New York is known for its distinct seasons. But in early spring, the temperatures were still on the chilly side—barely above freezing at night and rarely exceeding 50°F (10°C) during the day.
While some people were still bundling up in thermal wear, many trees had already sprouted tiny green buds. Spring's early bloomers, like the cherry blossoms in Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Central Park, were impatiently adorning their branches with flowers.
Hannah, thrilled by the season, donned her red-and-white shrine maiden outfit and gathered her girlfriends for a trip to Silver Lake Park on Staten Island. The cherry blossoms there made for beautiful photos, and later, they planned to enjoy green tea in the Chinese-style garden of Staten Island Botanical Garden.
Jack, meanwhile, felt his life was complete.
Just days earlier, he had returned from Washington, where Zoe and Maureen's particularly warm welcome left him feeling... unusually tranquil. Their enthusiastic reunion had put him in a reflective, almost philosophical state.
Not long after Jack returned to New York, Jason Hayes arrived with his family, accompanying the injured Clay Spenser and his visibly pregnant wife, Stella. They were house-hunting on Staten Island.
With two unexpected windfalls, plus a generous military pension and disability benefits, Clay could afford to settle down comfortably in the greater New York area. Jack had suggested a neighborhood near Danny's house, reasoning that the experienced Danny and his family could help the new arrivals adjust.
Linda, Danny's wife, was particularly enthusiastic about offering support. Jack had recently learned that Linda wasn't a full-time homemaker; she was a nurse who had cut back her hours to care for their two boys. While they lived a modest middle-class life, it was clear Linda had a strong work ethic and an independent spirit.
Her tenacity reminded Jack of the American women who entered factories during and after WWII, only to see their golden era fade into history.
Jack had thought about helping the Reagans financially, but finding the right opportunity was tricky. As an NYPD detective, Danny wouldn't accept anything that might appear unethical, especially not in his home turf of New York.
Jack figured it might be easier for Danny to make a financial windfall elsewhere—perhaps during a well-timed stock market play when Chris's company eventually went public.
Clay's leg injury, while severe, wasn't permanent. The scars looked intimidating, and he was officially classified as partially disabled, but with physical therapy, he was recovering well. Just as Jack had predicted, Clay's progress was impressive.
Jack had already coordinated with Rossi to arrange Clay's mid-session enrollment at Quantico. In a week, Clay would start training and, within three months, officially become an FBI field agent.
Neither Jack nor Clay doubted he would pass the program.
While Bravo Team often teased Clay as the "newbie," his late entry to the team and occasional prickly demeanor didn't reflect his capabilities. Most of them knew he was Jason's ideal successor.
And the Navy SEALs weren't just elite soldiers with exceptional physical prowess. To join Tier 1 units, candidates needed sharp minds as well. They mastered vehicle operation, communication systems, tactical theory, and at least one foreign language. Each SEAL also specialized in areas like weaponry, engineering, communications, or medicine.
Clay's expertise was in explosives and bomb disposal, though his other skills were far from weak. Measured by Jack's system's skill levels, the distinction between "proficient" and "master" was all that separated Clay's specialized knowledge from his secondary skills.
The FBI eagerly welcomed such talent. Midway through Quantico's training, which focused more on academic courses, Clay's tactical skills were likely to outshine his peers. His enrollment was as much for the other trainees' benefit as it was his own; otherwise, his abilities might demoralize them.
Per Jack's requirements, Clay would also need to complete 560 hours of behavioral analysis training post-Quantico, becoming a certified profiler. Jack's philosophy was simple: If he convinced someone to join the FBI, he'd guide them through their entire career unless they chose to leave.
By the weekend, Clay and Stella had settled into their new home—just down the street from Danny's house. Their new property was barely five years old, essentially a never-lived-in home that needed only furniture and appliances.
With Danny's connections, finding and securing such a house was a breeze. NYPD's extensive property database made the process efficient, and a bit of "creative" use of resources solved what might have been a logistical headache for anyone else.
Grateful for the support, Jason Hayes took his leave, finally at peace knowing Clay was in good hands.
On his last night in New York, Jason shared a few drinks with Jack and Clay, confessing some of his worries.
As a senior enlisted man in the military, Jason's path to further advancement was limited. While his experience made him eligible for promotions within the non-commissioned officer ranks, a lack of connections held him back.
Retirement loomed as an inevitable, if uncomfortable, option. Jason admitted he felt adrift—too young for retirement, yet unsure how to transition to civilian life.
Jack empathized. Many veterans struggled with reintegration into society, and the U.S.'s patchy support system didn't help. Issues like substance abuse were only part of the problem; systemic failures in veteran assistance were a major factor.
Jack suggested a practical solution: a role as a corporate security director. He assured Jason that providing veterans with meaningful employment and financial stability was the best way to ensure their dignity and reintegration.
Jason was skeptical but intrigued. Jack knew Chris's budding company could eventually offer Jason such a position, giving him both purpose and stability.
After Jason departed, Jack turned his attention to Clay's ongoing recovery. He debated between acupuncture and massage therapy to aid Clay's injured leg. Ultimately, he opted for acupuncture—massaging a 200-pound SEAL wasn't exactly appealing.
By the end of the day, everything was on track. Jack and Hannah left Clay's new home, passing Danny's house just as Jack received a call from Jubal.
There'd been a murder in the Bronx. A traffic officer was killed, and the NYPD had requested FBI assistance.
As Jack ended the call, Danny's unmarked police car, lights flashing and siren blaring, sped past them. Without hesitation, Jack activated his own siren and followed.
(End of Chapter)
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