Long Road Home

History Repeats Itself

Erin and Voight headed back to the district and called the entire team in. When Jay arrived, his eyes immediately darted towards Erin, noticing the anger that seethed below the surface as well as signs that her tough exterior was under stress. She gave him a small nod before marching forwards and pasting a picture of a young girl on the board.

"Adira Barkley, 16. She was kidnapped approximately a month ago by unknown offenders. They abused her physically and sexually. She says she was being filmed and made to perform sexual acts. The offenders referred to her as a Little Big Girl. She says that they often spoke a different language. Adira escaped last night after being stabbed in her attempt to flee. She works at a bar in Englewood. Adira said that they seemed practiced, so we should attempt to dig up any cold cases or patterns. Look for girls with numerous injuries dressed in little girl's clothes," Erin updated them.

The team began working almost immediately with Lindsay and Halstead headed towards the bar to talk to the manager. The tension in the car as they drove was almost palpable. Jay kept opening his mouth as if to speak and then closed it once again. He was hesitant to push Erin to talk to him but knew that if she didn't talk to someone she was going to spiral. Finally, he worked up the nerve to ask his question.

"Erin, how are you really doing?"

"I'm fine, Jay," She snapped.

"You know if you don't let someone in you're going to explode. It's healthy to grieve, but you can't do it on your own."

"I don't need your help in telling me how to grieve!" Her tone was sharp as she spoke.

"Erin, everybody needs help. You lost your best friend, and the whole team misses her. We're here for you, but you have to let us be there."

"I didn't lose her," Erin snapped. "I got her killed."

"He was unhinged, Erin! Yates took her, not you! You gave her a life. Without you she'd still be on the street selling her body for drugs and a cheap place to crash. She didn't have all the years she was meant to have, but you gave her hope and friendship. If she had to choose, I don't think she would trade that."

Erin sat in silence, fighting tears. She tried to focus on Adira, but the only images that flew through her brain were of Nadia. How could she have let this happen? She was supposed to protect her. She should never have steered her to become a police officer. If she hadn't, she would still be here.

Jay noticed as Erin shook her had almost imperceptibly. He knew what she was thinking, and he also knew that this wasn't her fault.

"Erin," he gently prodded, "This isn't your fault. I don't want to lose you, too. Come back to me."

Tears began to run down Erin's face. She quickly wiped the, away with her sleeve. The rest of the car ride passed in silence. Jay didn't dare push her more. He would count the tears as a victory. They pulled up at the bar Adira had worked out. A neon side outside flashed El Mundo Pequeño. The partners went inside. The bartender looked no more than 16 or 17. Erin approached her first.

"Hi," she said. "Is Paul here?"

"Depends on who's asking," The girl replied.

"I'm a police officer," Erin said, flashing her badge. The girl hesitated before stating, "He's in the back."

"Thank you. Oh, and how old are you?" Erin asked.

The girl froze, staring down at her feet before whispering that she was 22. Jay shot her a disbelieving look. Not wanting to cause trouble just yet, Erin took his arm and led him towards the back room to find Paul. He was sitting with his feet up on the table, smoking a joint. When he saw the detectives coming, he scrambled to hide it, but it was too late.

"Is that marijuana?" Jay asked rhetorically.

"Sure smells like it," Erin replied.

"I have a medical card," Paul said.

"Let's see it then," Jay answered.

"I don't have it with me," He stammered.

"Guess we'll have to bring you in," Erin said cheerily, happy to be ruining the man's day. He deserved it for what he was doing to these girls.

"Please, I'll do anything!" Paul cried.

"How about you tell us about Adira," Jay said.

"What do you want to know?" He asked.

"How long has it been since she worked here?"

"A little over a month."

"Where did she go?" Asked Jay. Paul gulped.

"I don't know where she got off to."

Jay stepped towards him, squaring his shoulders and putting on his most intimidating face. "I bet you a couple years in jail for possession, distribution, underage girls, and accessory to murder that you do." Fear filled the man's eyes.

"Okay, okay. They come in here every so often. I don't know their names. They never say. Usually they just come in for a little fun with the girls, but sometimes they take one with them. I thought maybe they had left because I hadn't seen them in a few months, but they showed up with more men than before and in a mood I'd never seen. I don't know where they go, and I don't want to. I do know that they drive a black van with a red circle on the door."

"See, that wasn't so hard." Jay said. "We'll be in touch."

Erin shot him a 'don't mess with us' look over her shoulder as they left. No sooner than they stepped outside Erin's phone rang.

"Lindsay."

"Hey, Lindsay, it looks like we have another one, dumped in the park with no clothes and holding only a teddy bear." Voight said.

"We'll be there soon."

Erin hung up. "Dammit! We've got another one."

She and Jay got in the car and began to drive towards the park. Erin drove a little faster than was necessary, but Jay knew better than to question her, especially in her state of mind. She weaved in between cars and gritted her teeth. When they arrived at the park, they joined the rest of the team. A girl of about 16 was laying in the snow, covered by a medical examiner's sheet and holding only a teddy bear. A single tear escaped Erin's eye. She looked just like Nadia.