Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Two: A Difficult Conversation

Fitness By Design Parking Lot

By Friday Jay and Kelly had arrived at the conclusion their quarry was genuine. They had kept up surveillance and never once observed Williams doing anything too strenuous that his injuries shouldn't allow. It seened his personal injuries' claim was genuine. There was something still niddling the Detective however as they carried out their final surveillance.

"Kelly how well does Nelson know Porter?"
"Don't think they're friends .... more acquaintances. Why do you ask?"
"Just thinking if Willians is the real deal Porter might not be," the green eyed man shrugged.
"What could Porter gain?"
"Does Nelson do background checks on the people he helps?"
"Me," the Firefighter shrugged, "like I explained he doesn't trust many people so PIs are out of the question."
"Maybe I've been on the job too long. I might be over cynical. Just struck me Porter convinced Nelson Williams was lying. Must be a reason for that. Maybe there's a link between the pair besides the accident."
"This is why I'm always reluctant to take on jobs," Kelly admitted with a heavy sigh, "I'm not a professional. Things can be missed."
"If you want I'll get Mouse to do a deep dive into Willians and Porter. Cover all bases. On his own time. Like I said there may not be anything."
"Wouldn't want him to get into trouble," Kelly mused then looked at his friend carefully, "your gut is telling you there's more going on?"
"Can't explain it. Just a ... feeling."
"Okay ask Mouse but if he doesn't want to get involved there's no judgement at all."
"I'll make that clear," the Detective affirmed easily.

He knew they could just tell Nelson Williams had a genuine claim and let him help Porter but Jay had an inkling there was something more sinister going on and given Nelsons' track record with being taken advantage of he wanted to ensure that didn't happen this time.

21st Precinct

Sunday found Voight and Al going over the old Carson files again trying to find any detail that may have been overlooked in the initial investigation.

"The ransom note wasn't really a ransom note," Al opined as he scrutinised a photocopy of the hrief missive, "it just states they have the kid and terms will follow."
"It seems amateurish," Voight declared, "maybe it was a spur of the moment thing."
"Well apart from the staff no one but the family knew about the bike ride. That wasn't pre-arranged."
"True but it would be a pretty safe assumption he'd want to take it out."
"Agreed," the seasoned Detective contemplated the possible scenarios, "so someone could have been waiting for him to leave the house if they knew about the gift ....,"
"If it was planned they were close by. The bike was found a short distance from the gate."
"Too dicey sitting in a car in that neighbourhood," Al noted, high end areas like the one in question ensured outsiders were conspicuous.
"Well the staff all checked out at the time. If we go with it being planned despite the amateurish manner it had to be someone who knew about the bike."
"Apart from the family and staff no one else was interviewed."
"What do you mean? How about the bicycle store?" Voight raised a brow.
"No records of anyone being interviewed," Al rifled through the statements in front of him.
"That would be a basic step."
"Maybe we don't have all the files," Al suggested.
"Crowley assured me we'd be given full access," the Sergeant picked up the phone receiver and dialled a familiar extension, they weren't the only ones working at the weekend.

Al eyed the files strewn across the table wondering if they were wasting their time. If Tommy Carson had somehow survived a kidnapping he would be 25 years of age now, a grown man. That possibility raised a plethora of new questions not least of which was why he hadn't returned home. With the Carson matriarch on borrowed time they needed to get answers as quickly as possible.

Jays' Apartment

Mouse had been surprised but glad when his former Lieutenant reached out to him on the Sunday afternoon.  He was even more surprised to find Kelly in attendance.  After an explanation of what was needed as the trio sat in the small living room the Firefighter looked at the IT Specialist solemnly.