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CHAPTER 14
"I need you to tell me everything that you know, starting with when the calls first started." Voight said.
"I was in the bunk room when I received a phone call from the adoption agency that my parents used to adopt me. The agency said that my biological mom was trying to get a hold of me. I told them not to give my information away and that was the last time I spoke to the agency. Then Casey, Stella, and Joe came in and we talked for a bit before I answered my phone. Some woman kept asking for for me and when I wouldn't tell her it was me, she got mad and the next thing I know, the conversation had ended." Sylvie explained.
"And that happened today?" Voight asked.
"Yeah." Sylvie replied.
"Then what happened?" Voight asked.
"We got called out on a call for a cardiac arrest patient and then came back here. I noticed a woman standing near Squad 3's table on the apparatus floor and that's when I told Foster to go get Severide and Casey. That's also when they used the excuse that I was still in Fowlerton. This woman claimed to be my biological mother and said that CPD told her that I worked here, which sounded a bit odd." Sylvie explained.
"Casey. Severide. What did the woman say her name was?" Jay asked.
"Annette Daniels." Matt replied.
Jay wrote the name down. Voight wrote down what Sylvie had said.
"Alright, here's what we are going to do. We are going to have a patrolman sitting out here when you leave. Do you have anyone you can stay with or have anyone who can stay with you?" Voight asked.
"I just moved in with her, so I'll be there." Matt said.
"Good. When you get home, lock the doors, window, whatever you can. I'll also have a patrolman in an unidentified car sitting in the parking lot looking for any suspicious behavior. If I get a hit on this woman and she's connected to that serial arsonist, then you could be his next target." Voight said.
After discussing the details of everything, Voight and Jay left.
"Brett, I want you staying here the rest of the night. Kidd will take your place until shift is over." Boden said.
Sylvie nodded and then she, Matt, and Kelly left Boden's office. She and Matt walked to his office and Kelly went to tell Stella the news.
"Hey, Voight and his guys are on this. I'm gonna be home with you tonight, so you don't have to worry about that. Ok." Matt said, trying to reassure Sylvie.
"I know." Sylvie replied.
Just then, Sylvie's phone rang. It was Voight.
"Hey Brett, it's Voight. Listen, we did a background check on the name of the woman and it turns out that the name Annette Daniels is an alias. She's working with the serial arsonist, Jonathan Trent, the guy that we are after. Her real name is Susan Austin." Voight said over the phone.
"Voight, let me put you on speaker." Sylvie said as she put the speaker on.
Voight repeated everything that he had just told Sylvie.
"Brett, I would like to have a patrolman inside the apartment building just in case Jonathan or Susan shows up. We are going to try and set a trap for them and if it works, they will be arrested and you won't have to worry." Voight said.
"Thanks, Voight!" Sylvie exclaimed.
A few days went by and the Intelligence Team caught both Annette Daniels, also known as Susan Austin, and Jonathan Trent, the serial arsonist. The Intelligence Unit was able to catch both of them and the whole mess was over. Sylvie could finally breathe a sigh of fresh air. She and Matt were staying at the apartment with undercover cops hiding out at their apartment. Annette Daniels (Susan Austin) made the fatal mistake of showing up with a gun and what could be explosives. The cops watched her plant the explosives and that's when they arrested her. Jonathan Trent was in another part of the apartment building trying to set fire to the building. The cops managed to catch both of them and with the evidence, there was no way that they would ever get out of prison. Sylvie, Matt, Kelly, and Emily were with Boden, Jay, and Voight in Boden's office.
"So it's over?" Sylvie asked Voight.
"Yeah and if I have anything to say about it, they will never see the light of day again." Voight said.
"Did they say why they were targeting Brett?" Kelly asked.
"No, but we did find out from Susan, or Annette, that the CFD was the main target and that the plan was to start targeting all of the paramedics first, to make it more difficult for any victims to be rescued." Jay chimed in.
"So, Brett and Foster were their first targets?" Matt asked.
"Yeah and not only that, but they were targeting all of the CFD paramedics. That was their goal." Jay said.
"So their initial goal was to target all of the paramedics and then ultimately go after the firefighters? Makes no sense." Kelly said.
"I know but that's what we were told. In a way, it does make sense because if they prevent the paramedics from coming to the scene, it will delay the victims getting the help they need and it could also hinder any firefighter that's responding to the scene that might need medical attention." Voight said.
"Either way, I'm just glad it's over." Sylvie said.
Just then, Sylvie's phone rang. It was her mother.
"Hey Chief, I need to take this." Sylvie said.
Boden nodded and Sylvie stepped outside to take the call.
"Hello?" Sylvie asked over the phone.
"Sweetheart, I heard about what happened. Are you alright?" Elaine asked.
"Yeah mom. I'm fine. How's dad?" Sylvie asked.
"He's still in the hospital. He took a turn for the worse. The doctors said that we should start preparing for the worse." Elaine said.
Sylvie started to tear up. She knew that this was a possibility but the thought of her dad dying, well, she didn't even want to think about it.
"Should I come back?" Sylvie asked.
"Honey, that's up to you." Elaine said.
"Let me see what I can do and I'll let you know." Sylvie said.
They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone. Sylvie walked back into Boden's office where everyone was still in there.
"Is everything ok?" Boden asked.
"It's my dad. He's taken a turn for the worse and the doctors told my mom that she should start preparing for the worse." Sylvie said.
"You've still got plenty of vacation time saved up. Do you need to take it?" Boden asked.
"Yeah. I think I do." Sylvie said.
"Tell you what I'll do. Go ahead and finish your shift and take as much time as you need. We'll cover you here." Boden said.
"Thanks, Chief." Sylvie replied.
"Brett, if you need anything while you're gone, just ask. We consider the CFD as one of our own." Voight said.
"Thanks." Sylvie whispered.
Everyone left Boden's office and Sylvie headed to the bunk room. It had been a long morning already without any calls and she wanted to rest as long as she could. She and Matt had to postpone their date night until after everything calmed down and now, she would have to leave to take care of her family. Maybe it was a sign that she and Matt shouldn't be together. She wasn't sure. All she knew is that she had to go be with her family but she wanted Matt to be with her more than anything. This was going to be hard on her and she needed him. A few hours went by and Truck 81 got called out to a call. It was a slow Thursday day and it was almost dinner time. A total of two calls happened throughout the whole day, which was unusual but no one was complaining. It was rare that they had a slow day, so they took whatever they could get.
"Hey, how are you guys holding up?" Stella asked Emily.
"Sylvie's having it really rough right now. She got news that her dad isn't doing too well." Emily replied.
"What happened?" Stella asked.
"I'm not sure. She just said that her dad has taken a turn for the worst." Emily answered.
"I'm worried about her." Stella said.
"I know. I am too." Emily said.
They continued to talk while Sylvie was hiding out in the bunk room.
"Hey, so I talked to Boden. He got your leave approved." Matt said to Sylvie as he walked into the bunk room.
"That's good." Sylvie whispered.
"Hey, everything is gonna be fine and I'll be there if you need me." Matt said as he pulled Sylvie up from the bed and into an embrace.
"I know. I'm just stressed about everything." Sylvie replied.
"Why don't you go sleep in my office. I can close the blinds and shut the door so you can have a little privacy." Matt said.
"Ok." Sylvie whispered.
She and Matt left the bunk room and went to his office. Sylvie crawled into the bed and instantly fell asleep when her head hit the pillow. Sylvie barely ate lunch and she skipped dinner. Matt was worried about her. He left her and went to the common room to grab some food for Sylvie. While he was in the common room, Sylvie received a phone call.
"Hello?" Sylvie asked.
"Sis, it's dad. He's not doing too good. Is there any way possible that you can make it back here?" Evan said.
Sylvie sat up. Her heart sank. Her dad, the man that raised her and loved her when no one else would take that responsibility, wasn't doing too well. He had taken a turn for the worse and it was the last thing that Sylvie wanted to deal with.
"What? No! Evan, no! He's fine. He's gonna be fine." Sylvie yelled over the phone.
Her voice was cracking and everyone came running when they heard her yelling.
"Sis, he's not gonna be fine. He's getting worse. You need to come home now." Evan said.
"Ok. Uh, I'll be there as soon as I can." Sylvie cried.
They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone.
"Brett, is everything ok?" Boden asked.
"Chief, my dad has taken a turn for the worse. I need to get there as soon as possible." Sylvie said, wiping a tear from her face.
"You don't even have to ask. Go take care of your family. We're here if you need us. Just let us know what happens." Boden said.
"Thanks, Chief." Sylvie half smiled.
Boden left as well as the others, but Matt didn't. He had waited until everyone left before going into the office. He saw the look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Matt asked as he placed the plate of food on his desk.
Sylvie explained everything to Matt.
"Do you want me take you?" Matt asked.
"No. I don't want you to leave work early and I don't know when I'll be back." Sylvie said.
Matt kissed her.
"Let me take you to Fowlerton and I'll come back before shift is over. As soon as shift is over, I'll drive back." Matt said.
"You don't mind?" Sylvie asked.
"You are more important." Matt said.
"I need to go home and pack." Sylvie said.
"Alright. Let me tell Chief and we'll go." Matt said.
Matt went and told Boden the situation and Boden granted him permission to take Sylvie to Fowlerton as long as he returned back to finish his shift. Matt and Sylvie left and headed to their apartment so they could both pack a suitcase. Matt wasn't going to let Sylvie go through this alone and although he would have to leave her to come back and finish his shift, he was going to come back the minute shift was over. After they packed their suitcases, they headed to Fowlerton. Sylvie had barely ate anything and she wasn't feeling good. After about three hours of driving, they had arrived at the hospital. Matt went in with her and they greeted her mom and brother. While she talked to her mom about her dad, Matt pulled Evan aside.
"Hey, do me a favor and make sure our girl eats something. She's barely ate and I'm worried about her." Matt said.
"I'll see too it that she eats. When she takes things hard like this, she doesn't want to do much." Evan said.
"I've gotta get back to Chicago to finish my shift, but I'll be back after my shift is over." Matt said.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out on her." Evan replied.
Sylvie saw Matt motion for her to step outside.
"I have to go back but I will be back just as soon as shift is over. In the meantime, you can text me or call me unless I'm on a call." Matt said.
"I know. Just be safe. Ok. I couldn't handle it if you..." Sylvie trailed off.
Matt gave her a kiss.
"I will, but you need to eat, even if it's a bag of chips." Matt said.
"Deal." Sylvie smiled.
Before leaving, they heard the nurses in the hallway talking and gossiping. Matt decided to give them something to talk about. He kissed Sylvie with passion and she returned the kiss.
"I've gotta get back." Matt whispered.
"I know. You better go so you can come back to me." Sylvie whispered.
Matt kissed her again and pulled her into a hug before he left. He hated to leave her but he would be back soon enough. Sylvie went back into her father's hospital room where her mom and brother were and waited with them.
"Sis, you need to eat." Evan said.
"I will once I know what the doctor tells us." Sylvie replied.
"Sweetheart, please eat something." Elaine said.
Sylvie knew better than to argue with her mother.
"Fine, but I won't be gone long." Sylvie replied.
She got up and headed down to the waiting room where the vending machines were since the cafeteria was closed. Meanwhile in Chicago, Matt had just arrived back at the firehouse. It was a little past midnight and he was tired but that that didn't stop him from doing his job. After checking in with Boden, he went to his office to get some rest while he could. Just as he laid down, the alarm sounded but thankfully, it was for Squad 3 only. Within a few minutes, Matt was asleep. He missed Sylvie already. They had yet to have their first date because of everything that was going on, but he was planning something special for her for when she gets back. Back in Fowlerton, Sylvie and Evan had gone to their parent's house and she slept on the couch. She had ate some chips and drank some water at the hospital from the vending machines, but she just didn't have an appetite for anything. She craved Matt's touch and although she knew he would be here soon enough, it felt like an eternity. Matt woke up after a few minutes and sent Sylvie a text message.
"GOODNIGHT, BEAUTIFUL. SEE YOU SOON. - MATT." Matt texted.
Sylvie smiled.
"GOODNIGHT AND I CAN'T WAIT!" Sylvie responded.
Both Matt and Sylvie smiled at the text they received and proceeded to go to sleep. It had been such a long and crazy week and Matt was going to make sure that Sylvie wasn't alone during this time. He was leaving as soon as shift was over to go back to Fowlerton to be with the woman he cares about and wants to be with. Nothing was going to stop him from being with her.