( Warning: There will be sexual assault, in a few scenes you are warned.)
Erin found herself standing in Voight's office after engaging in a conversation with their main suspect, Gregory Yates, regarding the burned nurses and his knowledge about them. Since their talk, she had been unsettled, particularly due to Yates' inappropriate behavior of incessantly staring at her chest instead of her face.
She disregarded the concerned looks from Jay and Nadia, who had witnessed her departure from the integration room alongside one of Benson's partners. Erin was grateful to have someone in the room with her while conversing with Yates, as she did not feel comfortable in his presence, although she successfully concealed her discomfort.
As Voight, Fin, and Amaro discussed their next steps, Erin couldn't help but fidget nervously on her feet. She chose to ignore the questioning gaze directed at her by Voight.
Erin observed as Jay escorted Will into Voight's office and they proceeded to gather information from him about Yates. Will shared that the students referred to Yates by his first name and mentioned his preference for frequenting the bars they visited.
The brunette exhaled deeply as she attentively listened to Will's words. She exchanged a glance with Jay, who nodded in agreement, as they both absorbed the information shared by Will.
"Some individuals believed it, but I always had an unsettling feeling about him. One evening, someone invited him to a party," Will continued to elaborate.
Erin rubbed her temple while she paid close attention. "And Yates cornered me, discussing topics of who possesses the most desirable physique and whom he would engage in sexual activities with," Will stated, looking at each detective seated in the room. "Debra McCulloch, the missing nurse, attended that very party."
Erin sought clarification from Will, "Did she disappear on the same night as the party?" Will shook his head in response, "No, I believe it occurred approximately three nights prior to that."
Will was on the verge of completing his task when Nadia abruptly interrupted him. 'Lindsay, you have a call,' she announced, poking her head into Voight's office.
Erin turned to her friend, who informed her, 'It's Greg Yates.' This caught the attention of Jay and Voight, and they trailed behind the two women as they made their way to Erin's desk.
Upon reaching the desk, the brunette took a seat and placed the phone on speaker, ensuring that everyone could hear Yates's intentions.
Erin took a moment to collect herself before speaking. 'Deactivate Lindsay,' she uttered, feeling anxious as Yates responded, 'I can't help but feel that we started off on the wrong foot.' Antonio looked on from his desk, his interest piqued by the ongoing conversation.
'What do you mean?' Erin inquired, her gaze shifting towards the concerned individuals surrounding her desk, sensing their unease and apprehension about Yates's intentions.
"Oh, I feel as though I may have left a negative impression on your colleagues earlier. Yates expressed this sentiment during our phone conversation. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to regain your colleagues' favor."
"Are you available for a brief discussion?" Yates inquired, as Erin glanced at Voight over her shoulder to gauge his reaction. She noticed that the older man nodded, but also detected a hint of concern in his eyes.
Erin shrugged slightly as she took a deep breath. "Certainly, why don't you visit our district?" she proposed, hoping that Yates would agree to return. However, his next words caused a sense of unease among everyone present. "No, just you and me," Yates asserted.
Yates then informed Erin of their meeting location. "The pavilion at Millennial park, in three hours," he stated before abruptly ending the call. "Thank you for your time in advance," he added.
After Yates hung up, Erin gently placed the phone down and turned to meet Voight's gaze. "I will be meeting him," she declared, ensuring her tone conveyed her unwavering determination and allowing no room for arguments.
Everyone had gathered in the basement, with Mouse providing Erin with an earpiece for the purpose of facilitating communication within the group. 'Alright, So, we're able to communicate with you through that,' Mouse began to explain.
Erin discreetly placed the earpiece in her left ear and adjusted her hat to cover both of her ears, ensuring that the earpiece remained hidden from Yates' view. 'Now, I suggest using your phone in your other ear, assuming you prefer to hear over 4,000 hearts,' Mouse advised.
Erin nodded as she adjusted her hat. 'Okay, good?' she asked, seeking confirmation. Mouse nodded in response. 'Yep,' he affirmed.
'Just make sure you stay within our sight,' Jay cautioned, once Erin turned towards him. She patted his shoulder reassuringly. 'I got it,' she promised, before looking over at Antonio and speaking. 'We'll be nearby in case anything goes wrong,' he pledged.
Erin affirmed with a smile on her face," Al, have you and the team found a suitable lookout location yet?" Voight inquired, wanting to ensure that everything was prepared before Erin's meeting with Yates.
Al nodded and directed his gaze towards Erin. "We will be positioned near the pedestrian bridge, a few hundred yards away," he stated.
Voight turned to Fin and Amaro and addressed them. "Fin, Amaro, you will be on the ground with Ruzek and Antonio," he nodded towards Ruzek and Antonio, "Stay alert," Voight instructed, expressing his worry about the possibility of Yates causing harm to Erin.
Erin's phone began to ring, prompting her to check if it was Benson calling. "Sargent Benson," she greeted as she walked away from the group. "Lindsay," Benson's voice came through from the other end.
"Fin informed me that you will be meeting with Yates alone," Benson remarked, and Erin could sense the sigh in her voice. "Yes," the brunette confirmed.
Erin provided an analysis, stating, "I believe there are three possibilities regarding his intentions: he may be seeking to confess, attempting to deceive us, or planning to engage in reckless behavior." Furthermore, Erin emphasized the duration of his actions, remarking, "Even if it is the latter scenario, we must acknowledge that he has been engaging in this behavior for a decade."
After taking a moment to compose herself, Erin expressed her belief that the effort to apprehend him would be justified, stating, "It is worthwhile if we can finally succeed in bringing him to justice."
Benson then cautioned Erin, reminding her, "Please bear in mind that if he is reaching out to you, it is likely due to the mounting pressure he is facing."
" He could be capable of anything right now."
I assure you, Sergeant, that I will be prepared," Erin vowed. "Please take care," Benson cautioned her. "Thank you, I will," Erin responded, acknowledging his concern before ending the call. She then made her way to join the others so they could depart and rendezvous with Yates.
Erin took a deep breath, exhaling to calm her nerves, fully aware of the need to remain composed while engaging with this dangerous individual. She understood that he was cunning and she would need to be on her guard.
After three hours had elapsed, Erin arrived at the pavilion in Millennial Park. She settled into one of the chairs, patiently awaiting Yates' arrival, while the rest of her team remained concealed, filled with anticipation and hoping for a favorable outcome.
"Does anyone have visual contact with Yates?" Erin inquired upon taking her seat. Voight, positioned beside her, asked Halstead, "Can you see him, Halstead?" Jay, peering through his sniper rifle's scope, responded, "Negative, nothing yet. Wait…" He focused his gaze once more and spotted a figure approaching Erin. "I've got him.
" He's approaching from the west."
Apologies for my tardiness," Yates stated as he approached Erin, who patiently waited for him. "You appear splendid, by the way," he complimented the female detective, causing her to stand and gaze at him.
Erin inquired, "So, what was the matter you could only disclose in the park at this hour?" while maintaining eye contact with Yates.
"Would you care to join me for a cup of coffee? The weather is chilling, and sitting here would be unpleasant," Yates suggested, deflecting Erin's question. Leading her away from their current location, he insisted, "Come along.
" I'm harmless."
" We can talk right here."
"No, I desire a serving of coffee," Yates stated as he retrieved a piece of gum and inserted it into his mouth. "It is nearby, I assure you." He shrugged. "Alternatively, you can remain here and I will inform you when I see you."
Erin proceeded to trail Yates as he started to depart, keeping her hazel eyes fixed on the man and placing her hands in her pockets.
"Yates and Lindsay are in motion," Antonio cautioned Voight and the rest, observing as Erin followed Yates out of the park. He couldn't help but curse when Yates led the brunette out of their line of sight.
Jay rose from his position once Erin vanished from sight, with Yates leading her away from them. "We are changing positions. We have lost sight of Lindsay," Al reported, watching as the only female member of the team disappeared.
"Yes, I have located them," Amaro confirmed, walking ahead with Fin to follow Erin and Yates. "They are heading towards the walkway. We will remain at a distance." He stated as he and Fin began to slowly trail Erin and Yates.
Erin strolled alongside Yates, her hands tucked into her pockets. Despite feeling a sense of unease around him, she managed to hide it as she turned her gaze towards him. "I usually take this walk at night," he began explaining, his voice filled with admiration. "The city skyline, it never fails to astound me with its beauty."
Glancing over her shoulder to ensure none of her teammates or the special unit were tailing them, Erin then shifted her attention back to Yates. "Hmm. Why did you invite me to meet you in the park if you intended to grab coffee?" she inquired.
Yates flashed a smirk at her. "Oh, it's nothing suspicious," he nonchalantly replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I simply changed my mind. It's quite chilly out."
A thought crossed Erin's mind as she walked alongside Yates, his eyes locked onto her. "You know what I believe?" she inquired. "I believe it's a way for you to assert control over the situation and over me." In response, Yates halted his stride, causing Erin to come to a stop as well.
" Don't let Voight think for you. You're better then that?"
Yates inquired, 'Have you been following the developments in Egypt since the revolution?' Attempting to redirect the conversation, Erin responded, 'No,' with a puzzled expression wondering why they had shifted topics.
Yates then turned to face her, his hands tucked into his pockets, and began, 'Well, they finally ousted Mubarak in 2011.' He inquired if Erin remembered any details, observing her fidgeting as he continued, 'There was much celebration and excitement.'
'The people are now free. Their voices have been heard,' Yates asserted. Erin couldn't help but roll her eyes, desiring for Yates to cease diverting from the current subject and growing increasingly annoyed.
'However, as the initial enthusiasm fades, what do they have left?' Yates questioned, locking gazes with Erin. 'Increased crime, looted historical artifacts, and continued unrest,' Yates explained.
'Relax, the dictator is gone, and that is positive,' Yates exhaled, shifting his stern gaze to Erin's hazel eyes. 'But you may not be fully prepared for what lies ahead on the other side.'
" Do you know what they call that Detective?"
" The law of unintended consequences."
Erin became fatigued by Yates' tendency to speak in riddles and belittle Voight. Politely, she inquired, 'Greg, could you please clarify why you requested this meeting?'"
Greg, however, did not address Erin's question. Instead, he delved into a discussion as if he had not heard her. 'Allow me to share my favorite legal anecdote,' he remarked.
"'During the time of French colonization in Hanoi, a bounty was put in place for every rat tail handed in, in an effort to combat the rat population. Care to guess what occurred?'"
"'Surprisingly, individuals began breeding rats solely for their tails, resulting in a paradoxical situation where the country inadvertently increased its rat infestation.'"
Erin, growing increasingly frustrated, confronted Yates, 'Do you want to know why I believe you wanted to meet with me?' She gazed at him intently, hoping he would cease his nonsensical rambling. 'It's because I am 5'5'' with brown hair, which eerily resembles the physical traits of the murdered women.'
" is that so?" Yates asked looking at Erin as if he didn't know what she was talking about.
"Instead of skirting around the topic of history 101, why don't we have an open discussion about it? Please inform me of what transpired," Erin stated, shaking her head. "I am aware that you desire to share."
" Who do I remind you of?"
" Your mom?"
" An ex-girlfriend maybe?"
"Please come with me," Erin said calmly as she continued to listen to Yates' explanations. She focused on his face as he slowly retrieved something from his pocket.
"I have more evidence, detective," Yates remarked, glancing at Erin. "Remember that."
Erin attempted to respond, but abruptly halted when she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. Confused about Yates' actions, she looked down and saw him thrusting a knife into her abdomen.
Yates stared at her sternly. "Accompany me, and then I will remove the knife," he ordered, his gaze shifting towards Fin and Aramo, who were slightly further away, attempting to eavesdrop on their conversation.
As Yates pushed the knife deeper, Erin winced in pain. "I will come with you," she slowly nodded, blood streaming down her stomach. She glanced behind her and made eye contact with Antonio and Ruzek, who were nearby and visibly shocked.
" what's going on?" Voight's voice rang out Erin's ear piece but without answering Voight Erin began to follow Yates to an ally out of Antonio and the others eye sight and to a small black car " Get in." Yates said.
Erin nodded gradually as she entered the back seat. However, Yates interrupted her by reaching for her ear and forcefully removing the earpiece amidst Jay's attempt to communicate with her. Before Jay could utter her name, Yates discarded the earpiece onto the ground.
Once Erin settled into the car, Yates shut the door, disregarding any movement occurring in the back. He then maneuvered out of the alley from the opposite side, purposely making himself visible to Voight and the others.
As Erin leaned against the back of the seat, she reached for the knife, intending to remove it. However, Yates cautioned her by saying, 'Ah, ah, Detective.' As he drove, he extended his hand behind the seat to confiscate the knife, causing the brunette to cry out in distress.
Chuckling at Erin's pain, Yates mockingly asked, 'Didn't I promise to remove the knife for you?'