Chapter 6
Early the next morning, Voight made his way into Burgess' hospital room. She was awake, but looked like she was in a lot of pain.
"Kim," he acknowledged.
"Voight," she said tiredly.
"Are you up to making a statement about what happened?"
She nodded. "Roman and his ex partner and ex girlfriend were arguing. I went up the steps of the house and told them to shut up. I knocked on the door, and next thing I know, I'm on my back staring up at the sky. I assume I got shot."
"Shot and had surgery."
"I'm sorry, Voight. They just wouldn't shut up and I just wanted to get away from it."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Burgess. They did for not having your back."
Burgess bit her lip. She seemed to be thinking. "Pairing those two up again was a bad idea. I don't know what Platt was thinking."
"She was probably thinking that they would be professional and put their personal differences aside. Same thing I would have thought had it been me."
"I wish I could say it wasn't Roman's fault. Just don't be too hard on him, please?"
"Not up to me, Burgess. It's up to Platt. Technically, you three were under her command."
"Great," she muttered under her breath. "She'll eat Roman for lunch."
Voight smiled. Burgess knew Platt all right. "I'll talk to her, but I can't promise anything," he offered.
Burgess looked at him hopefully. Voight knew what was coming. He braced himself.
"So, rumor has it that if you get shot in the line of duty, you can pretty much write your own ticket in the Department."
"Pretty much," he agreed.
"I think it's no secret that I want into Intelligence."
Voight nodded. "I'm well aware of that."
"So?"
"So, there are some issues. You know my rule about no dating. You're dating Ruzek."
"We are not!" she tried to deny.
Voight looked at her. "You two are trying to keep it on the DL, but the whole District knows it, Burgess. I can't have it. One of you will have to transfer out if I bring you in."
Burgess nodded. "Can't blame a girl for trying."
"No, and I'd have you in a New York minute if you and Ruzek didn't have a thing. And no, I'm not going to change my mind."
Burgess let out a defeated sigh. "I really want this, Sergeant."
"I know, and I understand. My team. My rules."
"And no exceptions."
"No exceptions."
"Dammit!"
"Sorry, Burgess. If I make an exception for you and Ruzek, then everyone who wants to come upstairs will want me to make exceptions for them as well."
She nodded. "I see your point, but you know I'm good police, Voight."
"Yes, I know that. But the answer is still no. End of discussion."
Burgess closed her eyes to hold back her tears. The one thing she wanted more than anything in her life was just being taken from her. She had thought Voight would bring her in because she had been injured in the line of duty, but he was being a hardass about it. While she understood that he didn't want her dating Ruzek if they were in the same unit, she was positive that he would change his mind. It didn't look like it was going to happen any time soon, if at all.
"I understand, Sir," she said after finally forcing the lump out of her throat.
Voight put his notebook in his back pocket. "Thanks Burgess. I'll be in touch."
Burgess nodded. "Thank you, Voight."
Voight left her room and headed back to the 21st. He knew she wouldn't take not getting Intelligence well. He couldn't make exceptions because if he did, everyone and their romantic interest would be playing the 'You made an exception for Burgess and Ruzek so you should make an exception for me,' card. He was not in the mood to play with that card. He liked his cards straight off the top of the deck, not dealt from the bottom.