When they arrived on scene, the place was packed with Patrol Cars, Officers and the SWAT truck. They noticed the Ops tent on the other side of the parking lot and headed towards it.
"Have you seen Caitlin Voight"? asked Hank to one of the patrol officers.
"No, sorry".
Al stopped another one on the walk over. "Have you seen Caitlin Voight"?
"Who"?
"Never mind", he said as he grabbed his mobile phone again. She still wasn't picking up.
Hank met up with the head of the SWAT team just outside the tent. "We just got here and are still trying to assess the situation and get live feeds from the cameras inside".
"So, we have no visual for the time being"?
"Not yet but we will soon".
"Where do you want us"? asked Hank.
"We could use your help in gathering information once we know who, what, where and why? We've already got someone helping us coordinate".
Al stopped another cop as they headed in the tent. "Have you seen Caitlin Voight"?
Hank nudged him. "Al".
Alvin looked at him. Hank pointed towards the center of operations, where apparently someone was already taking things in charge. Alvin let out a huge sigh of relief.
Caitlin turned around as he was walking up to her.
He looked at her from head to toe. "Are you alright"?
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was entering the building when some recruits came rushing out".
"What's going on"? asked Hank.
"We're not sure yet. Apparently some recruits saw another recruit enter one of the big classrooms with a gun".
"Do we know how many recruits were in that room"? asked Hank.
"About thirty along with two instructors".
"Do we know who it is"? asked Jay.
"No, not yet. Some of the recruits that made it out, gave a description but it's not enough to help us narrow it down to one potential suspect", said Caitlin.
Alvin pulled her aside. "I was worried as hell! Why didn't you pick up your phone"?
"I left it in your car. After I realize what was happening, I secured the ones that got out. Matthews called the SWAT and I told them to call you in".
"Feed is up", said one of the tech guys. Caitlin walked over to the screen and looked at it.
"Do you know him"? asked the SWAT leader.
She nodded. "Yes, that's Andrew Cox". She looked at the screen in disbelief. "He's in all my classes. I don't understand".
Caitlin got up and headed towards a free computer that had been linked to the Academy server. She pulled up his records and scrolled through it for some time as Al joined her. The others were getting all the gear and material out of the car.
"Promise me you're alright"? he asked.
"I'm fine babe really. I promise".
"You could have let someone else take the lead on the operation".
She looked around. "Are you kidding? They all froze when they found out what was happening. Someone had to be in charge".
She turned her attention back to the screen as Al kept his hand on her shoulder.
"That's not possible", she said suddenly.
Hank, the SWAT and the rest of the team circled her. "What is it"?
She shook her head in disbelief. "I have his psych eval right here. He's suffering from insomnia, depression and impulsive behavior. He's under antidepressants and antianxiolytics. He should never have been able to get into the Academy"!
"Then what is he doing here"? asked Jay.
"That is what I'd like to know", said Caitlin standing.
"You and me both", said Hank.
He turned his attention to the team. "OK. Let's see what we can get on this Andrew Cox and fast"!
Alvin grabbed Caitlin's hand. "Would you please take a break? The team's got this for the moment".
"Hey Kev"?
Kevin turned around. "Yeah"?
"Find me a link to Cox and his psychiatric past. I need to know what happened".
"Won't be able to get any patient info from his doctor. Doctor/patient confidentiality".
"I know, check the web, news articles and let me know if you find something".
He nodded.
She turned to Alvin. "Ok. I'll take that break but only for a few minutes".
After a ten minute break outside Caitlin went back into the tent. She headed for the screen and looked at what was happening. Andrew had grouped the students and instructors into the corner of the room and was pacing the floor with his gun pointed at them.
Adam stood up. "I've got something. Andrew Cox is none other than Senator Jonathan Cox's son".
"Well, that explains how he got into the Academy", said Hank.
"He must have pulled some strings. What the hell was he thinking"? said Alvin.
Kevin walked over to Caitlin who had been listening. "I think I found something".
"What do you have"?
"A year ago, Andrew's girlfriend was killed in a drive-by shooting out near Lincoln Park, she was 20".
Caitlin took the article and read it. That would have been enough for someone to down spiral into a depression and all that it entailed.
"Nice work Kev".
The SWAT leader came over. "We're unable to make contact with Cox".
"That's normal. We don't allow cellphones during class or training", said Caitlin.
"What are our entry points"?
Caitlin walked over to the blueprints of the Academy that were displayed on a table.
"There's only one way in or out of that classroom and there's only one window".
"Going through the door is too risky. But, if we can get him in front of the window, we can take him down without compromising the hostages".
She closed her eyes. Why did it have to end that way?
"Let me talk to him. Let me go in", she said. Al was on the other side of the room and lifted his head up when he heard her. He hadn't been the only one, Hank had heard her as well.
"Over my dead body", said Al joining them.
"I second that motion", said Hank.
"Look, the way I see it, we've got hostages and a kid who's hurting and on the verge of making a huge mistake. I won't let anybody get hurt or killed. Not the hostages and not him. So unless you have another idea, I'm going in".
Hank looked at the SWAT leader. "Do we have any other options"?
He shook his head. "Not one that I can guarantee the safety of all the hostages".
"What makes you think you'll be able to talk some sense into him"? asked Hank as he looked at Caitlin.
She looked at Alvin. "Because, I know what it's like to lose someone you love".
"I'm not letting you go in there. I'll go", he said.
"Al, he doesn't know you, he won't trust you".
"How do you plan on going in"? asked Hank.
She looked at her watch. "Very simply. I'm supposed to start a class in there in fifteen minutes. I could have been on the other side of the building in my office and not know what's going on".
"Ok, then. Let's get you geared up", said Hank.
"You can't be serious", said Alvin as he stared Hank down.
"We don't have a lot of options right now. This may be our best…our only shot".
"So, you're sending her in the lion's den"?
"Alvin, I get that you're concerned but she's a good and a damn good one. You know that".
Adam arrived with a bullet-proof vest. Caitlin shook her head.
"No, vest. He'll see right through it, if I walk in there like that. Remember, I'm stumbling in there without a clue as to what's happening. Just give me an earpiece and a microphone wire".
He returned with what she asked for and was about to start putting it when Al walked over with raised eyebrows.
Adam looked at him. "Right, I'll let you do that", and gave Al the microphone wire and earpiece.
Alvin looked at her ask he hooked her up in a discreet corner of the tent. "Baby, come on. You don't need to do this. You're not alone anymore. Let me go in".
"I can't let you go in. I already lost Antonio, I'm not about to lose you too. And I know he won't hurt me".
When everything was in place, she made sure her hair hid the earpiece.
The SWAT leader looked at Caitlin. "My team will be ready to retrieve the hostages and I'll have my best shooter to secure you from the window".
Hank bit his lip. "Jay, go with him".
"Sergeant Voight, that won't be necessary. My shooter is more than qualified".
"I don't doubt that, I'm sending in one of my own and by that I mean my own flesh and blood. You trust you guy that's fine, but I trust mine more than yours when it comes to her life".
"Fine".
Hank took Jay aside. "If he just as much shows signs of shooting before she's had a chance to talk to him, you do what you need to do".
Jay nodded. He walked past Caitlin. "Don't worry, I've got your back".
Caitlin walked into the building with her various folders and binders. She decided to test the mic. "Are we clear"?
"All's good", said Hank.
"Al"?
"Yeah baby"?
"Don't believe a word I say. You got that"?
He looked at Hank but said nothing.
"Al? Do you understand? No matter what I say in there, I love you".
"I know. I love you too. Be careful".
Hank put his hand on Alvin's shoulder. They both knew what she meant.