For several minutes silence dominated the group as they awaited the Sergeants' decision. As unwelcome as the truth was each man had come to the grim realization that they really had no other option. The fact that the trained Negotiator had not even been able to make contact indicated whoever was inside was waiting for something, or more likely someone. For his part Adam tried to reign in his anger at the unexpected turn of events. He knew the others shared his fury. A glance at Mouse revealed the despair he felt at the situation. Adam wanted to offer some words to ease his concern but could not find any that would suffice. Antonio and Kevin exchanged worried glances. Neither man could see this turning out well. Al looked at Jay surreptitiously, seeing the strain the younger man was under. He knew without doubt that his own safety was not a contributing fact to that strain. They had all learnt of the younger mans' selfless capacity to always think of others before himself and this time would be no different.
As Jay waited for a response he contemplated the possible scenarios that Lyle might have engineered and one kept to the forefront of his thoughts, explosives. He tried to think like his nemesis and figured whoever was in the bus was probably terminally ill, given Lyles' MO. The young Detective however now had another dilemma on his hands. If he told the others what he suspected his chances of being allowed to engage those on the bus were going to become slimmer. On the other hand if he kept his theory to himself an explosion might injure or kill those too close to the vehicle. He reluctantly accepted he would have to reveal his conclusions.
"Sarge? There's something you need to know."
"What?" Voight asked in surprise, he had just been about to voice his permission.
"Given Lyles' MO," the younger man looked around the group of men intensely before continuing, "it's highly likely the vehicle has explosives on board."
"What?!" Adam exclaimed, this changed everything.
"Well that's it," Antonio sighed, "you can't approach whoever is in there."
"It doesn't change things," Jay pointed out matter of factly before playing his best card, "there could be hostages in there and ...,"
"If there are we'd know by now," Antonio argued.
"We can't be certain there aren't any kids in there."
"None are missing," Mouse argued.
"That we know of," Jay reminded.
"It's too dangerous," Kevin insisted fervently, it was a death sentence.
"What other choice do we have?" Al eventually spoke up.
"You think it's okay to send Jay into a loaded vehicle?!" Adam demanded incredulously.
"No I don't," the older Detective replied calmly, "but there's no other way to get this sorted and we can't say for sure there are no hostages."
"We're in downtown Chicago," Voight spoke thoughtfully as he eyed the blocked traffic routes which were no doubt delaying many commuters, "he picked this area to cause maximum upheavel. I don't see any other way around it, Halstead needs to make contact."
"Hell!" Mouse cursed as everyone else muttered their discontent with the untenable situation.
Twenty minutes later Jay watched as James Harris, the heavyset fifty something trained Negotiator, walked away in disgust. Voight in his usual fortright manner had explained that the man was unlikely to succeed and
that Jay would be the one making the next approach. The Detective understood the Negotiators' reaction and didn't take it personally. He knew the man was genuinely concerned for his safety and appreciated it.
As Voight had been appraising Harris of the new plan with Jay the others, bar Al, had spread out and ensured that the perimeter that had been set up initially was pushed back by a further ten feet. They all knew that if explosives were used they could cause significant damage. As the other men had concentrated on extending the perimeter Al had begun another reconnaissance of the area, strolling along the wide footpaths, taking in the rooftops above surreptitiously.b He figured Lyle must be close by, waiting. If one ignored the inherent danger of Jays' intention it was plain to see that the deranged man who continued to elude them had orchestrated this down to the last detail. Lyle would have known that a school bus in downtown traffic would have elicited attention and that gave rise to the suspicion that this exact location had been picked for a reason. Eyeing the various tall office blocks, many with retail outlets on ground level, the experienced Detective realized that the intent on this occasion may be to cause even more death and destruction than ever before. LE Officers had diligently informed all of the relevant personnel in the buildings of the possible threat and luckily most places had been vacated quickly but it was taking time to complete a full evacuation, time they probably didn't have. Upon completing his tour of the perimeter he slowed his steps as he arrived back at the alley where Voight and Jay stood.
"What's the verdict?" Voight checked upon seeing the other man.
"Not all of the buildings have been evacuated yet," Al explained, "this place was picked for maximum damage."
"If that was the case why not just blow the bus as soon as it was stopped? You said yourself he's going for maximum damage."
"He wanted Jay here."
"You see anything?" the auburn haired man queried, he had suspected Lyle would be close by.
"No but that doesn't mean anything. Chances are he's here alright."
"And nothing will happen until I make contact," Jay prompted his Sergeant.
"Kid are you sure about this? No one is going to think badly of you if you don't do it."
"I will," Jay objected, "there's no other way. He's obviously prepared to wait us out."
"Which means the bomb will be detonated by remote control," Al interjected.
"Highly likely," Jay shrugged.
"Okay," Voight consented gruffly, "but you get dead and you'll have me to deal with."
"Yes Sarge," Jay chuckled deapite the circumstances.
-------------------------
The Bomb Squad was en route and after Voight announced over the loudspeaker that Jay was going to approach the vehicle the Unit and other LE personnel watched the Detective advance towards his possible demise. Time seemed to stand still. No one thought this was going to have a favourable outcome, especially the Unit. Standing together as a united force the men fought to contain the tension which had invaded their very beings. This time felt different, this time felt more ominous and perhaps more tellingly this time not one man expected the young Detective to walk away unscathed. Adam looked from the taut features of the men with him to Jay and wondered if perhaps he was witnessing the end of the Unit. Without Jay the team would never be the same again and Adam had no doubt it wouldn't be long before everyone went their own way.b That depressing prospect seemed to solidify every step Jay took towards the stationary bus as the whirring of a news chopper above suddenly marred the silence ....
-----------------------
Chicago Med
At the Nurses' Station Will sat on a swivel chair and stretched his arms out to release some tension in his muscles. It had been an especially hectic shift and he was counting down the last hour hoping nothing turned up to delay his departure. It came with the job but there were days when one needed to get away from the hospital as soon as possible and that day had been one of those days. Having to tell three families their loved ones were gone was a part of his job he had naively never considered when he chose the medical profession. Of course there were a number of other unpleasant tasks which also needed to be carried out but death notifications were the most difficult to deal with. He always put up a brave front, keeping his emotions at bay, but it always pained him to see the shock and hurt which descended on peoples' lives as they received the life changing news. From disbelief to anger to hysteria he had seen and dealt with the maelstrom of feelings which threatened to overwhelm the newly grieved as they struggled to grasp their new reality. The red haired man knew if he lived to be a hundred he would never get used to the sad task. Looking in frustration at the form before him he sighed. BWhoever invented paperwork needed a good talking to he decided.
Kelly Severide and Chief Biden strode into the Emergency Room on a mission. They had rescued an elderly lady from a house earlier that day and wanted personally to check up on her, especially as they had learned the fire had been started on purpose. The noisy gathering of people waiting to be seen was ignored as Kelly led the way to the Nurses' Station when he noticed Will.
"Hey guys what can I do for ye?" the elder Halstead asked even as his eyes automatically checked both men for any signs of injury.
"We're good," Boden assured having recognised the professional assessment with a rueful grin, "want to check up on a house fire victim we brought in earlier. Ellen Trabago, she's in her late 70s or early 80s."
"Minor burns," Kelly offered noting with a frown the other man hadn't made a move to find the relevant patient file.
"I'm sorry," Will stood up with a shake of his head, "Mrs. Trabago didn't make it."
"Damn!" Boden cursed but managed to keep his voice low in deference to their surroundings.
"But she only had minor burns," Kelly pointed out.
"Unfortunately she went into shock when she got here. With her age it can happen. Her body just couldn't handle the stress."
"Will!" Conor Rhodes called his colleagues' name from the door of the Break Room.
"What is it?" the tall man frowned, the Surgeon wasn't usually so vocal.
"You need to see this. Now!" the dark haired man directed before turning around and disappearing behind the door.
"I'm sorry about Mrs. Trabago," Will offered as he hesitantly headed for the Break Room.
"Thanks," Kelly shared a worried glance with the obviously curious Chief before addressing the medical professional, "you mind if we tag along?"
"Sure," Will agreed absently as the pair fell into step behind him.
Upon entering the trio found Conor sitting beside Natalie in an otherwise empty room, their attention fixed on the small television in the corner. Will was about to ask what was going on when the image changing on the screen caught his eye and he turned to see the monitor fully. There in close up was his baby brother approaching a bus surrounded by Cops. The blackened windows provided a sinister backdrop as the image changed again to a wider scene taking in the backed up traffic.
"What the hell?"
"They don't know if there are hostages on board," Natalie explained softly as she rose and walked over to the stunned man and guided him to a seat, nodding to the two Firefighters, "but it's been confirmed there are no schoolchildren missing."
"That's good," Boden offered as himself and Kelly sat down on either side of Conor, wanting to offer support.
"There must be someone in there," Will spoke hoarsely as he gestured to the television, "why else would Voight let Jay do this?"
"Apparently the Bus Driver was assaulted and left in a gas station close to the school the bus was servicing," Conor relayed what information the media had gleaned so far, "apparently a text was sent alleging children were on board but that has since been discredited."
"How long has this been going on?" Kelly queried.
"Not sure," Natalie replied, "I only flipped to the news before I went to turn off the tv."
"I should go down there," Will went to stand up but Natalie quickly objected.
"Jay's not going to appreciate you turning up," the concerned Doctor put in reasonably, "he's working."
"But ....,"
"No one blames you for being worried," Conor offered gently, relieved when the other man remained seated, "but Natalie's right."
"Besides you wouldn't be allowed get close," Boden added as he gestured to the panoramic overhead shot on screen which took in the wide perimeter that had been set up.
Kelly met Conors' eyes and realized the Surgeon had just arrived at the same conclusion he had. The wide perimeter indicated a very serious danger. They wondered just what exactly Jay was walking into .....
tbc