Tolerance Book III

Chapter Sixty-Five: No Matter What

Grand Central Terminal

It hadn't taken Jay long to gain access to the restricted walkway as directed by Billings.  Although the area was not busy there were still some people going about their work duties despite the late hour.  To the Detectives' relief however his presence did not seem to cause any undue attention.  Approaching the flower pot in which the weapon was apparently secreted the green eyed man noted although there was a security camera in place it was directed towards the stairwell door.   Stopping by the colourful flower holder to supposedly tie his bootlace Jay knelt on one knee and eyed the base of the pot briefly but intently.  The thin pedestal it stood on was made of solid marble.  Billings had instructed him the weapon was in the pot so hoping he wasn't being set up he placed a hand on the pedestal to balance himself as he stood up and surreptitiously caused it to tilt forward.  As if catching the holder to avoid it falling to the ground and shattering he slipped his left hand inside quickly and immediately felt the hard butt of a gun.  Retrieving it in one suave move he hid it in his coat pocket then quickly straightened and adjusted the stand and the pot, all the while shaking his head as if admonishing his own clumsiness.  Giving the now stable pedestal one last glance as if checking it wouldn't fall over again he pulled the baseball cap down further on his head ensuring his face was obscured and opened the door to the stairwell.  He had a call to make and knew now he was finally going to find out who the elusive target was.

Bank

Will had been counting down the minutes to his siblings' call to the demented man.  It was a bittersweet feeling however when the cell rang.   On the one hand Jay ringing meant he was okay but on the other his call meant the deadly mission he had been sent on was still going ahead.  Just what exactly was Voight doing?!  The redhead kept his gaze on the floor as he listened to the terse one sided conversation.  It was evident Billings was enjoying himself orchestrating things and Will found the mans' arrogance beyond contemptible.  Conor was listening to the call just as avidly as his friend hoping to get a glimmer of what exactly their Captor had planned for Jay.  He felt a chill run down his spine as he heard the cold words Billings uttered before abruptly ending the call.  The Surgeon didn't dare look at Will for fear of seeing his own desperation reflected back.  Jay had been instructed in no uncertain terms to get back to the bank within the allotted four hour time frame with proof of death of a random person.  The black haired man grimaced inwardly at what that could entail. 

Central Station Terminal

In the quiet sanctuary of the stairwell devoid of people Jay put away the cell phone as he contemplated the newest twist.  He now knew the reference to a Tennis Player had merely been a misdirection.   Billings had calmly stated that he had no idea who the target was as that would be up to the Detective.  As Jay was trying to grasp the ramifications of the unexpected development the other man and bluntly informed him all he needed to do was shoot someone and provide proof to him of the death.  Before the green eyed man had a chance to seek clarification the call was abruptly ended after Billing warned him that he was on a tight schedule to return to the bank on time or a Hostages' life would be forfeit.  Sighing Jay contemplated his options and tried to wreck his brains for someway to outwit the evil man. 

Looking around he noticed there was no camera in the area so taking the opportunity he wrote a quick note, on the Terminal brochure he had picked up, using the pen he had covertly taken from a Businessman in the Food Court.  Scribbling a message for his friends he headed back down to the main concourse.  He discreetly left  the missive in the magazine stand his friends had been at earlier then headed off.  He had an idea in mind but it would take some wrangling on the part of Murphy et al.

As Jay departed the terminal via the 42nd Street exit with Antonio and Kevin on his tail Adam stood in a quiet corridor off the main concourse and read and re-read the message his friend had left with a frown.  Shaking his head knowing time was of the essence he took out his cell.