Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty: A Welcome Change

Fitness By Design Parking Lot

As nineteen minutes elapsed with no sign of his friend Jay was beginning to regret not accompanying his friend. If anything happened to the other man while he was safely ensconced in the car he would never forgive himself. Just as his hand reached for the door handle the double glass doors under the large neon blue sign opened.  he shook  his head ruefully as the other man approached the vehicle and sat into the Drivers' seat with a wide grin.

"You getting worried?" Kelly chided, he knew the green eyed man too well.
"Just thinking of all the hassle I'd have to put up with if you disappeared," Jay tossed back, smiling in relief.
"Well I didn't learn much," Kelly became serious, "I was given a whistle stop tour of the facilities after explaining I was pressed for time. I only saw Williams in the locker room so it's impossible to tell what he's there for."
"Could have a legitimate reason.  Nelson said the accident happened  four months ago. Williams could be following a programme set up by a Physio."
"Exactly so we need to thread  carefully.  If the guy is genuinely injured  we don't want to  make life more difficult for him."
"Suppose you considered the head on approach in these types of cases?"
"Asking him outright are you bringing a false claim?"
"Yeah," Jay shrugged, "his reaction would give you a pretty good idea of his honesty."
"In theory it sounds practical," Kelly acknowledged before continuing, "but if he's dishonest he'd be warned we were looking into him and ....,"
"...  be extra vigilant to keep up the act," the Detective concluded, he should have considered that!
"Hey don't beat yourself up man. I've worked on  a few of these cases now for Harry. I just learn as I go along."
"Yeah well I'm a Detective I should know these things."
"You're a Detective who's been run ragged for a long time and on top of that you're dealing with injuries, " the older man pointed out gently, "no one expects you to be on top of your game but I have good news."
"You do?"
"Even when you're not on top of your game you're the only man I want on this," Kelly grinned broadly when his companion blushed then took pity on him and reverted to more comfortable conversation, "we'll see where he goes after this.  It might give us a better idea of who we're dealing with."
"You ever think of getting a PI Licence?"
"Nah.   I do this for Harry and there's no pressure. I can sometimes help people out while also getting a break from my day job."
"I can see that," Jay nodded in understanding, after all he was using the case as a distraction.
"We might be here for a while.  You good to hang around? I can drop you home if you need to get some rest."
"You saying I look tired?"
"'Tired' no, exhausted yes," the older man stated frankly, he wouldn't pull any punches.
"Nah I'm good," Jay declined the offer without contesting the assessment.
"You change your mind you let me me know," Kelly instructed as he opened the glove compartment and retrieved the flask of coffee he had filled in the boatyard, "least we can stay warm."
"Adam would have a heart attack if he thought we were on a stakeout without any junk food!" Jay grinned as he accepted a steaming plastic cup gratefully.
"Now why would you leave him anywhere near sugar?  He's hyper enough without it," the Firefighter noted, he had played enough dart games with the brown haired Detective to know he was a live wire without any additional help!
"Good question," Jay chuckled.

The pair settled in amid a companionable silence to wait for their quarry to leave the popular physical fitness franchise.

Mollys Bar

Antonio and Kevin had persuaded Adam to join them for drinks to take his mind off their green eyed friend.  It  had soon became clear to everyone in the Unit that Jay intended to go solo for their time off.  They understood the need for some solo time but it was hard being incommunicado when they knew the youngest member wasn't in full health.  They had all contacted Jay but suggestions of meeting up had been rebuffed, although politely of course.  Mouse  had agreed to join the trio on the off chance his former Lieutenant would make an unexpected appearance.   of them all he knew Jay the longest so he was familiar with his tendency to retreat to solitude.  That familiarity, however did not mean he was happy about the situation.  As Adam and Antonio headed to the bar to get a round of drinks the IT Specialist looked across at Kevin seriously and decided to share some rare insight.