Tolerance Book III

Chapter Ninety: Adding To The Puzzle

Authors' Note - There is a reference to a suicide in this chapter but there are no graphic details. I am not in any way diminishing the impact of suicide by using it here.

Homeland Security Headquarters

For the past couple of hours Murphy and Voight had been in a meeting in the Assistant Directors' office with two dark suited men. The Unit members had been surreptitiously keeping an eye on the closed door. It was clear something had happened but they were at a loss in identifying what.

"They're with the CIA," Kevin decided.
"What makes you say that?" Antonio asked with a frown.
"Black suits are more their style."
"What are you a fashion expert?" the Italian-American shook his head ruefully.
"Well they're not FBI so ....,"
"How can you be so sure?" Mouse demanded doubtfully.
"HS already has control of the case. Initially it was an FBI matter but then it was handed over."
"Because of the bombs," Antonio reminded them of the reasoning behind Homeland Security handling the investigation.
"What to do you think Al?" Kevin eyed the one person whose voice had remained silent.
"I think we're going to find out when we find out."
"And there is the logic that is Al," Kevin chuckled as a pen sailed by his head and he just ducked in time, he knew the former Sniper had purposefully missed a direct hit.

The office door suddenly opened and the aforementioned suits walked through the open plan area towards the corridor leading to the elevators without a backward glance.

In the office the Assistant Director sat silently after the Visitors departed. His companion had also opted to remain quiet. Each man considering the ramifications of what they had just been told. Director Thompson had been found shot dead in his home, apparently by his own hand. Murphy wasn't sure what way he felt. While he had disliked the man he wouldn't have wished him dead. That suicide was the cause however did not sit right with him. Thompson amongst other things, was a Coward. Taking his own life would not have been an option. Voight too was having doubts about the cause of death.

"You knew Thompson. Do you believe he killed himself?" the Sergeant arched an eyebrow.
"No, no I don't."
"So someone killed him. Billings?"
"Maybe. To tie up a loose end."
"Makes sense."
"We have to consider another angle," the New Yorker reluctantly stated, "it may have something to do with Halstead."
"What do you mean?" Voights' tone was brittle.
"The link between his father and Thompson. This could be related to that and have nothing at all to do with Billings."

Voight sat upright. Normally he would have considered that possibility straight away. It was a testament to how tired he was that he hadn't. It wasn't just Halstead who had been putting in excessive hours on the investigation although the younger man certainly bore the brunt of the workload since he had to deal directly with the Serial Killer. The Sergeant grimaced as he realized the other mans' suggestion had to be checked out. It seemed there was no let up for the green eyed man and the seasoned Sergeant was becoming more and more frustrated by that fact.

Parkers' Apartment

After the end credits of the original Jaws had concluded Parker had offered to put on the sequel but was not surprised when the Detective declined.

"You wouldn't normally be at home this time of day would you?" Adam asked after taking a sip of his newly brewed coffee.
"Not usually."
"If you want to head back to the office we'll try not to burn the place down."
"You kicking me out of my own home?" Parker asked ruefully, if it had been anyone else the Psychologist would have believed there was some merit in his suggestion but the man in question was an open book.
"No Doc! Just know Jay doesn't like people going out of their way for him and figured you might have stuff to do," Adam quickly explained.
"Well in that case I'll stick around," Parker declared before winking conspiratorially, "besides it isn't often I get to play hooky."