Case by Case Love ✔️

Chapter 81: Needing An Update

Have you heard anything?

Not a single word. Nothing from Jay. Nothing from any officials. Have you?

Nope.

It was those simple three text messages that had Hank Voight walking back out his front door with his car keys in hand, climbing in his Dodge Durango and making the drive to the Ivory Tower. When all the hearings were complete by mid afternoon, how was it 8 o' clock at night without a single word having been heard? 

It did not take him long to make it to his destination, quickly climbing out and heading inside. The elevator ride felt like an eternity, longer than any other ride he had taken before in any of his personal trips. Once he reached the floor in question, he stepped off in hopes of finding anybody that could offer the answers he was looking for. Maybe it would be Jay himself, maybe a board member he trusted. Truth be told, it did not matter whom, as long as he talked to someone.

"Hank Voight?" He hears his name being called, which catches his attention immediately. He looks to his right to see Deputy Cheif Charlie Reid standing there. He was not too caught off-guard in seeing the senior official here in knowing he would have something to say about the events that transpired. "What are you doing here?" 

"I came here to check on my detective and his status," Hank states clearly, not hiding anything of his intentions. The quicker he got answers, the faster he could relax not only himself but share the news with Lindsay. There was probably some logical explanation for why things had taken longer than intended. "I have not heard anything from Jay Halstead since his hearing this afternoon. I was wondering if a decision was made or what had happened." 

"I do not know the status as to whether he was found guilty or not, or the sentence they may be recommending. But I do know that it is not going as smoothly as intended. As we both know, there are people on that panel which do not approve of Intelligence or more specifically, you, yourself Hank Voight." Hank nods his head, having discussed that very topic with Jay before everything began. He remembered his words of advice and direction, but also knew what the young man shared in return.

"He's a great detective who has always held himself to high morals. This city should be honored to have someone like him working for them. He does not deserve to catch any grief for anything that I have done. If anything, he should be in charge of his own unit with his skills. I told him those words directly before he came here. I hope that was conveyed and respected." Hank watches the chief to see his reaction to the comments in question, as his eyes scan the area in search of Jay. He should be sitting here awaiting the decision. Where was he?

"I do not know about what was said or the proceedings so I cannot speak of whether it was brought up, or how it was handled. They have not told me anything, either. I just got done dealing with some other business and came to check in before heading home." The scanning of the eyes in the area led to no answers, with not another single person in sight to speak with. So it left Hank with one option.

"Can you find me some answers, please?" The chief simply nods his response before proceeding to walk away.

It was only a matter of five to 10 minutes, but yet it felt a lot longer for Hank as he stood in the hallway anxiously awaiting for some response from what had happened. He kept looking towards the door that the chief stepped through, hopeful for seeing him return, or perhaps even Jay himself. 

It was why a smile crossed his face when he saw his detective come walking through and out to the hallway where he stood.

"I hear you came to check on me," Jay states, earning a simple nod in response. "They reached a verdict, by the way. It's not the best scenario, but it could be worse." Hank looks towards Jay with confusion at the confession, as Jay takes a deep breath. "There was no evidence that could prove or disprove what happened on the roof. It was simply my word against what the board had to say. They reached a 'no decision' verdict which means nothing can be done, but the door is never closed. There is no timeline for when you cannot be charged with murder, recall." 

"So you are free-"

"Not quite, as it will always be tied to my record as a cop and detective, and something that could prevent me from being promoted in the future or allowed on a high-profile case. There is one way to erase that blemish, which I'm sure we both know where I am going. I take you down, and I erase it simply - but I am not doing that. I told you from day one I was not going to sell you to the ivory tower. They spent the past three hours since the decision trying to convince me, all while straightening out the paperwork that has to be filed."

"Jay-"

"I told you earlier and I am going to say the same thing again - I will not listen to it, okay?" Hank almost wanted to say what he was going to say again, but bit his tongue. The last thing they needed was to get into an argument here where others could possibly be listening. Besides, hearing the detective was not willing to throw him under the bus allowed his respect to increase. He somewhat debated where their relationship stood at times after their time apart, but there was no worries left to be had after today. 

"Are you done the paperwork and allowed to go home now?" Jay simply nods his head in response, although his inner self was still debating what he had just filled out and signed as they stood there face-to-face together. 

"I am ready to go home. I am ready to see Erin. I am ready to sleep in my own bed tonight. I am ready for tomorrow. I am ready to get back to work."