Chapter 6

Chicago 2002

Voight sat across the diner table from Jess. He sipped coffee and ate a piece of pie while she sat and looked about the diner, waiting for customers to arrive. The diner's owner said she could sit and visit with Voight so long as customers were not ignored.

"So, when is graduation?" he asked.

"Saturday at noon."

He nodded. She didn't know it, but he was planning on showing up at her graduation. He figured it was the least he could do after she had been there for him during Linda's cancer treatments, Justin's acting out, and his informal adoption of his confidential informant, teenaged Erin Lindsay. While he wanted a more romantic relationship with her, Jess had flatly refused. She said as long as he was married, he owed it to his wife to stay faithful. She did, however, offer friendship and advice whenever he needed it.

"You getting nervous?"

She nodded. "One more final to go and it will all be over. Then comes the Bar."

"You'll pass it with no problem. You're smart," he soothed.

"I accepted the offer."

"The one at Smith and Jones?" he joked. He could never remember the name of the high powered firm she had applied to, so he named them Smith and Jones.

"No, I took the job at Dewey, Screwem and Howe."

Voight laughed. Her humor was a bit twisted sometimes."

"Dewey, Screwem and Howe. I'll have to look them up," he said as he took another bite of pie.

"What kind of law?"

"Believe it or not, Entertainment."

"For real? Entertainment law in Chicago?"

"Well, yeah. TV people have agents. Agents want contracts drawn up. Theater people need contracts and agents. And they're paying me a ridiculous amount of money to start."

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm thinking about buying a condo."

Graduation Day, Loyola University, Chicago

Jess stood in line with her classmates and fussed with her gown. She felt like she was playing dress up. The graduation cap felt heavy on her head, and she had anchored it with at least one hundred hair pins so it wouldn't move during the ceremony.

"Juris Doctor candidates" the Law School Dean announced. He started to announce the soon to be new graduates in alphabetical order. Voight remained in his seat, waiting impatiently for Jessica's name to be called.

"Jessica Marie Miller," he heard.

He glanced up. Jessica was walking across the stage. He thought she looked beautiful, even in the ugly black gown and silly cap. He clapped and called out "Great job, Jess!", which earned him glares and stares from those around him.

Jess heard Voight's voice, and tried not to be embarrassed, but it didn't work. She could feel herself turning beet red. "I wonder what he's doing here," she thought. The possibility that Voight would show up at her graduation had never occurred to her.

"Boyfriend?" her classmate Cassie asked.

"No, just a friend. He's a cop," she admitted.

"Always nice to have a cop as a friend when you're a lawyer," Cassie quipped.

"That's for sure," she agreed. "I can't believe he yelled. "

"Maybe he's proud of you?"

"He is that. He's told me often enough."

"Sounds like a nice guy. Maybe you should date him."

Jessica sighed. She didn't want to have to explain the situation with Voight. It was too complicated. "I'll take that under advisement."

"Spoken like a true lawyer," Cassie giggled.

Author's Note: I wish to thank all of you who are reading and reviewing and liking the story. I still have no idea which direction it is going in, but I'm just letting it all unfold. Thanks to my usual suspects 2NYw/Love, When I Make It Shine, and M. Louise E for all of their continued support and reviews. You're the reason why I write.