Chapter 1

"When was the last time you heard from her?"

It was already dark outside only the electric lights made the streets of Chicago bright and shiny. Sgt. Hank Voight sat at the table in his office and one of the detectives of his Intelligence Unit Erin Lindsay just closed the doors and sat across from him.

"Couple of months ago right after her brothers funeral when she quit her job at the FBI. She wasn't in a good shape, Hank. I'm sure things got even worse since then."

"Pulpo was her case. We could really use her help. Grab Halstead and find her."

"Hank, I ..."

"She's your best friend, Erin. You will get through to her."

"So where are we going?"

"To find an ex FBI agent who worked on the Pulpo case."

Lindsay and Halstead were on their way to the apartment building near Northwestern University. There was a two room flat which was rented by Superintendent of CPD John Mcallister himself. That was his old apartment when he studied at Northwestern University long time ago. When he met his wife Jean they moved to the house and started their family there but even with a morgage payments and every day expenses he kept his little apartment near University. Good for that because Mcallister family was a family of four kids who wanted to go to the college and didn't want to live with their parents forever even if they couldn't afford to live on their own.

"Does this agent have a name?"

"Elizabeth Mcallister."

"As one of the Superintendents kids?"

"Yes."

"Her brother died not so long ago. There are rumors that she quit her job because of that."

"I can tell you Halstead those rumors are right. Lizzy did quit her job because of that."

"Lizzy?"

Lindsay stopped the car in the parking lot right next to the building. They went inside upstairs to the third floor. Lindsay knocked the door of the apartment 3D.

"Liz open up, it's me Erin."

Door opened so fast that Halstead moved a few steps back. There was standing a young woman wearing a sweatpants and a hoodie. She looked tired and smelled like a hangover but other than that she was very attractive – tall, with deep dark grey eyes and long brown hair now in a messy ponytail.

"How many times I need to tell you that I don't need your help or advice or a shoulder to cry on or whatever you want. Go away Erin!"

She was talking in a aggressive tone but that didn't stop Lindsay of pushing her way inside of the apartment. Halstead just looked at both women and followed inside. Apartment wasn't clean. Pizza boxes and beer bottles were everywhere.

"Liz why are you doing this to yourself?"

"I see that you brought someone with you. Looks too shy for a boyfriend so he must be your partner. So ask what you need and get out."

"This is det. Jay Halstead and yes, he is my partner. Jay, meet Lizzy Mcallister one of the best investigators of this country who as you can see are not in a good mood right now."

"Erin seriously what do you want?"

"Pulpo is back in Chicago and is cuting people heads off. Our Intelligence Unit is investigating this case and we could really use your help."

"I'm not a cop anymore. I can't help you."

"Yeah, I can see that. Also I know that this can last forever because you are so damn stubborn and self centered that you can feel sorry for yourself for a long time and not give a shit about your family, friends and your job. You can keep drinking or do whatever you want but I know you Lizzy Mack. I know that you want to finish the case and I know that Pulpo slipped away in the last minute and you were so pissed about it that you almost went to Colombia after him. Now is the chance to finish this so get your act together and come catch your bad guy."

Mack slowly turned away from both detectives. Erin went closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's been three months. I need your help and you back in my life."

Mack turned back and looked Erin in the eyes. A slow nod and and an ok in a whisper made Lindsay to smile a little and to start to move to the door. Halstead again didn't say anything just followed.

"District 21. Ask for me. Just before you come to the precinct take a shower, ok?"

Halstead was quick to close the door because a pillow was flying in a direction where they were standing a moment ago. Back in the car Halstead decided that Lindsay will start to talk eventually but she quietly started the car.

"So what was that about?"

"Meaning?"

"Looked like this wasn't the first time you met. To be honest it looked like you have a past."

"So?"

"Come on! How long do you know each other?"

"Ok. Lizzy and I know each other since highschool. We been best friends pretty much since then. Went to police academy together and started to work together - became detectives. Then she got a job offer from FBI and I started to work in Intelligence."

"Yeah, I can imagine you two against the whole world."

"You couldn't be more right."

"Why?"

"It's a long story."

"I have time."

"No, you don't. We need to work."

"Give me something. Please?"

"Another time Halstead, another time."

They got to the District and went upstairs. Lindsay went straight to the Voights office.

"How did it go?"

"She will help. Promised to be here soon."

Lindsay already started to move to the bullpen when Voight took a deep breath and told: "Don't let the past mess with you two."

"Which past? Mine or Lizzy's?"

"Both."