Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Six: Persuasion

21st Precinct

When Paul Arnott arrived within half an hour of receiving Voights' call no one was surprised. He was the last one to see Jay and therefore he felt obligated to give whatever assistance he could, irrespective of his feelings about the Sergeant. Upon his arrival the formidable man had ushered the Detective into his office and closed the door to provide a modicum of privacy.

"I owe you an apology," Voight stated without preamble as he motioned the big man to a chair knowing he needed to put things right before they proceeded.
"Well you aren't exactly known for your tact," the Detective noted without rancour as he sat down.
"Can't argue with you on that," Voight conceded with a smirk.
"Let's start again."
"Appreciate it," Voight looked across the desk at his Visitor genuinely as his contenance became grim, "so you mentioned on the phone you spoke to Halstead outside in the parking lot. Did you notice anyone around?"
"No one that raised any red flags. There wasn't anyone in the vehicles close by," Arnott stated confidently, like all Cops he tended to automatically surveill his surrounds, "a few people went into the bar hut they didn't pay any attention to us," Arnott explained, "I know he was working on the Carson case. Could it be tied to that?"
"To all intents and purposes that's been resolved," Voight responded, technically the Carson son had been located the case was finished apart from loose ends.
"And you don't think the disappearance is linked to that?"
"Pretty certain it isn't," the Sergeant sighed, "you and I both know in our line of work we make enemies over the years."
"So any leads at all?" Arnott asked worriedly.
"None."
"Damn!"

Warehouse

For the past hour the three Abducters had been huddled far away from their Captive conversing quietly amongst themselves. Although Jay could not hear the conversation it was clear from the body language the trio were unhappy. It had not gone unnoticed by the Detective that a phone call had not been received and he wondered if that was the source of unrest. Deciding his silence wasn't accomplishing anything he spoke loudly with a calmness he did not feel.

"So shouldn't you have received instructions by now?"
"For someone in a vulnerable position you're acting mighty reckless," Cookie pointed out as he led the way back to the seated man.
"Just stating the obvious," Jay shrugged, pleased when he saw acknowledgement on the other mens' features as now he knew what they had been discussing "maybe it's tome to rethink your plans. You could walk away now and not face any consequences."
"Sure!" Beard scoffed derisively.
"At this point no real harm has been done," the green eyed man ignored the headache encompassing his skull.
"You expect us to believe you're going to just forget you were taken against your will?" Shortie posed the question sternly but there was a trace of hope he could not dispel, he was regretting letting his friends talk him into this.
"I don't expect anything. Just giving you a chance to walk away clear right now."
"What do you think?" Beard eyed Cookspeculatively.
"Why would you do that?" the tattooed man questioned suspiciously.
"I want to get out of here," Jay replied honestly, "and I get the impression you weren't given the full picture for bringing me here. If you let ne go now you can all walk away clean."
"You can identify us," Shortie offered up an obvious flaw in the suggestion.
"With my head wound difficulty in recalling your descriptions would be normal."
"How do we know you're not lying?" Cookie demanded, of the trio the Detective knew he would be the toughest to convince.
"Guess you won't know," Jay admitted, frankly, "but I give you my word. If you're brought in for questioning down the line it won't be because of anything I disclosed."
"Well if we're brought in it will confirm you're a Liar," Cookie argued.
"No ... it will confirm whoever hired you isn't reliable. But you know that already."
"We do?" Beard scratched his chin in confusion.
"You do. We wouldn't be having this conversation at all if you were being kept in the loop."
"He has a point," Cookie conceded reluctantly.