Tolerance Book III

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Two: Unwarranted Doubts

Burial Site - Three Days Later

Jay had asked the Psychologist to accompany him to the makeshift graveyard. In all thirty bodies had been unearthed in Chicago. Seattle still led with a total of thirty-three Victims once Mouse had worked his magic and located a land parcel owned by the elusive Jason Martin. All attempts to locate the man had so far been unsuccessful. It eventually transpired, thanks to the IT Specialists' tenacity and skills, that Martin was in fact high up in Gambinis' organization. The sheer volume of Victims had everyone under pressure to find leads and answers. Surveying the now empty graves as the pair walked through the Forensics' personnel still diligently gathering evidence, no matter how miniscule, Jay could not contain a shiver.

"You alright?" Parker asked worriedly by his side.
"Yeah ... just ...," Jay gestured to their bleak surroundings, "I wanted to be wrong."
"Well thanks to you their families will be able to give them a dignified burial."
"No one deserves to be treated like this," Jay noted gesturing to the numerous graves around them. "they were treated as body parts nothing more!"
"It's stomach turning," Parker agreed softly.
"Gambini, and anyone involved in this, won't give themselves up. Do you think the fact there's no death penalty here or in Washington State dictated their choice of hunting ground?"
"You don't do you?" the New Yorker asked his own question intuitively rather than answering, still curious as to why he had been asked to accompany the exhausted man.
"No .... I don't. This is a large scale operation which has been going on for years. Whoever is behind this is not afraid of being caught. They're after becoming more emboldened as the years passed. They believe they're untouchable," Jay looked at the black haired man intensely, "or am I reading it wrong?"
"No you're spot on," Parker assured as the realization of why he was there suddenly became clear, the young Detective was doubting himself as a result of his current less than optimal physical condition.
"So ....," Jay hesitated to put forth what he suspected.
"What are you thinking?"
"Chicago and Seattle may not be the only 'hunting grounds'."
"Damn!" Parker cursed because the possibility should have occurred to him and also the thought of more Victims was appalling.
"I've been thinking ....," the green eyed man trusted his companion and wanted his valued opinion before he took his latest theory to the others, "the sheer scale of this is off the charts."
"Agreed."
"What if they're taking people and holding them until they're required?"
"So they don't wait until someone needs a kidney they ensure they have a ready supply," Parker muttered in grim conclusion, it made sense to some degree.
"But still finding suitable matches would be difficult," Jay countered his own theory as he stifled a yawn.
"True," the Psychologist was used to his friends' propensity to consider all angles of any situation.
"But maybe they're on the lookout for matches all along .....," Jay mused to himself.
"Kind of like ordering in advance?"
"Yeah. What if when someone initially got diagnosed they placed an order? It could be months or even years before they actually need an organ ...,"
"So what are you suggesting?"
"They test people."
"And take them if they're a match?" Parker sought clarification.
"Yeah," Jay nodded as he ruminated on the logistics involved, "that's the only way they could be sure the right organ would be available when required."

Parker looked at the young Detective whom looked fit to collapse then their surroundings again and decided to be proactive after checking his watch.

"Come on we can discuss this in that diner we passed. I don't know about you but I need food."
"But ...,"
"We can discuss this sitting down," Parker insisted, tugging the other mans' arm determinedly.
"You're hungry?" Jay asked sceptically as they headed back to the SUV, the topic of conversation was not appetite inducing as far as he was concerned!
"What I am is tired and in need of coffee," Parker stated honestly knowing better than to lie even if it was for his friends' benefit.

Sams' Diner

Fifteen minutes later the pair sat opposite each other in a black leather booth with plates of food in front of them. The Psychologist had found upon artival the enticing aromas did indeed trigger his appetite. Refusing to eat alone he had ordered two Caesar Salads accompanied by one coffee for himself and a large milk for the auburn haired man. As he speared a piece of newly seasoned chicken the New Yorker eyed the other Patrons, envious of the strands of light conversation that floated their way.