Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen: Emerging Concerns

Cafeteria

Kevin had caught up with Antonio as the Italian-American walked away from the Cashiers' counter laden down with a full tray. After snagging an empty tray he had motioned his friend over to a free table to divide up the styrofoam cups.

"You doing okay man?"
"Me? I'm good," Antonio replied as he concentrated on distributing the hot drinks between the two trays.
"You want to look me in the eye while you lie?" Kevin admonished gently as he pulled out a chair and motioned the other man to take the seat opposite him.
"I'm good."
"Sit!"
"What do you want?" Antonio demanded as he reluctantly compiled.
"I want you to tell me what's going on with you."
"I .... it's daft ...,"
"Let me be the judge of that."
"I have a .... bad feeling ....,"
"About?" Kevin pressed although he could guess.
"Jay."
"We're all worried about him ...,"
"It's more than that," Antonio shook his head in frustration, "it's.... it's like I know Jay is going to get hurt."
"We all get hunches," Kevin tried to appease the other man, it was obvious he was genuinely discomfited.
"I know."
"Have you ever felt this way before?" Kevin tried a different tact.
"No," the Italian-American explained, "it's like a premonition. Hell what do I know about premonitions?"
"About as much as me," Kevin noted seriously with a shrug, "but it's entirely justified to think there's a good chance Jay will get hurt. Billings after all has managed to hurt him before."
"You're not easing my mind," Antonio pointed out unhappily but there was no heat behind the words.
"No point in sugar coating things."
"What do I do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Should I tell Sarge?"
"And give him another headache to deal with? There's no point in saying anything. The operation is going on now so it's too late to cancel it."
"I know," Antonio sighed heavily wishing he could shake off the dread that had taken up residence in his gut.
"And do me a favour ....,"
"What?"
"Don't mention this to Adam."
"I'd prefer if it stayed between us," Antonio confided in agreement as he rose and picked up a tray, "come on they're waiting on these."
"Right behind you," Kevin confirmed as he picked up the remaining tray hoping his friend was not in fact having a premonition of things to come.

County Morgue

Inside the steel unit Jay had endured a number of panic attacks unbeknownst to his friends. Through sheer willpower he had kept his laboured breathing relatively quiet so as not to alert the Listener, AKA Mouse, to his distress. The green eyed man had learnt long ago that sometimes the act of appearing fine could translate itself into actually feeling fine. Well to some degree anyway!
Breathing a sigh of internal relief as the latest attack ran its' course he focused on the cool flow of oxygen to dustract him. He had also learnt in his tormented childhood that focusing on a specific sense could provide a distraction long enough to overcome a nightmares' grip. Not for the first time since being locked in he appreciated how lucky he was to have access to the oxygen. He was always one who was grateful for what he had and never took things for granted. He debated asking the time for much like in the hidden hotel room without a watch minutes and hours seemed endless. He had no idea how long he had been confined, it could have been hours or days. Like in solitary confinement the passage of time itself became elusive to gauge. When discussing the operation many opinions had been voiced in favour of having regular communication but ultimately Voight and Fielding had magnanimously let the auburn haired man have the final say. The young Detectives' argument was that Billings had somehow outsmarted them before so it was wiser to take every possible precaution. Hence Jay was well aware it was his own decision which now separated him from his friends. Asking the time in itself was a small act but opening a line of communication might lead to questions about how he was faring. Adam especially would be anxious for confirmation on his welfare and in truth Jay just didn't want to have to lie. That ultimately made his decision for him. He would not check the time.

Homeland Security Headquarters

In the Conference Room the remnants of the impromptu meal had long since been cleared away. Murphy had reluctantly departed to keep up the charade of merely visiting to pass on condolences to the Unit. He had been assured he would be kept up to date so that gave him some measure of relief. Being on the sidelines for such an important operation frustrated him no end but his recovery dictated a return to work was still weeks if not months away.