Tolerance Book III

Chapter Ninety-Three: A Hunch Realized

As the shot rang out guns were quickly drawn and eyes scanned the Shooters' possible vantage point.  People were running for cover and screaming but the trained Lawmen blotted out those distractions hoping to narrow down the source of the single shot.  Seeing his men had the area covered Voight turned to look at the restaurant entrance where Murphy and the green eyed Detective had exited.  He frowned seeing the area clear.  Relief filled him for a brief moment as he thought the pair had ducked back inside safely.  Reality made itself cruelly known however as the door suddenly pushed outward and an ashen faced young Waiter with bloodied  hands shouted.

"We need help! Someone's been shot!"
"Dawson!  Get a bus now!" Voight instructed as he motioned the man back inside and appraised the scene.
"Get some more towels!" Voight ordered the people standing around, pleased to see two Waitresses rush off.
"We thought it was a car engine misfiring," the Waiter noted as he knelt down beside the injured man after sending a glance to a chair in the corner, "then that guy brought this guy in."
"Damn," the Sergeant could see the  blood seeping out from the chest wound despite the pressure being placed on it by a capable looking suited man who showed no concern for his now reddened haberdashery.
"Help will be here soon.  Do you need me to take over?"
"No I'm good," the stranger replied confidently then explained seeing the frown forming, "I'm an ER Resident."
"Good," Voight stated, "how bad is it?"
"Doesn't seem to have hit his heart.  I'm Hank Maddox by the way. You know these guys?"
"Yeah. They're Cops," Voight gave the short version as he looked over towards the silent figure on the chair worriedly.
"He might be in shock.  He won't let anyone look at him," Maddox had followed the older mans' gaze, "maybe you could ...,"
"On it," the Sergeant didn't need to wait to find out what was required as he strode over then crouched down, "hey Kid?  You with me?"
"Sarge," Jay eyed the man before him before letting his stricken gaze fall on Murphy again, "this is my fault."
"You didn't shoot him."
"Might as well have."
"Halstead you know there's only one person responsible. We deal with this" Voight pointed out  then continued, "then pick ourselves up and go on."
"Except some of us can't," Jays' accusing words held anger but that anger was  clearly directed inward.
"So you had a hunch Billings was close and you were right," the gruff man softened his tone, "you couldn't have known this would happen."
"I should have."

"Murph!" Parkers' anguished voice from the doorway stayed their conversation as both men rose.

                     -------------------

Out on the sidewalk Al had taken charge.  Ordering Pedestrians away from the restaurant and giving newly arrived uniformed Officers a rundown of events.  There had been no point in sending anyone immediately toward where he had identified  as the likely location of the Shooter for he would be long gone.
Forensics would soon be on the scene and he would ensure a Unit Member was in attendance.  Seeing Adam looking shaken he approached his former partner as he saw Antonio and Kevin talking to some Bystanders in the  hope they had some useful information.

"You okay?"
"I thought .... I thought it was Jay," the younger man spoke, his voice hoarse with emotion, "I thought Billings had finally finished the job."
"Reckon we all did."
"But ....,"
"What?" Al arched a brow.
"I was relieved it wasn't  ..... but
Murphy is hurt."
"You didn't wish that on Murphy," the seasoned Detective scolded mildly before continuing firmly, "right now we need our heads in the game.  We need to find out exactly what happened?"
"Murphy got shot," Adam succinctly noted.
"Yes but why him? Not Jay?" Al asked speculatively.

Inside the now closed restaurant Voight was asking himself the same question as he stood beside Jay watching Paramedics take the Assistant Director away for transport to the hospital, an anxious Parker following the stretcher.

"Halstead walk me through what happened?" the Sergeant instructed as the doors closed behind the small procession.
"We stepped out and there was a glint from somewhere up high," Jay closed his eyes recalling the scene, "I pulled Murphy back just as the shot rang out."
"So he was behind you?"
"Yeah, slightly.  Didn't help though."
"Follow me," Voight led the way to the entrance doors and opened them ignoring the curious looks from the staff inside and the Bystanders outside as he examined the area closely before a small smile fleetingly crossed his features.
"What Sarge?"
"Where did the shot come from? Voight knew the younger man was a Sniper so his knowledge would have ensured he recognised the source of fire.
"Up there," Jay automatically pointed to a tall building across the street to their right, no doubt in his voice.
"I'm pretty sure you saved Murphy."
"Sarge?" the Detective eyed his Superior as if doubting his sanity, had he forgotten the Assistant Director was en route to hospital?!
"Look at the steel plaque on the wall."
"A bullet mark," Jay commented quietly.
"Only one shot," Voight stated knowingly, "bullet ricocheted off the plaque then hit Murphy.  If he had been hit dead on he'd be dead.  You saved him," the older man had belatedly realised there wasn't enough blood to account for a full hit, "when you shoved him the bullet missed you.  Just dumb luck Murphy  was hit by the ricochet."