NEWPORT BEACH CONDO
SATURDAY 3 PM
Jamie, Eddie and Nicky pull into their parking space. They are downcast and shuffling along. The 2 ladies, one on either side of Jamie, are arm in arm with him. When they reach the 3rd floor the door to their condo #2 flings open, Kensi wraps her arms around Eddie.
"What happened?" Kens demanded.
"Inside," Eddie gestured. They entered and collapsed on couches.
Nicky was the 1st to speak. "Here is my report," she handed her copy to Kensi. Kensi read:
NICOLE: There was no fault found in your behavior. You behaved in an exemplary manner, in a highly stressful situation. Your firearm and documentation will be returned to you. You are free to go."
"I stayed to hear what would happen to aunt Eddie and uncle Jamie."
Jamie handed his report to Marty; just then Hetty walked in and sat down. Kensi handed Nicky's report to Hetty. She read it and smiled.
Marty read Jamie's report.
JAMESON: The committee, of which I am a voting member, was split 2:2 regarding your report and status. The 2 partial reports, along with your weapon and documentation will be sent to the NYPD. You may pick those things up when you return home.
The room exploded. "WAIT, WAIT! Let us hear Eddie's report," Jamie shut it down. He took Eddie's report and handed it to Hetty.
Hetty read: EDDIE: There were no issues regarding your firearm, and use thereof. Your allowance of your daughter, Cassandra, to pursue a perp who may have been armed, was deemed negligent. A letter of reprimand will be forwarded to the NYPD along with your firearm and documentation. You should contact that agency regarding further steps, and return of those items. those items.
The room was stunned!
"These copies are not signed." Hetty exclaimed. "Who were the examiners?"
Marty picks up his ears at this, he may know them.
Nicky speaks up "Mine was a lady, a Franklin."
"Lucky for you, she is kind and fair," Marty opines.
"Mine was a man, a Griggs," Eddie relates.
Everyone turns to Marty, "Bastard!", Marty spits out. "But I would expect fair . . . unless there is something going on that we don't know about."
They all turn to Jamie. He hesitates, then spits out "Bates."
Marty and Kensi are stunned. "WHAT?" They simultaneously explode. "Are you sure," Marty demands.
"Positive. He had a literal sneer on his face as he was questioning me. It was very unsettling." Jamie can't hide a shiver.
"Bummer," Hetty lets out.
"That is all kinds of wrong," Marty expresses. "First, he wore a white shirt, correct?"
Jamie nods.
"Second, Lt. Bates NEVER serves on a shooting team. He hates that duty, and has enough pull to not be caught up in that. Third, he has massive control over micro expressions. If he had a sneer, it was because he wanted you to be intimidated. This smells to high heaven!"
Kensi steps close, "Do you think that you leaving angered him this much, babe?"
"I know he was angry. But he also recognized that LAPD was not my long-term professional home."
"Well, he acted like it was," Hetty declares.
"Ah . . . but toward you, he had to act like a mama bear. Protect his own, you know."
"Jameson," Hetty turns to Jamie, "there is something going on at high levels of LAPD. Like it or not, I'll need to handle this."
"But-
"No buts my dear. Let me do this for you . . . and Mary." She turns before the tear in her eye has a chance to drop.
Eddie catches that, she comes to his side, grasps his hand and squeezes. "Give it to her, love."
He nods.
"Hetty, this condo came with a tin of crushed chamomile tea leaves."
"How nice," Hetty mumbles.
"Why don't you and Jamie sit on the balcony and I will bring the three of us some hot tea?"
"Thank you my dear," she reaches for Jamie's hand and leads him to the balcony.
Shortly Eddie appears with 3 cups of tea; cream, sugar and honey. She served and sat. Hetty began to talk.
"I was in NYC when Mary's time came. I had met and became friends with her parents . . . during a stint in Ireland. They called me and asked if I would see her and provide some emotional support. Of course I did-
Hetty stayed for supper; hamburgers a la Jameson.
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In addition to taking on what's up at LAPD, Hetty gave Mr. & Mrs. Deeks the week off. They were to be Eddie and Jamie's companions while they were in CA. In case that was too much closeness, she would have had Kensi and Marty 'shadow' the Reagan family. However, the friendship had grown so much that companions was eagerly accepted.
SUNDAY
After all the stress of the preceding day, this was truly a day of rest. The adults did some pool time, some hot tub time, some sunscreen / sunbathing time. Heavy SPF for the lily-white New Yorkers.
Nicky and Rosa took the 'kids' (Cassie, Mal and Mary Rose hated that category) to the beach. They rented a boogie board and the older ones tried body surfing. They had a blast!
Building sand castles, "It doesn't look like a castle, Nick!"
Digging for clams, "They put them in chowder? Yuck! I'm never eating that again!"
"Why don't the sea gulls stay put? I want to pet one!"
"He pushed my sister down! Meanie!"
"I saw that, he was trying to stop her from falling. Play nicely please, or we will go back to the pool."
"Can we, please?" Sofia squeaks.
"No, we are staying here for 1 more hour. Go sit on the sand! And DO NOT EAT ANY!"
"I will sit with you," AJ takes his new friend's hand and leads her a little way up the beach. They sit and sift sand through their fingers. AJ finds a shiny shell fragment.
"Here Sofia, you can have this." He holds it out to her; Sofia takes it with her little fingers. "Thank you, AJ." She gives him a soft smile.
After the hour is up, they start for the condos. They see an ice cream shack and stop. After everyone is served, they sit at a picnic table to lick their cones and talk. This group of 'kids', ages 2-22 are becoming very good friends. The camaraderie is palpable.
Now the parents? The same! It's as if they have known each other a long time. The other three exceed Jamie in being outgoing, and it is good for him. Marty and Kensi add to Eddie's pull – bringing him even more 'out of his shell'. Eddie loved it, he tolerated it. (He liked it, actually)
The plans ahead were: Tuesday Disneyland, Wednesday San Diego Zoo. Monday, the very next day remained a question mark. They would discuss after supper.
Hetty had promised to provide supper. She wouldn't divulge what was coming. What showed up?
Pizza, sandwiches, fried chicken, potato salad, chips, dip, beverages and ice cream – of course.
After stuffing themselves and clean up, they gathered in the large living room of condo #1.
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TBC