Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Twelve: Unyielding Resolve

HS Headquarters

As predicted when Jay proffered his new argument in favour of his plan to Voight the older man was not overly enthusiastic enthusiastic.  With the Psychologist sitting beside him in the otherwise empty Conference Room the Detective was determined not to abandon the plan.

"Sarge this way we might get more information on his Accomplices."
"He wasn't forthcoming when he was arrested  so why would he change his attitude now?"
"If he believes Jay is dead he will have accomplished his goal," Parker put in, he still wasn't enamoured with the plan but it did have some merits.
"And you're in favour of Halstead being confined in a dark, refrigerated drawer for God knows how long?" the formidable man asked tersely with his trademark bluntness.
"Sarge ...," Jay tried to intervene but was summarily cut off.
"I'm talking to the Doc."
"I think it's a good chance to get Billings talking. As of now we don't know how much his Accomplices knew about his plans so we don't know if they're dangerous in their own right."
"That's not what I asked. Do you believe it will be too difficult for Halstead?" Vought steadfastly ignored the look of betrayal his Subordinate sent his way.
"I believe it's going to be extremely difficult for him," the Psychologist responded after a brief contemplation, he wasn't going to lie, "but I also believe he will cope."

The grizzled Sergeant considered the New Yorkers' words thoughtfully. It was clear the man wasn't happy about the plan but he was confident that the young Detective would ultimately be alright. With a heavy sigh he reluctantly nodded in acquiescance. He was determined however to make the time spent in confinement as comfortable as possible however and to that end already had some ideas percolatng in his head.

An hour later Parker had departed for a Court date and Mouse had been summoned to Fieldings' office where he found Voight and Jay. Neither of the Unit Members looked pleased and he wondered just why his presence had been requested. After taking a seat as instructed hy the Acting Assistant Director the IT Specialist found he wouldn't have to wait long for his curiosity to be appeased. Voight laid out the requirements he needed for the morgue entrapment to work.

"Would it be possible?" Fielding questioned after a brief silence.
"Yes," Mouse stated honestly even as it dawned on him why his former Lieutenant was not happy, "but it's highly likely Billings would find the camera. He's going to look at the drawer very carefully before turning his attention to Jay."
"He's right Sarge," the Detective in question hastily insisted as he hid his relief, "it's too risky."
"We need surveillance."
"It defeats the whole purpose of the ruse if Billings sees the camera," Fielding mused thoughtfully.
"He's going to be hyper vigilant Sarge," Jay put in, the prospect of his friends, or anyone else for that matter, witnessing the ordeal he would go through in the confined space distressed him greatly.
"There's another major problem," Fielding spoke grimly, "the units in the morgue are sealed tightly once closed so little or no oxygen gets in.
"I've already considered that," the Sergeant declared succinctly.
"Well don't keep us in suspense," the Califirnian directed.
"An oxygen tank."
"You don't think that might be just a bit conspicuous?"Fielding shook his head at the notion.
"We put an oxygen tank in the unit below the one Halstead's in. Drill a small hole to allow him access to control the oxygen supply and for a nasal canula to be used."
"The hole would need to be carefully positioned," Mouse muttered to himself, he was immensely relieved as the lack of oxygen had been a major concern.
"Halstead what do you think?" Fielding had noted the younger mans' silence.
"Billings would notice a nasal canula," Jay reluctantly pointed out the obvious, the thought of having access to oxygen was quite enticing but not if it ruined the plan.
"Not if you aren't wearing it when the drawer is opened!" Mouse spoke excitedly, his mind already conjuring up solutions.
"What do you have in mind?" Voight asked.
"I could put in a two way communication device," Mouse explained shifting on his seat with his enthusiasm.
"He'll notice an earpiece," Jay pointed out.
"You won't need one. I have a device that's perfect for this."
"Is it sanctioned by CPD?" Voight asked insightfully, he had not signed off on any new equipment lately.
"Well no but it's exactly what we need!" Mouses' childlike glee about all things tech related had Fielding wearing a bemused expression.
"He loves his work," Voight deadpanned with a rueful shrug in explanation before becoming serious and eyeing the IT man intently, "explain."
"I've been experimenting with one of the most up to date devices about to launch on the market ..,"
"How did you get your hands on it?" Jay enquired, he was well aware Crowley was very strict with the Units' budget.
"A friend asked me to test it and ...,..,"
"You're field testing unsanctioned equipment?" the Acting Assistant Director cut in with a clear note of rebuke.
"No he's not," Jay quickly defended, "he said 'test' not 'field test'. Mouse is one of the best IT Specialists out there so it's only natural his opinion would be sought," this time it was the green eyed mans' tone which held a tone of rebuke, Superior or not he would not let his friend be maligned, intentionally or otherwise!
"Okay, okay," Voight interceded in the staring match between the Califirnian and his Subordinate, "it's clear now the device is not intended for field testing so let's get back on track shall we?"
"Yes Sarge," Jay took the unspoken order and broke the eye contact first.
"I'm sorry," Fielding graciously accepted he had over reacted,"unfortunately in the past I've dealt with faulty unsanctioned equipment which resulted in fatalities."
"Damn. Sorry to hear that," Voight sincerely commiserated, "there's a reason Civilians are kept out of missions."
"Exactly," the Califirnian sighed heavily, "but now we need to actually field test this device. I'm not risking Halsteads' life with untested equipment."
"Just how good is this .... gadget?" Voight looked at Mouse speculatively.
"It's received top marks in all the tests I've done to date and it actually matches the colour of the steel units in the morgue," the IT Technician had in fact not only obtained the detailed Plans and Specifications for the disused Morgue section of the building but had also arranged for photographs to be taken of the interior and exterior of the cold storage units.
"You're sure it won't be found?" Voight pressed.
"No Sarge. It's magnetic and is shaped like a tiny flat disc."
"So how do we test it?" Jay asked the worrisome question.
"I'll get two guys I trust to do it," Fielding explained firmly, "we can't risk anyone from the Unit being seen."
"Thought we were keeping k owned get of the  op to a minimum of personnel," Voight reminded.
"I trust these men with my Wifes' life,' the Califirnian noted then looked across at the IT Specialist, "you can tell them everything they need to do."
"Yes Sir."
"It's not exactly official surveillance equipment," Jay frowned, "won't that cause problems down the line?"
"We don't need any further evidence of Billings' guilt," Voight responded, "so whatever the device records won't be used in Court."
"What if Billings brings it up?"
"We won't let him know of it's existence," Fielding put in, "its' sole purpose is to ensure your safety Detective."
"I could .....," Mouse began to speak but then hesitated.
"What?" Jay urged his friend gently
"I could disable the recording option. The device could be used solely for communications," the fidgety man offered, unsure how the news would be received.
"That might get us out of trouble with Legal down the line," the Acting AD nodded in approval.
"Okay so it's agreed we field test this gadget then set a time?" the Sergeant looked at the man whom was ultimately in charge.
"Seems to be our best course of action."

As Jay listened to the two men agree to the updated plan he hoped it would be as straightforward as it seemed on paper. He knew however dealing with Billings was like dealing with a live hand grenade.

Cafeteria

The following afternoon Jay stood in the line by the counter waiting to pay for his Fanta and Mars bar. To his chagrin he was not alone. Adam had trailed him down to the cafeteria,  no doubt to continue the argument that had started upstairs.

"Look Jay this whole thing is crazy and ....,"
"Unless you have a better idea it's the only plan we have."
"But ...,"
"Adam we've had this rodeo before and ...,"
"....... you got hurt, badly!"
"I don't need reminding," the green eyed man spoke quietly even as he blushed keenly aware their conversation could be heard by others in the que then added with reproach, "this is not up for discussion."
"Damn," the other man was suitably chastened, he had let his concern over ride his common sense, "look I didn't mean ...,"
"Just drop it."
"Sure," Adam shrugged, clamping down on his frustration at the whole situation then eyed a large slice of apple pie behind the glass, "you're buying right cause that pie has my name on it."
"You should have got in the que before me then," Jay chided good naturedly, putting the argument behind him willingly.

Fieldings' Office

Voight had been relieved to receive confirmation the field test carried out under the strict guidelines of the IT Specialist had been a resounding success. Now sitting before the Acting Assistant Director however it was clear from the mans' grim countenance that there was something seriously wrong.

"Do I want to know?"
"Probably not," the younger man scrubbed a hand down his face wearily, he'd spent most of his morning on the phone trying to wrangle information from less than forthcoming individuals.
"Just tell me."
"It seems someone over my head has raised concerns about Halsteads' ability to do the job and ....,"
"What?!"
"...... it's now being looked at by Legal over the issue of liability."
"Who is behind this?" Voight demanded making a valiant effort to reign in his fury as it wasn't his companions' fault.
"At this stage I can't say. I've made calls but no one has been able to identify from where the issue originated. As you  know I haven't been here long so I'm not familiar with all the personnel or their role in office politics. I rang Murphy and he's doing what he can to find out."
"I appreciate that," the Sergeant stated honestly, asking the person you're replying for help was not an easy task so he admired the gesture, "what exactly is the liability issue?"
"Apparently Legal has concerns about Halsteads' fitness."
"Well the cast is fairly obvious but a broken limb won't stop him doing his job."
"You're assuming whomever is behind this is unaware of the full extent of the injuries sustained in the hotel?"
"I'm hoping."
"I'm sorry but the question of Halsteads' psychological well-being has also been called into question," Fielding reluctantly disclosed.
"So it's definitely a witch hunt," Voight observed in disgust.
"If the concerns were legitimate there would be transparency about who's behind this," Fielding pointed out the obvious.
"Do you think the morgue mossion has been compromised?"
"No.  As agreed only myself, Murphy and your men are aware of same. Hegarty and Mendez, the men who tested the communication device,  have been sworn to secrecy and were not made privy to the mission itself."
"Good thing the records are being kept by Mouse alone," Voight noted.
"I think the timing of this is just a coincidence."
"So you don't think Billings is pulling strings?" Voight checked doubtfully.
"Oh he could very well be but if so I believe it's an attempt to clip Halsteads' wings so to speak."

Voight realised they could only hope that was the case and hoping was not something he did well ...

tbc

Authors' Note

In relation to the morgue storage drawers I am not sure about the oxygen levels in same but for the story went with little or no oxygen being present therein when closed!