Chapter 7

Two corrections officers led a shackled Eddie into the interview room. With her head bowed, she refused to make eye contact.

"She stays shackled, DA's orders," Announced the Guard.

Erin nodded, observing as Eddie was secured, analysing her body language and paying attention to the blonde's eyes. Those eyes blinked, typically filled with guilt; she had no secret message for them. This troubled her; guilt and shame poured from her sister-in-law. Jack touched her leg beneath the table to signal that he had noticed the same thing. They both had years of experience. They could both see how genuine the guilt was. She had killed Candy Harrington.

"Eddie, it's lovely to see you. Shall we get started?" Erin smiled as she watched the correctional officers leave.

When the door closed, Eddie finally lifted her head to look at Erin and Jack, filled with shame. She left them both no doubt that Eddie Reagan was guilty.

"I did it; it was me, Erin. I lost control. Being attacked shook me. I-I stabbed her," Eddie trembled as she revisited her attack, raising her right hand to reveal her bandages to them both. She lowered her gaze to the floor. "Have you seen the footage of my attack?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, Eddie, we have both watched it," replied Jack.

"Is your confession given without prejudice?" Erin asked

Eddie nodded, looking up. "Yes, Erin, I confessed freely without..." He paused to regain his composure. "I did this, Erin. I can remember everything. I deserve this. I killed that woman in cold blood; I am prepared to pay for my sin," Eddie explained.

Studying her face, Jack and Erin searched for any signs that she was concealing something. Her blinking remained regular, and her body language indicated she was telling them the truth.

"ADA Lisa Patterson has presented you with an offer, Eddie. If you confess to Beresford's murder, you will receive forty-five years, with the possibility of parole after forty. Your sentences will be served consecutively." Jack gave Eddie the ADA's offer

"Absolutely not! I did not kill Beresford, and I refuse to confess to a crime I did not commit. I have no issue serving time for my offences, but I will not admit to something I did not do," replied an irate woman. "I trust the legal system. I may be naive, but I will not confess to a crime I did not commit. I shall take my chances with a jury of my peers."

Erin reached across the table and took hold of Eddie's hand, gently squeezing silently, showing her support for her sister-in-law.

" No touching; you know the rules," Warned the guard from the door.

Releasing her hold, Erin raised her hands " Just comforting my client,"

"You know now the rules. No touching Ms Reagan," chastised the guard as he closed the door.

"Are you certain about ADA Lisa Patterson's offer, Eddie?" Jack asked. "It is a one-time offer."

"Yes, I trust both of you," Eddie said to them.

BB

"The District Attorney has expedited Eddie's sentencing hearing; she will appear via video link," Garrett announced. "The mayor had to intervene to stop the DA from turning it into a media circus. She wanted Eddie paraded in her Department of Corrections orange jumpsuit, shackled in full view of the cameras. She desired this for her re-election campaign; she is making Eddie's case the centre of her strong-on crime no matter who you campaign,"

Frank listened to his team as they shared their thoughts, yet he tuned out their voices. He did not dislike the incumbent, Kimberly Crawford; she was a reasonable prosecutor, but he opposed her policies. She had caused the NYPD many headaches to gain political points with the mayor and the governor.

He knew she was a tough career prosecutor who would never use the law to further her political ambitions. Frank's only issue was with her campaign donors. She had no scruples about accepting campaign donations from less-than-upstanding citizens, and she had never crossed the line. He had discreetly investigated her finances a few years ago.

"Frank, What do you think?" Garrett enquired

"Please arrange for the hearing feed to be sent to my office. I shall watch from here," he replied. "Sid, look into Kimberly Crawford's campaign donors and compare the mid-sized donations. Review from the start of her campaign for the election to the DA's office,"

Sid looked at his boss, waiting for him to continue. "What am I looking for?" Sid asked when Frank refused to elaborate.

Frank paused. "I'm uncertain at the moment, Sid. It's a gut feeling, but this will remain in the office for now; I don't want anyone to discover that I'm investigating the DA's donors now."

"Copy that Boss," Replied Sid

"What?" Garrett asked

"The timing feels wrong. My instinct tells me that someone is manipulating Kimberly Crawford; I hope she remains unaware. My suspicions will stay between us; my family needn't know. I cannot risk Jamie or Danny confronting her. Let's see what you uncover, Sid," Frank explained.

Garrett nodded in agreement. "I can inquire about what the press knows. I have a working lunch with a select few correspondents today. With your permission, Frank, I can brief them on the basics. This could benefit us long-term as the details eventually enter the public domain. I am surprised it hasn't happened yet," explained Garrett.

"Agreed,"

BB

Lorraine Bishop absentmindedly rubbed her left forearm; her irritation seemed to have intensified since having her cast removed after returning from Rikers, where she had killed Candy Harrington while posing as Eddie.

"Well done, my sweet girl," Martha toasted her Granddaughter.

Lorraine smiled as she took her seat. "Have you contacted the press yet?" she asked Erica.

Erica nodded. "Yes, I spoke with three reporters about the story: one from television, one from print, and a blogger who is a friend of Simon Beresford." She paused to hand over a memory stick. "Our blogger friend recorded his podcast, which is set to go live in ten minutes. The local news station affiliates have noticed and will broadcast his report live. They are focusing on the murder of a handcuffed prisoner and her orphaned nine-month-old daughter. Watch the story; you will despise Eddie Reagan even more than you already think the public will. Public opinion is bound to turn against her; I can only anticipate the level of animosity towards Eddie Reagan when her murder trial commences. Our blogger friend will share a pirated feed of her sentencing; he has a hacker mate assisting him. Arrangements have been made for the NYPD to arrest our hacker and blogger," she smiled as she briefed her client.

"Excellent. Having the NYPD apprehend them will make it appear as if the Reagan family is attempting to silence the press. Are we watching her sentencing?" Martha asked gleefully.

Erica nodded her head in confirmation.

Bloggers podcast

" Former NYPD patrol officer Eddie Reagan mercilessly stabbed a fellow inmate while she was restrained to her hospital bed. The daughter-in-law of Police Commissioner Frank Reagan is currently in remand, charged with the first-degree murder of Simon Beresford. Reagan had been in custody for less than twelve hours when she attacked a prison officer, who subsequently required twelve stitches.

The mother of nine-month-old Venessa Harrington had been admitted to the prison ward for observation. Reagan's attack was unprovoked; it was so ferocious that by the time she had been restrained, Candy Harrington had bled out. Reagan's ruthlessness makes this reporter wonder how the NYPD could have employed her in the past.

My sources inform me that the evidence against former officer Eddie Reagan is damning. DNA evidence found on her clothing, as well as on the victim's clothing and body, places her at the crime scene. She had no alibi and was home alone. She was reportedly too unwell from her swim in the Hudson to attend the Reagan family's weekly dinner. The police have supposedly secured an eyewitness who identified Reagan from a lineup.

A source within the NYPD has confirmed that police divers recovered a barrel and a firing pin used in the murder of Simon Beresford. A witness saw former officer Reagan disposing of the evidence. Divers retrieved the bag containing the gun parts, bullet casings, and a cell phone.

1PP has declined to comment on the case; Frank Reagan appears to have rallied his support. He has taken the bold step of dismissing his daughter-in-law from the NYPD. I urge the NYPD's first family to act rightly and finally permit New York to flourish without the interference and influence of the Reagan family. Erin Reagan has stepped down from her role as an ADA, feeling ashamed of her sister-in-law.

End of podcast

"Bitch!" Smirked Lorraine, " How is the tone of the written and television news articles?"

"As damming has just been presented in a slightly more professional manner. The three reporters are unsure of the source of the information. It cannot be traced back to either you or me." Reported Erica confidently

Martha Bishop lifted her champagne flute to toast Erica, who was delighted with everything. " For Jake, God rest his soul,"

"Jake!"

"How will you place her in the general population?" Martha inquired after taking a sip of her champagne.

Erica chuckled, "No need; former officer Reagan has declined protective custody and has requested to be placed in the general population herself. Her guilt over her attack led her to refuse protection." Erica laughed. "Miss Goody Two-Shoes has inadvertently played into our plan alone."

"Will she ever recall what happened?" Martha asked

"No, scopolamine affects her memory. She will recover certain recollections, so we have engaged Lorraine as her doppelgänger. Over time, she will regain some memories, but in this case, a picture or video conveys a thousand words or perhaps a few vague recollections. I have prepared for that eventuality. This is why we shall manipulate her perceptions regarding her time in custody. As you requested, even her husband will eventually question her sanity. We now control her entire existence; she is your little puppet," she informed her employer with a smug smile.

"Good, Erica. You are worth every penny. Your results so far have exceeded my expectations." Complimented Martha

Erica smiled at the compliment; she checked her watch. "It's Time. Are you ready to achieve your vengeance?"

Wicked smiles appeared on the assembled women.

BB