Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-One: A Reunion Postponed

Once Tommy had been set up in his room Jay had wasted no time filling Voight in.  They had notified him of the successful end to the search immediately. Now the Detective needed to explain why a family reunion could not happen immediately.  The Sergeant had been somewhat surprised by the development but decided to visit the hotel to discuss the matter in person and also to set eyes on the young man he had been afraid would never be found.  The firm knock on the door had Al chuckling as he headed over to open it.

"So where is he?" Voight strode into the room his eyes roaming the scene.
"Next door," Jay replied quietly.
"Shouldn't you keep an eye on him?"
"He's not under arrest," Al pointed out ruefully, "we can't force him to do anything."
"Are you saying he doesn't want to see his family?" Voight frowned, that possibility never occurred to him.
"We're saying the kid is overwhelmed. He doesn't remember his life before the streets," the moustached man gestured his oldest friend towards a seat by the window as he sat down.
"Nothing at all?" the gruff man took a seat.
"He recalled a big house and a long driveway," Jay sank down on the  end of the bed opposite the pair with a sigh, "can't blame him for being suspicious."
"He's obviously been given reasons not to trust people," Al put in.
"So what does he recall?"
"He remembers being in an empty warehouse and being injured ..... a head wound obviously.  He climbed out a window into an alley. At some point he passed out and later when he regained consciousness a guy called Hector was there ....,"
"Did he hurt him?" the formidable man demanded, his protective instincts kicking in.
"No.  Not intentionally anyway," Jay replied.
"What the hell does that man?" Voights' relief at finding their quarry was now being tempered.
"Hector persuaded him not to seek medical help."
"You cursing won't change the past," Al noted sardonically as his friend turned the air blue, "Hector didn't trust hospitals. Don't think he was trying to harm the kid."
"Do we know where this Hector is?"
"He was stabbed to death two years ago," Jay explained, "seems like he took Tommy under his wing. Likely he wouldn't have survived if he hadn't."
"Lots of Predators on the streets," Al stated what they all knew, "the kid was lucky Hector found him first."
"Okay," Voight acknowledged duly enlightened, "so what's the plan?"
"Plan?" the moustached man asked innocently.
"Al don't make me shoot you. Obviously you don't want Tommy to meet the family yet and ....,"
"It would be too much," Jay nodded, "I figure in a couple of days once we can prove we're trustworthy we can broach the subject."
"Oh Crowley will love that!"
"No need she has to know we found  him," Al opined, "for the time heing at least."
"Sarge Al's right. You tell her and she'll be obliged to tell Carson Senior. This way she has deniability if .....,"
".... if this blows up," the Sergeant cut in concluding wrily, "and it might is the message I'm getting. Am I correct?"
"Sarge ultimately this has to be Tommys' choice."
"We still aren't certain if Franklin Carson is good or if Clara is dangerous, " Al reminded.
"Can you earn his trust?" Voight looked at the pair speculatively.
"I think so. Once he sees we're not going to force him into anything it will go a long way," Jay explained their reasoning.
"Okay for now this stays within the Unit but a few days is the most you have. Crowley expects results and because of that she's checking in daily."
"Maybe she just likes you," Al winked unrepentantly, earning a scowl.
"She's a married woman," Voight tossed back shaking his head as he rose to his feet, "keep me posted on any developments here.  In the meantime we'll do some more digging into the family background."
"Will do," the moustached man assured solemnly.

Jay turned back to the older Detective as soon as the Sergeant had departed.

"We need to get Tommy on side as soon as possible. "
"No arguments there."
"Parker is still in town isn't he?"
"He is.  Be here for another week at least, if not longer.  He got some extra engagements."
"Maybe he could speak to Tommy. We can't try to force the memories to return," Jay explained, "Doc will know the best way to approach the issue."
"Sounds like a plan.  You okay here if go out and grab some stuff?"
"Sure. You might pick up some new jeans and a couple of jumpers too for Tommy," the younger man suggested as he took out his wallet to pay for the aforementioned items.
"It's okay," Al shook his head, "I got it.  You bought the boxers and socks for him earlier. Withnthe toiletries .You ring Parker and find out if he can come here in the morning.  The sooner the kid gets his memories back the sooner he can see his family ... hopefully."
"Okay," Jay accompanied his companion to the door, "I'll check in on Tommy first."
"You think he'll do a runner?" Al asked leading the way out into the long green carpeted corridor.
"Bound to cross his mind.  Hoping I can convince him otherwise."
"I'll bring back Chinese."
"They have Room Service here ...,"
"But not Chinese," the moustached man tossed over his shoulder as he headed for the elevator.