Chapter 23

Voight was on his way to Med the following morning when he got a call. "Voight here." He listened for a moment, then said, "I can be there in 20 minutes."

He sighed and made a fast U-turn. The police commissioner and mayor were demanding a face-to-face update about the "Russian problem," as they had labeled it.

Not how I planned to start this day. He ran a hand down his face. This was the part of the job he could do without. He would contact Will later about Hailey. He knew if anything had changed overnight, Will would have notified him.

He placed a call to the District and gave the team their instructions about interviewing Irina and starting to organize the files. Hopefully, they could deliver everything to ASA Chapman by the end of the week.

At the Ivory Tower

"Sorry, I gotta take this," said Voight in the middle of the meeting. He stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him.

"What is it, Will?"

"Good news. Hailey had a final CT scan and has been cleared for discharge."

"That's a relief. I'm downtown at a meeting with the brass. I'll have one of the others pick her up."

"Okay. But it gave it an hour for the paperwork to be done. I know this will be a challenge, but I recommend she rest at home for at least 24 hours."

"It will be a challenge. I'll make sure she stays put even if I have to plant one of the team outside her front door."

Will laughed. "I'm sure that will go over well. Also, the team evaluating Irina is running a battery of tests and don't want her questioned until later today."

"Guess we can't do anything about that. Call me if the situation changes," said Voight.

At the District

"Oh man. We need more boxes for all this paper," said Adam as he looked around the bullpen. Files from their current case were stacked everywhere.

"I bet Platt has a bunch of them tucked away somewhere," said Kevin. "Probably in one of those creepy basement rooms. Last time I was down there a spider dropped onto my head. Or it could have been a bat. Really not sure."

Kim looked up from her computer. "Come on, Kev. Don't tell me you were scared."

"Let's just say I was not happy." He grimaced as he recalled the incident.

Adam took a bite of his donut and grinned. "Wish I had seen that. Okay, I'll run down and check." He grabbed a paper towel to wipe his mouth and headed for the stairs.

He returned five minutes later with a stack. "Now we have to assemble these bad boys."

In the middle of putting boxes together, filling boxes and moving boxes to a back storage room, Trudy called. Dante happened to be near the phone and answered.

"Voight just called. His cell died and he's still stuck in that meeting. More importantly, Hailey's ready for discharge. Can one of you collect her? Hang on."

In the background, he heard Trudy in her best desk sergeant voice say, "Sit your butt down over there or I'll march you down to a holding cell. And no, I'm not kidding."

Then she was back to Dante. "Sorry. I'm trying to sort out multiple idiots here."

"I'll get her," said Dante.

"Thanks. You're a good man, Torres."

When he arrived at Med, Dante had to wait a few minutes before the nurse wheeled Hailey to the front door.

"Yes, Dr. Halstead already read me the riot act," said Hailey to the grim-faced nurse. "He's my brother-in-law," she added. "And my ride is here."

"Oh. Well. I see," stammered the nurse. "If you have any problems . . ."

Hailey hopped up from the wheelchair. "I'll call Will," she said with a smile.

"Let's get out of here," she said to Dante. "I've had enough of this place."

"Don't you want to question Irina?"

"Can we?" said Hailey eagerly.

"No, sorry to burst your bubble. I checked and she's still having tests. Anyway, you know what you're supposed to do – go home and stay put."

Hailey sighed heavily. "Unfortunately."

"Do you mind if we make a quick stop on the way? It'll only take 5 minutes," said Dante.

"No problem," said Hailey as she buckled herself in.

They pulled up in front of a small house with a well-tended yard. Hailey checked out the neighborhood. "Where are we?"

"I'll explain in a minute. Hang tight."

Dante let himself into the house and before she knew it, he was walking back out. He paused and said something to someone standing just inside the door before returning to the car. He was carrying a large paper grocery bag.

He got in and handed the bag to Hailey. It was warm and giving off wonderful smells.

"Okay, what's going on?"

"A care package from my mom. When she heard you were getting out, she insisted on making you some food."

Hailey stared at him. "She knew about my misadventure?"

Dante looked a little embarrassed. "Yeah, if I don't give her some cop gossip from time to time, she bugs the hell out of me. And . . ."

"Go on," urged Hailey.

Dante stopped at the red light and turned to Hailey. "And she worries about you being alone. She wanted to come out and meet you. But I told her you were tired and wanted to get home to rest."

"Wow. I don't know what to say."

"I know. She's the ultimate overprotective Latina mom," said Dante.

"No, that's really sweet of her. Please give her my thanks."

Hailey and Jay's Apartment

Dante set the bag on the kitchen island. "Do you need anything before I go?"

Hailey shook her head. "I'm good. I'll try the food later. Right now, I really want a hot shower."

"Sure."

He saw Hailey looking around the apartment. "I tried to clean up after the CSI folks left. But I couldn't get everything back in place."

She nodded. "That's okay. I appreciate your efforts."

Dante studied Hailey for a moment. She always projected strength, but he could tell this had taken a toll on her.

"I gotta go. I'll report to Voight, and mamá, that you're safely home," he grinned.

"I would expect nothing less," agreed Hailey.

After Hailey showered and sampled some of the delicious mamá cooking, she realized, with somewhat of a shock, that it was now the eighth month of Jay's deployment. How did I miss that?

Of course, she knew exactly how. She'd been consumed with finding the girls and solving the case. It was who she was. She immediately got up and crossed off the days she'd missed. Then she looked at her tattoo and lightly ran her fingers over it.

I hope you'll be home soon, Jay. I miss you so much.

She went to the couch and sat down, pulling the fleece throw over her legs. Even now, thoughts of Jay and the case battled in her mind.

Are Jay and his team safe? Are they making any real progress? When will we be able to question Irina? How was Voight's meeting? I'll call Kim and get an update.

Suddenly, she yawned. Okay, maybe after a little nap.