Case by Case Love ✔️

Chapter 76: Consultation

Hank follows Jay inside the condo to the kitchen, watching as he reaches for a pair of glasses. 

It was the customary thing the pair did when the conversations got serious or uncomfortable. Knowing what was at stake just based on what Hank had heard at the district, he knew it was probably a combination of both in why Jay had called him. 

"How are your rib-" Hank starts, as Jay shakes his head immediately, grabbing the bottle of whiskey out of the cupboard. 

"We both know that's not why I called you here today," he cuts him off as he wanted to stick to the topic at hand. Truth be told, he hated when people constantly asked him how he was doing. There was other things to focus on, most of the time more important. "They're fine, by the way. It was just bruising, which has pretty much healed. There was not a lot of pain afterwards. I'm fine, okay? Can we focus on the issue at hand?" 

"Do you want my hel-"

"I didn't want your help that day. I didn't want to do a cover-up from the moment it happened. Did you think I changed my mind? Do you think that's why I called you here? I told you - I did that once for Hailey, it messed me up, and the very thought of doing it when I killed Benji gave me the worst PTSD I could think of. Let's establish that no matter what happens, I am not going down that road - ever." Hank nods his head, accepting, as he reaches for his glass and takes a sip. It did not mean he was going to be the perfect innocent man and listen fully to his detective. It was why he had talked to Trudy a couple times already about what was happening. It was why he wanted to know each person that was involved at the Ivory Tower within Internal Affairs. If he could find a way to help Jay, he was going to do it. 

"Alright, fine. I will respect your wishes if that's what you want. Like we've said from day one - you are not me as you have your own morals and you are your own person. I respect that, and I would not want to change anything about you." Jay could only look on a bit of surprised, knowing there was probably something that he would change if given the choice. Heck, Jay had some things he wished he could change about himself that seemingly never went changed. 

"I called you here because I wanted to talk to somebody about it. I wanted to talk to someone who had experience in these situations. I wanted to get your temperature on everything that is going on. I want to know what I am getting myself into." Hank nods his head, accepting, as he takes a deep breath. He did not even want to process the very thought himself as he could not probably bare any of these things happening.

"This is not a joking manner, as everybody has probably told you. It comes down to the very simple thing that you were probably already told. You could be not only stripped of your duties or suspended, but sent to jail if they believe you are guilty of murder." Jay remembered the words being told to him on the phone. He had repeated them to himself multiple times since that phone call. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he called Hank and asked if he was free for a conversation. Well, he called Hank after speaking to his FOP representative about what would transpire next. Got to do it by the book and properly, right? 

"I did not push him or force him back in anyway. There has to be evidence of that. There is nothing that could show intent to kill. I just need to say what happened - we argued, he did not want to be apprehended, I was able to get the cuffs on him, and then he jumped. What else is there for me to say?" Hank watches Jay as he thinks over everything from the past couple months. "I have a clean record that shows I do not go about the wrong things. I have not been before the board in any wrongdoings or been suspended for something. I actually have been respected by them for my bravery if you remember the words of the dinner we attended. That should go to credit my character in believing my story. That's all I am going with when I walk in there." 

"What about the fact that you work for me? Some of them may want to associate you with a lack of conduct due to working for the most controversial Sergeant in the district." Jay knew that was a possibility. It was one of the thoughts that crossed his mind throughout the whole conversation on the phone.

"So basically they're going after me as a way to get to you, again. We've been down this road before, Hank. Do I need to remind you of how many people came to me and questioned my alliance, and tried to use it against me? Do I need to remind you what I have said about all of that?" Hank shakes his head no, knowing their history all too well. It was why they had grown so close over the years, and why he cared about Jay more than anyone in the unit - well, except Erin. Everybody knew she had a special place in his heart.

"I don't want you to go down because of me. I don't want you to lose everything because of me. That's why I am telling you right now if that comes up, you do not defend me over everyone. If it comes down to me or you, you let me take the fall. This does not weigh on your shoulders. You did nothing wrong. You went through the investigation properly and fairly from day one. You should not have to pay for wrongdoings on my account."