Cruz's career could be in trouble in Chicago Fire season 13 (here's why)

Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) is a solid guy. He's always trying to do his best to protect victims during fires, and his peers during dangerous rescue missions. He's one of the most beloved Chicago Fire veterans as a result. The thing is, Cruz is not a boy scout. He has some skeletons in his closet, and we were just reminded of one in the season 13 fall finale.

Cruz was paid a visit by a man named Junior Polanco (Richard Cabral). He'd never met Junior, but the ex-convict claimed that he was present during a particularly dangerous fire that took place during the show's first season. Junior said he stood by and watched as his cousin, Flaco (Jose Antonio Garcia) was buried underneath rubble during the fire.

Joe Cruz left Junior's cousin to die in season 1

Joe Cruz was on the scene, and was the firefighter who happened to stumble upon the pinned Flaco. The latter had just attempted to blackmail Cruz, and even beat up his brother for trying to leave the street gang known as the Insane Kings. Cruz knew that saving Flaco meant a world of stress for him and his brother.

As a result, the firefighter decided to let Flaco perish. He refused to help the gang leader, and he died as a result of his injuries. Cold blooded, we know. Cruz was doing it for the betterment of both his life and his little brother's. The problem is, there was a witness. A witness who is related to Flaco, and who clearly has a bone to pick with the firefighter.

Junior could potentially blackmail Cruz in the winter premiere

The fall finale ended with Cruz and Junior meeting face to face in a church. It was a tense standoff, and one that clearly set up Junior's desire to take revenge for his cousin. Revenge comes in many forms, however. Junior could attempt to fight, or even kill Cruz, but he also witnessed the firefighter go against their legal duty and let a victim die.

We could easily see a winter finale in which Junior tries to blackmail Cruz with the immoral actions he took back in season 1. It would be ironic, given that his actions stemmed from a blackmail situation, but it would also be incredibly fitting. If Firehouse 51 were to find out that Cruz let a man die without trying to help him, his career would effectively be over.

We hope that Cruz won't be written off the show, but he's going to have to figure a way out of this very sticky situation.