In the latest episode of “Chicago P.D.,” the spotlight turns to newcomer Eva Imani, played by Ari Mandi. Season 13, Episode 4, titled “Root Cause,” reveals intriguing details about Eva’s past and personal life. Teaming up with Hank Voight, portrayed by Jason Beghe, they delve into a series of robberies. Their investigation leads them to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, where Eva adopts a false identity. Her convincing performance as a struggling addict even prompts Hank to question her background.

In response, Eva quips, “Are you subtly asking if I’ve had a drug problem? No, I don’t. I’ve just attended many N.A. meetings.” Pressed by Hank, she confides that she frequented these meetings in search of her sister, whom she last saw at the age of eight. While she keeps further details under wraps, later on, Eva impressively demonstrates her fluency in Farsi, confirming her earlier claim of being bilingual.

As the episode unfolds, Eva is visibly shaken upon spotting a wanted poster. The haunting expression on her face raises questions—could it be her sister or another family member she recognized? Viewers are left in suspense, much like the long-standing mystery of Hank’s childhood, which is finally being unraveled after 13 seasons.

Eva’s story isn’t the only one that takes a deeper dive into the past. Early in the episode, Hank receives a mysterious manila envelope. He tasks Trudy, played by Amy Morton, with tracing its origin. The contents are later disclosed to be a photograph of a young Hank, bruised and lying in a hospital bed, adding another layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Eva isn’t the only character whose past receives a partial exhumation thanks to unforeseen circumstances. Early in the episode, Hank receives a manila envelope and asks Trudy (Amy Morton) to figure out where it came from. Later, the contents of the mailer are revealed — a picture of a young Hank lying battered in a hospital bed.

“Chicago P.D.” has avoided telling viewers too much about where Hank came from and what his family was like. Audiences know he idolized his policeman father, which is why he entered the academy — and that his dad died in the line of duty. In spite of the fact that Hank is the “Chicago P.D.” character who arguably breaks the most rules, he’s always had a tender side and a soft spot for wounded people. Specifically, he cares about the welfare of abused children. 

He has tried to shelter and protect a number of them from violence and the end result hasn’t always been pleasant. Hank went the distance to protect his own son, Justin (Josh Segarra), from getting hurt in spite of their strained relationship. When Justin’s brutal murder eventually occurs in Season 3, it shakes Hank badly. But it looks like “Chicago P.D.” is finally going to fill in some information gaps and reveal what happened to Hank after his dad died — and why he’s so private about his past.

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.