Tolerance Book III

Chapter Sixty-Two: Blindly Into The Night

Jay exited the building and pulled down the Giants' baseball cap Billings had instructed a Hostage to relinquish to him to hide his dressed wound.   He immediately saw Voight and the others turn his way as if in surprise.  He knew they needed to act appropriately in case there was indeed someone on the outside assisting the Killer.  As the Sergeant took a few steps in his direction the younger man held up a hand and shook his head.

"I'm not allowed to talk to you.  I need to do something but I'll be back."
"What do you mean?" the Sergeant demanded impatiently, playing his part perfectly.
"I can't talk," Jay reiterated and began walking away, "don't follow me!"
"Halstead!"
"Sorry Sarge," Jay called over his shoulder as he turned down a side street that would take him to the subway, he had a route to follow and little time to traverse it.

Voight watched his youngest Detective disappear out of sight and felt a pang of regret that they had to take this risk.  He knew the IT Specialist would now be advising the three waiting Detectives where their friend was heading and about his new headgear.  Al walked over to stand beside his oldest friend.

"He looks like hell."
"That doesn't help!"
"Just stating a fact," the moustached man noted, unfazed by the grumpy response.
"Your point?" the Sergeant knew the observation wasn't idle chit chat.
"He might not be up to this."
"The Kid won't let that stop him," Voight argued.
"He might not have a choice in the matter," Al noted sincerely, he was afraid the young man he had come to care greatly about was finally reaching the end of his limit.
"You think I should pull him out?" Voight couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice, this was not what he would have expected from the other man.
"We both know that won't happen!" Al scoffed at the notion.
"Well what are you saying?"
"Just that we're so used to the Kid dealing with whatever demons, past or present, come his way it's easy to forget he's human but it's taking a toll on him and ...,"
"I know that."
"He's bound to reach overload at some point.  He hasn't really had a chance to process everything with his old man or his flashbacks ...,"
"You said he wasn't having any more flashbacks," Voight looked at the former Sniper sternly, he was relying on him to gauge the situation for him since he too had a military history that at times came back to haunt him.
"He hasn't as far as I know but something's gotta give at some point."
"Al if you have something to say just say it," the Sergeant ordered gruffly, the other man did not usually beat about the bush.
"Hank I'm just playing Devils' Advocate.  Like I said before  something has to give at some point with the Kid."
"No one's invincible," Voight concurred with a heavy sigh before stating purposefully, "for now let's just get him out of this and back home.  Then we can deal with everything else."

Al genuinely had not been trying to make matters more difficult for his companion but he felt the need to raise the issue of Jays' wellbeing now so it would in fact influence any decisions made by the Sergeant.

Subway

It had taken Jay longer than anticipated to get down to the subway level as he had to bypass the entrance closest to the bank as uniformed Officers were on duty stopping people gaining access due to the supposed gas leak and he could not take the risk of engaging with them.  Once he reached the subterranean level of transport however he made short work of finding a seat at the back of a crowded car.  Billings had given him a number of places to attend and he had to assume he would learn the identity of the intended target at one of those locations.  He rubbed his aching forehead wearily and knew he was garnering attention from several of the other Passengers. The cap covered the dressed wound but no doubt he looked unwell as he definitely felt unwell. The rudimentary dressing was out of sight but he had felt blood travel down his scalp and neck after the injury had occurred and  he was sure there was a remnant of same visible to anyone who gave him more than a passing glance.    First thing he needed to do was clean up before a well meaning Police Officer interceded and asked him questions.  It was imperative he was not observed talking to anyone, especially law enforcement personnel.  Although it was highly unlikely there was someone aiding Billings the Detective was not about to risk the Hostages' lives on the offchance there was indeed an ally following his path.  As soon as the fast moving train came to a stop he quickly exited and found the nearest restroom which he was relieved to find empty.  Once inside he snatched off the cap and eyed his pale image in the broken mirror cursing inwardly.  He didn't exactly look nondescript.  Grabbing some paper towels from a stall he wet same liberally before wiping away the reddish stain on his right ear and neck.  Satisfied he had done as best as he could he tossed away the soiled towels.  He was in the process of washing his hands when the door opened to reveal a familiar figure.