Break Room
After the others had been briefed on the new possibility doubts and counter arguments had been aired and debated in usual robust fashion. Eventually the concensus was arrived at that Jay was probably correct about the two possible target concerts but debate was ongoing about Kings' knowledge of the New Yorkers' presence. Deciding a break was necessary a popular Chinese restaurant had been chosen as the meal provider and forty-five minutes later the men sat and stood around the small Break Room munching on their chosen favourites.
"It's a big leap to suggest King knows about the AD and Parker," Antonio put forward from where he leant against the kitchen counter wiping his hands of the residue remaining from his mini spring roll.
"He could have gained access to Parkers' schedule easily enough," Murphy countered reasonably as he munched on a morsel from his chicken sizzling rice soup, it had rice so he decided it was a healthy option.
"The conference Speakers were public knowledge," the Psychologist concurred as he sat beside his friend, "and in fact had been known for months in advance."
"But what about you Murphy?" Voight eyed the man across the table as he speared a piece of Peking duck before dousing it liberally with salt.
"You need that much salt?" the New Yorker asked his own question, being on his new self imposed health regime was not conducive to enjoying meals with others he was learning.
"Always liked salt," Voight shrugged unrepentantly, understanding the agrieved question and deciding for once to lighten the mood, "I have salt with everything. Of course with my metabolism it gets burned off quickly. Basically I can eat what I like and never gain weight."
"I'm the same," Adam joined in with a wide grin.
"You wish!" Kevin scoffed in disbelief.
"You're not looking as fit as you once did," Antonio helpfully stated as he pointed to the other mans' midriff, "time was those jeans would have been loose on you."
"Hey I'm the same weight as I was when I joined PD."
"Oh, didn't realize you were always this big," Kevin commiserated with mock sincerity.
"What is this? Pick on Adam day?"
"So anyway to answer your question Voight," Murphy took pity on the Detective as he addressed the Sergeant, "I'm not sure how King could have gained access to my schedule but even if he didn't we've been in and out of this precinct since we got here so ....,"
".......we always knew it was a possibility King is keeping an eye on the 21st," Al concluded in acknowledgement.
"Is that why you're so adamant Jay?" Mouse checked as his friend aimlessly shifted food around his paper plate with his fork.
"Seems probable."
"Still don't understand why the bands who postponed in New York are playing here," Antonio voiced his confusion, which was shared by the others, "won't that lose them Fans in New York?"
"It might," Mouse had done some checking, "but with the other concerts they have scheduled Chicago was the only suitable location for the last free date they had. Besides they're popular enough that Fans will travel from out of state to see them."
"Even from New York?" Kevin was sceptical, it seemed like a lot of hassle to go to just to see a band perform.
"Even New York," Mouse confirmed.
"Who'd pay a small fortune to see a band in another state?" Antonio argued.
"People travel to other countries to see their favourite bands," Mouse piped up, he had done a lot of research, "the more popular the band the more likely their Fans will travel far to see them."
"Must be crazy," Kevin shook his head at the notion.
"Or have more money than they need," Antonio added ruefully.
"People have all types of reasons," the IT Specialist elaborated, "from suitable dates to popular venues to the likelihood of the band or Singer playing somewhere close by in the future."
"Unless it's someone like U2 what's the point?" Murphy asked with a shrug, he could understand going to a lot of trouble to see the Irish group but not anyone else.
"U2? They're okay but the Stones are better," Kevin argued.
"Whatever about music preferences," Voight cut in wrily, "we'll concentrate the bulk of our personnel on the two concerts Mouse has flagged ...,"
"Who's playing?" Antonio realized they hadn't been informed.
"BTS and Michael Buble."
"Never heard of them," Al shrugged.
"I've heard of Buble," Murphy stated before admitting, "but not BTS. What kind of a name is that anyway?"
"It stands for a Korean name which translated means Bulletproof Boy Scouts. It can also mean Beyond the Scene."
"'Bullerproof '?" Adam repeated.
"Seems a bit obvious," Kevin looked around, "King would never make it that easy for us to figure out the target ...,"
"First time for everything," Al remarked putting down his empty Wonton Soup container.
"BTS will attract a sold out crowd," Antonio opined confidently.
"How would you know?" Adam asked sceptically.
"I have two Nieces," the Italian-American responded fondly with a shrug, "first it was One Direction now it's BTS they're crazy about. Makes Christmas gifts easy."
"Of the two BTS will have the bigger audience," Mouse informed.
"So we're ruling out the other concerts?" Kevin looked at Voight for confirmation.
"There's security at all the concerts," the Sergeant pointed out, "we'll increase Uniforms where we can."
"But no one can secure the safety of every concert," Murphy pointed out the blunt truth, they all knew if someone was determined they could create a lot of havoc.
"Where is the BTS concert?"
"Soldier Field "
"Talk about a bullseye," Adam commented at the idea of stolen military weapons being used at such an appropriately named venue.
Jay distractedly pushed his uneaten food away and picked up the list Mouse had distributed. Soldier Field which opened in 1924 as Grant Park Municipal Stadium was renamed a year later at the behest of Chicago Gold Star Mothers. The venue capacity was noted at 61,500. Definitely a bigger catchment than any prior target King had chosen but that in itself might be what would attract him to it. Eyeing the clock he noted there were four hours till the concert was due to begin but there would already be people waiting to enter the stadium as most opened well in advance.
"It's too late now to carry out a preliminary sweep of the stadium," the weary Detective put in sharing a knowing glance with Al, the only other man in the room with full recon experience, "people will already be queing up and personnel will be in place."
"But if the Fans are outside why can't we check it out?" Adam demanded.
"Too big an area to do a proper check," Al proferred the explanation, "we don't have enough time to do a thorough job."
"What if they cancelled the gigs?" Antonio looked around the group.
"Too late for that," Voight shook his head, "Fans are already there. It would only create chaos outside."
"Better than worse inside," Kevin morosely muttered, not likely the unpredictable nature of the task ahead, "so what do we do?"
"We'll concentrate our main personnel on Soldier Field," the Sergeant wiped his hands on a paper napkin then made short work of dispensing the cartons and other items before heading for the door purposefully, "we leave in fifteen."
The others quickly followed the older mans' example in cleaning up their meal debris then headed out. The Unit members automatically headed to the Locker Room to get their tactical gear bags. HS Assistant Director Murphy and Parker were the last to leave the Break Room.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Murphy reluctantly admitted to his friend and colleague.
"Because King might know we're here?"
"No!" the older man scoffed, his fellow New Yorker knew him better than that.
"Well what is it that's got you worried then?"
"Soldier Field is really upping the ante ..,"
"True."
"The capacity is 61,500. That could mean catastrophic numbers in fatalities and serious injuries if King uses the stolen supplies."
"That's a given but we knew all that earlier. What's really got you worried?" Parker probed keenly, he knew his companion well.
"Halstead."
"Okay so he's the main reason we're here but what else is going on in that mind of yours?"
"Don't you think it's strange that for all the animosity King has for him he hasn't killed him?"
"He's come close and .....,"
"Yeah but he's had the opportunity to make certain sure Halstead was killed but he never took it."
"So you're upset he didn’t?" the Psychologist frowned wrily, for once he couldn’t follow the older mans' thinking.
"Get serious," Murphy scoffed, "what I'm worried about is this is all a smokescreen to ....,"
"..... get to Jay," Parker concluded grimly.
21st Garage
Unbeknownst to the two New Yorkers a similar conversation was taking place in the garage as Al, Jay, Adam, Antonio and Kevin readied their weapons.
"Soldier Field is a mighty big target," Al noted as he finished dismantling his rifle and checking the various parts with a practised ease, "this could be a decoy ...,"
"To go after me," Jay calmly stated as he cleaned the scope lens of his rifle, "it's a possibility."
"You considered it already?" Kevin checked.
"With King it's best to consider every possibility. The New York link might be just to throw us off."
"It's tenuous at best," Antonio considered the matter, "but whether he's going to target the AD and Parker or you instead of civilians tonight we'll be on guard."
"So this could all be for nothing?" Adam gestured to the group getting ready to do their best to save all attending Soldier Field.
"Let's hope so," Jay wished aloud with genuine sincerity, he would much prefer to be the target instead of innocent people out for a good time at a concert.
"We don't really have any chance of stopping a group with that many rifles do we?" Antonio questioned sombrely as he pulled on his bulletproof vest.
"It would depend on how many people King hired," Al assessed, "but as we discussed he's unlikely to trust a large number with his plans. The more people know the more his risk is increased."
"Everyone ready to go in five?" Voight asked as he approached the men.
"Sarge we were discussing if Soldier Field is just a decoy and Jay is the target," Adam looked over at the Sergeant.
"Thought of that but we don't have a choice. We have to act on the message," Voight conceded as he sent the Detective in question a stern look, "besides if Halstead's the target he's going to be hard to pin down because he's going to be with two of us at all times once we're on site ....,"
"Like hell Sarge!"
"'Like hell' and anyhing else Halstead," the blunt Sergeant glared at the younger man unrepentantly, "last time I checked I run this Unit. You'll do as I say or you can stay here ....... under guard."
The Sergeants' ultimatum had everyones' eyes directed towards Jay. Anger at this latest curtailment of his independence coursed through the weary man as he avoided all but one persons' scrutiny. Adam wondered how he could avoid the inevitable confrontation. His friend was not easy to rile but on those rare occasions when anger was displayed by the normally stoic man it was usually best to vacate the area. Sharing a look with Al he pleaded silently for aid. The older man was the only one who had some chance of convincing Voight to relent. Jay intended to be on Sniper duty, they all knew that. That task did not necessitate an audience but more importantly his recovering friend would be concerned about manpower being wasted protecting him. For his part Al caught his former Partners' look and knew immediately what was needed. Hell just when did he get nominated as the one who had to wrestle the bear?!
Antonio and Kevin grimaced as the tension threatened to suffocate them. This was going to get ugly and no one liked ugly .....
tbc
Uniforms - Uniformed/Patrol Police
Officers
Gold Star
Mothers - A private non-profit
organisation of American
Mothers who lost Sons or
Daughters in service to the
U.S. Armed Forces.
Recon - Reconnaissance