Chicago Fire: Strike a Match

Burning Both Ends

Chapter 31: Burning Both Ends

Cailin desperately wanted to hide in Jeff's bed and arms for eternity. However, three short hours after practically collapsing on his doorstep, she had to be back at it; needing to check in with Belden before heading to the courthouse. Regardless of anything else going on, she was still expected to show up and wait to testify. Because sitting around thinking was exactly what she needed to do, she thought sarcastically as she straightened her suit before sitting on a bench outside the court room. She couldn't help but think of the last time she saw Jones, hightailing it of Molly's looking ready for a close-up on Law & Order.

She wondered how 51 was going to take the news; Gabby hadn't returned her texts, Matt finally sending her one that said he was 'on it'. Cailin knew that they would probably all clam up, stuff their feelings deep down. First responders weren't allowed to be weak, Jones killing herself would be seen as a weak act, therefore they probably would barely even acknowledge it. She shook her head, angry and frustrated. "Damn it, girl," she swore, the anger welling up in her, even as she wondered who she was most angry at.

The entire week a waste in Cailin's book, waiting to get called up on a triple homicide from months ago. Stalling tactics were in full effect on both sides and Cailin patience was beyond thin. Which is probably why she almost took the head off the crime lab tech that informed her the note Jones had left for Gabby had already been released, some uniform being sent down to 51 to give it to Gabby.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys, it was a simple enough instruction. You are responsible for the processing of evidence, which is important in putting away the people I arrest. So you're telling me I risk my neck every damn day out there so murderers can walk free because all of you don't know your ass from a hole in the ground?" she raged at the tech who looked more like an intern. "Freaking idiots," she said, shaking her head and storming out of the evidence room, heading back to the bench now bearing an imprint of her butt.

Cal knew she was out of line, but she just couldn't real her emotions in, everything about her seemed a raw nerve. It didn't help that she was spending her nights alone; Clarke picking up an extra couple of shifts so that Brandon Jones, who he finally revealed was on his truck, could handle family matters. He wasn't generous with the details, which shouldn't have surprised her;though it did kind of sting, worried he was shutting her out. As far as she could gather, the Jones' family had moved for a quick and private burial for Rebecca open only to family members. Cailin wasn't sure why that rubbed her the wrong way, she would have felt weird showing up to the other woman's funeral had it been a full CFD burial, but something about it irked her. As though the woman's life was being quickly swept under the rug. So much for gone but not forgotten.

After finally testifying, Cailin didn't wait around to hear the verdict, her faith in the justice system as low as her faith in humanity; instead heading back to the precinct. She pulled out her phone to call Gabby yet again, wondering if she had made a mistake calling the woman in the first place. After it went to voice mail, she changed directions, heading up to IU to see if Antonio had talked to his sister recently.

They were in the middle of an eight million dollar heist case linked back to Colombians and Latin Kings. Cailin managed to walk in right as Voight was announcing the need for two high-class hookers. All heads swiveled to her, including Detective Lindsay's, Cailin thought the woman looked more than a little relived at her arrival. She could only imagine how many things Erin got forced into being the only female on the team. Cailin had spent a good part of career doing just such things. Which is why she shook her head, "not a chance. I've managed an entire week of not pissing Belden off, I am not about to play Pretty Woman for IU."

"You only didn't piss him off because you've been at the courthouse all week," Voight remarked, thinking she would have done a good job; though his attention quickly moved to Burgess, volunteering to go under.