Chicago Fire s07e03 Episode Script
Thirty Percent Sleight of Hand
1 Brother? You okay? - I'm not that tough.
- You are a firefighter.
Now let's go.
- I'm Joe.
What's your name? - Chloe.
We've got a clear shot out of here.
- You're not coming? - I gotta get back inside.
- Be careful.
- It's Stella.
- She took in a lot of smoke.
- The only way we can stop her bleed is to remove her entire lung.
She can't be a firefighter if she only has one lung.
There's another way.
I'm so glad you're back.
[MELLOW MUSIC.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
You ready? Uh, you tell me.
How do I look? Breathtaking.
Is that a lung joke? A lack-of-oxygen joke.
- Maybe.
- Yeah? Hmm.
Okay.
- Get it out of your system.
- [LAUGHS.]
The guy, he manages to be everywhere at once.
Doesn't matter where I am in the house.
Turn my head, there's Gorsch looking like Dracula.
- I'm aware of the problem.
- Now, listen, I know your hands are tied, but just, morale takes a hit whenever folks have to go around whispering in their own house, that's all.
No question about that.
- Morning, Chief.
- Lieutenant.
Hey, when you have a sec, just noticed a minor hiccup on the schedule that needs to be ironed out.
- What do you got? - Roster has me down as Commanding Officer for Engine 51 through the end of next month.
- Your retirement.
- I know.
[LAUGHS.]
You know, I never wanted to leave, but the way things are with this new regime too many aggressive changes.
It's a loss for the whole house, but I understand the motivation.
Severide and Kidd were living together - but then she moved out.
- Right, to live at Herrmann's.
But the two of them are still together.
This is good.
Lot to catch up on.
But I gotta put in the work if I want to be known as anything other than the new girl around here.
Price is 20 bucks a pop.
Proceeds go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Picnic admission includes all-you-can-eat barbecue and a raffle ticket.
- What's the raffle prize? - A free ticket - to next year's picnic.
- Aww.
- Come on.
- [LAUGHING.]
- What is up, Firehouse 51? - There she is! [ALL SHOUTING.]
- How you feeling, kid? - I feel like the Grim Reaper took one look at me, decided to run the other way, you know? I am so ready to get back on that truck.
Yeah, about that.
Chief's orders he wants you on light duty today.
- Just one shift.
- Okay, yeah.
- Well, whatever you need.
- Trust me, I've been there.
The bullpen's not a fire truck, but it has its own brand of action.
Call log crises - inventory drama - Hey.
I'm all for Kidd taking an extra shift to recover, but what's the deal? - The doctor cleared her.
- Gorsch began questioning Boden's approval of the doctor's clearance.
Chief chose to hold off just to keep the peace.
- Sooner or later, the Chief's - [SHUSHING.]
Morning, folks.
Smells good.
[ALARM BLARING.]
Squad 3, Ambulance 61.
Vehicle collision, 69-90 US-41.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[BRAKES HISSING.]
- That the only vehicle? - Looks like it.
Guys, let's get that fire out! Copy that! [SIRENS WAILING.]
Hey, don't move.
Don't move.
- [GROANS.]
- We got you.
Can you speak? What's your name? - Mason.
- Mason what? No.
My son, Mason.
Where's my son? [GROANS.]
Hey, guys! There could be a victim inside the car! [EXTINGUISHERS HISSING.]
He's still conscious.
Major head wound.
Got him.
Hey! Yeah, I found him! Capp! Grab the ladder! [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Mason, can you hear me, buddy? - It hurts! - All right, just hang tight, okay? We're gonna get you out.
- [GROANING.]
- There you go, it's okay.
- It's okay, sir.
- [GROANS.]
All right, we have a deep laceration, possible cranial fracture.
- Mason! Is he alive? - Sir, I need you to stay down.
What did I do? What did I do? What did I do? Hey, Mason.
Sit tight, bud.
- Try not to move too much.
- My leg hurts! Halligan.
[GRUNTS.]
Yeah, yeah.
[GRUNTING.]
- Let's keep that up.
- Yeah, I got it.
All right, buddy, coming to get you.
- [WHIMPERING.]
- Sit tight.
- [GROANS.]
- All right, bud, we're gonna get you out.
It hurts! - His leg's impaled! - I'll grab cutters.
No, no, no, don't.
Too risky in the field.
We'll keep him in the car seat, we'll transport him and his dad in the back of the ambo.
We'll take care of it - at the hospital.
- Copy that.
I want my dad! [WHIMPERING.]
[GROANS.]
- Watch it, watch it.
- [GRUNTS.]
Here, bud.
You're all right.
Uh Uh, here you go.
Uh, I cannot tell one form from another, but apparently they all need your signature.
I'm much obliged.
Now, Stella Mm-hmm.
- How are you recovering? - Little more shook than I expected but, um, I am still ready.
I'm sorry to side-line you.
Things are complicated.
Chief, whatever you need, I'm here.
Good.
Why don't y'all do me a favor? - Mm-hmm.
- Tell Severide and Casey if they can compile their thoughts on any of the lieutenants that they've worked with at other houses, on other shifts, I need to find a good fit for Engine here at 51.
- Hey, you got it.
- Okay.
Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but overhear you talking about a replacement - for your Engine Lieutenant.
- Yeah.
- It's all under control.
- Absolutely.
I'm sure whoever you're considering is top-notch, but I have a suggestion that will top them all.
Trey Jennings.
House 111.
- Not familiar with the name.
- That's unfortunate, because Jennings is, uh he's a real up-and-comer.
He's one of the rising stars of the CFD.
Is that so? Well, uh, thank you for your recommendation.
I'll consider it.
Um [STAMMERS.]
Excuse me.
Look, Chief, I know that the old norms dictate that you have the authority to make the final call on this, so if it makes it easier, you can just think of this as a personal favor to me.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Grateful for your cooperation on this.
You won't be disappointed.
Six-year-old male, single-car rollover.
He was in the back seat and caught some metal - in his right leg.
- You say the word and we can cut it loose.
- Ready to go whenever you are.
- Hey.
How you feeling, honey? You still with me? - It hurts.
- I know, I know.
But you are being so tough, okay? Now we're gonna get you out of there.
You keep your eyes on me.
Take deep steady breaths.
In and out.
[LONG INHALE, EXHALE.]
In, out.
- Okay, just like that.
- Okay, you ready? - [BREATHING DEEPLY.]
- All right, one - two - [DEEP BREATHING.]
- Three.
- [SCREAMING.]
[SAW WHIRRING.]
[WHIMPERS.]
Eyes on me, come on.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Okay, we're through.
It's okay.
You did so good.
Great work, bud.
Let's get him to Trauma 3.
Keep breathing.
- Hey, nice work.
- Thanks.
- Same to you.
- Father's out of CT.
- How's it looking? - Looks good.
No bleed.
He's a little disoriented, - but he's okay.
- I'm just gonna restock some supplies.
I'll be right back.
New girl knows her stuff.
Foster.
- Right.
Foster.
- [LAUGHS.]
Excuse, me I'm looking for my son, Mason Whittaker? Yeah, we just brought him in.
He has a piece of metal embedded in his leg, - but no internal injuries.
- Where is he? - Can I see him? - Soon.
- He's with the trauma team now.
- Trauma team? My God, what the hell happened? Your husband's SUV lost control.
He went off an overpass near the city.
He drove off an overpass? That's what it looks like.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Someone call the police.
Right now.
I-I need to file a report.
- Ma'am? - I-I think I think my husband crashed that car on purpose.
[SHAKY BREATHING.]
I think he tried to kill our son.
Things got so bad once we separated.
Volatile, paranoid.
Did he ever make any direct threats? About himself or about your son? About suicide? No.
Not specifically, but he had an episode at one of our divorce hearings.
Sean Morland, my attorney, he'll verify.
Mark broke down, said he couldn't live without Mason.
Sean tried to use it as grounds to deny custody.
Did you notice anything unusual at the scene? Anything to indicate intent? Road was empty when we got there.
No other cars.
No reason why he'd suddenly jerk the wheel - and drive off an overpass.
- When we were treating him, he kept saying, "What did I do? What did I do?" Also the way he was ejected.
There's a good chance he wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
Tracks of a suicide attempt.
So what now? Well, I have all your statements.
- We'll look into it.
- Sorry, you'll "look into it"? Possible murder attempt, that's all you've got? I understand the concern, but there's not much I can do without hard evidence of a crime.
I'll see if there's more I can find.
For now, your son is safe.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
- Chief? - Okay.
Trey Jennings.
Engine Lieutenant.
Who? You don't know him.
Not on my radar.
Must not be from one of the busier houses or I'm sure our paths would have crossed.
Someone you're considering for Engine Lieutenant? His name was brought up as a recommendation - by ADC Gorsch.
- Ah.
Copy that.
Why him? I can think of five or six names just off the top of my head who'd be a more obvious fit.
No idea, but I would like to find out.
I'll make some calls.
If I can ask, are you looking for a reason to say yes or a reason - to say no? - Neither.
I just want to know whether it's a hill I'm ready to die on.
[ENGINE RUMBLING.]
Hey, guys? I want an incident report from each of you.
Tell me everything you saw on that call.
Don't leave any details out.
- Copy that.
- You got it, Lieutenant.
Something up? A possible murder-suicide attempt.
- Father and six-year-old kid.
- Ah.
Might need help with research later if you got time.
Oh, whatever you need.
Hey, you want a hand with that? [LAUGHING.]
Do you mind? I'm worried they're gonna tip over.
They're already a little lopsided as it is.
[LAUGHING.]
Have you seen the show "Nailed It"? I tried to [SIGHS.]
Let's just say I didn't nail it.
- Okay.
- Uh, I don't know if you remember me.
You helped pull me out of the tower fire.
That's right.
I do.
Chloe, was it? - Yep, that's me.
- How, uh how you feeling? - You recovering okay? - Lot to rebuild, - but I'm getting there.
- Of course.
I just I had to bring these over to say, you know, thank you for saving my life, and Oh, I you didn't need to bring us anything.
Oh, it was nothing.
Actually, I work in that building right there, so I was close.
Well I guess I should go.
I don't want to take up more of your time, so Oh, no trouble at all.
Uh, take care of yourself, and thanks again for the pops.
[LAUGHS, STAMMERS.]
Bye.
[LIGHT MUSIC.]
[SIGHS.]
What was that? - What was what? - Cruz, how could you not notice that girl was into you? She was practically leaping into your arms.
She was just being nice.
That was more than just "nice.
" Why, because she brought cake pops? [ALARM BLARING.]
[BOTH SIGH.]
Ambo 61, industrial accident, 1402 West 45th Street.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[BRAKES HISS.]
"Weird World Industries.
" What the heck kind of factory is this? Otis, hang back till we know what we're dealing with here.
Copy that.
Fire department! Thank goodness you're here.
Follow me.
I tried to tell him that he was in over his head, that it couldn't be done, but that just drove him - to try harder.
- Try what? [FIREWORKS EXPLODING.]
[MUFFLED SHOUTING.]
Otis, extinguishers.
Copy that.
[MUFFLED EXCLAMATIONS.]
Uh, sir? - Can you hear me? - He's got a gag on.
Oh, okay.
Well, knock twice - if you can hear - No, no, he's wearing - a straight jacket.
- [MUFFLED SHOUTING.]
Damn it.
- Whoa.
- Otis! Get to it.
[EXTINGUISHER HISSING.]
[MUFFLED SHOUTING.]
Got him.
[GRUNTING.]
How you doing? You okay? I'm gonna need non-disclosure agreements from every single one of you.
Just give me a hint.
Is it mirrors? - Trap doors? - It's magic.
- Okay.
- Here.
[CURIOUS MUSIC.]
Ooh.
Where'd it go? [LAUGHS.]
When I get back from med, I'll tell you some stories.
I used to date a magician back in college.
- Learned some tricks.
- Really? - Was he a professional? - Oh, yeah.
He was a real staple down at the club around town.
You buy me a drink and I'll tell you how he made our relationship - disappear.
- [LAUGHS.]
[AMBIENT MUSIC.]
- How we looking? - All clear.
Just a small pyrotechnic mishap.
Nothing we couldn't handle with extinguishers.
Perfect, thanks for knocking it down.
Cowan, Bixler, you wanna run in, give it the overhaul a once-over and make sure we don't have any surprises - once we leave? - Sure thing, Lieutenant.
Trey Jennings.
Don't believe we've met.
In that case, pleasure.
Engine 111.
Aren't you guys up in Edison Park? - Little far from home.
- Heard a rumor I was on some sort of short list to replace your Engine Lieutenant.
I got curious, so I asked dispatch to pair us together with the next call.
Got to say, I'm impressed how fast you guys handled that.
We're not your average house, huh? That's what I hear.
Very cool.
Look forward to learning more.
I should go take point on this overhaul, but, uh, it was really good meeting you guys.
- Catch you on the next one.
- Yeah.
Hey, nice guy.
Not what I would have figured given who he's related to.
- What do you mean? - Oh, that guy? He's Gorsch's brother-in-law.
[FOREBODING MUSIC.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Got those collision studies.
You can just set them on the desk.
Thanks.
You keep staring at those photos, you're gonna give yourself a migraine.
Hey, come here.
Let me show you this.
So you have a concrete pylon here, and then skid-marks here.
Wouldn't you speed up instead of hit your brakes if you wanted to kill yourself? Maybe he didn't have a plan.
Maybe he got cold feet until the last minute.
Do you think it was an accident? Still no reason he'd take a dive off that overpass.
Mm-hmm.
Kelly, I know you want to crack this, but there there's not much that you have to work from.
You know, you saved Mason's life.
You did your part.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
All right.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
They're related.
This Jennings guy is Gorsch's brother-in-law.
That's his angle nepotism.
How'd he handle the call? Decent, thorough.
Nothing obvious I'd ding him on.
You do me a favor? You keep a firm lid on this.
If I'm gonna go all-knives-out on Gorsch, I'm gonna need to be prepared.
Copy that, Chief.
Oh, these are legit.
Where'd these come from? Uh, a victim from the high-rise fire brought them in.
Well, damn.
Hey.
- Can I ask you something? - Shoot.
Okay, so, this girl she's cute.
How would I know whether she came by to say thank you to the whole house or whether she came by because she's interested in me? [SIGHS.]
What does your gut say? Given my history, my gut is the worst possible indicator.
I need a female perspective.
I would ask Brett, but Oh, snap.
- The two of you - [STAMMERING.]
It was a while ago.
That door is closed.
I just try to steer clear of it as much as I can.
I hear you, okay? So so this girl, did she hint at anything? Like, you know, going out on a date? Uh, she pointed out where she works.
Close by.
Maybe that was an invitation? Uh, it's hard to say.
- I wasn't there.
- [SIGHS.]
[MISCHIEVOUS MUSIC.]
Okay, the real question is: would you be interested? Well [SIGHS.]
Yeah, for sure.
Okay, well, there you go.
And you know where to find her.
- Mm - [LAUGHS.]
[SCOFFS.]
I'm thinking about it.
- Okay.
- [BOTH LAUGHING.]
I'm gonna let you ponder that.
Mouch! - Just the man I'm looking for.
- Lieutenant.
So I hear they put you in charge of selling tickets for the CFD picnic this year.
They did.
Happy to do it.
You're picking up - for your whole crew, correct? - Yep.
I put this one on me.
Figure I give them enough grief for the rest of the year.
- It's the least I could do.
- Uh, I feel like I'm missing a pair.
I didn't see any for Ritter in there.
Ritter.
Oh, you mean the candidate.
Yeah, he's a no-go.
What, he he's not coming to the picnic? Not with our company, he's not.
He's a decent kid but, I mean, you saw him in that tower fire.
He totally froze up.
I had to kick him back to the floater pool.
Yeah, no, sure.
Thanks for these.
- Catch you at the picnic? - You bet.
'Scuse me? I'm looking for a Lieutenant Severide.
- Is this the right house? - You found him.
Sean Morland.
I represent Ms.
Amy Whittaker in her divorce.
The department can give you my report.
Yeah, official reports, they're dry.
I'm interested in the human perspective.
Is this okay? Now, am I correct, Lieutenant, that Mr.
Whittaker made no attempt to rescue his son prior to your arrival? - He was barely conscious.
- Oh, sure, but I'm sure that at the moment you arrived he told you Mason was in the car, right? Not exactly.
He was asking where Mason was.
He asked? Like, he didn't know? That's odd, right? Not considering the extent of his injuries.
Sorry, have you seen vehicular suicides before in your line of work, Lieutenant? - I have.
- Yeah, so it wouldn't be an unusual phenomenon for someone with a history - of depression.
- Look, I can tell you about the position of the car.
I can tell you how we did the rescue.
I can't answer questions about what could have been going on in someone's head.
I hear where you're coming from.
No one's ever gonna really know what happened in that car except Mr.
Whittaker and the Almighty.
Now, it's my job to present the narrative that scores - the best outcome for my client.
- The narrative? [TENSE MUSIC.]
[PHONE BEEPS.]
You're talking about a family.
We're done here.
Understood.
Thanks for your time.
Morning, Chief.
I'm about to head out but just reminding: we're giving Didrikson a proper send-off tonight at the bar.
Yeah, yeah.
I'll be there.
[SIGHS.]
Gorsch already gone? Thought I saw him leave.
It's hard to know.
He likes to keep us on our toes.
So Hey.
How are things going, then? This, um, Jennings character is he coming over? - Not on my watch.
- Okay.
Um, then what? Not to overstep, okay? But if you refuse to play ball with Gorsch What happens with the rest of us? I don't have a choice, Herrmann.
Um, that's not true.
I met Jennings he's fine.
He's capable.
Has the respect of his crew.
That's beside the point.
I have to draw a line.
I won't let Jerry Gorsch call the shots in my own damn firehouse.
Chief I say this out of love That's your pride talking.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
You are bigger than this.
You need to make the best choice for the house long-term, and if that means you hiring some solid, good lieutenant and keeping the peace that's fine.
Who cares where this guy came from? Thank you, Herrmann.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PHONES RINGING.]
Can I help you? Oh.
[LAUGHS.]
Yes, hi.
Um, I'm looking for Chloe You know, what I don't even know her last name.
Who can I say is looking for her? Oh, uh, I'm Joe Cruz.
I'm [GASPS.]
I know who you are.
- You're the guy with the smile.
- [LAUGHS.]
That one.
- [CLEARS THROAT.]
- I'll get her.
- Thank you.
- Chloe - Joe Cruz is here.
- [SIGHS.]
[LIGHTHEARTED, TENSE MUSIC.]
- Hi.
- Hey.
Um, I I'm so sorry - if I'm, um - Oh, no, it's okay.
Really, uh [LAUGHS.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Hey, um I don't know if this is the sort of thing that might interest you, but, uh, the department is having a charity picnic, and I thought Yes.
- Yes? - I'd love to.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
"Extreme density training smoke.
" Wonder if you can use that to flavor a brisket.
Hey, Mouch! - It's good to see you, man.
- Good to see you, Ritter.
What brings you by the depot? - Picking up an order? - Nah.
Came to see you, actually.
Hoping to strong-arm you into buying some tickets to the charity picnic this weekend.
Uh, well, I appreciate that I do but I don't think I'm gonna make it, though.
Maybe you've noticed, - I'm not with Engine 37 anymore.
- Yeah, I heard.
Paxson kicked me to the floater pool.
They got me doing a day here and then a week of desk-duty at the academy.
You'll get a permanent assignment soon enough.
- Give it time.
- Yeah, maybe.
But Paxson gave me a pretty brutal review.
Try to stay positive, but Well, just takes time to work your way back into their good graces.
I watched you pull a man out of a burning high-rise.
One of the worst fires I've seen in a while.
Saved his life.
Well, you're skipping over the part where I froze.
There's not a firefighter in this department who hasn't had a moment of panic.
A moment they're ashamed of.
We stumble, we fall, then we get up again.
I hear what you're saying.
It makes sense.
I'm just trying to sort through it all.
Just come to the picnic.
On me.
Some folks there I want you to meet.
Guys that picked me up when I fell.
Yeah, maybe.
I'll see.
No "maybes.
" Be there.
Ritter to the second floor.
- Ritter to the second floor.
- I gotta get back to it.
Look, thanks for coming by, Mouch.
You're a good guy.
Yeah, no problem.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION.]
Um maybe we should come back later? [MONITORS BEEPING.]
Excuse me, are you the firefighter? The one who saved my boy? Yeah, I just came to check on him, see how he's doing.
- We brought him this.
- [LAUGHS.]
That's great.
I think he'll like it.
He's talked a lot about you and the other firefighters.
I think he's got a new career goal for when he grows up.
How's his condition? He's, uh he's recovering well, though the doctor said he's still looking at - weeks of rehab.
- Well, anything that we can do to help, you know, just let us know.
I appreciate that, thank you.
- Yeah.
- I would never hurt my boy.
- I hope that you know that.
- I'm not the police.
I'm not someone you need to convince.
No, but you were there.
You saved my boy's life.
It matters that you know.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
It was an accident.
We were just driving along and suddenly Mason shrieked like like he saw something.
I turned to check on him, and when I turned back in the road, I saw a shape.
Deer, I don't know.
I swerved to try and avoid it.
I couldn't react quick enough and [SIGHS.]
The rest is a blur.
And you told the police all that? Yeah, I told them and they wrote it down.
No one's filing criminal charges but family court's different.
It's not the same burden of proof, and my wife's lawyer smelled blood.
I don't have any evidence to back up my story.
All I have is my word, and I'm praying that it's enough, because the idea that I might lose my son forever over this [WEEPING.]
It honest to God, it terrifies me.
Daddy Let me just tell him that you're here.
Yeah, sure.
[SNIFFLES.]
Hey, look what they brought you.
- Do you believe him? - [SIGHS.]
Deer wandering that deep into the city? - Yeah.
- But if he's right, he's about to lose his kid over an accident.
What say we skip our dinner plans tonight? Maybe, uh, pick up some drive-thru and head back to the accident site.
Yeah.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
Just took a sharp turn out of nowhere.
You see anything unusual? There's no hoof prints on the pavement, if that's what we're looking for.
If they made contact with the deer, it could have stumbled off bleeding.
Okay.
Let me ask you this, though: How far are you willing to go for this? Just the way that you've been on it since hour one and the way that you bit that lawyer's head off.
It's it's hard to explain what something like this does to a kid.
Mom and Dad both going at each other, accusations flying.
Everything around you just [MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
Falling apart.
It affects you.
If I can help Mason, I want to.
I hear that.
[CLICKS TONGUE.]
I do think that before we go any further, - we should just put some - Stella.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Damn.
Let's take some pictures.
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
Ms.
Whittaker? [GASPS.]
Lieutenant Severide.
You came at the perfect time.
The doctor just told me they expect Mason to be discharged today.
And, with rehab, they expect him to make a full recovery.
- That's great.
- Sorry you had to see me at my worst.
These past few days, it's felt like the whole world was coming apart.
There's nothing to apologize for.
My attorney told me he spoke to you.
Said you'd been very helpful.
Even with circumstantial evidence, he's confident the accident will go a long way towards getting me sole custody.
About that, Ms.
Whittaker.
I found something that might make a difference for you.
Okay, what is it? I came to the hospital last night.
I saw your husband he told me everything he remembered from the crash.
He told me that he saw a deer in the road.
That's why he swerved.
A deer in the middle of the city.
I know, I know.
It seemed off to me, too, until I went back to the scene and I found this.
[PHONE BEEPS.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
There was no other reason for him to swerve.
It was an accident.
I have no reason to believe that your husband wanted to hurt Mason.
None at all.
[SIGHS.]
How did I get here? I was so scared.
- I think I'm losing my mind.
- You're not.
You're in the middle of a crisis.
You're looking out for your son.
You've got lawyers in the mix doing anything to win.
Something's gotta give.
I hate that Mason's caught in the middle.
He's got two parents who want the best for him.
Not every kid has that.
Thank you.
- For everything.
- Yeah.
Thanks for coming.
Ladies and gentlemen, watch.
Watch very carefully.
[CHEERFUL CARNIVAL MUSIC.]
Like I was saying, not to get pedantic about it but the golden age of magic is over, I mean, with today's technology the entire industry's like 30% sleight-of-hand, 70% engineering.
Uh-huh.
[APPLAUSE.]
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Can I have a beer, please? [CHEERING, LAUGHTER.]
There you go.
Good turnout.
Should have got Huffhines on this.
It would have made a nice spread for the weekly press.
Yeah, well, we're here for charity, not publicity.
No, you're absolutely right.
By the way, the Commissioner sends his apologies.
He's got a big conference down in Springfield.
Duty has to come first, you know.
Yeah, I wouldn't expect anything less.
The good news is, I spoke to him about putting Trey in the Lieutenant's seat at 51.
- Trey.
- Oh, sorry.
Uh, Lieutenant Jennings.
Anyway, it's got the big man's blessing, so green light.
- When's the big announcement? - [CHUCKLES.]
- Today.
- Good.
Excellent.
I'll let Trey know.
- Thanks for coming.
- Thanks.
Nobody watch, you guys.
- I'm awful.
- Hey.
Foster, listen don't sweat it, all right? - Okay.
- You got this.
Everybody's rooting for you! [ALL CHEERING.]
- Okay ALL: One, two, and - [LAUGHS.]
- Oh.
- Did I make it? - Uh, yeah.
Great effort.
- Uh, hello? - All right, Boden time.
If you don't mind, gather around.
Uh, yeah, gather around.
Um good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
I don't want to take up too much of your time away from fried food and games, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say a few words.
As I look around and I see members from this department come together with their family members for a common cause, I am reminded of why it is that we do the work that we do, take the risks that we take.
It's for the community.
There's no room for ego or ambition.
Just selfless determination.
And that is a quality that is embodied in Engine 51 outgoing lieutenant, George Didrikson.
Didrikson, where are you? Oh, there he is! Come on, give it up.
[APPLAUSE.]
Lieutenant Didrikson is leaving behind some big-ass shoes to fill trust me.
Fortunately for me, I didn't have to look too far.
And that is why I am proud to announce that Christopher Herrmann will be taking over as the next lieutenant on Engine 51.
[APPLAUSE.]
[CHEERING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
- What? - Way to go, Herrmann! [OVERLAPPING CHATTER.]
That was unexpected.
I thank you for your suggestion.
You know, in the end, I felt it best we go with someone who had experience in the house.
Someone, well Someone I could trust.
Of course.
It's a bold choice, Chief.
Excuse me a moment while I brief - the Commissioner on this.
- Yeah, you do that.
- Chief - Yeah.
- I don't know what to say.
- Well, your name has been on the lieutenant's list for a while.
It's about time you got your shot.
I give you my word I will not let you down.
I know you won't.
Yeah.
April, if you still want to hit this picnic, Stella's already there.
She wants you to come.
I'm, uh I'm waiting outside of Med.
It's, uh, free barbecue, so let's get a move-on.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC.]
- You are a firefighter.
Now let's go.
- I'm Joe.
What's your name? - Chloe.
We've got a clear shot out of here.
- You're not coming? - I gotta get back inside.
- Be careful.
- It's Stella.
- She took in a lot of smoke.
- The only way we can stop her bleed is to remove her entire lung.
She can't be a firefighter if she only has one lung.
There's another way.
I'm so glad you're back.
[MELLOW MUSIC.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
You ready? Uh, you tell me.
How do I look? Breathtaking.
Is that a lung joke? A lack-of-oxygen joke.
- Maybe.
- Yeah? Hmm.
Okay.
- Get it out of your system.
- [LAUGHS.]
The guy, he manages to be everywhere at once.
Doesn't matter where I am in the house.
Turn my head, there's Gorsch looking like Dracula.
- I'm aware of the problem.
- Now, listen, I know your hands are tied, but just, morale takes a hit whenever folks have to go around whispering in their own house, that's all.
No question about that.
- Morning, Chief.
- Lieutenant.
Hey, when you have a sec, just noticed a minor hiccup on the schedule that needs to be ironed out.
- What do you got? - Roster has me down as Commanding Officer for Engine 51 through the end of next month.
- Your retirement.
- I know.
[LAUGHS.]
You know, I never wanted to leave, but the way things are with this new regime too many aggressive changes.
It's a loss for the whole house, but I understand the motivation.
Severide and Kidd were living together - but then she moved out.
- Right, to live at Herrmann's.
But the two of them are still together.
This is good.
Lot to catch up on.
But I gotta put in the work if I want to be known as anything other than the new girl around here.
Price is 20 bucks a pop.
Proceeds go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Picnic admission includes all-you-can-eat barbecue and a raffle ticket.
- What's the raffle prize? - A free ticket - to next year's picnic.
- Aww.
- Come on.
- [LAUGHING.]
- What is up, Firehouse 51? - There she is! [ALL SHOUTING.]
- How you feeling, kid? - I feel like the Grim Reaper took one look at me, decided to run the other way, you know? I am so ready to get back on that truck.
Yeah, about that.
Chief's orders he wants you on light duty today.
- Just one shift.
- Okay, yeah.
- Well, whatever you need.
- Trust me, I've been there.
The bullpen's not a fire truck, but it has its own brand of action.
Call log crises - inventory drama - Hey.
I'm all for Kidd taking an extra shift to recover, but what's the deal? - The doctor cleared her.
- Gorsch began questioning Boden's approval of the doctor's clearance.
Chief chose to hold off just to keep the peace.
- Sooner or later, the Chief's - [SHUSHING.]
Morning, folks.
Smells good.
[ALARM BLARING.]
Squad 3, Ambulance 61.
Vehicle collision, 69-90 US-41.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[BRAKES HISSING.]
- That the only vehicle? - Looks like it.
Guys, let's get that fire out! Copy that! [SIRENS WAILING.]
Hey, don't move.
Don't move.
- [GROANS.]
- We got you.
Can you speak? What's your name? - Mason.
- Mason what? No.
My son, Mason.
Where's my son? [GROANS.]
Hey, guys! There could be a victim inside the car! [EXTINGUISHERS HISSING.]
He's still conscious.
Major head wound.
Got him.
Hey! Yeah, I found him! Capp! Grab the ladder! [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Mason, can you hear me, buddy? - It hurts! - All right, just hang tight, okay? We're gonna get you out.
- [GROANING.]
- There you go, it's okay.
- It's okay, sir.
- [GROANS.]
All right, we have a deep laceration, possible cranial fracture.
- Mason! Is he alive? - Sir, I need you to stay down.
What did I do? What did I do? What did I do? Hey, Mason.
Sit tight, bud.
- Try not to move too much.
- My leg hurts! Halligan.
[GRUNTS.]
Yeah, yeah.
[GRUNTING.]
- Let's keep that up.
- Yeah, I got it.
All right, buddy, coming to get you.
- [WHIMPERING.]
- Sit tight.
- [GROANS.]
- All right, bud, we're gonna get you out.
It hurts! - His leg's impaled! - I'll grab cutters.
No, no, no, don't.
Too risky in the field.
We'll keep him in the car seat, we'll transport him and his dad in the back of the ambo.
We'll take care of it - at the hospital.
- Copy that.
I want my dad! [WHIMPERING.]
[GROANS.]
- Watch it, watch it.
- [GRUNTS.]
Here, bud.
You're all right.
Uh Uh, here you go.
Uh, I cannot tell one form from another, but apparently they all need your signature.
I'm much obliged.
Now, Stella Mm-hmm.
- How are you recovering? - Little more shook than I expected but, um, I am still ready.
I'm sorry to side-line you.
Things are complicated.
Chief, whatever you need, I'm here.
Good.
Why don't y'all do me a favor? - Mm-hmm.
- Tell Severide and Casey if they can compile their thoughts on any of the lieutenants that they've worked with at other houses, on other shifts, I need to find a good fit for Engine here at 51.
- Hey, you got it.
- Okay.
Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but overhear you talking about a replacement - for your Engine Lieutenant.
- Yeah.
- It's all under control.
- Absolutely.
I'm sure whoever you're considering is top-notch, but I have a suggestion that will top them all.
Trey Jennings.
House 111.
- Not familiar with the name.
- That's unfortunate, because Jennings is, uh he's a real up-and-comer.
He's one of the rising stars of the CFD.
Is that so? Well, uh, thank you for your recommendation.
I'll consider it.
Um [STAMMERS.]
Excuse me.
Look, Chief, I know that the old norms dictate that you have the authority to make the final call on this, so if it makes it easier, you can just think of this as a personal favor to me.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Grateful for your cooperation on this.
You won't be disappointed.
Six-year-old male, single-car rollover.
He was in the back seat and caught some metal - in his right leg.
- You say the word and we can cut it loose.
- Ready to go whenever you are.
- Hey.
How you feeling, honey? You still with me? - It hurts.
- I know, I know.
But you are being so tough, okay? Now we're gonna get you out of there.
You keep your eyes on me.
Take deep steady breaths.
In and out.
[LONG INHALE, EXHALE.]
In, out.
- Okay, just like that.
- Okay, you ready? - [BREATHING DEEPLY.]
- All right, one - two - [DEEP BREATHING.]
- Three.
- [SCREAMING.]
[SAW WHIRRING.]
[WHIMPERS.]
Eyes on me, come on.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Okay, we're through.
It's okay.
You did so good.
Great work, bud.
Let's get him to Trauma 3.
Keep breathing.
- Hey, nice work.
- Thanks.
- Same to you.
- Father's out of CT.
- How's it looking? - Looks good.
No bleed.
He's a little disoriented, - but he's okay.
- I'm just gonna restock some supplies.
I'll be right back.
New girl knows her stuff.
Foster.
- Right.
Foster.
- [LAUGHS.]
Excuse, me I'm looking for my son, Mason Whittaker? Yeah, we just brought him in.
He has a piece of metal embedded in his leg, - but no internal injuries.
- Where is he? - Can I see him? - Soon.
- He's with the trauma team now.
- Trauma team? My God, what the hell happened? Your husband's SUV lost control.
He went off an overpass near the city.
He drove off an overpass? That's what it looks like.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Someone call the police.
Right now.
I-I need to file a report.
- Ma'am? - I-I think I think my husband crashed that car on purpose.
[SHAKY BREATHING.]
I think he tried to kill our son.
Things got so bad once we separated.
Volatile, paranoid.
Did he ever make any direct threats? About himself or about your son? About suicide? No.
Not specifically, but he had an episode at one of our divorce hearings.
Sean Morland, my attorney, he'll verify.
Mark broke down, said he couldn't live without Mason.
Sean tried to use it as grounds to deny custody.
Did you notice anything unusual at the scene? Anything to indicate intent? Road was empty when we got there.
No other cars.
No reason why he'd suddenly jerk the wheel - and drive off an overpass.
- When we were treating him, he kept saying, "What did I do? What did I do?" Also the way he was ejected.
There's a good chance he wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
Tracks of a suicide attempt.
So what now? Well, I have all your statements.
- We'll look into it.
- Sorry, you'll "look into it"? Possible murder attempt, that's all you've got? I understand the concern, but there's not much I can do without hard evidence of a crime.
I'll see if there's more I can find.
For now, your son is safe.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
- Chief? - Okay.
Trey Jennings.
Engine Lieutenant.
Who? You don't know him.
Not on my radar.
Must not be from one of the busier houses or I'm sure our paths would have crossed.
Someone you're considering for Engine Lieutenant? His name was brought up as a recommendation - by ADC Gorsch.
- Ah.
Copy that.
Why him? I can think of five or six names just off the top of my head who'd be a more obvious fit.
No idea, but I would like to find out.
I'll make some calls.
If I can ask, are you looking for a reason to say yes or a reason - to say no? - Neither.
I just want to know whether it's a hill I'm ready to die on.
[ENGINE RUMBLING.]
Hey, guys? I want an incident report from each of you.
Tell me everything you saw on that call.
Don't leave any details out.
- Copy that.
- You got it, Lieutenant.
Something up? A possible murder-suicide attempt.
- Father and six-year-old kid.
- Ah.
Might need help with research later if you got time.
Oh, whatever you need.
Hey, you want a hand with that? [LAUGHING.]
Do you mind? I'm worried they're gonna tip over.
They're already a little lopsided as it is.
[LAUGHING.]
Have you seen the show "Nailed It"? I tried to [SIGHS.]
Let's just say I didn't nail it.
- Okay.
- Uh, I don't know if you remember me.
You helped pull me out of the tower fire.
That's right.
I do.
Chloe, was it? - Yep, that's me.
- How, uh how you feeling? - You recovering okay? - Lot to rebuild, - but I'm getting there.
- Of course.
I just I had to bring these over to say, you know, thank you for saving my life, and Oh, I you didn't need to bring us anything.
Oh, it was nothing.
Actually, I work in that building right there, so I was close.
Well I guess I should go.
I don't want to take up more of your time, so Oh, no trouble at all.
Uh, take care of yourself, and thanks again for the pops.
[LAUGHS, STAMMERS.]
Bye.
[LIGHT MUSIC.]
[SIGHS.]
What was that? - What was what? - Cruz, how could you not notice that girl was into you? She was practically leaping into your arms.
She was just being nice.
That was more than just "nice.
" Why, because she brought cake pops? [ALARM BLARING.]
[BOTH SIGH.]
Ambo 61, industrial accident, 1402 West 45th Street.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[BRAKES HISS.]
"Weird World Industries.
" What the heck kind of factory is this? Otis, hang back till we know what we're dealing with here.
Copy that.
Fire department! Thank goodness you're here.
Follow me.
I tried to tell him that he was in over his head, that it couldn't be done, but that just drove him - to try harder.
- Try what? [FIREWORKS EXPLODING.]
[MUFFLED SHOUTING.]
Otis, extinguishers.
Copy that.
[MUFFLED EXCLAMATIONS.]
Uh, sir? - Can you hear me? - He's got a gag on.
Oh, okay.
Well, knock twice - if you can hear - No, no, he's wearing - a straight jacket.
- [MUFFLED SHOUTING.]
Damn it.
- Whoa.
- Otis! Get to it.
[EXTINGUISHER HISSING.]
[MUFFLED SHOUTING.]
Got him.
[GRUNTING.]
How you doing? You okay? I'm gonna need non-disclosure agreements from every single one of you.
Just give me a hint.
Is it mirrors? - Trap doors? - It's magic.
- Okay.
- Here.
[CURIOUS MUSIC.]
Ooh.
Where'd it go? [LAUGHS.]
When I get back from med, I'll tell you some stories.
I used to date a magician back in college.
- Learned some tricks.
- Really? - Was he a professional? - Oh, yeah.
He was a real staple down at the club around town.
You buy me a drink and I'll tell you how he made our relationship - disappear.
- [LAUGHS.]
[AMBIENT MUSIC.]
- How we looking? - All clear.
Just a small pyrotechnic mishap.
Nothing we couldn't handle with extinguishers.
Perfect, thanks for knocking it down.
Cowan, Bixler, you wanna run in, give it the overhaul a once-over and make sure we don't have any surprises - once we leave? - Sure thing, Lieutenant.
Trey Jennings.
Don't believe we've met.
In that case, pleasure.
Engine 111.
Aren't you guys up in Edison Park? - Little far from home.
- Heard a rumor I was on some sort of short list to replace your Engine Lieutenant.
I got curious, so I asked dispatch to pair us together with the next call.
Got to say, I'm impressed how fast you guys handled that.
We're not your average house, huh? That's what I hear.
Very cool.
Look forward to learning more.
I should go take point on this overhaul, but, uh, it was really good meeting you guys.
- Catch you on the next one.
- Yeah.
Hey, nice guy.
Not what I would have figured given who he's related to.
- What do you mean? - Oh, that guy? He's Gorsch's brother-in-law.
[FOREBODING MUSIC.]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Got those collision studies.
You can just set them on the desk.
Thanks.
You keep staring at those photos, you're gonna give yourself a migraine.
Hey, come here.
Let me show you this.
So you have a concrete pylon here, and then skid-marks here.
Wouldn't you speed up instead of hit your brakes if you wanted to kill yourself? Maybe he didn't have a plan.
Maybe he got cold feet until the last minute.
Do you think it was an accident? Still no reason he'd take a dive off that overpass.
Mm-hmm.
Kelly, I know you want to crack this, but there there's not much that you have to work from.
You know, you saved Mason's life.
You did your part.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
All right.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
They're related.
This Jennings guy is Gorsch's brother-in-law.
That's his angle nepotism.
How'd he handle the call? Decent, thorough.
Nothing obvious I'd ding him on.
You do me a favor? You keep a firm lid on this.
If I'm gonna go all-knives-out on Gorsch, I'm gonna need to be prepared.
Copy that, Chief.
Oh, these are legit.
Where'd these come from? Uh, a victim from the high-rise fire brought them in.
Well, damn.
Hey.
- Can I ask you something? - Shoot.
Okay, so, this girl she's cute.
How would I know whether she came by to say thank you to the whole house or whether she came by because she's interested in me? [SIGHS.]
What does your gut say? Given my history, my gut is the worst possible indicator.
I need a female perspective.
I would ask Brett, but Oh, snap.
- The two of you - [STAMMERING.]
It was a while ago.
That door is closed.
I just try to steer clear of it as much as I can.
I hear you, okay? So so this girl, did she hint at anything? Like, you know, going out on a date? Uh, she pointed out where she works.
Close by.
Maybe that was an invitation? Uh, it's hard to say.
- I wasn't there.
- [SIGHS.]
[MISCHIEVOUS MUSIC.]
Okay, the real question is: would you be interested? Well [SIGHS.]
Yeah, for sure.
Okay, well, there you go.
And you know where to find her.
- Mm - [LAUGHS.]
[SCOFFS.]
I'm thinking about it.
- Okay.
- [BOTH LAUGHING.]
I'm gonna let you ponder that.
Mouch! - Just the man I'm looking for.
- Lieutenant.
So I hear they put you in charge of selling tickets for the CFD picnic this year.
They did.
Happy to do it.
You're picking up - for your whole crew, correct? - Yep.
I put this one on me.
Figure I give them enough grief for the rest of the year.
- It's the least I could do.
- Uh, I feel like I'm missing a pair.
I didn't see any for Ritter in there.
Ritter.
Oh, you mean the candidate.
Yeah, he's a no-go.
What, he he's not coming to the picnic? Not with our company, he's not.
He's a decent kid but, I mean, you saw him in that tower fire.
He totally froze up.
I had to kick him back to the floater pool.
Yeah, no, sure.
Thanks for these.
- Catch you at the picnic? - You bet.
'Scuse me? I'm looking for a Lieutenant Severide.
- Is this the right house? - You found him.
Sean Morland.
I represent Ms.
Amy Whittaker in her divorce.
The department can give you my report.
Yeah, official reports, they're dry.
I'm interested in the human perspective.
Is this okay? Now, am I correct, Lieutenant, that Mr.
Whittaker made no attempt to rescue his son prior to your arrival? - He was barely conscious.
- Oh, sure, but I'm sure that at the moment you arrived he told you Mason was in the car, right? Not exactly.
He was asking where Mason was.
He asked? Like, he didn't know? That's odd, right? Not considering the extent of his injuries.
Sorry, have you seen vehicular suicides before in your line of work, Lieutenant? - I have.
- Yeah, so it wouldn't be an unusual phenomenon for someone with a history - of depression.
- Look, I can tell you about the position of the car.
I can tell you how we did the rescue.
I can't answer questions about what could have been going on in someone's head.
I hear where you're coming from.
No one's ever gonna really know what happened in that car except Mr.
Whittaker and the Almighty.
Now, it's my job to present the narrative that scores - the best outcome for my client.
- The narrative? [TENSE MUSIC.]
[PHONE BEEPS.]
You're talking about a family.
We're done here.
Understood.
Thanks for your time.
Morning, Chief.
I'm about to head out but just reminding: we're giving Didrikson a proper send-off tonight at the bar.
Yeah, yeah.
I'll be there.
[SIGHS.]
Gorsch already gone? Thought I saw him leave.
It's hard to know.
He likes to keep us on our toes.
So Hey.
How are things going, then? This, um, Jennings character is he coming over? - Not on my watch.
- Okay.
Um, then what? Not to overstep, okay? But if you refuse to play ball with Gorsch What happens with the rest of us? I don't have a choice, Herrmann.
Um, that's not true.
I met Jennings he's fine.
He's capable.
Has the respect of his crew.
That's beside the point.
I have to draw a line.
I won't let Jerry Gorsch call the shots in my own damn firehouse.
Chief I say this out of love That's your pride talking.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
You are bigger than this.
You need to make the best choice for the house long-term, and if that means you hiring some solid, good lieutenant and keeping the peace that's fine.
Who cares where this guy came from? Thank you, Herrmann.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[PHONES RINGING.]
Can I help you? Oh.
[LAUGHS.]
Yes, hi.
Um, I'm looking for Chloe You know, what I don't even know her last name.
Who can I say is looking for her? Oh, uh, I'm Joe Cruz.
I'm [GASPS.]
I know who you are.
- You're the guy with the smile.
- [LAUGHS.]
That one.
- [CLEARS THROAT.]
- I'll get her.
- Thank you.
- Chloe - Joe Cruz is here.
- [SIGHS.]
[LIGHTHEARTED, TENSE MUSIC.]
- Hi.
- Hey.
Um, I I'm so sorry - if I'm, um - Oh, no, it's okay.
Really, uh [LAUGHS.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Hey, um I don't know if this is the sort of thing that might interest you, but, uh, the department is having a charity picnic, and I thought Yes.
- Yes? - I'd love to.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
"Extreme density training smoke.
" Wonder if you can use that to flavor a brisket.
Hey, Mouch! - It's good to see you, man.
- Good to see you, Ritter.
What brings you by the depot? - Picking up an order? - Nah.
Came to see you, actually.
Hoping to strong-arm you into buying some tickets to the charity picnic this weekend.
Uh, well, I appreciate that I do but I don't think I'm gonna make it, though.
Maybe you've noticed, - I'm not with Engine 37 anymore.
- Yeah, I heard.
Paxson kicked me to the floater pool.
They got me doing a day here and then a week of desk-duty at the academy.
You'll get a permanent assignment soon enough.
- Give it time.
- Yeah, maybe.
But Paxson gave me a pretty brutal review.
Try to stay positive, but Well, just takes time to work your way back into their good graces.
I watched you pull a man out of a burning high-rise.
One of the worst fires I've seen in a while.
Saved his life.
Well, you're skipping over the part where I froze.
There's not a firefighter in this department who hasn't had a moment of panic.
A moment they're ashamed of.
We stumble, we fall, then we get up again.
I hear what you're saying.
It makes sense.
I'm just trying to sort through it all.
Just come to the picnic.
On me.
Some folks there I want you to meet.
Guys that picked me up when I fell.
Yeah, maybe.
I'll see.
No "maybes.
" Be there.
Ritter to the second floor.
- Ritter to the second floor.
- I gotta get back to it.
Look, thanks for coming by, Mouch.
You're a good guy.
Yeah, no problem.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION.]
Um maybe we should come back later? [MONITORS BEEPING.]
Excuse me, are you the firefighter? The one who saved my boy? Yeah, I just came to check on him, see how he's doing.
- We brought him this.
- [LAUGHS.]
That's great.
I think he'll like it.
He's talked a lot about you and the other firefighters.
I think he's got a new career goal for when he grows up.
How's his condition? He's, uh he's recovering well, though the doctor said he's still looking at - weeks of rehab.
- Well, anything that we can do to help, you know, just let us know.
I appreciate that, thank you.
- Yeah.
- I would never hurt my boy.
- I hope that you know that.
- I'm not the police.
I'm not someone you need to convince.
No, but you were there.
You saved my boy's life.
It matters that you know.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
It was an accident.
We were just driving along and suddenly Mason shrieked like like he saw something.
I turned to check on him, and when I turned back in the road, I saw a shape.
Deer, I don't know.
I swerved to try and avoid it.
I couldn't react quick enough and [SIGHS.]
The rest is a blur.
And you told the police all that? Yeah, I told them and they wrote it down.
No one's filing criminal charges but family court's different.
It's not the same burden of proof, and my wife's lawyer smelled blood.
I don't have any evidence to back up my story.
All I have is my word, and I'm praying that it's enough, because the idea that I might lose my son forever over this [WEEPING.]
It honest to God, it terrifies me.
Daddy Let me just tell him that you're here.
Yeah, sure.
[SNIFFLES.]
Hey, look what they brought you.
- Do you believe him? - [SIGHS.]
Deer wandering that deep into the city? - Yeah.
- But if he's right, he's about to lose his kid over an accident.
What say we skip our dinner plans tonight? Maybe, uh, pick up some drive-thru and head back to the accident site.
Yeah.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
Just took a sharp turn out of nowhere.
You see anything unusual? There's no hoof prints on the pavement, if that's what we're looking for.
If they made contact with the deer, it could have stumbled off bleeding.
Okay.
Let me ask you this, though: How far are you willing to go for this? Just the way that you've been on it since hour one and the way that you bit that lawyer's head off.
It's it's hard to explain what something like this does to a kid.
Mom and Dad both going at each other, accusations flying.
Everything around you just [MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
Falling apart.
It affects you.
If I can help Mason, I want to.
I hear that.
[CLICKS TONGUE.]
I do think that before we go any further, - we should just put some - Stella.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Damn.
Let's take some pictures.
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
Ms.
Whittaker? [GASPS.]
Lieutenant Severide.
You came at the perfect time.
The doctor just told me they expect Mason to be discharged today.
And, with rehab, they expect him to make a full recovery.
- That's great.
- Sorry you had to see me at my worst.
These past few days, it's felt like the whole world was coming apart.
There's nothing to apologize for.
My attorney told me he spoke to you.
Said you'd been very helpful.
Even with circumstantial evidence, he's confident the accident will go a long way towards getting me sole custody.
About that, Ms.
Whittaker.
I found something that might make a difference for you.
Okay, what is it? I came to the hospital last night.
I saw your husband he told me everything he remembered from the crash.
He told me that he saw a deer in the road.
That's why he swerved.
A deer in the middle of the city.
I know, I know.
It seemed off to me, too, until I went back to the scene and I found this.
[PHONE BEEPS.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
There was no other reason for him to swerve.
It was an accident.
I have no reason to believe that your husband wanted to hurt Mason.
None at all.
[SIGHS.]
How did I get here? I was so scared.
- I think I'm losing my mind.
- You're not.
You're in the middle of a crisis.
You're looking out for your son.
You've got lawyers in the mix doing anything to win.
Something's gotta give.
I hate that Mason's caught in the middle.
He's got two parents who want the best for him.
Not every kid has that.
Thank you.
- For everything.
- Yeah.
Thanks for coming.
Ladies and gentlemen, watch.
Watch very carefully.
[CHEERFUL CARNIVAL MUSIC.]
Like I was saying, not to get pedantic about it but the golden age of magic is over, I mean, with today's technology the entire industry's like 30% sleight-of-hand, 70% engineering.
Uh-huh.
[APPLAUSE.]
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Can I have a beer, please? [CHEERING, LAUGHTER.]
There you go.
Good turnout.
Should have got Huffhines on this.
It would have made a nice spread for the weekly press.
Yeah, well, we're here for charity, not publicity.
No, you're absolutely right.
By the way, the Commissioner sends his apologies.
He's got a big conference down in Springfield.
Duty has to come first, you know.
Yeah, I wouldn't expect anything less.
The good news is, I spoke to him about putting Trey in the Lieutenant's seat at 51.
- Trey.
- Oh, sorry.
Uh, Lieutenant Jennings.
Anyway, it's got the big man's blessing, so green light.
- When's the big announcement? - [CHUCKLES.]
- Today.
- Good.
Excellent.
I'll let Trey know.
- Thanks for coming.
- Thanks.
Nobody watch, you guys.
- I'm awful.
- Hey.
Foster, listen don't sweat it, all right? - Okay.
- You got this.
Everybody's rooting for you! [ALL CHEERING.]
- Okay ALL: One, two, and - [LAUGHS.]
- Oh.
- Did I make it? - Uh, yeah.
Great effort.
- Uh, hello? - All right, Boden time.
If you don't mind, gather around.
Uh, yeah, gather around.
Um good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
I don't want to take up too much of your time away from fried food and games, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say a few words.
As I look around and I see members from this department come together with their family members for a common cause, I am reminded of why it is that we do the work that we do, take the risks that we take.
It's for the community.
There's no room for ego or ambition.
Just selfless determination.
And that is a quality that is embodied in Engine 51 outgoing lieutenant, George Didrikson.
Didrikson, where are you? Oh, there he is! Come on, give it up.
[APPLAUSE.]
Lieutenant Didrikson is leaving behind some big-ass shoes to fill trust me.
Fortunately for me, I didn't have to look too far.
And that is why I am proud to announce that Christopher Herrmann will be taking over as the next lieutenant on Engine 51.
[APPLAUSE.]
[CHEERING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
- What? - Way to go, Herrmann! [OVERLAPPING CHATTER.]
That was unexpected.
I thank you for your suggestion.
You know, in the end, I felt it best we go with someone who had experience in the house.
Someone, well Someone I could trust.
Of course.
It's a bold choice, Chief.
Excuse me a moment while I brief - the Commissioner on this.
- Yeah, you do that.
- Chief - Yeah.
- I don't know what to say.
- Well, your name has been on the lieutenant's list for a while.
It's about time you got your shot.
I give you my word I will not let you down.
I know you won't.
Yeah.
April, if you still want to hit this picnic, Stella's already there.
She wants you to come.
I'm, uh I'm waiting outside of Med.
It's, uh, free barbecue, so let's get a move-on.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC.]