would work."

"You got it, I remember what you like, bye son."

"Bye, mom."

When Danny got the news, he could hardly believe it. But Jack finally convinced him that mom was serious.

She was coming home today!

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He had another question, actually two.

"Do I get to approve my trainees, and can there be a trial period?"

Maria responds, "Yes, and yes. We will go over prospective trainees with you. With an eye to which ones might work best in this scenario." She nods to Jacqui, who picks it up.

"Maria has asked me to follow the progress of your team closely," detective Curatola adds. "If at any time we see that things are not working well, we will consult with you. We can and will adjust or terminate as necessary to ensure quality training."

They pause, awaiting Danny's response.

He sits and thinks, finally nodding. "Ok, where do we begin?"

There is an audible sigh of relief. They all know they have only entered the starting gate.

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ST. BRIDGET'S PARISH SCHOOL

Cassie, Eli and several friends are eating lunch. Cassie is careful not to sit next to her friend, as advised by her dad. After finishing their meal, they split and got ready for their next class. As Eli stood by his hall locker getting out the proper books, he notices a folded piece of paper in his backpack. ELI is written on the outside; the handwriting is Cassie's. He stops short, tucks the note in his back pocket, then hustles to the boy's restroom. He slips into a stall, pulls out the note and sits down.

Eli,

I know about the visit your dad and brother made to my dad. I'm really sorry, I hope I didn't do anything that will cause you trouble. My parents say that we can still be friends, if you want to. I hope you do. They advised me to be careful how and where we interact. I know the principal is watching. Let's be careful, please.

Your friend,

Cassie

Eli swiped away a tear, crumpled up the paper and tossed it into the toilet. After the paper became limp from absorbed water, he flushed it down. Then went to his next class.

He needed to be very careful. His mom or dad inspected his backpack every day when he got home from school.

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ON THE ISLAND

Eddie is having a really busy day. Her paralegal business is going well. She has a dozen lawyer clients on Long Island, and still does some part time work for Manhattan Family Law. Gwen & Julie remain friends.

She and Jamie have discussed her transitioning to lawyer status. The only real attraction, as she thinks about it, would be more income. But her income is approaching $100,000. So, she's satisfied, for now.

She is preparing for a day in Manhattan tomorrow. She is looking forward to lunch with Gwen & Julie. Paula has a day off, and has agreed to be here with the boys. It's like having grandkids; Joe hasn't come through, yet. The relationship with Paula & Joe is a godsend. They have Sunday dinner with them twice a month.

She gets up to relieve herself. She enters the ensuite, pulls down her underwear, sits and freezes.

There are 3 spots of blood in her panties! She immediately feels faint. She is still menstruating; her period isn't due for 2 weeks. She steadies herself on the wall next to her. Thinking quickly, she urinates then inserts a tampon. She pulls out clean underwear and saves the soiled ones in an evidence bag she finds in the home office. She checks on the boys; they are still napping; they should be ok for another 20-30 minutes.

She sits down in the rocker in the nursery and starts to TXT:

ER to Debbie (Dr. Casey's nurse): just now, spots of blood in panties.

Deb: how much?

ER: 4 small spots.

Deb: pain? Other Sx's?

ER: No.

Deb: kept underwear?

ER: yes, bring in?

Deb: Y, ASAP

ER: after Jamie home. How long you there?

Deb: 6:30

ER: will try.

Deb: I am calling you.

RING – Eddie's cell

"Hello, Debbie?"

"Yes, I thought we should talk. I can come by and pick them up." Debbie offers.

"That would be wonderful. When could I see Casey?"

"I checked, and we can see you at 11:00 on Friday."

"Pencil me in. I'll check with Jamie tonight."

"Great, oh, Casey just buzzed. Gotta go. Bye."

"Thanks Debbie."

Eddie can hear AJ stirring.

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ON THE ISLAND

Jamie arrives home, Eddie grabs him and pulls him into the MBR; sitting him on the bed. Her eyes are misty.

"Babe, what's up?"

"I . . . ah, found a little spotting today." She's looking at the floor, trembling.

"What? Are you-

"No, my period is to come in 2 weeks. I called Debbie at Casey's office. I can see her at 11:00 Friday. Can you-

"Yes, of course!"

"You sure?"

"Absolutely. We will do this together."

"Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you."

"And you will never need to find out."

"Promise?"

"Promise, it's in the vows!"

She chuckles, they kiss and head to supper.

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"I sent Eli a note," Cassie comes out with at the supper table.

"What did you tell him?" Jamie asks, somewhat concerned.

"That I hoped we could still be friends. And that we should be careful, like you said to me."

"That's good, Cassie," Eddie supports her.

Jamie nods. He reaches out and squeezes her hand.

"You go girl," her sister's whisper.

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TBC