Needs Must
Previously: Jeannie, Paco, and Mark try to figure out what to do with some confidential background information that they’re told.
8:10 PM - Monday, November 3, 2014
Nob Hill, San Francisco
Reaching Sacramento Street in front of the Park Lane, Paco and Mark moved toward their respective SUVs.
“What are you really thinking, Mark?” Paco asked quietly, a few paces behind. Mark paused and considered what to say as he fidgeted with his key.
“I think…” he turned toward Paco slowly, “I think Jeannie is the perfect person to have on this case.” He looked directly at Paco, eyes a clear blue. “Like her father said, it’s a small town, which means relationships matter.” He looked off into space. “I mean, we wouldn’t be this far along without everyone she knows on the force, or what she knows about these schools, or even how she knows Ed up there.”
“I know. I agree.”
“So, what you thinking?”
“I think the same. It’s just that I don’t really believe in coincidences.” Paco said, rolling his shoulders. He raised his eyebrows at Mark.
“I don’t either.” Mark inhaled quickly. “But it’s a one-in what, five hundred chance that Jeannie was the one the Captain put on the case? Sometimes things happen. I mean, I’m a New Yorker…sometimes things…just fucking happen.” He bit his bottom lip. “Jeannie being on this case while her dad knows some of the main players, yeah, I believe it. I’ve seen a lot more far-fetched shit be true.”
“Yeah.” Paco agreed quietly. “Yeah. The universe decides.” He offered a faint smile to Mark who nodded.
“Okay?”
“Yeah, definitely okay.”
In the kitchen, Jeannie made a dish of food for Fergus who was whimpering with delight at its approach. Placing the bowl on the floor for him, she stood up again and sighed before moving to the pantry where she found the Bulleit Rye and a rocks glass. A knock came from the kitchen doorway, revealing Ed Ganey.
“Hi.” He said simply. Jeannie raised the bottle in one hand and a glass in the other.
“Care for a short one for the road?”
“Yes please.” Ed moved into the kitchen and seated himself at the table which still held the orange roses which had improved since they’d received the Chris Rossi treatment.
“Rye or something else?”
“Rye is fine, Jean.” Jeannie looked at him, eyebrow raised, and then poured their identical drinks.
“Ice?”
“Sure.” Jeannie wanted hers neat, but figured some ice was probably a better idea. Brandon had left a large-cube ice tray in the freezer for just for these kinds of drinks, so Jeannie used two of the cubes, placing one of each in the glasses, and swirled them gently on her way to the table before placing one in front of Ed.
“Here you are. House specialty. I’m sure I could have been a little more artistic with it, but needs must. Actually, don’t tell my Dad about this, he suggested I stay away from hard liquor while on this case, but since you came over and dropped this bomb, I tend to think all bets are off.” Jeannie slid into the chair across from Ed. “Cheers.” They clinked glasses lightly and sipped.
“I didn’t mean to drop a bomb,” Ed began, “but…needs must, as you said.” Jeannie inhaled, tilting her head and considered him. Ed Ganey, who was basically an uncle, friend, godfather, mentor, confidante all in one. After this evening’s admissions he felt like a stranger.
“I feel like I barely know you, Eddie.” She said, placing her glass on the table slowly. “That’s not a rebuke, but, more something I need to think about, you know, a life where you really can’t tell those closest to you about what you do all day every day.” Ed’s eyebrows raised.
“That’s what this work is, Jean. You know that, you grew up with it.”
“I grew up with you all being fun and jocular, and Super Bowl Sundays, and grilling steaks on the deck, and playing guitar for a sing-along around the campfire on the beach at the Russian River, and playing Santa Claus at holiday parties, or taking us out caroling on a Cable Car —”
“We took you all caroling to the Juvenile Hall too, if I remember.”
“Yeah, I remember that.” Jeannie said quietly, staring into space. “Those kids just stared at us. I’ll never forget their faces. I always cried afterward when my Dad said that some of them wouldn’t see their families at Christmas. That just singing Christmas carols with them was kind of a gift. It still breaks my heart.” She whispered. “That’s what I grew up with, Ed.” She looked at him, eyes hurt. “I had no idea what you all did all day. You never let us see it.”
“And now you’re losing the stomach for it?” Jeannie thought for a long moment. All the effort: the academy, the grunt work as a rookie, all the time and learning and how far she still had to go.
“I’m not. But I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface and I’m not sure that I’m right for it. I’m good at this, but is it really worth my mental health, my physical health? Let alone, what it does to the people I love? Chris hates that I’m a cop. Hates it.” She exhaled slowly, brow bent. “And I love him so much, Ed. And I, I just think that maybe I should just try and take the bar again, but it was so devastating to fail…I’m - I’m still not sure I’m over it.” She tossed a shoulder and sipped her drink.
“And…I’d venture you’re not over losing Maevy.” Ed offered gently, taking a sip. Jeannie felt his steady eyes on her.
“No. No I’m not. Not even a little bit.” Jeannie rolled her lips over her teeth and wanted to scream it, but held it in.
“I know how this is going to sound, but…have you even grieved Jeannie? You need to grieve.”
“I haven’t really had time.” Her mouth twitched. Ed sighed, looking at her.
“I’m not judging, but I’m saying, you need to make some time.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. Jeannie looked down at it, thinking it was so odd that someone was squeezing her hand, trying to comfort her. She didn’t even recognize her own hand in the mix. “You need to make time, Jean. Go talk to someone, you have to or things will just hurt more and more, I promise you.”
“I do talk to someone, but probably not often enough.” Jeannie sighed and looked down at the melting ice cube in her glass, giving it a swirl. “I really miss her, Eddie.”
“I know that sweetheart.” He whispered.
“I need to ask you, and you need to tell me,” Jeannie began after a long moment, “Do you think the Captain knew what he was doing when he put me on this case?”
“You mean about the Hartmans or about you?” Jeannie scoffed.
“I don’t know. Both? I mean, why’d he throw me in at the deep end? Is this a test? And if it is a test, did he know the Hartman’s would be a part the picture?”
“Now that’s a very tricky question, and I doubt it. Don’t compound the two.” Ed warned. “Yes, he probably did throw you in at the deep end, considering the neighborhood, and he said you gave a good briefing about the area too. He probably thought you knew something that related and you’d be a good asset to the investigation.” Jeannie raised her eyebrows at him silently. “And don’t flatter yourself, you’re a rookie — if he could he would have put someone from Division in there, you know that. He can’t spare anyone above your pay grade.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“Good thing you’re worth the money. You’ll make the PD look good coming out of this.” One corner of Jeannie’s mouth went up doubtfully.
“I need to ask you,” she began again, “when did you know about Dad?” Ed huffed and looked into his glass. “I mean, you must have known before tonight? You don’t even seem phased — “
“I knew when it happened.” Ed interjected.
“One of the guards at UCSF recognized him when he was transferred there, and knew I knew him. He called me and I paid a visit. He was terrified I’d tell people, but I never have. And I never will, Jean, unless he wants it.” Ed let out a long breath. “But, I don’t think it’s right. If people knew, they’d want to support him, support you, and the boys too. Pete has a lot of people who love him.”
“What can anyone do, Ed?”
“Show up here, bring dinner sometimes, watch football with him…play cards, I don’t know. I’m sure there’s something.” Jeannie gave Ed a long look, feeling the tears coming. “You don’t need to be alone in this Jean, especially since your mother’s gone now. You should have your life with Chris — you’re young, you have a career ahead of you. And your father should live as much as he can while he’s still here.” Jeannie chuckled a little.
“Have you told him all of this?”
“I’ve made some suggestions. Like…” Jeannie tilted her head at him again. “Like maybe bring back the famous Hagen Christmas open house? I’ll even play Santa Claus again.” Jeannie gave him a smile as a tear fell from one eye.
“Yeah, that would be fun,” she croaked. “He - he has so much pride, you know that.”
“Yes, I do. And he should. But all the more reason why he needs to let some people in.” Jeannie nodded.
“I agree. I’ll talk to Brandon about it and see what he thinks, and then we’ll talk to Dad.”
“What about PJ?” Jeannie’s eyes grew big and she shook her head.
“PJ is — I don’t know what’s going on with him, but since Mom died, he’s kind of a nasty jerk. He’s the one not taking care of himself. I don’t know, maybe there’s more to it than that, but he’s not confiding in either of us, and he’s just unpleasant to be around right now. I don’t know. But, it would be something Brandon and I would agree on and talk to Dad about. PJ isn’t — he’s just kind of excused himself from family stuff.” Ed leaned back and nodded.
“Fair enough.”
“And you really think me being on the case is just a coincidence? And you know that as much as what you told us is valuable that we can’t really use any of it?”
“Yes and yes.”
“And you believe that Jim Hartman just scared Ryan Dominguez into telling a bunch of lies? I don’t want to take any action against him.”
“I don’t either, and yes. Jim Hartman is a terrible man who’d scare anyone, let alone a young kid on probation.” Jeannie considered him again.
“Okay, I’ll leave it with you.” Ed nodded once. “Let me know what you decide.” Ed scooted his chair back and stood.
“Good night my dear,” he kissed Jeannie on the temple. “Get some rest.” Ed stopped at the door and looked back at her. “You know, I don’t really believe in coincidences, but this is a small town. You’ll find that to be the case more and more.” Jeannie nodded.
“Goodnight Eddie.”
“Goodnight sweetheart.”