Tolerance Book III

Chapter Seventy-Two: Confrontations

Fifth Avenue

Jay had been walking alongside Billings when a distant boom caught his attention.  Stopping he looked at the other man.

"You didn't expect me to let you get away with failing did you?"
"That's it," Jay declared, voicing frustration rather than the desperation he felt as he made to turn, "you're coming back with me!"
"Now Detective your naivety is simply astounding," Billings made his own declaration, an evil smirk marring his features, "you are at my mercy.  At least if you want to save lives."

The Detective remained still as he eyed his Nemesis with a cold glare.  As different emotions warred for dominance within him on the outside his calm demeanour remained on show.   He tried to convince himself  Will, Conor and the other Hostages had been out of the bank as well over five minutes had elapsed when the explosion occurred.  Without solid proof however he was struggling to maintain  his usual stoicism.  Few things could shake him but losing Will and Conor fell into that category.  Now observing the smug man opposite he realized he was indeed at his mercy.  He could not risk someones' life and the Killer knew that all too well. 

Command Post

A solemn Murphy approached the Unit with a downcast Parker at his side.

"They just found Masters and Patterson ..... or what was left of them."
"Damn," Voight looked over to where the CSI Team was busy sifting though debris and placing small flags at various locations to indicate remains had been found.
"Hopefully they didn't suffer," Antonio voiced what they were all thinking.
"That's two more people Billings has killed," Kevin noted.
"So I have a question .....," Adam looked at his companions carefully.
"Well?" Voight prompted when the younger man didn't continue.
"I've been thinking .... Jay must have heard the explosion .... so why hasn't he brought Billings back?"
"You make it sound like he could easily force the man to return!" Murphy scoffed.
"This is Halstead we're talking about," Al reminded succinctly, he had absolute faith if Jay decided to make the Killer return he would do so.
"Okay if that's the case and Jay could make Billings come back," Parker spoke thoughtfully, "what would keep him from doing so? I mean he must be worried about his brother and friend ...,"
".... and the other Hostages," Kevin added.
"Billings has a hold over him," Voight suggested unhappily.
"He wouldn't scare Jay!" Adam rebuffed the ridiculous notion, it would never happen.
"No one is saying that," Voight clarified, "there is one thing though that would make Halstead stay out ...,"
"What?" Adam scratched his head.
"Someone else is in danger," Al provided the answer knowing it was indeed the only one that made sense.

Central Park

Sitting on a bench in Central Park not too far from the scenic stone Gapstow Bridge was not where Jay expected to wind up after their departure from the bank yet here he was.  Despite the early morning hour a few people strolled by going about their lives by the north eastern end of the pond happily unaware of a Serial Killer in their midst.  The Detective knew the famous bridge drew Tourists from all over and envied them their simple goal of obtaining  beautiful photographs as momentos.  Such frivolous objectives were always going to be out of his remit unless he took a vacation which his line of work was not conducive to but it didn't stop him wondering what life would be like without so much evil needing to be battled.  He was just glad it wasn't daytime now because the place would have been thronged with such Tourists.   Sighing internally he straightened on the bench and looked at his companion deciding it was time to get some answers.

"So what exactly are we doing here and why should I believe you about someone being in danger?"
"Well now you don't have to believe me," the older man replied benignly, "it's up to you."
"Why are we here?"
"Nice place to sit and watch."
"Watch what?" Jay eyed their surroundings again but as per his earlier keen scrutiny nothing unusual stood out.
"Not 'what' but who," the older man corrected mildly.
"Who?"
"Could be anyone," Billings shrugged.
"You have ten seconds to start  explaining or you and I are moving out," a note of steel tinged the Detectives' quietly spoken words.
"Patience, as we are both aware, is a prerequisite of being a Sniper," Billings reminded too casually for the other mans' liking.
"Billings!"
"I've arranged for you to show off your skills Detective," the arrogant man stated as he finally tore his gaze from the odd Passers By and looked at the younger man, "there's a beech tree at four o'clock.  If you look closely you will see a rifle high up ...,"
"Why are you telling me this?" Jay asked with misgiving as he immediately sought out the tree in question and the offending item.
"I'm giving you a chance to save someone.  All you need do is shoot the guy up there in that tree.  It's not even that far away."
"I'd need a proper rifle," Jay argued trying in vein to reason with a man who was not bound by reason as he spotted the rifle after careful examination.
"You have one."
"What?"
"You have a rifle.  Check under the bench."