Chapter 21 Fire Reignited
Kaitlyn's phone buzzed as she entered the house and kicked off her shoes. She checked the number and saw it looked like the Firehouse number, but the last digit wasn't correct. She pushed the Accept button.
"This is Kaitlyn," she said.
"Katie, Chief Boden down at Firehouse 51."
She heard Boden's voice, and froze. She felt her stomach flip. Something was wrong. "Chief, is Jeff all right?" she asked, trying to quell the anxiety she was feeling.
"Jeff is fine. This is about the incident earlier. Can you come down and give me your account?"
"I can. How soon do you want me there?"
"The sooner the better, if you don't mind."
"Is an hour okay? I'd really like to change my clothes and have some dinner first."
"I'll tell you what. Change your clothes, and we'll feed you dinner."
"An offer I can't refuse, Chief. I'll be there shortly."
Twenty minutes later, Kaitlyn returned to 51. Connie escorted her in to Boden's office. She greeted Boden, Severide and Casey.
"Have a seat," Boden invited. When she settled, he continued. "You're not in trouble, Kaitlyn. We just want to know what happened with Jones."
Kaitlyn took a breath. "I had just said goodbye to everyone. I told Jeff he didn't need to walk me to my car. I left the house, and was on my way to the car, and I heard Jones call me. I didn't know it was her until I turned around and saw her."
She crossed her legs and continued. "She told me I wasn't welcome at 51 and I needed to stop coming around. She said every time I am here, Jeff gets distracted. I reminded her she was the candidate in the house, and she had no right to tell me what I could and couldn't do, especially since I had an open invitation from you, Chief. That's when she came at me, swinging. I took her arm and flipped her ass over tin cups. She screamed when she got up and lunged at me again. I grabbed her by the ponytail and took her down at the knee. I put my foot on her chest to keep her down. That's when Mills showed up and asked me if I was okay."
"So this is all about Clarke," Boden observed.
Kaitlyn smiled. "Well, Chief, I doubt that you've noticed, but Lieutenant Clarke is very good looking."
Casey and Severide coughed to cover their laughter.
Boden reached into his desk drawer and came up with paper and a pen. "Can you write your statement down? I'll have Connie type it up and you can sign it when she's done."
Kaitlyn nodded and accepted the paper. "I'm sorry about this, Chief. I've tried to ignore her, but when she came after me, I had to defend myself."
"No need to apologize, Kaitlyn. You did what you had to do."
She started writing. Ten minutes later, she handed the paper over to Boden. He took it and looked it over. "I'll get this to Connie. Why don't you go join everyone at dinner?"
"Thanks, Chief. You really didn't have to do this."
She entered the rec area. All eyes looked over to her. "Hey, Katie," Mills greeted. "You come to help with dinner?"
"I can if you need help," she offered.
Mills tossed her an apron. "Meatloaf. You want to peel the potatoes?"
Kaitlyn laughed. "All my life, I always get the potatoes."
"That's because you do it so well."
She reached for a knife, and started to peel.
After Kaitlyn left his office, Boden looked at Severide and Casey. "What do you think?"
"Story matches what is seen on the tapes," Casey offered.
"I think she has had enough of Jones' bullshit and she finally put an end to it," Severide said. "Chief, you know this shit with Clarke has been going on for a while. Jones has been warned by me, Casey, Capp, and others to lay off Clarke and she wouldn't do it."
"I'm aware of that, Kelly. Thank you for your input, both of you. I have some decisions to make."
"Whatever it is, Chief, you know we are behind you," Casey said before turning around and exiting the office.