Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Two: Selective Recall

After Jays' quietly spoken assurance Al eyed his companion thoughtfully.   It didn't surprise him his friend would have enough on the Killer to send him away for good, irrespective of all the other evidence they had amassed, but the seasoned Detective wanted to ensure that whatever would be left out of the Statement given tomorrow could be spoken about.  Holding things in was not good and Jay tended to do that more than the rest of them put together.

"The official record won't tell the whole truth.  You want to fill me in?"
"You bored or something?" Jay tried to deflect as he subconsciously raised his good hand up to his still tender bruised eye.
"Nope.  How about you tell me how you got all the colours of the rainbow over your eye?"
"It's that colourful?' Jay had purposefully avoided looking in mirrors, he didn't want to see visual confirmation of the Killers' cruelty emblazoned on his body.
"Yep."
"He ....," the green eyed man began but faltered, did he really want to relive that particular incident?
"Tell me.  It's just you and me here," Al pointed out, he knew his friend wasn't anxious to go over what he had gone through but hoped he trusted him enough to divest himself of at least some portion of his ordeal by sharing it.
"Billings said he was going to ..... blind me," Jay finally disclosed in a whisper, the terror he had felt at the time had nearly overwhelmed him but somehow he had remained calm and presented an unconcerned mask of indifference.
"Damn."
"Luckily he got a phone call just as he was about to ..... get serious  ....,"
"But your eye ....,"
"He had just pushed a knife handle  up against it," Jay explained, "he took the call and left the room.   Don't know how long he was gone for but by the time he got back the swelling had effectively hidden my eye," the pale man shivered unknowingly as he disclosed the Killers' words, "he said he'd 'sort it later' and it wouldn't 'be difficult to cut through the swollen tissue'."
"Psychological torture," Al disdainfully labelled the evil mans' tactics.
"Guess he wanted me to have that to look forward to," the weary Detective tried to downplay the incident with a shrug.

"You need to know something," the older Detective declared evenly when he sensed nothing else would be forthcoming, "Kevin found a desk drawer with old photographs.  One of the Forensic guys was with him ....,"
"....photographs of me?"
"Yes," Al knew there was no way to shield his companion from the dark truth.
"So they're now evidence," Jay sighed in defeat, ever since he got out of that room he had held out a vague hope Billings had not held any further reminders of a past that never seemed to remain where it belonged, in bygone days.
"Depends."
"Depends?" Jay asked in confusion.
"Did he bring your Father up while you were .... being held?"
"No."
"Good.  Voight spoke to Fielding and agreed same wouldn't be admitted into evidence so ....,"
"No!" Jay sat up straight in the chair then groaned as the unwise movement sent a wave of agony through his injured ribs.
"Take it easy," Al counselled seeing the distress on the pale features and assuming it was from pain.
"The photos HAVE to be included," the green eyed man spoke resolutely through gritted teeth.
"But ...,"
"We can't risk him getting off on a technicality.  Billings is a lot of bad things but he's also clever. If he brings up the photographs during his trial then ...,"
"You really think he would?  He'd be damaging his defense."
"He's going to be more interested in revenge now.  He didn't expect to get caught.   Even the appearance of impropriety where evidence is concerned could get him off with the right Judge."
"Besides  Forensics have logged the photographs.   Witholding same could lead to doubt about other evidence," Al expounded understanding what the other man was referring to and realizing the Killer would indeed do something detrimental to himself in order to hurt his friend,
"it's not that cut and dry though."
"I'm not willing to take the risk."
"Kid are you sure?" Al wanted to give the younger man the option to conceal the photographs anyway.
"Yeah I'm sure," Jay responded reluctantly, it was the truth but that didn't mean he liked it.

The older Detective knew the  details given the following day would be precise and accurate but they wouldn't relay the despair, hurt  and fear the young man must have felt knowing he was the latest in a long line of Captives and yet he hadn't alluded to same.  Deciding pressing him now was not the best approach he promised himself down the line he would address the issue.