21st Precinct
Voight eyed his fellow Sergeant astutely as he sat opposite her in the reception office. This showdown was one he had not foreseen but he needed to deal with it to ensure there was no intelligence kept from him in the future.
"You were dealing with the explosion aftermath," Platt brusquely reiterated her reasoning for withholding information from her counterpart.
"That did not warrant me finding out about the note days later," Voight countered, allowing his displeasure to show.
"I made a judgement call," Platt shrugged.
"It was a judgement call based on emotions rather than protocol and ... ,"
"Excuse me!"
"You heard me."
"I did not let emotions get in the way," the experienced Sergeant insisted.
"Look Trudy I get it," Voight dropped his antagonistic tone, "you care about Halstead and wanted him to have a chance to deal with the note hefore it became everyones' business. I can understand that."
"He deserved a heads up."
"A heads up maybe but a few days was too long."
"I agree," the blunt woman eventually conceded reluctantly, it wasn't like her to be unprofessional but her companion was right she had not done her job properly.
"So we're clear? You'll keep me informed in future?"
"Yes Hank."
"Hell Trudy you're not the only one with a soft spot for the Kid."
"He's .... a rare young man."
"Preaching to the choir," Voight nodded with an uncommon show of fondness.
Voight Residence
Later that night, once Als' rare cooking efforts had been consumed and duly ridiculed, the Unit members sat in the front room as Voight updated them.
"Tomorrow we move into a temporary set of offices in Bucktown."
"How long before we can get back to the 21st? Adam preferred the familiar surroundings of the precinct.
"A couple of months at least."
"We were lucky the blast was mainly confined to our section," Antonio opined, trying to look on the bright side.
"I asked Parker about that," Al looked around the room, "he said King would have wanted people to know Jay was the target so they would blame him for any subsequent inconvenience."
"That's daft!" Kevin argued in disgust.
"Yeah but let's face it King isn't exactly a rational person," Antonio pointed out, "he's so fixated on Jay he's overlooking things."
"That will work in our favour," Mouse declared, as far as he was concerned it was long passed time for something to work for them.
"How soon can we get Med organised?" Al broached the topic they were all eager to get involved in.
"I'm meeting Goodwin in the morning. If she gives the go ahead we'll set it up for Thursday."
"You think she's going to be on board Boss?" Adam asked worriedly, although they had joked about the formidable womans' fondness for Jay spurring her to easily grant their request in reality what they needed was a big ask.
"I'll set out the precautions we'll take," the Sergeant replied, he was no fool and didn't expect his request to be readily granted, "and then it will be up to her."
"What's the plan if she says no?"
"For now let's try some optimism," Al suggested before his oldest friend could respond.
"Have you everything you need if we get the go ahead?" Voight turned to the IT Specialist.
"Yeah Sarge. I requisitioned a few items and got them yesterday. I'm good to go."
"How long will it take to get set up?"
"About three hours," Mouse estimated, he had called into Med just to get the scope of a general Waiting Room but obviously there would be differences depending on which one they were allowed to use, if any.
"Ruzek I want you and Atwater to have everything ready to go in the morning."
"Why us Sarge?" Adam asked before it struck him questioning the older man usually didn't end well!
"You get the task because most of this mess is yours," the Sergeant pointed out succinctly as he motioned to the numerous surfaces hidden by files and paperwork before continuing in amusement, "and Atwater gets the task because he's unlucky enough to be standing next to you."
"Damn!" Kevin feigned upset and hid a grin as Adam spluttered in denial that he wasn't that messy as his friends chuckled.
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Chicago Med - Following Morning
Once appraised of the request Goodwin had eyed the no nonsense Sergeant across from her with what could only be described as perplexion. Putting patients and medical personnel in harms way seemed extreme even for one Hank Voight whom had a reputation for unorthodox methods.
"As I told you if you can give me access to one Waiting Room I can keep the threat contained ....,"
"But you can't give a guarantee Sergeant," the Administrator challenged.
"No I can't," Voight agreed, he wasn't going to lie.
"I'm assuming this is a last resort," Goodwin commented shrewdly, "but how do you know King won't bring explosives with him?"
"There's a possibility he will but we'll have enough personnel in place to stop any attempt to use them."
"I can't give you a Waiting Room," Goodwin decided thoughtfully, "it's ...,"
"I understand," Voight accepted the decision, he was not going to go for the hard sell as he had too much respect for the lady across from him.
"Let me finish. I can't give you an actual Waiting Room but I can give you a room that can be made to look like one."
"I'm listening."
Bucktown
By lunchtime the Unit had successfully transferred everything to their new temporary workplace. To say the suite of offices were plush would have been an understatement. The thick dark blue carpet underfoot throughout all the offices bespoke luxury unacquainted with normal Police working environments. The freshly painted office walls were white and pale pink had been chosen for the wooden floored reception area, hallway and fully equiped kitchen. Adam eventually put voice to the question everyone bar Voight had been contemplating since they first arrived at the pristine premises.
"What is this place Sarge? It looks like it's never been used."
"That's because it hasn't. It's going to leased out as a Medical or Dental practice down the line and Ruzek it's going to look just as it does now when we leave so no mishaps with soda or coffee or ...,"
"Hey Sarge I'm not the only one who spills stuff!"
"Wanna bet?" Antonio chided as he eyed their impressive surroundings.
"Well at least this way he can only mess up one office," Al suggested ruefully, apart from the Sergeant they would have to split up into pairs and he had already thrown his jacket in the one he had decided met his requirements, "Jay will share with me."
"I will?" this was the first the auburn haired man had heard about it.
"Sure, you need someone quiet not like Ruzek bouncing off the walls."
"You may have a point," Jay conceded with a grin at Adams' put upon expression.
"Okay children," Voights' scolding tone immediately banished the teasing despite the quiet deliverance, "let's get down to business. We're looking at Thursday next for the operation. Goodwin said we can have access from tomorrow .....,"
"Can't believe she gave permission," Adam stated, although they had joked about her helping Jay there were a number of practical matters that could rightly have resulted in an outright refusal.
"The timing worked in our favour," Voight elaborated, "the space we're using is due for renovation shortly.
It's also located at the rear of the building so .....,"
"Sarge won't that arouse Kings' suspicions?" Kevin interjected with the question that sprang to everyones' mind.
"He's going to be suspicious no matter what we do," Al put in.
"We'll have to make it as convincing as possible," the Sergeant informed his audience, they all understood the risks involved so he refrained from listing same, "I'm meeting Crowley later to acquire some uniform assistance."
"Sarge ... ," Jay was not happy with this development.
"We'll talk after Halstead," the older man knew exactly why his youngest Detective looked cross but wanted to deal with him in private.
"Sarge are we going to have surveillance outside as well?" Kevin asked hoping to stop his friend arguing then and there.
"Hopefully we can cover the entrances and the parking lot?" Voight looked to the IT Specialist for confirmation.
"Should be doable. I'll be monitoring the hospitals' security footage anyway."
"I didn't hear that. You run into any problems let me know."
"Yes Sir."
Half an hour later Jay sat in the Unit Leaders' new domain as the gruff man set out what was needed to ensure the operation was a success.
"Sarge I know more than anyone how important it is to get King off the streets but when you went for the idea I assumed it would only be the Unit involved. Bringing in Uniforms only increases the danger."
"You assumed wrong. This needs to go down without a hitch. We need to have enough personnel to make the scenario work. Anything looking suspicious will keep King away."
"You really think we can get him?" Jay finally allowed his uncertainty to show.
"Yes," Voight replied without hesitation, like his subordinate he had doubts but airing same wouldn't help and besides he did believe the plan could work and they were definitely due a break in the months' long case!
"I'd be happier if we knew more about him. He's like the damn wind!"
"He may seem untouchable but as soon as he's behind bars it'll be clear he's just a man, an evil one, but a man all the same. He's had a run of good luck. It's time to end it once and for all."
Al and Jays' Office
An hour later Jay sat at his new desk beside the shuttered window. The reason his older friend had chosen the space as their domain immediately became clear upon entering. The wall opposite the door not only was broken by a window but also by a door which led out onto an enclosed garden area comprising of a small patio beyond which a strand of weeping willow trees
provided a yellow bedecked canopy which hid the skies above from view. The door had immediately been opened when the former Rangers took up residence and with no possible outside threat, thanks to high stone walls, would probably remain open the majority of the time if the elements allowed. Eyeing natures' bounty now as he rubbed his forehead trying to will away an impending headache he sighed. Some things nature could not resolve.
"You need to go back to Voights and lie down for a while," Al declared evenly, it was clear his companion was unwell.
"You just concentrate on your work Old Man," Jay ordered ,without rancour, even if the prospect was mighty appealing.
"Can't."
"Why not?"
"I'm being distracted."
"By what?" the young Detective eyed their peaceful surroundings with a frown.
"My friend is in pain," Al elaborated innocently.
"Al!" Jay rolled his eyes.
Much to his consternation an hour later Jay found himself at the Sergeants' residence. Al had recruited the others to convince him to take a break and if only for a quiet life he had given in to the well intentioned pressure so with Antonio as his Sentinel he optrd for a quick sandwich to go with some strong painkillers and retreated to the bedroom that had become his. Sweet blackness offering relief wasn't long claiming the pained man ....
Jay wasn't sure what had awakened him but he was roused from his medically induced slumber with a start. Lying still in the darkened room he attuned his senses to his surroundings seeking anything out of place. Once satisfied he was alone he slowly sat up on the hed, eyeing the closed door cautiously. There was nothing evident to cause concern yet his senses were on full alert. He was glad his headache had abated to a dull remnant of its' former self for his gut was telling him whatever awaited him beyond the door would require all his strength ....
tbc
Authors' Note
Not sure if weeping willow trees are common in Chicago but they're my favourite tree so we'll pretend they are 🤣.