Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven: Frank Talking

As he contemplated his options Jay quickly discarded the notion of lying to his Hostess. Celia Carson deserved the truth, however unpalatable, especially in view of her frank disclosure about her spouse. That she believed Franklin Carson had somehow sown the seeds of his attack had not been been enunciated fully in words however the import of what she had imparted left no room for doubt. The ill woman believed Carson Seniors' ruthless business dealings had finally pushed someone to lash out physically and the young green eyed man agreed with her line of thinking ..... up to a point. The presence of a Sniper/Hitman however hinted at something even more sinister. Realising the difficult conversation had to take place Jay hoped Tommy would accept his reasoning.

"Tommy is trying to protect you," the Detective offered then continued when he saw a frown forming, "Brett was shot and killed the night your husband was attacked ...,"
"Oh my Lord!"
"He went around to check the back of the house and was shot. It seems there was a Sniper in the trees by your boundary wall and ...,"
"But that's ....," the ill womans' words trailed off as she struggled with the news.
"Brett was a good man and understood the risks involved."
"That won't be much consolation to Julie. Oh my God does she know?!"
"You know Julie?"
"Oh not personally," Celia replied brushing away a tear, she had grown fond of the affable Bodyguard, "but he spoke of her often. In fact the way he talked reminded me of the early years of our marriage."
"Julie's strong."
"Oh Tommy!" Celia exclaimed in anguish, her newly returned son must be devastated for the pair had struck up a budding friendship.
"Tommy's a tough young man," Jay consoled the distraught mother, "I'm sorting out another Bodyguard ....,"
"You think whoever is behind all this will come back?"
"We have to take precautions against that possibility," Jay explained Chicago knowing her concern lay with her family not herself.
"What about Clara? Do you think she's safe?"
"Where is she these days?"
"She's in Chicago but I don't have an address."
"We'll track her down and ensure she's made aware of what's happened," Jay rose gesturing for his Hostess to remain seated when she attempted to get up, "I'm going back to the hospital to check on Tommy. You have any message for him?"
"Just tell him .... tell him I love him," the frail woman was clearly shaken but there was an inner strength she possessed and the auburn haired man knew she would need it going forward.

21st Precinct

By the time Jay arrived back from Med after updating Tommy the young Detective was battling a throbbing headache and had resorted to domning sunglasses in deference to same. His friends curtailed their concern knowing it would be rebuffed, albeit politely. The two Out of Towners however were not privy to the dynamics at play so the senior Agent spoke up.

"Detective you clearly should not be working and ....,"
"Collins," Voights' one word held rebuke and warning, the Sergeant would not tolerate Feds interfering with his men under any circumstances.
"Mike is just concerned," Pearson quickly interceded, anxious to avoid any unpleasantness.
"Halstead is not his concern."
"This investigation is my concern," Collins noted sharply.
"You pulling rank?" Voight asked in a low voice.
"Agent Collins I'm fit for duty," Jay decided to join the fray, after all he was at the center of it!
"For the record I wasn't attacking your character," Collins backtracked after exchanging a glance with his partner, "when I'm on a case I tend to become bull headed and ....,"
"Two peas in a pod," Al chuckled, ignoring his old friends' glare, "how about we get back to our job?"
"So what have we got so far?" Jay enquired, as he sat down at his desk, before anything else could be uttered to endanger the truce.

"We found three more Victims had links to Gambini," Mouse piped up, as ever eager to help his former Lieutenant.
"It's circumstantial but too much of a coincidence," Antonio explained.
"So we're definitely looking at Gambini as the prime person of interest in the missing persons' case," Pearson added looking at the green eyed man hopefully, "how did it go with the Carsons?"