Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two: Patience

After two hours of trekking through the decidedly rough terrain running alongside the turbulent river Billings finally called a halt as he unceremoniously plopped down on the nearest rock that could accommodate his large frame.  Jay stood by the fast flowing waters and glanced around seeking any clue as to where they were heading.  His eyes didn't locate any buildings on the horizon and that surprised him although he should be well used to his companions' unpredictability.  No doubt his weariness was taking its' toll the auburn haired man chided himself.   He considered what he knew.  Billings was clearly exhausted, he couldn't fake the wheezing that had accompanied his breathing for the last few miles of their walk. That realization had Jay looking to the skies as a knowing chuckle reached his ears.

"I do so love helicopters!" the Fugitive enthused as the whirring of rotary blades became discernible as what had been a speck in the distance gradually transformed into a four seater helicopter.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"What makes you think you're coming with me?"
"Well either I am or you're staying here," the Detective stated resolutely.
"And people think you're humble!" the Killer scoffed disdainfully.
"Not sure about being 'humble'," Jay shrugged off the comment then continued grimly, "'but I'm just stating a fact. I will not let you go."

Billings eyed the younger man assessingly as the helicopter approached and , as if a switch had been flicked, laughed loudly.  The Detective wasn't comforted by the sudden change in demeanour. He stayed on high alert. His warning had not been given  in jest. He was not willing to let the Serial Killer get away no matter what the cost.

Sheriffs' Office

Voight looked across at the portly Sheriff with a calm expression.  For the past fifteen minutes they had been deliberating over various possible destinations that the Killer would head to.  The Sheriff was clearly unhappy about the uncertainty of Billings" whereabouts and the Sergeant understood that but could not offer any soothing words to ease the mans' concern.

"Billings clearly has a target in mind."
"How can you be certain? Perhaps he's going to ditch your man and just disappear."
"We've already discussed this and Halstead would only have left the cabin if there was a life in danger," the Chicago man reiterated.
"Well you're familiar with this guy. How do we find him before he harms anyone here?"
"He's going to need transport.  There were no signs of vehicles at the cabin and the footprints we found indicated they headed into the wilderness ....," Voight recalled thoughtfully.
"So?"
"Billings would never be able to traverse that area to get to the nearest populated place."
"He definitely doesn't look fit enough," Peters agreed as he gestured to the map on his desk  they had been perusing before adding wrily as he patted his bulging stomach, "I wouldn't get very far."
"So Billings had transport arranged to meet them somewhere," Voight tactfully refrained from concurring, "but his options would be limited."
"Vehicles wouldn't get far in that terrain so the only other way .....,"
".... is by air," Peters concluded, that narrowed down transport suppliers considerably.
"Can't be too many places to hire a small aircraft," Voight pointed out, "he'd probably go for a helicopter.  Less conspicuous than a private jet and it could be mistaken for a Tourist sightseeing trip."
"Good point."

Canteen

Antonio had purposefully followed Adam into the surprisingly spacious canteen glad to note they were the only inhabitants.  Leaning against the long white ceramic counter the Italian-American eyed his companion as the other man prepared a mug of coffee.

"You've been awfully quiet since we got back."
"Don't know what you mean?" the brown haired man stirred  four spoons of sugar in the mixture before him distractedly.
"Yes you do.  You and 'quiet' don't go together.  What's up?"
"You mean apart from us just missing Jay?"
"Yeah .... apart from that," Antonio easily dismissed the sarcasm lacing the response, he too was frustrated.
"Billings had that cabin ready  ....,"
"So?"
"He intended to escape  ....,"
"No.  We know the transport vehicle only crashed due to bad luck. Billings didn't orchestrate the Driver getting ill."
"But the cabin ....,"
"That place was always going to be a refuge if Billings got away," Antonio explained the reasoning, "doesn't mean he had an exact plan in place."
"What if .....," Adam put the spoon in the sink and took his coffee over to the nearest table where his friend sat down opposite him.
"Go on."
"What if we're too late?"
"To stop Billings killing again?" Antonio checked.
"To stop him killing Jay," Adam elaborated unhappily, "you know what Parker thinks. He's really going to want to  ..... finish him off now ....,"
"Jay will be ready for whatever Billings has planned. He won't leave his guard down."
"I really thought after our stay in Harpers Bay things had taken a turn for the better. Jay wasn't looking so drained and you could see the constant vigilance he kept was dialled down by the time we left ....,"
"I agree," Antonio cut in as he nodded, "but that break gave him a chance to unwind and regain his balance ... if you like.  It will stand to him now."
"When does it end?"
"What?"
"When will any one of the alphabet brigade stop looking for Jay to help?" Adam finally voiced his true concern.
"That's not going to happen," Antonio admitted with reluctant frankness, "to them he's an asset, a resource to be used ...,"
"Like hell ...,"
"Hey don't shoot the Messenger!"
"They can't keep using him," Adam  insisted, "and Voight isn't always going to be able to have the Unit assigned with him."
"Can't argue with you," Antonio stated honestly, he too was well aware so far they had been incredibly lucky to remain with their friend,  "but ultimately everything is down to Jay.  He can refuse an assignment.   Hell considering the injuries he's sustained in the line of duty I don't think there would be any push back from the brass if he declined any request."
"I don't share your optimism.  I don't think they're going to be worried about him.  As you pointed out to them he's an 'asset'."
"Look for now let's concentrate on getting Billings behind bars and Jay back wirh us," Antonio suggested, "we can deal with the bigger picture down the line."
"I really hope we can," Adam stated gloomy, he wasn't feeling optimistic about getting Jay back with them unscathed but decided to remain silent.

Antonio knew he hadn't really assauged his companions' concern  but there was no point in lying to him.  They would have to deal with Jay being sought out whether or not they liked it.  For now he decided he best take his own advice and deal with the present, that in itself was proving quite taxing on them all!

Nashua

The helicopter trip had been short and uneventful. Billings had played Tour Guide as they flew towards their destination and the green eyed man learnt the city of Nashua was located in Hillsborough County, the most populated county in the state of New Hampshire.  That the Killer was freely imparting any information at all had Jay on alert.  The man was not prone to offering  anything so easily. 

"So what are we going there for?"
"I think it's time you made a new acquaintance," Billings replied casually with a look towards the Pilot up front, "but that can be discussed once we arrive."

The response gave the Detective an indication that the Pilot was not an Accomplice and he hoped he could keep the man away from danger when they landed.  It was clear someone else was the target of the older mans' attention.  

Johnson Motel Parking Lot

As Jay was grappling with trying to  outmanoeuvre his lethal companion the Unit was on site at a murder scene.  Peters had sent two Deputies to bring Marsha Simmons in to help with enquiries.  Unfortunately when the uniformed Officers arrived at her place of work they were met with a gruesome sight.  The woman in question had been found by another Guest, one Jenny Stevens a fifty-four year old Librarian, who noticed the open room door as she was passing.  Unfortunately for her the red tinged room was not a decorative choice but proof of the macabre murder that had taken place within. The human body held a substantial amount of blood and most of the 10 pints of the life sustaining liquid that had belonged to the petite Marsha Simmons was now spattered on the walls and carpet of the cheap room. The brutal killing had everyone on edge as Voight quietly  issued orders to his men as Peters spoke to his clearly shaken Deputies. By the time the ME had arrived and CSI began cataloguing every minute detail of the crime scene Voight was trying to reign in his anger.  That the woman had been killed because they had made enquiries seemed highly likely and the Sergeant was feeling the burden of guilt settle on his shoulders.

"Don't even try going there," a firm  voice ordered from behind him as Al approached and stood at his side in the parking lot before continuing knowingly, "the only one responsible for what happened in there is the Killer."
"Wish it was that simple."
"Nothing in life is simple!" the mouatached man noted grimly as his,gaze travelled over to the motel room opposite.
"Sarge?" Antonio approached the pair, notebook in hand.
"What have you got?"
"Spoke to the Desk Clerk. Said Simmons had been here for over a week.  Paid in advance."
"Any idea what brought her here?" Al asked curiously, the motel although not as bad as some was definitely on the lower end of the hospitality trade and was intelligent dire need of a makeover if the peeling wall paint and damaged brick work was anything to go by.
"As you'd expect she didn't ask questions," the Italian-American referred to his long discussion with the chain smoking forty something Desk Clerk  whom didn't seem fazed at all to have lost a Customer in such a violent manner, "she did say Simmons seemed nervous and didn't go out much."
"So she was hiding," Voight concluded with a heavy sigh, obviously her attempt had failed.
"This might be unrelated to Billings," Parker pointed out after he exited the bloody scene and walked over to the trio.
"What makes you say that?" Al wondered.
"Billings isn't that messy ....,"
"Come on Doc! The bombs he set off left carnage," Antonio  cut in.
"Yes but not up close and personal.  What went on in that room was ....," Parker sought to find adequate words for the brutality that had been unleashed.
"We understand you," Voight accepted the reasoning, "so this was truly personal between the Victim and the UnSub?"
"Yeah."
"So we're looking for an Ex, a husband, partner ...," Antonio mused.
"Someone with a lot of pent up rage," the Psychologist offered with a nod and then frowned looking at the Sergeant, "are you going to investigate this?"
"We don't know for certain Billings isn't involved but ...,"
"Peters won't want us underfoot," Al finished as the man in question approached looked markedly  unhappy.

Voight agreed with Parker that it was more likely someone else had committed the murder so decided to let the Sheriff deal with it unaided. Right now he had other more pressing matters. His Detective was still in danger and tine was of the essence in tracking him down.  They needed patience ...

tbc

ME - Medical Examiner