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

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Six: A Deadly Risk

As Jay followed the vehicles with lights flashing he resisted the urge to look in the back of the ambulance. Normally caution would have been advised, he didn't know for sure the IEDs were on board but knew he didn't have the time to check. He eyed the clock on the dashboard and noted there was still plenty of time before the three o'clock deadline but relying on that would be too risky.  A shiver ran down his spine as he increased pressure on the gas pedal to keep up with his fast moving escort.  He had known Voight would escort him without any discussion taking place.  The Sergeant however did  not know what Jay intended to do when they reached the Hudson River.  Figuring Wells wanted a spectacular ending for him Jay had come to the slow realization that the ambulance was probably rigged to cause more damage than the hospital explosion. That reasoning dictated what he intended to do. Voight and the others would expect him to bring the ambulance to the waterfront and abandon it. He didn't need to communicate with the Sergeant to know he was being guided to a location which was unpopulated or sparsely populated. That was a given. He wasn't willing however to risk the lives of the Unit or the others. His decision had been an easy one.  He was going to put the vehicle in the water and hope it would contain most of the blast.  

In the lead SUV Burke sat in the back seat as Voight drove with Al at his side. He really hoped Jay was wrong but it was clear his Unit had complete faith in the young Detectives' instincts. Going over the contents of the note in his mind he wondered if Wells had intentionally used the word 'bombs' on this occasion because he had finally accessed full military grade materials.
He shook his head at that dark thought. Wells no doubt wasn't too concerned about correctly labelling his weapons of choice. The damage in any event could be catastrophic with or without military components.  He caught Als' eye in the rear view mirror.

"Wish Jay had at least put on protective gear."
"Me too," Al acknowledged as they rounded a corner at breakneck speed, "but Jays' instincts are usually spot on."
"You're sure this is the best location?" Voight cut in never taking his eyes off the road.
"Yeah it's quiet this time of year compared to other areas," Burke had given the Sergeant directions to  Valentino Pier which was generally quiet during the colder months.

In the SUV behind them Antonio drove keeping an eye on the ambulance following them.  He admired his friend for what he was doing but dearly wished he wouldn't place himself in danger so willingly. Riding shotgun Kevin shared the same thoughts. He really wished his friends' instincts weren't so reliable. In the backseat Adam and Mouse shared a glance as they were tossed from side to side as Antonio broke the speed limit to keep up with Voight. They were unfamiliar with Valentino Pier but hoped Burke knew the area well enough to be sure there wouldn't be many people around.

"Wish we could talk to Jay," Adam groused.
"Too risky to use the cells," Mouse reminded, not for the first time.
"Just because Wells and his buddy didn't use a remote trigger before doesn't mean he won't this time," Kevin looked back, "Jay will do what he has to."
"That's what I'm worried about," Adam  admitted, "he's risking his life over Wells."
"There was no way Jay was going to ignore the threat," Antonio pointed out as the tyres screeched as he manoeuvred around a sharp corner after breaking through the red lights, times like this he really appreciated the siren even if the noise irritated him.

As the waterfront finally came into view Jay breathed a sigh of relief.  As he had turned off his cell he had no idea of where exactly he was being shepherded to and had been boping there would be easy access to the water. Up ahead he saw a pier and he followed his escort through the entrance which heralded the location as Valentino Pier. A cursory glance around relieved some of his tension as there didn't seem to be any civilians in the scenic area. He kept going straight as Voight directed his vehicle to the right and Antonio drove to the left. A quick glance in the side mirrors confirmed he was now on his own as the grey waters got closer.

The men wasted no time in getting out of their vehicles, anxious to see the young Detective abandon the ambulance and get back to them and safety.  The first inkling that that was not going to happen was when the ambulance picked up speed instead of slowing down as it approached a low railing.

"Oh my God!  He's .....," Antonios' voice died as the vehicle plunged into the icy waters.
"What the hell?!" Adam was sure he was going to have a heart attack.
"Atwater call for a bus," Voight instructed hoarsely, he really didn't think his youngest Detective was going to survive but he had to be prepared just in case.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Adam finally gained control of himself and began to head away from the SUVs.
"Ruzek stand down," Voights' words were spoken quietly but that didn't diminish the force behind them, "if there are bombs it's too dangerous."
"Like hell ..,"
"He's right," Al noted with his usual pragmatism as they watched the ambulance bobbing in the water like a corkscrew before its' front started to submerge gradually.
"We can't just stand here!" Burke argued.
"He'll get out," Mouse stated confidently as they all tried to get a glimpse of the driver.
"Bus is on the way," Kevin informed the group, he just hoped it was needed.

In the water the first thing that struck Jay was that he was not going to have a pleasant death. That thought didn't really concern him. He eyed the water gradually seeping in and quickly took off his jacket then his boots.  Hell he definitely didn't think he was going to wind up in the Hudson when he got out of bed this morning! Never boring. He scoffed. This wasn't the time for thinking too much. If he was going to survive he needed to take action.  As the windscreen gradually sank beneath the water he was tilted forward. The floor beneath his feet was already  flooded.  He ignored the biting cold and looked at the door handle. He knew he needed to time the door opening just right. If he opened it too soon water would rush in at an alarming rate. If he opened it too late the result would also be catastrophic.  He knew it had something to do with equalising the pressure inside the vehicle.  He wondered how much time he had. That thought had him eyeing the surprisingly still functioning dashboard clock. There was twenty minutes to go before the deadline. He chanced a look into the back of the ambulance as the vehicle straightened up, now fully underwater. What he saw confirmed he had made the right choice. On the stretcher sat a large see through box which was strapped down with leather ties. A timer blinked. He frowned. It was counting down in minutes and seconds and now read one minute fifty five seconds. He turned back not bothering to look for the second device.  The water was now approaching his knees but at least the vehicle had levelled out so it would make exiting easier.  As the water crept higher he knew he had to make a move. As he reached for the door handle the lights flickered momentarily before he was plunged into darkness ....

tbc

Authors' Note

1.

I had to take some liberties with Valentino Pier.  I have never been to New York but I needed a place where Jay could easily put the ambulance in the water. I did some research but could not find a location that would be accessible to the water and unpopulated. I assume New Yorkers actually frequent the area all year round but for the purpose of this story please go along with my explanation for the location being unpopulated!!

2.

For non-American Readers and those unfamiliar with a lot of American television series in American drama series ambulances are often referred to as buses so I have done that also.