AND LOVE CHAP 114
Terror, again!
A/N: B Becka, I agree 110% that Jamie wouldn't cheat on Eddie. I am SOLID JAMKO! As regards Sydney Ann Davenport; I realize that I am swimming upstream with her. My Syd/Annie has learned, grown & matured. This will not become the Annie & Gregg Show. But the families will interact as friends. I hope this doesn't poison the whole story for you. Or any of my readers. Regards.
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2-9 precinct
Frank Reagan's SUV screeches to a stop just outside the police perimeter around the 2-9. He gets out and is immediately surrounded by his protective detail. He searches the crowd and finally sees the officer in charge, a lieutenant. He rushes over and all NYPD who see him snap to attention. "AS YOU WERE," he shouts.
The lieutenant sees him and moves close to talk. "Lieutenant Wells, sir." He introduces himself.
"Sit-rep, lieutenant."
"Sir, an unknown number of protesters forced themselves inside. They had a limited # of weapons upon entry, and forced getting more. 5 or 6 gunshots have been heard, unknown injuries or fatalities."
"Estimate # of protesters?"
"10-12, sir."
"Communication?"
"None, yet."
"HNT?"
"5" out, sir."
"Number of staff and civilians inside?"
"Estimaste 15-20, sir."
"So, we wait?"
"We wait."
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ON THE ISLAND
Eddie is working in the office, CHIME – HER TXT TONE.
JR: invaders 2-9, 4 injured, me OK. Tell dad, 1-4-3!
ER: U K?
JR: Y, stop!
ER: what?
No answer.
Eddie calls Frank.
"Eddie, how-
"Jamie TXT me. He said, 'invaders 2-9, 4 injured, me OK. Tell dad'." Frank, what's going on?!"
"I'm here Eddie. We don't know any more than that. I'll be in touch when Lieutenant Wells and I know more. Stay calm my dear, and pray."
CALL DISCONNECTED
'Lieutenant Wells' Ed thinks. 'Gregg Wells, I wonder?' She calls Annie.
"Davenport, Erickson & Jackson. How may I direct your call?"
"It's Eddie Reagan-
"Hang on, Eddie!"
5 seconds, "Eddie, it's Annie. I just heard about trouble at the 2-9. It's on NY-1. Have you heard if Jamie is ok?"
"No, I just talked to Frank for a moment. He had very little information. Annie! I'm so worried!"
It all came rushing back to Sydney Ann Davenport. The terror; the not knowing; the death grip of worry! Can she help Eddie? HOW?
"Eddie, what can I do for you? I know a little bit about what you are felling, what you are facing." 'God, what can I do for Eddie?' Idea dawned. Annie picks up her phone, "Gladys, our car service in the garage NOW!"
She grabs her jacket, phone and valise and heads for the elevators.
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2-9 PRECINCT
HNT has arrived, Frank Reagan watches them set up. He is pleased with the efficiency of the team.
"Commissioner, may I stand with you and observe?" A soft lady's voice inquires.
Frank looks down and is flummoxed. It is Sydney, er Annie Davenport. He is taken aback. "Sy . . . er Annie, how did-
"I am here to be Eddie's eyes and ears. May I stay, please. I'll not text anything sensitive, promise."
"Ok, I'll talk to you later about how you got this far. Don't leave without talking with me."
"I won't, and thank you, sir."
Annie sets down her valise and gets her phone ready.
AD: standing by Frank, HNT setting up.
ER: HNT?
AD: hostage negotiating team. Quiet here.
ER: THX!
AD: glad 2 help, I wracked my brain, came up with this. More L8R.
Eddie lays her head on the desk and sighs. She hears the front door open and her daughters rush in.
"In the office," she shouts.
The girls rush in, "Mommy, what's going on? Is daddy ok? The TV in the office was on!"
Eddie opens her arms and takes them in. "Sit, and I'll tell you what I know."
"Just a minute mommy, I need to go potty."
"Ok, everyone get settled and we'll start."
5" later they are ready.
"The precinct where daddy works was invaded by a group of protestors."
Nicky hears this as she runs in the door and sits on the floor. She puts an arm on Mal's shoulders.
"Daddy texted me that there were shots fired, but he was ok. Annie and I talked, she is now at the scene and will text me what she knows. Also, there is now a negotiating team there, trying to talk with the bad guys."
ON SCENE
Jamie comes out and heads to Frank, who puts up a cautionary hand to Annie – not to TXT.
"Ok," she whispers. But listens.
"Dad, here is a list of prisoners they demand be released. They let me out to deliver it. I must go back in STAT." All the while he's talking, he is tapping his leg.
Annie recognizes Morse code. After Jamie goes back in she relays the message to Frank: 10 PERPS, 6 SHOTS, 0 DEAD, 3 INJ.
"How-
"Our Harvard study group used Morse code a lot, sir."
"Thanks, Syd . . . –
"Frank, call me whatever in a time like this. May I TXT Eddie that Jamie is, ok?"
"Yes, nothing more."
"Understood."
TXT
AD: J brought msg out, looks not hurt. Back in. Sorry.
ER: Just like him
AD: Yup!
Eddie reads the TXT, some comfort. They form a circle, bring in the boys and pray for daddy and everyone involved.
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Frank & the SWAT captain huddle. It is the policy of the NYPD and virtually every other law enforcement agency in the country, NOT to give in to kidnapper demands. The prisoners whose release is sought are relatively low-level offenders. So, it is tempting in this case. The strategy here is unclear.
Annie is thinking this through, along with Frank and the SWAT captain. The captain informs Frank that his team will be ready in 5". They have found a way in through the roof. It will be up to the PC as to whether or not they breach that way.
Annie can see the stress and strain on Frank Reagan's face; She learns something more about police work and the Reagan patriarch. Her heart goes out to him, and all the family.
TXT
AD: talking over strategy. Cannot say more.
Frank sees Annie typing, he reaches for her phone. She hands it to him; he looks at the screen, nods, gives her a small smile and hands it back.
She hits send.
Eddie and crew jump a little, she reads the TXT and they wish for more info. They sigh and lay back on their pillows.
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Davenport, Erickson & Jackson.
"Gladys, where in hell is Annie?" Richard Davenport stops at the front desk, demanding an answer. A scowl on his face.
"She took the car service 2 hours ago. I haven't heard from her since, sir."
"Where did she go?"
"Unknown, sir."
"Call the driver, now!"
"Yes, sir." Gladys calls, "Really?" She says after listening to his answer.
"She was dropped off in the vicinity of the 2-9 precinct, sir."
"The 2-9?"
"The 2-9."
"Get me a readout of the officers stationed at the 2-9."
Gladys searches the Internet – the printer comes to life. She hands the Sr. partner 3 sheets of paper.
He leans on the high counter as he peruses the list. "Lieutenant Jameson Reagan!" He mutters. "I thought she learned her damned lesson! Gladys, another car NOW!" He dashed back to his office, grabbed his coat and phone, and was off.
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TBC