Tolerance Book III

Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Cost

Plaza Hotel

After carrying out a search with the aid of several HS Agents and uniformed Patrol Officers it soon became apparent that their quarries would not be found easily.   Although it was unlikely Billings would have had an opportunity to carry out any secret  works in a hotel room they were not willing to make any assumptions.

Reuniting in the lobby they had entered earlier Voight looked at the Unit members as they formed a tight knit group under the chandelier.

"Still no audio?" the Sergeant checked eyeing the downcast IT Technician.
"No.  That means the watch was either damaged or they're out of range," Mouse had only just left the surveillance van where he had been double checking the equipment to make sure there weren't any technical difficulties causing the lack of aural surveillance.
"Or Billings found it," Adam added ominously.
"If he found it we would have found Jays' body," Al stated bluntly then added confidently, "the Kid's alive."
"Well where is he?" Adam demanded, frustration as ever giving rise to his impatience
"Can't have gone far," Voight declared, "we called back up within minutes.  Billings would have gotten out of sight quickly."
"So he has a place close by," Antonio surmised  as he went over the Killers' former properties in his mind.
"I'll check the list of all deeds attached to his name," Mouse headed back to the Surveillance Van, his shoulders slumped.
"If they're close by the listening device should be working," Kevin pointed out.
"Well for now let's concentrate on checking the local businesses.  Maybe their cctv footage will give us an idea of what direction they went in," Voight instructed.

As the group followed the steps of the IT Specialist Voight slowed his steps to fall back beside the moustached Detective.

"You really believe Halstead's alive?"
"Yes."
"If Billings is after getting the drop on him it's likely he's going to hurt him ...... before killing him."
"Works in our favour," Al noted darkly, he knew the former Ranger would withstand any physical pain visited on him, "Halstead will be relieved Billings is concentrating on him ...,"
".....so he won't be concentrating on anyone else," the Sergeant finished solemnly, he was getting really sick of his youngest  Detective being put through the grinder.

HS Headquarters

Once back in the office the arduous task of checking the cctv footage gathered from the various businesses surrounding the hotel was diligently performed.  Anything that would provide a clue as to their friends' whereabouts would be worth the mind numbing amount of time spent watching New Yorkers and Tourists alike going about their day.  Adam finished another surveillance tape and shook his head.

"This could take forever."
"It will be worth it if we find something," Kevin didn't chance  looking up from his monitor.
"We all know it was crazy sending Jay in again."
"If I was you I'd keep that sentiment to yourself," Antonio cautioned wisely from his desk beside Kevin.
"It was the only option," Kevin put in, the fact none of them liked it didn't change that, "Billings has to be stopped."
"Well this hasn't stopped him," Adam grumbled unhappily.
"Just concentrate on what you're doing," the Italian-American instructed with a patience he didn't feel, complaining wasn't going to get their friend back any quicker.

Adam sighed heavily but focused on the task at hand.  Every hour Jay was missing increased the likelihood of him being hurt .... or worse.

Loft

As the green eyed man remained sitting on the timber floor, his back to a wall, he contemplated how long Billings would wait to engage with him.  As a Sniper he understood the art of patience.   Patience gave one time to control ones' environment and time to assess options.  If the older man was waiting for his Captive to scream or rail at his situation he was going to be extremely disappointed.  The earlier examination of the loft had revealed further information about the place.  A number of old blood stains marred the light wood in various places signifying to Jay he was not the first person confined within.  Clearly this was a crime scene with or without his presence.  Stifling a yawn he glanced up again at the darkened skies as daylight finally surrendered to the night.