Chapter 5

Month 2

A low buzzing sound reached Hailey's ears. She was buried deep under the comforter and thought it was a dream. Why doesn't that annoying noise stop?

Oh . . . my phone. Reluctantly, she reached out and snagged it from the nightstand. I really hope it's not a callout.

"Upton," she mumbled.

There was a chuckle, then a quiet voice said, "Halstead. Is that how you greet your husband on his birthday?"

Here eyes flew open as she struggled to throw off the covers and sit up. "Oh my God, Jay! I've been so worried about you. How are you? And of course, Happy Birthday." She paused to suppress a yawn. "What time is it anyway?"

"Hold up. One question at a time. "I'm good." Even as he spoke, he grimaced and glanced at his left ankle. An Ace bandage was wound around it.

Hailey instantly picked up on his tone and she had a moment of panic. "What's wrong? Did you get shot?"

Jay sighed. "Nothing that dramatic. Sprained ankle. Compared to all the times I've been shot, this isn't even a blip."

"Is that all? You're not lying to me, are you?"

"I swear I'm not lying."

"You better not be. When did it happen?"

"Yesterday on a reconnaissance mission. I felt so stupid. Tripped over a tree root that was covered by leaves. So, not a very good birthday present," he laughed.

Tears were forming in Hailey's eyes. "No. I wish you were here so we could have a proper celebration."

"What would we do? Describe it for me," he said quietly.

"Well, we'd probably go to Bartoli's for our favorite pie. Then walk along the river and go to that little ice cream shop. What's it called?"

Jay thought for a second. "Olsen's."

"Yeah. Olsen's. I love their double-chocolate crunch."

"I know you do." Jay smiled at the memory. "Anything else?"

"What, you want more? Don't be a greedy, birthday boy."

There was a beat of silence. "As good as Bartoli's sounds, there's really only one thing I want."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." The silence drew out for several seconds. Finally, Jay uttered one word. "You."

"Then come home and I'll show you how much I've missed you."

Thousands of miles away in Bolivia, Jay could imagine his birthday celebration unfolding exactly as she described it. It made him even more homesick. Again, he sighed. He knew he should distract Hailey before she started crying. She wouldn't want to have red eyes if she got called to a crime scene and have to make excuses.

"Okay, to answer your other question. It's 1530 here, so that makes it 1330 in Chicago."

To his surprise and relief, Hailey chuckled. "Reverted to military time, I see."

"Well, I am in the military, you know."

"Really? Here I was thinking you ditched me for some señorita."

He stole a look at this wedding band and quietly said, "Babe, that would never happen. You're everything to me."

Hailey yawned even as his words tugged at her heart. "I'm awake at this ungodly hour because someone interrupted my beauty sleep, but what's your excuse?"

"Who would do such a thing?" asked Jay. "It has to be someone who doesn't know how you value your shut-eye."

"I know, right?"

"We returned late from another reconnaissance mission. I couldn't unwind until I heard your voice. I always feel calmer after we talk."

"Oh, Jay . . ." Hailey squeezed her eyes shut to keep the tears from spilling out.

"Don't cry, Hailey . . . please." It was like a punch to the gut anytime Hailey cried. "Think of it this way – one month has already passed. I'll be back in Chicago before you know it."

She laid down on her back, pulled the comforter over her legs and stared at the ceiling. "You make it sound so easy."

"No, it's not easy. Not at all. But I'm trying to make the best of it. We have to be strong for each other."

Before she could respond, she heard someone come into Jay's room. "Hailey, hang on," he said.

There was a muffled conversation. The only words she could understand were el capitan. Then Jay was back on the line. "The captain wants to see me."

"Doesn't he know it's your birthday and you're talking to your esposa?"

"No to both of those. He's a hard, no-nonsense man. Strictly focused on eradicating drug dealers. In some ways, he reminds me of Voight."

"I'm sure you can handle him."

"Yeah." There was an awkward pause. Jay didn't want the conversation to end, but he knew he had to wrap it up. "Well, be safe and I love you, Hails."

"Love you, too."

"Oh, one more thing. Take my sniper rifle to the range so it doesn't get rusty."

"Seriously? That's your parting thought?" laughed Hailey.

"Yeah, I meant to mention it the other day. Also, you should train someone else on it as a backup. Maybe Atwater or Burgess. I'm not sure Ruzek has the patience for it."

"Do you want to fire off a memo to Voight or should I mention it?"

"I leave that to my beautiful wife's discretion." Jay pictured Hailey in their bed, her long hair tousled. How he longed to be back there with her. "Now I really do have to go."

"Got it. We wouldn't want el capitan chewing you out," said Hailey.

Twenty minutes later, Jay was back in his small, cramped room. He undressed and stretched out on the narrow cot. It reminded him of basic training and was a far cry from the king-sized bed he shared with Hailey in Chicago. No soft linens or fluffy pillows here. No Hailey tucked against his side with her hand resting on his chest.

He wondered if she was asleep now. The adrenaline from earlier had drained away and all of a sudden, he felt bone tired. Thankfully, the pain relievers had eased the throbbing in his ankle; talking with Hailey had eased the anxiety and loneliness in his soul.

He pulled the thin blanket up to his waist and closed his eyes.

Please let me dream of Hailey.