Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen: Formulating A New Plan

Fieldings' Office

As soon as the two men were seated Fielding got straight to the point.

"The decision is mine to make."
"Agreed," Voight acknowledged without rancour.
"I would like your opinion though," the Californian knew the older man had years more experience than he did and was intelligent enough to realise that could be of benefit in making the decision before him.
"Well the possibility of Billings locking the door is a serious one but there's no guarantee he actually will," the gruff Sergeant explained, "if he does the risk to Halstead will exponentially be  increased."
"Agreed."
"But we still don't know the threat level of the Accomplices.  They could be all high or all low or a mix of both.  So far we haven't identified them."
"Which means without Billings talking we probably won't," the younger man sighed, "the risk is unknown."
"Yes," Voight concurred, the thought of leaving the Accomplices out in the wind did not sit well with him.
"What if the Agents outside had cutting gear or could blow the door?" the Califirnian mused trying to come up with a feasible way to keep the young Detective safe.
"According to the Doc Billings might just end things ... take his own life."
"That's obviously a possibility and the Accomplices will be out there walking around free."
"Hell days like this a 9 to 5 job is mighty appealing," the Sergeant wiped a hand down his face wearily then frowned, "maybe we need to change the plan."
"Bit late in the day fot that.  What do you have in mind?" Fielding leant forward eagerly.
"You have a problem with going back to basics?"
"What have you in mind?"
"We forget about convincing Billings Halstead is dead .....,"
"Oh Halstead will love that!
"He'll do what he's told."
"So you want to give  up on the Accomplices?" Fielding couldn't hide the surprise in his voice.
"No," the older man shook his head, "we use a different approach.  Can you get Parker here?"
"On it," the Acting Assistant Director picked up the phone receiver and quickly dialled the relevant extension.

Morgue

Unaware the plan was going to be changed Jay was busy fending off intrusive thoughts of yesterdays long since past.  He had known the confinement in the dark would dredge up the recent ordeal in the Plaza and also anticipated memories from his childhood would make an unwelcome return but what he had not counted on was an unexpected guest appearance from his final Afghanistan tour!  As sweat ran down his face despite the cold steel surroundings  he willed his breathing to remain evened out.  He definitely didn't want to alert Mouse to his distress.  A bloodied visage suddenly sprang to mind causing him to curse involuntarily.

Conference Room

Mouse heard the softly uttered  curse from.his former LT and frowned.   Keenly aware he was the only one with audio access and noting there was nothing in the morgue  itself that could have caused such a response he grimaced.  Prior to his friend going to the morgue he had taken the IT Specialist aside and requested that not only would he ensure he was the only one with audio access to Jays' location but that he did not alert the others to any signs of distress unless the green eyed man specifically requested aid.  Mouse had been reluctant to agree initially but in the end had capitulated.  He was no fool and knew being confined in the blackened space was likely to trigger some unwelcome memories.  Now with his fellow ex-Ranger clearly in some distress he needed to contact him but he was keenly aware the auburn haired man would not want an audience.  Turning a few switches he rose to his feet earning the expected looks.

"I need to go to the restroom but I'm still monitoring things," the IT Specialist explained as he tapped his earpiece before queries were raised, "any change on the monitors give me a shout but I'll only be a few minutes."
"Sure," Al saluted the younger man  as he headed out the door, the seasoned Detective sensed there was more involved than a simple break but decided to keep silent, for the time being.