They clasped hands firmly, holding on a moment longer as if to make sure the other was still there… just as solid as before.
As they entered the garage, Hank headed straight for the armory cage. When he opened it, the gleam of steel and the neatly lined equipment made Jimmy let out a low, almost disbelieving chuckle.
—Shit… —he muttered, letting his gaze wander over rifles, shotguns, and ammunition— They really take care of you, huh?
Hank didn't answer right away, just gave a slight, crooked smile—the kind that said more than words.
Jimmy stepped closer and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder, that same rough camaraderie as always.
—I like it… —he added with a half-smile— This is gonna get fun.
—You know? You're welcome on the team. It'd help to have someone with your experience around.
—No, I'll leave that to you —Hank said with a faint smile— I'd rather look after my own neighborhood.
Downstairs.
Everyone checked and secured their gear carefully. From the surveillance footage, it was clear the attackers weren't playing around—they'd open fire at the first provocation. No one wanted to risk a mistake. One by one, they put on their vests, adjusted their plates, and checked magazines, radios, and weapons before heading out.
—¡Swish!
The Velcro was pulled tight by a pair of large hands and secured firmly.
Ethan stretched and glanced across the room; Erin was adjusting Halstead's vest, pulling it tight into place.
He shook his head and turned to help Atwater straighten his clothes.
Luckily, it was already winter; wearing a vest under a jacket didn't restrict movement much.
Dressed and ready, Ethan stepped out of the armory into the parking lot.
He moved a few steps away from the rest of the team and lit a cigarette, leaning against the side of the truck. The lighter briefly illuminated his face before fading.
Erin showed up beside him shortly after.
—You know that's gonna kill you, right? —she said, crossing her arms.
—A bullet could do the same any day. No difference, Lind. —Ethan replied with a half-smile.
Erin shook her head, though a faint smile slipped through.
—You should quit.
—I try… sometimes.
Ethan exhaled the smoke to the side so it wouldn't blow toward her.
For a moment, they stood in silence, watching the rest of the team finish gearing up near the vehicles.
Erin glanced at him.
—You nervous?
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
—Me?
—Yeah, you —she replied with a faint smile—. When you're nervous, you smoke more.
Ethan studied her for a few seconds, amused.
—Then you should know that if I were nervous… I wouldn't be standing here talking to you.
Erin raised a brow.
—Oh yeah?
—No —Ethan shrugged—. I'd be checking my weapon for the tenth time… or pretending to check something so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone.
She let out a small laugh.
—Well, good to know you're not ignoring me on purpose.
Ethan leaned in slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
—That could ruin my reputation, you know.
—What reputation?
—The tough, quiet guy kind.
For a second, Erin held his gaze, waiting for a reaction. When she didn't get one, she let out a soft laugh and shook her head.
—Careful… if you keep ignoring me, even Halstead might start to sound charmin
—I'll make a note of that.
Erin lowered her voice, seriousness briefly replacing the playful tone.
—I know you're always up front… those guys aren't playing —she murmured—. Don't be reckless. Take care of yourself.
Ethan looked at her a second longer than usual—firmer, more real.
—I always do.
Ethan nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment.
—You take care, too.
They fell silent for a second, hidden from the rest of the team by the side of the truck.
Erin glanced around quickly to make sure no one was watching.
—If something goes wrong… —she started.
Ethan didn't let her finish. He leaned in slightly and kissed her—short, quick.
Erin blinked, surprised for a moment, then smiled.
—Idiot —she muttered, giving him a light shove on the chest.
—That was just in case —Ethan replied with a faint smile.
Erin shook her head, though the amused expression didn't leave her face.
—Let's go before someone sees us.
They stepped out from behind the truck like nothing had happened and walked back toward the rest of the team. From the other side of the parking lot, Hank's voice called out.
Everyone was ready, and led by Jimmy, they moved out quickly.
Chinatown.
The Chevrolet Suburban rolled to a slow stop. After killing the engine, Ethan grabbed his gear bag and stepped out.
Olinsky, Atwater, and Antonio followed one after another.
Ethan scanned the surroundings; cars lined both sides of the street, and pedestrians moved quickly along the sidewalk.
He reached the glass door first and opened it carefully.
Inside, the reception desk was on the left. To the right, a row of large windows let in the afternoon light, illuminating almost the entire space.
They moved further in.
From there, the whole small casino was visible.
The space couldn't have been more than sixty or seventy square meters, but it was packed with gaming tables—blackjack, poker, and roulette, more than a dozen in total. Still, the place was completely empty.
According to Jimmy, the casino had been shut down for over a month after a raid.
Ethan walked quickly to one of the windows and looked out, checking the angle toward the entrance and the parking lot.
The others followed, taking quick looks before spreading out.
Ethan turned back and scanned the casino, evaluating positions. Finally, he chose a table set diagonally from the entrance. Two nearby pillars provided good cover and a clear view of the entire room.
Without a doubt, the best spot in the place.
He set his bag on the table and unzipped it.
He pulled out a Remington M870 shotgun and placed it on the green felt in front of him.
Then he calmly lit a cigarette.
Footsteps echoed shortly after.
Antonio, Olinsky, and Atwater approached one by one and took seats around the table.
The casino was completely silent. The tension in the air was palpable.
Atwater discreetly wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He had never been in such a direct ambush before—waiting for suspects to walk into the very place they were hiding.
He glanced at Ethan with a hint of admiration.
Of the four, he was the only one who seemed completely relaxed, smoking as if he were on break.
Atwater broke the silence.
—It's too quiet.
Ethan stood up calmly, walked to the reception desk, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV. The low murmur of some random program filled the empty space.
Then he picked up a deck of cards nearby and returned to the table.
—Relax —he said, shuffling the cards with skill—. The plan hasn't started yet. As soon as they show up, the team downstairs will let us know.
He dealt the cards across the table.
—Blackjack. I'll deal.
He looked at the others.
—Minimum bet: five dollars.
Antonio and Olinsky exchanged a glance, a faint smile forming.
—Deal.
Olinsky pulled out a handful of coins and dropped them on the table.
Atwater looked confused.
—You in?
Ethan held a card midair.
—I'm in!
Atwater rubbed his hands together and nodded eagerly.
Just as they started playing, static crackled from the walkie-talkie in the middle of the table.
They exchanged looks—the plan had begun.
Rick's voice came through:
—Boss, what's your situation?
Jimmy replied:
—I see some Huaqing guys.
—You sure? —Rick asked casually. Could that be their new casino?
A brief pause.
—I think so.
Faint background noise followed.
—There are a lot of people upstairs. We've busted Huaqing guys before… if he's here, there's probably a lot of money. He's the one moving it.
Jimmy paused again.
—Last time we hit them, we made big seizures. If they're operating here, I'd say there's at least two hundred grand.
At the table, Ethan kept dealing cards like it was a real game. No one spoke, but all attention was on the walkie-talkie.
Rick pressed on:
—What's the address?
—50 West 23rd Street… right across from the school —Jimmy answered.
Rick reacted immediately:
—Should we move in?
—No, we'll let it pass this time —Jimmy said after a moment— Stick to the original plan. We'll hit the betting house on 45th Street… the nail salon. This can wait.
—Copy.
The radio went silent.
The walkie-talkie on the table had been taken from Jimmy so the team could hear everything in real time. If anyone was listening in, they heard every word, too.
Ethan didn't react. He just kept dealing.
—Olinsky, your turn.
Olinsky looked at his cards without much interest.
A few seconds passed.
Then Hank's voice came through the Intelligence Unit radio.
Olinsky sighed dramatically.
—I fold.
He grabbed his radio, switched to the public police frequency, and raised his voice urgently.
—Emergency backup needed! Shots fired!
The others stayed silent.
—Location: 2200 South Dearborn. Officer requesting assistance. Multiple armed suspects on scene.
The public frequency had already been coordinated with Platt to make it sound real.
Seconds later, Jimmy's voice returned on the table radio.
—Emergency call… not far. Abort mission.
His voice came through loud and clear:
—Everyone move to that location for support!
Silence followed.
In the empty casino, only the soft sound of cards sliding across the table remained.
Now everything depended on whether the bait would be taken.
After being dealt two cards, Ethan tossed his down reluctantly.
Atwater grinned, gathering the small pile of bills in front of him.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Ethan quickly reminded them to sit properly.
Soon, Jimmy and Rick opened the glass door and stepped inside.
They exchanged nods; Rick took off his jacket and grabbed the firearm from the bag beside him.
Leaving Hank and two men to control the stairs below was enough.
—Suspicious target spotted.
Barely two minutes later, Erin's voice came through the radio:
—Black SUV.
She narrowed her eyes as she watched the vehicle approach from the opposite side.
As it got closer, she clearly saw the people inside putting on black masks.
—Target confirmed.
Erin spoke urgently:
—They're getting ready to move.
—Listen, don't rush. I want you to cut off their exit!
She had just drawn her weapon when Hank's voice continued in her earpiece:
—We need them to make a move to solidify the charges.
—Don't spook them. Let them act.
Erin gripped the door handle, ready to move at any second.
Halstead, in the passenger seat, held an AR-15, eyes sharp as he watched the vehicle come to a stop.
Soon, the attackers jumped out.
They carried rifles in a ready position and rushed up the narrow stairs.
—They're going in. One minute!
As they disappeared around the corner, Hank gave the order. Erin and Halstead immediately got out and crossed the street.
Hank, nearby, stepped out of the Cadillac as well.
Walking along the opposite sidewalk, Erin glanced up nervously.
Inside, Ethan stood behind a pillar and gave Hank a subtle thumbs-up; his decision aligned perfectly with Ethan's own.
The sound of a TV echoed through the room. Everyone raised their weapons, aiming at the entrance.
Unlike the others, Ethan already had his finger on the trigger, the stock pressed firmly against his shoulder.
Jimmy, not far away, noticed.