Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Three: An Unpalatable Necessity

Central Park

Four days later Jay sat on a bench
in the famous park and watched people strolling by continuing their lives blissfully unconcerned that innocent people had their lives taken in that very same serene surrounding. Of course every day lives ended and the world kept on turning as if nothing of consequence had been lost. The Billings' investigation was in the evidential phase now with the ADA putting together a solid case. There were still many unanswered questions and chief amongst those, for Jay at least, had been the Victims who had been intended to be remembered as trophies in the new shelf in the Killers' home. With the hidden room in the Plaza yielding up a plethora of grisly clues however for now priority was being given to identifying the poor souls who had died there. They had enough from that crime scene alone to ensure Billings never experienced a free day again. The interviews with the Killer once he had been deemed medically fit had not provided any new information. It seemed the evil man was determined to keep his secrets to himself. Jay and everyone involved knew there would never be proper answers to the numerous questions the case had given rise to but they had hoped to glean some details at least. The Acting Assistant Director and Voight had conducted the interviews over many hours and both men although experienced in such situations were clearly unsettled by the Killers' silence. Usually once captured Serial Killers in general took great pleasure in rationalising their depraved acts. Billings was not willing to engage in even the smallest level of conversation. Jay hadn't mentioned it to his Sergeant but he suspected he knew why and it was a reason the recovering man dreaded. It was highly likely however Voight already suspected the reason too.   The weary Detective hadn't even shared his suspicion with Parker to see if it had any validity. If he approached the Psychologist the other man would have an opening to talk to him about his ordeal and he was not anxious to open himself up to being evaluated, intentionally or otherwise. A heavy sigh escaped him. He had already been considering not returning to Chicago with the Unit before it even occurred to him that Billings might be holding out to talk to him. If he did have to face the man again so soon his decision about not returning would be made.

HS Headquarters

Two days later Voight sat in Ben Fieldings' office eyeing the Califirnian warily. The reason for the meeting had not been disclosed but the Sergeant was no fool and had a fair idea what was on the agenda. As the interviews with their quarry had failed to satisfy any quest for information it had become increasingly obvious they were at a stalemate. That had Voight on edge.

"So what do you think will get Billings talking?" the Acting AD asked candidly, unwilling to hide behind small talk.
"You know the answer to that," Voight bristled, "and it's not happening."
"Surely ....,"
"Surely Halstead has done more than enough in this case. Hell he has the evidence etched on his body to prove it!"
"No one is saying Detective Halstead hasn't gone above and beyond for this investigation ...,"
"By even contemplating him facing Billings right now that is exactly what you're saying!" Voight countered angrily.
"Look I know the timing isn't ideal but if Billings starts talking it will make the case against him stronger. You know that."

Voight eyed his companion levelly. Truth was for all his frustration at the situation he understood fully why the need for his beleaguered Detective to talk to the Killer existed but that knowledge did not outweigh his genuine concern for the young man. Fielding had expected the Sergeants' displeasure to be voiced. He just hoped ultimately the Chicago man would understand it was necessary.

Cafeteria

An hour later Al tracked his old friend down nursing a lukewarm coffee staring out the window.

"Is it that bad?" the moustached man asked as he sat down opposite the Sergeant.
"You know it is!"
"Damn," Al sighed, they had known Fielding would eventually want the Kid to be involved when the Killer maintained his silence.
"How soon does it have to happen?"
"Fielding said the higher ups are pushing for tomorrow ...,"
"No way! Not happening!"
"I told him to tell them it will be at the Kids' pace, not theirs."
"How did he take that?"
"Said he understood my concerns."
"This isn't good Hank," Al stated grimly, "the Kid's not up for dealing with Billings any time soon."
"You think I don't know that?" the Sergeant queried with a note of warning.
"Hell I know you do," the Detective ignored the tone, "but how are we going to tell him?"
"It's on me."
"No. We do this together."
"Al ...,"
"Hank."
"Okay," Voight huffed in resignation knowing from past experience how stubborn his friend could be, "we'll wait till tomorrow then talk to him."
"Sometimes I hate this job."
"Only sometimes?" Voight arched an eyebrow.