It's been two weeks since Adam and Kim have been dating and that whole time she hadn't noticed the car following her. They were just happy in their relationship that the rest of the world didn't matter. Spending every free minute together was all they cared about at this point, the honeymoon phase of a relationship. No fights, no disagreements, just fun and love. It was amazing how well the knew each other already, how well they could read each other, how well they could decipher the tone of ones voice. So when Adam got a call early one morning from Kim and her voice was shaky he went straight into panic mode.
"Kim? What happened? Where are you? Is Jackson okay?" He could hear her breathing but it was ragged. He could tell she was shaking. But also driving. That may have concerned him the most.
"We are okay but I'm being followed. I saw someone outside my building with a camera taking pictures of us. When they saw us they got back in the car and are now following us. I already called for back up but I'm scared. What if it's an old case coming back to haunt me? Or worse Roman coming to take my son? He never cared before but that is the only thing I can think of?" She was rambling but she was scared. He didn't know who a Roman was but assumed he was the ex partner and Jacksons dad. He knew he needed to be calm for her.
"I know you are scared but I need you to get to the district. At least you will have plenty of back up. Then call your lawyer in case it's Roman. We will get through this together. One thing is for sure it's not the paps because they wouldn't follow you especially since they don't know about you. Are you at the district yet? Has backup arrived?" He asked as she got quiet again.
"I pulled up out front and they left a block or two before. Halstead is taking me inside while Dawson parks my car. I need to go file the reports and go through the pod footage to see how long this has been going on. Can I call you later?" She sounded so vulnerable, so shaken up.
"Of course Darling! Don't ever doubt that!" He wanted to make sure she knew he was always there.
After filing the reports and making an official statement they began looking at the pods and noticed the same SUV had been following her for two weeks. The entire time she had been with Adam. She knew he wasn't involved, she knew in her heart he wasn't having her followed. But it's still strange.
Adam had been worried the time she was at work before he had an epiphany. Maybe this was his fault, indirectly of course. He knew he needed help, he knew he needed to see Kim to explain his thoughts but how could he go there with tons of people who would probably bug him for an autograph. Then he remembered Kim mentioned working with Platt! He remembered her from his childhood when he would visit his dad. Maybe he could reach out to her.
He didn't have her number, never did but he knew she was honest and straight forward and would help anyone who needed it. After an internet search he called the 21st district directly and asked for Sergeant Trudy Platt. She was just as rough and crass as he remembered.
"Can I help?" Short and to the point she always was.
"Sergeant Platt I knew you when I was a kid and I really need your help. I think I might know something nuthatch would help with an open case involving one of your detectives?" He answered. Hoping she put two and two together.
A long pause and then a gasp left her. "No way! It can't be? Boy Wonder? You're the same Adam Ruzek that is dating Skinny Britches?"
He laughed! She remembered and loved Kim's nickname. "Yes it's me. And yes I'm dating Kim. She told me what happened and I think I might know something but I don't want to be seen coming and going. I don't want to sign autographs and take pictures. I want to help her out and leave quietly so no one knows. Can you help me please?" He was almost pleading with her for privacy.
"Sure thing boy wonder. Call back when you are outside the garage and I will bring you upstairs the back way. It's key code access only so it's the best chance for privacy. Does she know you are coming here?" She asked almost concerned for Kim.
"No I'm afraid she will leave me when she finds out this is my fault." He admitted it out loud. He was worried this could end him, not just with Kim but with his career.
"I doubt that but I will see you soon". With that she was gone and he started the drive over. Thinking about how this was possible. What was he going to say or do? Especially if he lost everything. He should have just paid it. But he was tired of it and now it's come back to bite him in the ass. He pulled into the garage seeing the familiar face of Trudy Platt. She could help but hug him, it had been way too long. They upstairs knowing it would be out in the open soon and not waiting him to have to go through it more than once. She steps in first and gets Kims attention first.
"Platt what's going on? Why do you have that look on your face?" She asked almost creeped out by the large smile on her face.
Platt laughed and said "presenting boy wonder" they all looked at her like she was nuts till Adam walked in. Kim was shocked to see and laughed.
"Boy wonder?" She asks
"I knew Platt as a kid. I need your help and I only hope you don't hate me after this. But I think you being followed is my fault. " He answered while looking down at the tile.
Voight heard the whole thing and decided it was time to step in. "How about we go in my office and we can all talk about it?" They followed him in, leaving Dawson, Lindsey and Halstead wondering what the hell was going on.
Adam didn't wait to be questioned he just started talking. "Um I don't know where to begin but my dad has a problem with gambling. I have paid his debt before but this time I refused to pay. They sent letters threatening me and my dad. Saying if I didn't pay I would lose the thing that mattered most to me. I thought they meant my job, you know my dad betting on sports looks bad for me but when Kim said she was being followed it kind of clicked you know? I'm so sorry. I should have just paid them. I never thought it would get this far. Please don't leave me. I will make it up to you. I truly didn't know they would do this."
Kim could see the tears in his eyes. So she did the only thing she could. She made him stand and hugged him tight. The whole team watching on the other side of the glass. None of them having any idea what was going but knew it had be to heart wrenching for Adam to be in tears. After a few more minutes, the couple who forgot they were not alone finally pulled apart as the door opened and Dawson walked in with Jackson who just woke from a nap and was hungry. Kim excused herself from the room to tend to Jackson while the team was filled in on what Adam had just told them. They all felt bad for him. This could ruin his life in more ways than one but they needed details and more information.
Halstead takes the lead "Do you have the threats still? Maybe we can get finger prints? Also where did you meet up with the bookies? And do you have a name for them?"
Adam knows this is going to be hard but he was to do. "I brought the letters with me, here you can have them. My finger prints will be on them as well as my business manager Kevin Atwater. We will both comply with providing our prints to compare them. I only got a nickname of the guy, Shorty, I know real creative. And I met him outside a huh, a sex club called the Red Bridge. I didn't go inside. He met me out front and went back in after we settled the debt. "
Dawson now speaks, kind of a half hearted laugh. "We know the place. Been there before for an undercover gig right Halstead and Lindsey?" Everyone laughed but Adam. He had no idea that they would have to do undercover gigs in places like that. He would need to ask about that later. Now the case at hand.
Everyone is quiet for a few minutes before Lindsey speaks up "So I cross referenced the nickname shorty with the red bridge and got a couple of people. Do you recognize anymore?"
Adam walked over to look at the photos before him. Surprised and shocked they had found him already. He wasn't good at covering his tracks really but most people don't turn in their bookie I guess. "Him! That one right there!" He was positive.
Kim looked horrified when she saw who it was. While everyone just looked at her shocked to death. Kim had worked with him at one point before he snapped. "Mike Sorensen a former cop? How is that possible? How did we not know this?"
"You can't blame yourself, he left and said he was moving to Florida. This isn't on you but we will find him I promise." Voight reassured Kim as she stared at his picture. She remembered that last day together watching a young officer take one between the eyes. Watching the life leave her, holding her head the whole way to med for nothing. Just a sick twisted person who was mad at the police. Such a wasted life. Kim retreated to the break room where Jackson was eating his lunch. She tried not to think about that day but ended up in tears. It was all to much today. Jackson climbed over to sit in her lap and hug her just as Adam came into the room. He just watched in awe of the bonding moment in front of him. So pure, so full of love. He hated to interrupt but he needed to make sure she was okay.
"Mind if I join you?" It was a simple question but a good way of testing the waters. He knew she must be totally overwhelmed right now especially since her son was here to watch it all unfold. He also knew she wasn't ready for them to meet but he couldn't leave her to cry alone. It was killing him on the inside. He watched as a small smile graced her face. Holding Jackson tight.
"Sure. I guess this explains why you don't have a good relationship with your father?" She watched him nod before continuing. "I stop thinking about that last day, watching an office get shot between the eyes and holding her all the way to med. she died before she hit the ground but we didn't know that. It was a blur the whole scene. Mike lost it after that, quit on the spot. I can't really blame him but still to do this? And knowing his people are following me? Why would he do this to me? I just don't understand. " She now sounded exhausted, no other way to put it. Spent, tired, over it.
Adam just reached around and pulled them into his arms. Holding them, keeping them safe. He knew he had a game tonight but he couldn't leave. Not like this. Before he realized he felt a small hand tugging on his shirt. He looked down to see Jackson hand holding onto his shirt.
"Hey bud. I'm Adam. Your Jackson right?" He figured that's what he was getting at but want sure. He didn't want him to be uncomfortable with Adam holding so he wanted to start slow. Also he is three. Small words and sentences.
Jackson beamed excited that this guy knew who he was. "Yup. Are you friends with my mom?"
"I am is that okay with you?" Again simple and to the point.
"Yeah she smiles more now" And then proceeded to eat his sandwich and snuggle into them both. His one hand still wrapped in Adams shirt. Voight entered to let them they were heading out to talk to Mike and asked Adam to call his dad. Find out if he had received any new threats. But his first call was to Kevin to let him know just what was going on and that he may not make the game tonight. While Kevin understood he wasn't thrilled about it. But safety first.
Adam then called his dad. A conversation he has been avoiding. When he answered he seemed up beat and happy. Adam knew it was a lie. "Pops I need you to level with me. Who do you owe money to? Are you getting threats? Because I am. And they are following my girlfriend and her scaring them half to death!"
"Adam I have no idea what your talking about? I haven't been out gambling! I swear!"
"Dad you're so full of it right now. My girlfriend works in the IU and figured out that the last guy I paid off for you was an ex cop and her ex partner. Voight is out interviewing him now. What story is he going to tell? I can't lose my career and my girlfriend because of this. You need to be honest. This is your last chance dad. If you care at all about me, meet me at the 21st." And Adam hung up. He was livid at the blatant lying. He wasn't even trying that hard. It was sad. He felt like he didn't know his dad at all anymore. He noticed Voight coming back up the stairs with the rest of the team. He and Kim stepped out of the break room leaving Jackson by himself to watch a cartoon on his iPad.
Kim spoke first seeing that Adam was still seething from his call with his dad. "What did he say? Did he admit to it?" She was anxious about the outcome but knew this needed to happen. Adam just held her hand squeezing for support once in awhile.
Voight knew this would be tough but this was the situation. "Yes he admitted to sending the letters and having people following you but he didn't know you were the girlfriend. He look genuinely upset that they were following you and your son. He promised to call it off. And he admitted that Bob did in fact owe him money and that you Adam had refused to pay. He didn't really blame you for it but it was business to him. Your dad still owes him the money so that needs to be handled. Here's the thing, I bring Mike in on book making, he spills about your dad and his career is over. Maybe yours too. I'm not sure how to make this right?"
Adam just sat down in a chair, whose he didn't know. But he needed to sit before he fell over. Before he could speak his farther walked up the stairs, escorted by Platt. "Son, my boy! It's so good to see you. It's been awhile." Adam backed away not wanting to be touch by his father. He didn't want to blowup in front of everyone, maybe not at all. It wouldn't fix this at all.
"How do you plan to fix this? Sorensen confessed to everything. If he is brought in your done. No job, no petition, no retirement. DONE! Do you understand? I could lose everything because of you! Are you getting that yet? " Adam tried not to yell. He didn't want to scare Jackson. He would never forgive himself.
Voight stepped in and escorted Bob to his office to hash it out. Adam and Kim returned to the break room to play with Jackson who had been watching but didn't seem scared more curious as to why Adam was upset. Even offering a hug. It was adorable. After hugging for a little longer Kim knew Adam needed to go to work. It would help with the stress and anger he felt towards his dad.
"I think you should go to work. Voight has this under control and you need your stress release. And it's not going to be from me tonight if you know what I mean." She giggled, eye brows raised with a flirty smile.
Adam almost growled but held back, not in front of Jackson. "I like the way you are thinking. Maybe tomorrow? But are you sure? I don't mind missing one game. It's fine. Or better yet come to the game, I will have Kevin set it up we can have security at the door. Bring everyone. The suite holds 20 people, I will have food provided. It will be my thank you to everyone who pitched in. What do you say?"
"When you dad leaves we can ask the team what they think?" She was excited but didn't want to answer for everyone else. They might have plans but it's a nice offer. Jackson had never been to a game and while it would be a late night he was a good sleeper so it should be fine. After another 20 minutes Bob leaves, not saying bye to his son either. He looked pissed but maybe also relieved. Adam wasn't sure but he knew he would find out. Voight walked into the break room to speak with them. Asking Halstead and Lindsey to take Jackson for a bit who,e they talked.
"So I worked out a deal with your dad, one that will make everyone happy" Voight starts waiting to Adam to nod so he can continue. "I will pay off his debt, he will pay me back 10% of each paycheck till it's paid off and that includes the paycheck from his security work at the red bridge. On the days he pays me I will take him to a gamblers anonymous meeting so he can get some help. I also spoke with Sorensen and he will help in spreading the word not to take bets from your father anymore. It's more hassle than it's worth so he will be black listed by all the bookies in the area. I know it's harsh sounding but it's for everyone's own good." He waited for a reaction, not sure how Adam would react. Finally he snapped out of it.
"Thank you so very much for everything. I feel like I can breathe again. But let me put the money out, I can afford it. I don't want you to suffer because of him, it's not fair to you." Adam offered, while thankful he didn't want someone else to have financial hardships from trying to fix his dads debts.
"Don't worry about it. I got this. He won't pay it back if it's from you and he won't go to the meetings that I will drag his ass to. Let me do this so you guys can relax and not stress over it anymore. " Voight was not letting Adam get pushed over by his dad again. The kid needed a break from being the parent in the relationship.
Adam shook his hand and pulled Voight into a hug. He was relieved. It was over and he lost nothing. He knew this was the time to ask everyone to his game. "As a huge thank you to all you have done to help me through this situation I want to invite you all to my game tonight as my guests. You will have access to my suite where all food and drinks will be provided. You will have a concierge who can get you anything extra you want and it will be added to my bill. It's the least I can do. So what do you say? ".
Everyone agreed right away. Thrilled to have a chance to see a game and to be in a suite none the less. It would be an epic night for all. "Okay great. I will let Kevin know. Be there by 6:30 so Kevin can get you all settled before the game starts. Also I know some of you have kids, bring them. The suite holds 20 so more than enough room for everyone. So I will see you all later. " Adam pulls Kim in for a hug before leaving. He can't wait for tonight, it's going to be great.
Everyone was so excited for the game. They all left early to get ready for the game. They arrived at 6:30 on the dot where they were told to meet Kevin. He was not what they were expecting at all. Hell he could be a football player. He was built! And that was an understatement. He knew it was them immediately and introduced himself. "Good evening I'm Kevin Atwater. I'm Adams business manager and I will be showing you to your suite. We have it all set up with food, drinks and even ice cream. Please you can always order extras from the concierge, his name is James. Right this way." They all followed excited to see this room where they would be watching the game. They arrive at the suite and are pretty stoked. It has everything including a private bathroom. And on the table a small surprise for the two youngest who had never been to a game before. Two pint sized Ruzek jerseys for the kids to wear. Jackson couldn't wait to put his on. Requesting a photo be taken and sent to Adam right away. It was adorable how much they bonded already.
The rest of the game went smoothly as they watched the Cubs beat the Mets 5 to 2 thank to a three run home run by Adam. It was such a great night. Everyone was exhumed and ready to head home hoping tomorrow would be a slow day. It rarely happened but one could hope..
