Tolerance Book III

Chapter Sixty-Four: Waiting Game

Bank

After listening to the one sided conversation Billings had with his sibling Will was more worried than ever.  It was clear their Captor had the upper hand and the redhead was anxious about Jays' involvement in whatever criminal act the Killer was orchestrating.  His rational mind told him Voight would be second guessing every move and Jay wouldn't actually be forced to hurt someone.  His emotional side however was warning of serious repercussions if Billings suspected his deadly orders had not been carried out.  It was beyond frustrating not knowing what exactly the seasoned Sergeant outside was doing to safeguard his younger brother and Will struggled to reign in his anxiety.  He knew it would be catastrophic if Billings sensed there was a link between Jay and himself but right now even that dire possibility was not helping to dampen his feelings and quench his desire to tackle the man. 

Conor could feel the tension rising in his friend as Billings arrogantly told Jay what to do.  It was almost a tangible presence and he knew he needed to remind the redhead of the very real stakes in play while the Killer was engaged on the call.  Mindful that it might be safer if the other Hostages also remained unaware of their connection the Surgeon was careful to keep his voice low enough to ensure his words only carried to Will.  Turning his head down towards his chest as if trying to ease neck muscles he spoke briefly but succinctly knowing bluntness was a necessary requirement in the present circumstances.

"You'll get him killed if you try anything."
"I can't just sit ....," Will began to protest only to be quietly but curtly interrupted.
"Yes you can and you will!  I'm not telling him you got yourself killed!" Conor insisted vehemently and although the words were aired softly they contained a note of warning.

The redhead huffed but managed to refrain from glaring at his companion.  Deep down he knew his friend was right in his assessment but it wasn't easy to accept.  The black haired man saw that his words seemed to have hit home and relief welled up inside him.  He had been quite serious.  Telling the young Detective his sibling had been killed would have been the hardest notification he had ever had to make and he'd done dozens over the years.

Grand Central Terminal

Jay had perused one of the directories in the main concourse and opted to descend to the lower level where a food court was situated.  After picking up a Mars bar and a Fanta Orange he had treated himself to a doughnut from Doughnut Plant if for no other reason than to annoy his watching friends.  Purchases in hand he chose a seat near the fringe of the food court and sat down gratefully.  While in the que to pay for his items the green eyed man had dry swallowed three tablets out of sight of his Observers. Once seated he took a generous gulp of the soft drink to wash down the meds before opening the chocolate bar.  Usually he would refrain from using painkillers on a Sniper mission but this wasn't a military operation and he knew he needed something to take the edge of the pain.  Although he had no intention of actually carrying out a hit he knew he had to at least give the impression he was doing as instructed and he needed to be able to focus.  His head wound was after leaving him with a headache which although not severe was bad enough to slow down his reflexes and that was the sole reason he had opted for the medication. 

Some distance away Adam and Kevin stood at a magazine stand under the guise of perusing the covers.  The formers' stomach rumbled as he saw the enticing doughnut earning an eye roll from Kevin in disgust.

"Hey I'm hungry! It's been a long day," Adam defended before becoming serious, "he looks awful," he noted unhappily as he wondered if Conor had been wrong about his friend not having a concussion.
"Hate to say it but he hasn't looked good in a long time."
"We should never have come here."
"Billings gave him clear instructions," Kevin reminded as he picked up a magazine and rifled through his pockets for cash.
"I don't mean here," Adam eyed their surroundings, "I mean New York.  He wasn't in any shape for this."
"We've been over this.  No way was Jay going to stay home when he could help save someone."
"I know they're good guys but sometimes I wish we never met Murphy and Parker."
"You're worried they're going to convince Jay to stay here after this case?" Kevin asked astutely.
"Aren't you?"
"I'm trying not to think about it.  For now we have enough on our plate."