Tolerance Book I (Chicago PD/Med FF) by Frances51163

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Five: A New Challenge

As the men expected the next explosion was on the same scale as the street one but this one took place in a surprising location, a busy hospital. Pulling up at the chaotic scene the men abandoned their vehicles and eyed the devastation through the dust filled air. A triage site had already been set up.  Three fire engines were busy hosing down one corner of the sprawling building as ambulances with flashing lights waited in line for precious cargo.  Clearly the epicentre of the explosion had been the right side of the building and flames fought valiantly against the onslaught of the Firefighters' water.  Jay looked around and his eyes settled momentarily on ten occupied black body bags. He sighed and averted his eyes. A hospital was a soft target in many ways.  Wells was either getting lazy or there was a tangible reason Mercy Memorial had been chosen.

"Okay as of now there are ten confirmed DBs," Voight garnered the mens' attention, "but there are many still unaccounted for. Most of the victims that have already been transported to University Hospital are in critical condition. The explosion took place in the admin section of the hospital."
"So why are the victims being treated elsewhere?" Adam wondered.
"The Bomb Squad is going through floor by floor to confirm it's safe for people to go back in. It's going to take some time," Voight answered, "nearly every floor was evacuated."
"'Nearly'?"
"The Operating Theatres were left alone."
"But they're going to check them too?" Kevin double checked.
"That's the plan," the Sergeant nodded, "two are occupied with transplant surgeries being performed. It was too risky to stop the operations."
"Makes sense," Al agreed.
"So why a hospital?" Burke asked the question running through all their minds.
"Right now let's concentrate on helping out," Voight directed, there would be time enough for considering the implications of the target later.

An hour later Jay, Antonio and Burke stood outside the second Operating Theatre which was in use, waiting for the Bomb Disposal Technicians to come out and give the all clear as they had been doing since the trio joined them.

"They're taking a long time," Antonio noted.
"They're making sure they do a thorough search," Burke defended.
"They didn't take this long in the first OR."
"Probably different equipment," Jay put in as the door opened slowly and two Technicians stepped into the corridor.
"So?" Antonio asked when no verification was given that all was okay.
"We got a problem," Tom Pannini spoke softly as he motioned for the men to follow him along the corridor as he shed his helmet.
"Problem?" Antonio frowned, this wasn't good.
"How many?" Jay cut to the chase as he watched Peter Jackson also remove his helmet.
"Two," Pannini replied succinctly as he wiped his sweat soaked fringe out of his eyes.
"Bombs?' Antonio checked.
"Yeah," forty year old Jackson affirmed.
"Where?" Burke demanded.
"That's where the real problem is," Pannini sighed as he eyed the two Detectives before focusing on Jay, "a note was found in the transplant box stating Detective Halstead has to stop two bombs before three this afternoon."
"What the hell?!" Antonio raised his voice angrily.
"So there's no bombs in the OR?" Jay double checked.
"No," Jackson answered, "we searched everywhere."
"How did Wells get a note into a transplant box?" Burke asked in surprise.
"For now let's deal with the bombs," Jay instructed, "where's the note?"
"We had to leave it in the box," Jackson replied with a grimace, "the heart is still in there."
"You mean the note didn't contaminate it?" Antonio asked doubtfully as he took out his cell, they had to update Voight asap.
"The note is sealed in a clear bag to the inside lid of the box," Pannini explained, "it said not to attempt to remove it. Figured that was the best option."
"So what exactly does the note say?" Jay queried as his friend stepped away to make his call.
"'This note is for Detective Halstead. It must not be removed. Two bombs will go off at three this afternoon unless Detective Halstead works out where they are.'"
"That's all?"
"Yeah, word for word."
"Hell," Burke cursed knowing the chances of Jay successfully finding the bombs in time was highly unlikely.
"Voight wants us outside now," Antonio spoke as he rejoined the group.

Thirty minutes later the hospital had been given the all clear to start allowing patients and staff back in.  The Chicago men and Burke stood beside the sole remaining ambulance with Pannini and Jackson.

"So the bombs aren't here," Kevin observed, "where does that leave us?"
"Up the creek without a paddle," Adam commented morosely.
"It's surprising he didn't leave some sort of clue," Al spoke thoughtfully, "he wants to see Jay try and fail but without something to go on we can't try to locate the targets."
"He said Detective Halstead is to try to stop the bombs," Jackson reminded, "not anyone else."
"He'd assume we'd help Jay," Antonio offered, "and he didn't say we couldn't."
"Maybe," Jay rubbed his aching temple, "but we can't take a chance."
"What do you mean?" Burke raised an eyebrow.
"He probably has eyes on us now."
"So what are you thinking?" Voight knew his young Detective well.
"The bombs are here."
"We checked ...," Jackson began to argue but was interrupted.
"Where are the body bags?" Jay asked suddenly.
"Probably on their way to the Morgue," Adam replied.
"They would normally be the last to be transported," Jay walked away from the men and eyed their surroundings keenly.
"So?" Voight demanded.
"So why is this ambulance still here?"
"Paramedics are probably inside the hospital," Kevin shrugged.
"Check," Voight sent a look to Antonio who took off at a run.
"So the bombs are in the ambulance?" Burke queried as the men automatically began walking away from the stationary vehicle.
"Perfect spot," Jay put in, "I need to move it."
"No you don't Halstead," Voights' tone implied the matter was not up for discussion.
"Yes I do," Jay insisted as Antonio returned.
"No one knows who this ambulance belongs to. The plates aren't registered to any hospital."
"Then I need to move it," Jay eyed his Sergeant, "the note said three o'clock. That's plenty of time."
"Sure it is," Adam concurred with dripping sarcasm, "because we all know how trustworthy Wells is!"

"There's little over an hour to go," Jay pointed out as his eyes scanned the area, knowing in his gut Wells was out there, "but Adam's right. He's not reliable."
"So what do we do?" Adam demanded.
"'We' don't do anything," Jay began walking towards the solitary ambulance.
"Detective at least let us check the vehicle. We have the proper gear," Pannini advised hurriedly.
"That's not what Wells wants."
"Well at least get kitted up," Burke insisted.
"No time," Jay knew it took a while to get fully kitted out and his gut was telling him they didn't have the time.
"Halstead!" Voights' voice hardened, he did not like being disobeyed.
"Sarge there's no time," the young Detective kept walking until he reached the drivers' door, "it may already be too late."
"I'm going with you," Adam decided but Voight held him back with a stern look.
"We're close to the Hudson River," Jay checked as he opened tbe door and eyed the New Yorkers, "right? That was the waterfront we passed on the way here?"
"Yeah," Pannini acknowledged unhappily.
"Okay," Jay climbed up into the seat unsurprised to find the key in the ignition, "I'll dump her there."
"This is crazy!" Antonio stated crossly as his friend pulled the door shut gently.
"Let's clear the way for him," Voight directed knowing arguing wouldn't get them anywhere.
"We don't even know if the bombs are in there," Jackson noted as the Chicago men headed to their SUVs at a run with Burke in tow.
"Might as well join them," Pannini took out his key for the Bomb Disposal truck.
"this could get ugly."
"Think that's the idea."

tbc

DBs - Dead Bodies