Tolerance Book III

Chapter Eighty-Two: The Search

Queens

As Antonio and Kevin came out of the last residence on their list the Italian-American gestured to the posh dwelling shaking his head.

"That house alone is enough for a large extended family! This guy has houses all over and he lives alone."
"You only working out now how unfair life can be?" Kevin asked without rancour as he eyed the luxurious 5 bed 6 bathroom residence on Malba Drive, the place could easily pass as a boutique hotel with its' extensive appealing frontage!
"Just seems ridiculous having all those places to live when he can only stay in one."
"Well you're forgetting he can't anymore. He doesn't own them now," Kevin reminded glancing towards the For Sale sign.
"You know what I mean. There are decent people living on the streets when so many houses are empty. It's wrong."
"It's the same the world over."
"Doesn't make it right."
"Nope, it sure doesn't."

Kevin eyed the high end properties around them then shrugged. They had more important and pressing matters to deal with. It seemed Jay wasn't in Queens. He hoped the others were having better luck.

Staten Island

On Benedict Road located on the verdant hilltop of the exclusive Todt Hill neighbourhood Adam and Al walked around the 8 bed residence which was listed as a single family dwelling on the market for a cool $8.9 million. There was no evidence of anyone being at the property recently much to the younger mans' disappointment. He had hoped they would find at least some clue to lead them to their friend. This was the second last address they had to check. The pair met up out by the obligatory swimming pool as they put away their weapons.

"Maybe the one on Whitlock Avenue will give us something," Al suggested, he knew his companion was getting despondent but being downcast would not help anyone.
"You reckon Billings would really bring Jay to one of his old properties?" Adam asked doubtfully.
"The guy is unpredictable so yeah I reckon he just might. He'd expect us to find out about his property portfolio and might figure we'd rule the places out as being too obvious."
"I hope you're right."

Brooklyn - Woodhaven

As his friends and colleagues were spread out across New Yorks' five boroughs trying desperately to locate him Jay was still endeavouring to obtain some useful information from his companion. It was proving difficult to say the least. The Detectives' main concern was the possibility of further targets. Knowing however that to approach that subject directly would inevitably lead to a dead end he endeavoured to ascertain some idea of the Killers' plans by guiding the conversation as much as possible.

"So what's in the fridge? I'm kinda hungry," the green eyed man had a non existent appetite thanks to the ever present headache plaguing him but he figured the answer his question garnered might hint at a timeline for the mans' elusive agenda.
"Well as you can guess," Billings gestured to the empty bar, "the place is bereft of basic supplies."
"Thought you would have planned ahead."
"My dining requirements are the least of my worries."
"So what are you worried about?" the Detective pressed at the opening given.
"This and that."
"Hell you sure you're not a closet Politician?!"
"If only most of the Politicians were closeted, the world would be a better place."
"So what have you got to be worried about?" the younger man repeated as he decided he might as well test the older mans' patience.
"As if you care!" Billings scoffed derisively.
"Didn't say I did."
"No, I guess you didn't. Aren't you curious about what I'm going to do with you?"
"Figure you'll tell me when you want to and not a minute sooner."
"Quite right," Billings' index finger caressed the trigger, "least you know who's in control."
"So what are you going to do about feeding me? Me passing out won't help you."
"Oh I'm sure missing a few meals won't kill you."
"Nope but taking strong meds on an empty stomach is not conducive to a pleasant experience ....... for either of us," Jay suggested pointedly as he rubbed his stomach, he would use whatever means were at his disposal however unpleasant!
"You didn't take meds."
"Actually I took them before going to the park. Only planned to stay out for ten or fifteen minutes. Intended to grab a sandwich as soon as I got back," Jay explained with a shrug, he was playing into his foes' fastidious nature as cleaning up after the Detective would definitely not appeal to him.
"You are fast becoming a pain Detective," Billings grumbled unhappily as he checked the clock thoughtfully then continued resignedly, "we could order something."