*Picks up from the last chapter*
Jordan-14/ 15
Hank was stunned by this new information, how'd they find that bastard's body? He made sure to have gotten rid of everything. The older man had always been careful when dealing with that stuff.
"We need to talk to Jordan". Denny spoke.
"Absolutely not". Hank replied in a sharp voice.
"And why is that?"
"I'm not gonna let you or anyone else put Jordan through hell because you want a case. I'm done with watching my daughter suffer it stops now. You're not going anywhere near her".
"Hank this can go one of two ways. The easy way, just let us talk to her. Or the hard way I can get a judge to compel you to make you produce Jordan and get her to talk".
"Denny, don't do this to her. It took her this long to finally heal from everything, don't drag her back down".
"One last chance Hank. Easy way or hard way?"
"You're not talking to my daughter end of discussion".
"Well I guess you made it the hard way".
"Denny, you don't know everything. Do you know what it was like for Jordan after what happened? When she was in the hospital she wouldn't let no man touch her, she flinched whenever anyone touched her, she wouldn't let me or Erin leave her side, for two weeks Jordan woke up screaming and crying from nightmares. She begged me not to leave her. I'm not gonna let you or anyone else hurt her, I won't see my daughter relapse because you want a case. It's not gonna happen".
"Jordan's gonna talk one way or another".
Hank got up from his desk and went over to his former partner, a death glare on his face.
"Stay the hell away from my daughter".
"What'd you do Hank? Kill the guy who assaulted you're precious little girl?"
"I admit, when that son of a bitch came out the house and I saw Jordan. She was upset, covered in bruises, I lost it. I beat the hell out of him. All I saw was the guy who hurt my little girl, my father instincts took over and I lost my temper. That's the only thing I did".
"Tell the truth you wanted Damian to suffer for what he did to Jordan. That's the motive right there, he assaults her at the party you take matters into your hands. Sound about right".
"No. I took Jo to the hospital then home, she asked me not to leave her and I didn't that's what happened".
"We'll be talking to Jordan soon, after all she was the last to see him alive unless someone else did to".
After that Denny left the office, Hank was seething. Why was Denny doing this? What was his play? The older man had his hands stuffed into his pockets as he was lost in his thoughts.
Jordan had arrived to the District and headed inside, thankfully she didn't see Denny. The teen was still upset about the whole situation. Trudy saw her going up to the squad without question the older woman buzzed her goddaughter upstairs. The teen sent a grateful smile to her godmother then headed up to the squad.
She saw her father sitting at his desk with a glum look and headed to his office. Hank sat at his desk with his head in his hands.
"Dad?" Jordan spoke.
The older father looked up to see his daughter, he put on a fake smile hoping she'll fall for it.
"Hey sweetheart, what's up". Hank replied.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong honey".
Jordan then shut the door, even though the squad was empty she didn't want anyone overhearing.
"There gonna make me talk about it aren't they?"
"I'm not gonna let that happen".
"Daddy, please. Please don't make me talk about it. I can't…I just got over it".
Getting up from his chair Hank went over to his daughter who was trembling. Her lip was wobbling, she threw her arms around his torso burying her face into his shirt. The older father held onto his little girl, one hand cradled her head as he used the other one to rub soothing circles on her back.
"It's all gonna be ok sweetheart, I promise".
"I can't…I just can't. Don't make me please. I finally got over it".
"Jo, look at me honey".
She shook her head in his chest as she held onto him clinging to him. He gently pulled her back and saw a couple tears fall, he brushed them away with his thumbs. As he looked into her eyes he saw the pain and sadness in her eyes, something he hasn't seen in months. He felt his blood boiling but never let it showed. Gently he put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a gentle look. She looked away, she felt too ashamed to look at him.
"Look at me sweetie".
Turning her head the teen faced her father, she felt the urge to fall back into her old habits. She wanted to escape again and feel numb.
"I'm not gonna let anyone make you talk about that night if you don't want to. If you don't wanna do it, I'm not going to force you. That's your choice, not mine, not there's, they want you to talk because apparently you were the last to see him alive".
"Dad, what happened to him? Really".
"Just know he can't hurt you or anyone else ever again".
"Did…did you kill him?"
Taking a deep breath he brought her in for a hug and whispered in her ear. "I did what I had to do to keep you safe".
Jordan had a feeling of what her father was saying, he did kill Damian and she wouldn't rat him out for anything. She has been and always will be loyal to her father till the day they both took their final breaths. He did the same thing when Justin had died and he'd do it all over again for both his children.
Hank didn't tell his daughter that Denny had showed up again. He remembers very well when she first met him she distanced herself away from him then shortly after that she had been scared of something or someone. He was never able to make the connection if he ever found out the truth Denny would have loads of hell to pay.
A couple of days had passed and Jordan was now 15, she didn't wanna do anything for her birthday. She was too depressed this was her first birthday her brother wasn't here for, the first one her family wasn't together for, then on top of everything they were still trying to make her talk about Damian.
Jordan had stayed home that day, she wanted to be alone but she knew that was too dangerous. She knew if she stayed by herself she'd end up drinking, cutting and probably using again and she wasn't gonna do it. She grabbed her hoodie, her pocket knife, pepper spray, and house keys leaving. She knew her father was at work but she wanted to go for a walk.
The teen walked around for a good while she ended up at the State's Attorney's office where Antonio was. Antonio sat at his desk and he was pissed, Peter had told him they were gonna reopen the case with Damian which meant Jordan may have to talk.
The investigator probably had to be the one to tell the teen and Hank, on a level he'd understand Hank's anger because he's a father himself and if anybody ever harmed his children there would be hell to pay. That night he saw Jordan with a tear and makeup stained face, bruises all over her, he was infuriated because a man had the balls to touch his niece. If that had been his daughter he probably would have done the same thing that Hank did.
Jordan was walking around the office trying to find Antonio, she made it to the office and found her uncle. For the first time that day she smiled and headed over to him. Antonio was looking at his desk then looked up to see his niece.
"Hey sweetheart, happy birthday". Antonio said, hugging her.
"Thanks". Jordan replied.
By the sound of her voice Antonio knew something was wrong with his niece and had a gut feeling what it was.
"Jo, what's wrong?"
"They're gonna make me talk about...about Damian. I can't do it Antonio, I just can't. I finally got over it and they wanna me go through it all over again. They wanna make him look like the victim all because he disappeared but what about what happened to me? Why doesn't anyone care about that? He drugged me and nearly raped me".
"We care sweetie, I care, everyone at the District cares-" He was cut off by the teen.
"But not the higher ups. None of them care, not about my dad, not about me, not about any of us all they wanna do is make a case. They never gave a damn about me or my family. They didn't care when Justin died all they cared about was who killed the son of a bitch. They don't care who they hurt as long as they have a strong case. They won't give a damn if I relapse, they'll see it as another cop's kid who gets in trouble".
"Stay here, when I get back I'll take you to the District".
"Antonio I really can't do it".
"I'll be right back".
He kissed her head, the investigator made sure not to leave anything sharp around just in case his niece might try something. Antonio stormed to Peter's office, they weren't gonna hurt his niece. Not on his watch.
Peter was getting ready to leave the office when Antonio stopped him, he had a feeling on why the investigator was there.
"Dawson-" Peter started but was cut off by Antonio.
"Don't do this to Jordan. You don't know what she went through, none of you do. The only two people who knows what happened to her are Damian and her. And now because Damian disappears, what Jordan's you're number one suspect. That bastard drugged and nearly raped her and now all of y'all want to put her through all that again. It ain't happening". Antonio's voice was hard and sharp.
"You're off the case".
"Excuse me".
"Because you were on the team when Damian went down and because you're connection to Jordan, conflict of interest. You can't be apart of it".
"Peter, I'm asking you don't do this to Jordan. I don't care if I'm not apart of the case but you don't know anything from what she went through, don't drag her through that again".
"I may not have a choice".
"What the hell does that mean".
"Because Jordan won't talk the defense is going to a judge and he could possibly compel Hank to produce Jordan and make her talk".
"You're kidding me".
"I wish I were".
"Fight so she doesn't have to. Jordan is ready to fall again and I'm not gonna let that happen".
"I'll do my best".
Peter then left the office heading to the court. When he got there he was met by Judge Grady, Denny, and a defense lawyer. Denny was gonna try everything in his power to make this go his way.
"You're honor, this is preposterous the defense is only playing this and wanting to retraumatize Ms. Voight". Peter said.
"Jordan could have been the last person to see Damian alive and if she was then she could tell us what happened to him but she won't talk". The defense lawyer spoke.
"Judge, I know this girl she's gonna run and hide behind her father and knowing Hank Voight he'll do whatever it takes to make sure his daughter won't talk". Denny added.
"If we do this all we're gonna do is retraumatize a young girl who after months finally got over this and put this behind her. She's a kid she doesn't deserve this". Peter spoke.
"I will admit what happened to her was very awful and wouldn't want to wish it on anyone but if she was the last one to see the victim alive and may know his current whereabouts we need to know". Grady says.
"You're honor all due respect Damian is not a victim, he's an offender who drugged and nearly raped the daughter of a Chicago Police Officer. He's not the victim here Jordan is".
"Here is my ruling, Sergeant Voight will produce his daughter and she will talk about Damian. If he fails to comply with this he will be held in contempt of court".
Denny smirked, now Jordan has choice but to talk and Hank has no choice but to bring her in and if he doesn't he'll go to jail for contempt. He then wanted to tell the older man personally so he left.
Hank was at the District, he wanted to do something for Jordan's birthday but she had made it clear she didn't want to do anything and she didn't want anything. He wondered if they'd make Jordan talk or not, sighing sadly he tossed his pen down and rubbed his hands down his face. A knock on his door broke him from his thoughts he looked up to see his former partner.
"Hank just the man I wanted to see". Denny said first.
"What do you want Denny". Hank almost snapped.
He handed over papers. "For you, you're are hereby court ordered to produce Jordan to the State's Attorney's office so she can talk about Damian and if you fail to comply you will be charged with contempt of court".
Hank threw the papers down and went to shut his door, he wasn't gonna let anyone overhear a thing. He then looked back to his former partner with a death glare.
"Jordan has had a lot taken from her, she lost Justin, Daniel, she almost lost her innocence to that bastard, you ain't taking nothing else from her Denny. I won't let it happen, one thing you should have remembered about me I'm a father before anything else. I will always put my children before anything".
"You ain't got a choice my friend, you either bring her down and we talk to her or you go to jail for contempt and we talk to her either way. You're choice".
"Why are you doing this to her? She didn't do a damn thing to you and you wanna retraumatize her".
"Jordan could have information on a known drug dealer she was the last one to see him alive. It's my job to give the victim and his family closure since no one else will do it".
That had set the older man off, calling Damian a victim? Where the hell does Denny get off calling that piece of shit a victim? That wasn't about sit well with Hank. Not for a second.
"Denny, I know you didn't just call that son of a bitch a victim".
"He is".
"That sick bastard is not and will never be a victim, Damian drugged and almost raped my little girl. He almost took her innocence hadn't it been for my detectives. The only real victim here is my daughter not that sick son of a bitch, so don't you ever call him that again".
"This can all be avoided Hank, if you say what really happened".
"Nothing happened. I took Jordan to the hospital and home, she asked me not to leave her I didn't. She was scared thinking he might come back".
"Come on Hank, be real with me. I have motive, he assaulted Jordan. Opportunity, after you left the hospital you could have came back here killed him and dumped his body".
"The only thing I did was beat him for what he did to my little girl that's it, when I saw him all I could think and see was Jordan upset, crying, and covered in bruises. So yeah I roughed him up a bit any father would. What would you do if it was you're daughter? What if you saw your daughter the way I saw Jordan?"
"This ain't about me or my daughter. This is about what happened to Damian and Jordan the only one who saw him alive".
"She ain't gonna talk Denny".
"You can't protect her forever Hank, you're soon gonna realize that Jordan is gonna have to fight her own battles. You won't always be there for her".
Denny then left the office and looked back at him. "We'll be expecting you and Jordan bright and early tomorrow morning. Unless you wanna have a different conversation now".
Hank stayed silent the whole time, if he didn't bring his daughter he'd go to jail and he knew if his daughter was forced to talk then she could end up relapsing and if that happened she may not come back this time. He'd rather go to jail then to see his daughter in that kind of pain again. He'd rather sit in a cell than have his precious little girl suffer again.
Jordan was still with Antonio at the State's Attorney's office. The investigator tried to keep the teen calm he left her again so he can call and tell Hank where Jordan is. After the phone call he saw Peter coming in with a glum look, he knew what it meant.
"Antonio-" Peter started but was cut off.
"Jordan has to talk, doesn't she?" Antonio asked bitterly.
"They compelled Hank to bring her in to us, if he doesn't he'll go to jail for contempt".
"I asked one thing Peter! One damn thing!"
"I tried but they want to know where Damian is and Jordan was the last to see him alive. At this point she has no choice but to talk".
"So there taking that from me to?" Jordan asked bitterly and fearfully.
The two men saw the teen standing there her arms folded across her chest, a look of anger and fear painted on her face.
"I've had a lot of things taken from me and I just put myself back together and now they wanna take away my choice to talk about it. Well guess what I ain't doing it, I'm not talking. I don't care what you, a judge, anyone says. It's not happening not after I finally put myself back together".
"Jo if you don't talk about it you could get in a lot of trouble". Peter tells her.
"Wouldn't be the first time probably won't be the last. I'm not doing it and you can't make me".
Hank walked into the office seething, he was now given no choice but to bring his little girl to talk about Damian. He knew good and damn well she wouldn't talk, she worked too long and too damn hard to finally get herself back together and now they wanna tear her apart again. Fury and rage burned heavily in his body, he was ready to tear into someone.
Jordan saw her father and ran over to him, the teen crashed into him gripping his shirt tightly. All the anger and rage that Hank had melted away as he held his little girl, one hand petted her hair and the other rubbed soothing circles on her back.
After the hug Hank pulled away from the hug and gave his daughter a gentle look.
"Let's head home sweetheart". Hank says gently.
All the now fifteen year old was nod, Hank put a gentle but protective hand on his daughter's shoulder as they began to walk out. Peter then chased after the father daughter duo.
"Hank! Hank!" Peter called.
Hank bit down on his jaw grinding his teeth, he was trying really hard not to lose his temper in front of Jordan. He then handed her the keys.
"Jo, go wait for me in the car baby".
Jordan took the keys and went to the car while Hank stayed back and turned facing Peter, a scowl planted firmly on his face.
"She's not talking Peter, it's not my choice to make it's Jordan's and it's time she gets a say and she said no". Hank told him sharply.
" If you don't bring her tomorrow you'll go to jail for contempt". Peter replied calmly.
"Then so be it, I had to help my daughter piece herself back together after months and now that she's finally back together. Finally back in a good place y'all wanna take that from her. I'm not letting that happen".
"Hank we need to know".
" No you don't. None of you know what she went through and I won't have her reliving it".
"She is to be here at 9 am sharp tomorrow if not you'll be in contempt".
"Then so be it".
"I didn't wanna have to do this Hank but you left me no choice".
Peter then called for his investigators, a few minutes later Antonio, Laura, a couple patrol officers, and Denny had shown up. Jordan had gotten out of the car.
"Dad what's going on?" Jordan asked.
"Can I get a minute with my daughter". Hank says.
Before they cuffed him Hank brought his daughter in for a hug, Jordan was confused at what was going on.
"Please don't leave me".
"Sweetheart, Antonio's gonna keep an eye on you it's your choice if you wanna talk or not".
"Dad please. Don't leave me".
He kissed her head and held her. " I love you sweet girl, I love you more than my own life".
"Daddy please. Don't go".
"Times up Hank". Peter said.
Jordan held onto her father tighter. "No! You're not taking him! I won't let you!"
They began pulling the teen away from her father, she was fighting everyone trying to get to her father. Hank was handcuffed and brought inside to the cells. Antonio held onto his niece as she was screaming.
About twenty minutes later, Jordan had finally calmed down. She was sitting in a room holding onto her sobriety chip she twirled it around in her fingers while everyone watched.
"I'll go". Laura spoke.
" I'm coming with you". Antonio said backing up his partner.
"Dawson, I said you're off the case". Peter told him.
"I don't care about that, I'm not leaving my niece alone".
Denny looked over to him. " You like you're job Dawson?"
"Excuse me".
" If you interfere with this at all, you won't have a career or a job anymore".
Antonio then looked at Woods dead on the eye. "Let's get one thing straight here Woods, if it comes out that this is a ploy to hurt Jordan. Just know that Hank will be the very least of your worries".
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a promise".
Laura went into the room carrying a notepad and pen with one hand and a soda in another hand. She watched as the teen tried the chip in her hands.
"How long you been clean for?" Laura asked.
"7 months tomorrow". Jordan answered.
"Jo, I know that this is gonna be hard to talk about but we need to know what happened with Damian".
"I don't wanna talk about it".
"I can't imagine what you went through in that room but sweetie he can't hurt you anymore".
After a few minutes the teen finally caved. She took a deep breath. "It was the day of the party, I skipped school to get ready with Erin's mom, Bunny. I started hanging out with her after my brother died, she gave me whatever I wanted drugs, booze, money, I thought she was my friend. But she was just using me".
"How was she using you?"
"To get at my dad and Erin. When we got to the party she started giving me stuff to drink".
"Do you remember what it was?"
"No, it was different stuff it was all very strong. We lost each other and I did my own thing she did her thing. Adam and Kim they found me, I told them off and when Adam wouldn't let me go I kicked him in the balls and left. I was still partying and that's when Damian found me".
"What happened then".
A lump formed in her throat and she started to shake. "He told me his name was Drake, he gave me a cup and I drank some all of a sudden I felt dizzy, sick, my legs felt as if they were about to give. He took me up to a room, he shut the door and locked it". The teen started to choke on a sob. " He kissed me and I pushed him off me he got pissed. I tried fighting him but he was to strong".
Antonio was starting to get fed up with this he was about to go in the room when Denny stopped him. The investigator looked to him with a glare.
"Listen here Woods, I've been watching out for Jordan since she was 11 years old. She's like a daughter to me and I will do whatever I have to, to make sure she's safe". Antonio snapped.
"Jordan's a big girl, she can handle herself". Denny told him.
Laura saw how bad the teen was shaking, she tried to put a gentle hand on top of the teen's but Jordan pulled back quickly.
"What happened next". Laura used a gentle tone.
"I was still fighting him when I heard voices, it was Adam and Kim I yelled for help". Jordan's lip wobbled even more just as tears were starting to fall. " I saw him about to reach for his pants when Adam kicked the door in, he pulled Damian off of me and pinned him to the wall Kim came to me told me it was ok. I asked for her earpiece and she gave it to me I talked to my dad and they switched places. Kim handcuffed him and Adam came over to me he gave me his jacket and I cried. We all went outside and I saw my dad and the others, I hugged my dad for a while".
"Did your dad do anything to Damian?"
"He beat him up that's all".
" What happened next".
"My dad and Erin took me to the hospital then we went home". Looking at the investigator and back to the table she took a deep breath and went on. " Damian, he's dead".
"How do you know that".
"Because I did it. I killed him"