Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Eight: Questions

21st Precinct

After two days no progress had been made in ascertainng who was behind Jays' abduction. Informants had been contacted but it transpired no one was talking. The lack of any leads unsettled everyone. On his part the green eyed Detective was putting on a hrave face but they all knew the situation was taking a toll on him. Not that he complained. As ever he was more concerned about others, on this occasion Tommy. He spent his time outside of work bolstering the young mans' confidence when doubts plagued him. Two more sessions with Parker, whom had extended his stay in Chicago, gleaned further insight into a childhood that had been out of reach prior to hypnosis. Surprising memories had given rise to quandries. Family holidays in lavish locations had been recalled initially with fondness only to be replaced with, of all things, guilt. When Jay had pressed the blonde on why he was upset Tommy had eventually confided that he had friends who had grown up knowing only surviving on the streets. The money the vacations must have cost could have provided food and decent accommodation for many people. The Detective had pondered the matter and offered up a suggestion that would give Tommy a goal to focus on in the months ahead
.... he could use his position to help others who had fallen on hard times. Jay knew however Franklin Carson might not be too keen on such a project and cautioned Tommy. He undertook however to speak to the older man down the line in an effort to explain why such an endeavour would be beneficial to his Prodigal Son. A wry voice interrupted the auburn haired mans' thoughts.

"You're in a world of your own," Al stated without rancour, he had been trying to get his friends' attention for a few minutes.
"Sorry .... what's up?"
"Nothing at all," the seasoned Detective rolled his eyes at the understatement, someone had abducted the former Ranger and no headway had been made but he sensed that was not what had his friend preoccupied, "you're worried about the Carson Kid."
"He has a hard road ahead of him. It will take a while for him to find his bearings when he goes back."
"Has he said when that will be? His parents must be going out of their minds."
"We're calling to the house in the morning," Jay explained, "it will be up to Tommy whether he stays or not."
"You think Carson Senior will be happy about that?" Al arched a brow.
"Nope but Tommy is in charge. I explained to Mr. Carson if he tries to force him into anything it will only push Tommy away."
"Bet he loved that!"
"He wasn't happy," Jay shrugged, "I appreciate he's in.a difficult position, especially with his wifes' illness, but my duty of care is to Tommy ....,"
"Your duty of care ended when we found him."
"No it didn't. He needs someone on his side and ...,"
".... you've designated yourself as that 'soneone'."
"He's a good kid."
"No arguments there," the moustached man agreed, "but you have a lot on your plate."
"I can still help Tommy."
"Okay but you remember I'm here also. Jusr remember you don't need to do it alone," Al pointed out, he had known his friend wouldn't just walk away, it wasn't in his nature.

"So guys what do you reckon is going on?" Adam walked over as he gestured to Voights' closed office in which Crowley was currently present.
"If we need to know we'll find out," Al replied offhandly, he suspected Gambini was the topic of conversation.
"Reckon it has anything to do with what Mouse found?" Adam wondered.
"We'll find out," Jay stated seriously then grinned mischievously, "if Sarge wants us to."
"Hell you're no fun!" Adam threw his hands up in defeat and walked back to his desk shaking his head.

Just as he sat down the door opened. Crowley strode out with a stern look darkening her features as she headed for the stairs without glancing at anyone in the bullpen. Voight opened his door and stood in the frame with arms folded.

"We have 48 hours to link Gambini to Williams," the Sergeant declared succinctly.
"Sarge shouldn't we be concentrating on who abducted Jay?" Adam bravely queried, in his opinion that had to take priority surely!
"The Williams case is likely related," the green eyed Detective put in before the formidable man could respond.
"You don't know that!"
"We don't have any leads to follow up," Al pointed out reasonably, refraining from mentioning the three Abducters Jay was protecting who constituted an undeniable lead.
"Well if Jay would .....," Adam began only to be summarily cut off.
"Halstead has made his decision," Voight reminded firmly, "if he changes his mind he'll let us know."
"So where are we on Gambini?" Jay enquired after sending the brown haired Detective a look of disgust, "apart from the gym is there any other possible link between the two?"
"I haven't found one yet," Mouse looked up from his screens apologetically.
"If there is one you'll find it," Jay encouraged confidently.
"Maybe we should get proactive," Antonio suggested drawing curious looks his way, "we haven't actually made enquiries in the gym."
"Let them know we're looking?" Voight contemplated the idea.
"We don't have anything to lose," Al offered up.
"We alert Gambini to our interest he could fold up whatever operation he has going," Voight countered with the obvious risk to disclosing their investigation.
"Williams' murder gives us a way in," Jay pointed out, "we don't need to make up a false premise for going to the gym ....,"
"and if Gambini is arrogant enough he might believe we don't know anything about his involvement there," Kevin expounded, it seemed like their best option.
"So who goes in?" Al asked the leading question.
"Well not ....," Adam began to state what he assumed was obvious ... that Jay could not go in but was quickly cut off by a clearly exasperated Voight.
"I'll decide shortly who will go in," the Sergeant sent the brown haired man a warning look, "for now follow up on finding the owners of the warehouse Halstead was kept in."
"I'm starving," Antonio eyed the wall clock as Voight headed back to his private domain after motioning for Jay to follow.