Tolerance Book III

Chapter Eight: Unexpected

Conference Room

Mouse had quickly brought up the live feed on the large television screen set up in the Conference Room just for this case. As the Unit, the two New Yorkers and their Canadian counterparts watched Jay enter the foyer through the tall, revolving glass doors with King trailing close behind him it was clear the young Detective was in a precarious situation. Although their quarry was now tantalisingly in reach and had no obvious weapon they all knew he might have some dastardly measures in place so acting in haste was not an option. They had to rely on Jays' instincts and continue to let him take the lead.

At the back of the room, slightly separated from the other men, Voight and Al were engaged in quiet conversation even as their eyes stayed fixated on the screen.

"So we play it cool until Halstead gives us the go ahead," Al stated knowingly.
"No other choice," the Sergeant nodded in agreement, "we assume King has something planned until we know otherwise."
"He didn't have time to organize anything."
"I sincerely hope not," Voight sighed as he eyed his youngest Detective intensely, "the Kid looks like ten miles of bad road."
"Can't argue with you on that but we'll get him back home and make sure he gets some rest."
"Have you met Halstead?!"Voight scoffed wrily.
"Okay," Al conceded the point, Jay was not good at taking things easy, "but once we get Will and Conor on the case he'll give in for a quiet life."
"You play dirty."
"Only for a good cause," the moustached man defended unrepentantly.

Over by the door Adam, Kevin and Antonio were also focussed on the large screen as they got their tactical gear on.

"Wish we could just arrest him now," Adam admitted.
"We discussed this. Jay figures it will be better not to do anything until he susses out if King has arranged something," Kevin patiently reminded.
"King must be wondering why he isn't in cuffs by now," Antonio put in as he double checked his weapon while eyeing the pair stroll over to the bank of elevators uncontested.
"Letting them enter without confronting him will also help to unsettle King," Parker walked over with Murphy beside him, they had discussed this tactic at length prior to Jay leaving for Capilano.
"I hear you Doc," the Italian-American acknowledged readily as the duo stepped into the elevator and out of sight momentarily.

"Ten seconds and I'll have them again," Mouse informed as his fingers glided unerringly across the keys.
"We don't have surveillance in the elevators," Marks pointed out.
"You do now," Voight stated bluntly, he would face the backlash later but would not entertain any discussion on the matter now, "I instructed surveillance of the elevators."
"You forget you're not in the States any more," Marks informed the older man tersely, he was less than impressed but knew now was not the time to deal with the serious breach of protocol and basic procedure, "we'll talk about this later."
"Be glad to," the Sergeant dismissed, glad of the reprieve.

Elevator

After pressing the number for the relevant floor Jay leant back against the side of the car his hands in his pocket, the picture of nonchalance. He knew their presence had been noted and had been relieved their access had not been impeded by someone jumping the gun. He knew his team-mates and friends would not do anything rash but the Canadians represented a variable he could not rely on. Ideally the young man would have felt more confident with only the Unit and Parker and Murphy involved. It was never easy working with new people especially at such a crucial stage of an investigation. It would take only one wrong move by someone and Kings' present co-operative mood could disappear as quickly as fog jeopardising everything. With that in mind Jay sent a pre-arranged signal by rubbing his right index finger once under his right eye. That told them he hadn't seen weapons but not to rule them out. Lowering his hand casually he eyed the numbers on the panel as the elevator ascended. In less then a minute he would be back with his friends and truthfully he would be glad. He was running on empty. Turning his gaze to King he found the mans' countenance had suddenly changed. No longer was he wearing a benign expression. As he leant against the opposite wall with folded arms a look of arrogance filled his features. This was bad, very bad. The Detective was about to address his companion when the car was plunged into darkness.