No One’s POV → Samantha’s POV → Voight’s POV
The last suspect was dragged out in cuffs, and the room fell into a strange, heavy silence. Dust floated in the air. Everyone was bruised, bleeding, exhausted. The adrenaline that had kept them upright drained all at once.
That’s when Voight noticed Samantha sway.
He moved before he even thought about it — a sharp, instinctive step forward — catching her just as her knees dipped. One arm wrapped around her back, the other steadying her shoulder, holding her upright like she was the only thing in the room that mattered.
“You’re hurt,” he said, voice low and tight.
“It’s just a cut.”
He didn’t believe her.
He lifted a hand, brushing a thumb near the wound — not touching it, just checking — his eyes scanning her face like he needed to confirm she was still breathing.
“You scared me,” he said quietly.
She blinked. “You scared me first.”
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Behind them, Kim muttered, “We all need ice packs.”
Ruzek groaned, “And maybe a week off.”
Atwater nodded. “And a chiropractor.”
Alejandro whispered, “He’s staring at her again.”
Mateo whispered, “He hasn’t stopped.”
Mom whispered, “Ay Dios mío…”
Dad whispered, “I saw it too.”
But Voight didn’t hear any of them.
He lifted his radio with one hand — the other still steadying Samantha.
“Dispatch, this is Sergeant Voight. Scene secure. Multiple injured. Requesting ambulances and transport to Chicago Med.”
His voice didn’t shake.
But his hands did.
And he kept staring at Samantha.
---
Outside, the night air hit them like a wave — cool, sharp, grounding. Emergency lights flashed across the parking lot. Officers moved around them, securing the scene, taking statements, loading evidence.
Samantha blinked against the brightness. Her head throbbed. Her vision blurred.
Voight kept a hand on her back, guiding her toward the paramedics.
“Easy,” he murmured.
Kim held her bleeding arm. Ruzek pressed an ice pack to his cheek. Atwater leaned against the ambulance bumper, catching his breath. Alejandro and Mateo helped their parents into a patrol car to follow behind.
The paramedics lifted Samantha onto a gurney.
Voight climbed in beside her.
“Sir, we need room to work,” a paramedic said.
“I’m not in your way,” Voight answered without looking up.
He wasn’t.
But he wasn’t leaving either.
Kim whispered to Ruzek, “He’s staring at her again.”
Ruzek whispered back, “He’s not even blinking.”
Atwater muttered, “Man’s gone.”
---
Samantha’s POV
YOU ARE READING
The New Detective
Mystery / ThrillerA new detective joins intelligence and she isn't what anyone expected will she collide with Voight or will something more happen
