Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty--Four: Possible Suspect

Murphy Residence

Two days' day later found Jay still unhappy over their accommodation. His older friend had accepted an invitation the day before to stay with the Assistant Director without consulting him. Janes' presence had assured the expletives the young Detective wanted to air remained invoiced. If looks could kill however Al would now be residing in an urn! Eyes roving the spacious guest room as the final vestiges of daylight seeped from the skies he contemplated fabricating an excuse to leave but lying to their friends did not appeal to him. The Murphys had been gracious in welcoming the pair into their home and he could not repay their kindness by prevaricating. He was well aware Al had counted on his good nature. A double knock on the door preceded the very man in question entering.

"You still mad at me?"
"Nope."
"Oh that's good then," the moustached man decided smiling but with obvious unease, "Murph assumed since it was only the two of us we'd appreciate the break from hotels."
"Yep."
"Okay I should have run it by you!" Al conceded throwing his hands up in surrender, the brief responses were not conducive to a pleasant atmosphere.
"Yep," Jay liked seeing his older friend ill at ease, it so rarely happened he had to take advantage of the opportunity and besides he deserved payback!

Al looked at his companion for a few moments then dropped any attempts at banter as he sat down on the hed.

"You ready for the morning?"
"It's why we're here," Jay noted, it had taken some time to track down the sole Carson daughter as it transpired she had left her Uncles' residence a month ago and it had only been an hour ago they ascertained her new address.
"How do you want to play it? Good Cop bad Cop?"
"From what we know of her she won't be easily manipulated," the green eyed man shook his head as he walked over to the window and shut the curtains on the now dark night, "I think we should be honest ...,"
"Let her know we consider her a viable Suspect?"
"Yes. Gauge her reaction, if any."
"If we put her on the defensive
we won't get anything out of her," the moustached man mused as he contemplated their options.
"If she did play a part in her brothers' disappearance, however big or small, she isn't going to slip up easily after all this time."
"True," Al agreed with a sigh, a seasoned Detective he was well acquainted with dealing with the worst types of people but that didn't mean he was comfortable with it so he decided to return to less dark matters, "Murph and Jane have booked a table for tonight. You okay with that?"
"Once you pay I'm okay," Jay agreed.
"You're mighty generous with my money."
"That cam be your payback," the younger man decided then continued, "unless of course you'd rather I thought of something else."
"Hell no! I'll take my punishment," Al winked glad there were no real ill feelings between them.
"Anyone would think you're afraid of me."
"Damn right I am! You can be mighty sneaky when you want to be!"
"Just remember that in future."
"Ya ya."

21st Precinct

Kevin and Antonio had returned from the trip to the bicycle store with more questions than answers much to their consternation. It transpired the two employers who worked in the store at the time of the disappearance had only held menial positions. Neither had any interaction with the Carsons. The surprising information the Detectives gleaned however was that three months after Tommy Carson had gone missing the store had fallen prey to a supposedly random arson attack. The fact the main damage to the structure had been confined to the office area immediately invited suspicion. The present Store Manager had been eager to help but could not provide any useful information.

"It's too much of a coincidence not to be tied in to the disappearance," Antonio declared as he sat going over his notes.
"Agreed, bicycle stores are not prime targets for Arsonists," Kevin concurred.
"Their finances were good so a fraudulent insurance claim was unlikely."
"The Owners have checked out," Mouse announced as he entered the bullpen, "no red flags. It's a family business that's operated for generations."
"What about the high staff turnover?" Kevin queried, that had been the one anomaly.
"Did some checking. The store has a small staff count and mainly gives young people just out of school a chance to get some experience and something to put on their CV," the IT Technician explained., "the Store Manager handles all sales however."
"So we still need to talk to Paul Hudson," Antonio noted referring to the man in charge when the bicycle was sold to the Carsons.
"About that ....," Mouse shifted on his feet with his usual nervous energy.
"What?"
"You can't speak to Hudson .... he's dead."
"How did he die?" the Italian-American sat up straighter.
"MVA ..... car skidded and went into a tree twonweeks after the disappearance."
"And the coincidences keep on coming," Kevin rolled his eyes in disgust.
"It was ruled an accident," Mouse explained.
"In light of everything it needs to be re-investigated," a new voice entered the conversation as Voight came out of his office, "they wouldn't have been looking for anything suspicious."
"Don't see the connection anyway with the disappearance," Kevin raised an eyebrow, none of it made sense.
"The Store Manager dying and the fire must he related," Antonio pointed out then looked over at the frowning Sergeant, "turns out there was an arson attack on the store three months after Tommy went missing. The fire started in the office area ....,"
".... where records are kept," Voight surmised grimly, "there's something very wrong going on in.that store."
"But Sarge the Owners checked out clean. I did a thorough background search," Mouse protested.
"I'm not doubting your skills," Voight quickly assured, "but sometimes things never make it to the digital world or even leave a paper trail."
"What do you reckon Sarge?" Kevin wondered.
"The overall consensus at the time was Amateurs were behind the disappearance but given the fire and the death that's looking unlikely."
"So guess that rules the sister out," Antonio tried to find a silver lining.
"Not necessarily. Depends on what turns up in New York."

Ginos Pizzeria Off Fifth Avenue

Jay and Al had arrived at Clara Carsons' place of work only to he informed she was working the late morning shift that day so the pair took a seat and settled in to wait. One cheese and pepperoni pizza later the moustached Detective wiped his mouth and pushed his empty plate away shaking his head and rubbing his stomach.

"You shouldn't have let me eat the whole thing."
"You're a big boy," Jay retorted rolling his eyes in exasperation, maybe the other man was taking lessons from Adam on his eating habits.
"You haven't finished your fries."
"You want them you can have them," Jay informed his friend but there was an undercurrent of warning that could not be missed, he was not about to be treated like a child.
"Okaaaay " Al shrugged unoffended and snatched two fries hungrily.
"Don't know where you put it!"
"I've always had a svelte figure," the older man stated smugly.
"If you say so."
"How long we going to give her?" Al dropped all levity and checked his watch, Clara had been rostered on fifteen minutes ago.
"Maybe someone gave her a heads up."
"So you want to wait or check her address?"
"Might be better to wait. If she's smart she'll know not coming in makes her look guilty," Jay reasoned as the glass door opened and their quarry entered looking bothered as ahe looked around and finally settled her gaze on the two Chicago men.

"I was told you were looking for me," the pretty blonde haired approached the table shrugging off her coat after nodding to the Cashier at the counter.
"I'm Detective Jay Halstead," the green eyed man rose politely as did his companion, "and this is Detective Al Olinsky."
"Hope you weren't waiting long," Clara exchanged firm handshakes then sat down beside Jay as the men retook their seats.
"Gave us a chance to have lunch," Al shrugged, the friendly woman was not at all what they had expected.
"You have questions about Tommy I'm guessing."
"We know ten years have passed but can you go over the events of that day for us?" Jay requested solemnly.
"The time doesn't matter," Clara noted as an air of sadness seemed to envelope her causing the men to exchange glances, "it started out as any other day. Tommy of course was still on a high from his birthday. The bike .... well the bike was all he had asked for. It was strange though .....,"
"How do you mean?" Jay probed gently when the words faltered.
"Well he waited until the next day to go for a ride. You'd have thought it was the first thing he'd want to do when he got the bike .... go check it out ....,"
"Why do you think he waited?" Al checked.
"Oh that would have been down to my father."
"Why would your father want him to wait?"
"I don't know but it's the only explanation I've come up with over the years."
"Why do you think it was your father rather than your mother?" Jay queried trying to get a grasp on the clearly convoluted Carson family dynamics.
"My mother wouldn't be cruel like that."
"And your father would be?"
"Let's just say he likes control," Clara offered wistfully, "over everything."
"Your mother seems happy with him," Al put in speculatively.
"Oh she loves him but ...... love can be blind. Besides I do believe he loves her, in his own way."
"I know this is not easy for you but did your father ever hurt you physically?" Jay forced the question out knowing they needed the full background.
"Physically? No ....,"
"But emotionally and mentally?" Al stepped in knowing the unexpected line of questioning was striking a nerve for his young friend.
"Yes," the blonde admitted with a sigh, "but ....... there are no scars to prove it."
"At least not visible ones," the green eyed man observed with a knowing grimace, "but they hurt just as much."
"They do."

Al wondered at the cruel twist of fate that had once again visited his fellow former Ranger. It seemed beyond cruel he should consistently be reminded of his troubled past. If there had been any proof of abuse Voight would never have sanctioned Jay travelling to New York. As it was Al now had to figure out a way to return home as expeditiously as possible. Beside him Jay wasn't dwelling on his past but on the woman with them. Clara Carson was clearly not the cold hearted woman her parents had intimated she was. That diminished the chances of her being involved in whatever happened to her brother but they needed to probe further before ruling her out as a Suspect. Jay hraced himself. This was one of the worst parts of the job .... asking decidedly intrusive questions. He sighed internally. The quicker they started the quicker it would be over ....

tbc

MVA ... Moving Vehicle Accident
Motor Vehicle Accident