Tolerance Book IiI

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Eight: Making Headway

Interrogation Room

Five days later Jays' instincts had been proven correct. Kevin had met up with his CI on the night of the visit to the alley and pressed him on what exactly he had observed. It transpired in his initial account he had been less than upfront with his Handler. Kevin had not been pleased he had not caught the lies but had refrained from voicing said displeasure in favour of obtaining a full account. It turned out the CI had in fact been in the toilet at the rear of the cafe and an open window had afforded him a ringside position to the conversation that took place between the three men. He had only looked out the slightly ajar frosted window once to identify the Speakers but after that had listened avidly out of sight. He had known Martin but the other two men were unknowns. Kevin had arranged for the CI to meet up with a Sketch Artist in a safe location. Although somewhat reluctant the man had eventually agreed to give an accurate description of the men. Now Jay and Kevin sat in the Interrogation Room across from one of the newly identified parties, Paulo Rossini. Rossini was a Hustler who tended to work on the fringes of various groups while making a living off of information gleaned from said groups. The avowed Criminal had a rap sheet that accurately summed up his lifes' bad choices. In and out of jail for drug offences he had not yet, at least to their knowledge, advanced to murder. It was only a matter of time however before he did. It was his relationship with Martin and therefore Gambini which intrigued the Unit and the FBI Agents however. Upon ascertainng the full details of the conversation in the alley it was decided to question Rossini without divulging the real reason for their interest in him. The fifty-two year old contrived to protray a nonchalant demeanour but to the Detectives before him, and the men watching in the adjoining room, it was a below par performance. Armed with the Criminals' full history Jay subtly nodded for Kevin to take the lead.

"So Rossini it's come to our attention you've heen dealing again .... this time in Bucktown."
"You have nothing on me," Rossini declared.
"You were observed," Kevin stated ambiguously, that covered a plethora of situations.
"It's a crime now to be seen in Bucktown?!" the Italian-American scoffed.

Observation Room

Watching the interrogation in the Observation Room Voight, Al, Antonio, Collins and Pearson exchanged glances as Parker joined them. The fact they now knew the Criminal had an established relationship with Jason Martin meant he could lead them to the man. Getting Rossini on board however was not going to be an easy feat.

"How is it going?" the Profiler checked.
"Just started," Voight kept his gaze on the men in the other room.
"Wish we had some leverage to use," Antonio spoke quietly, "asking him to turn on Martin is like asking him to turn on Gambini. Can't see him agreeing."
"We need to get Martin," the Sergeant reminded succinctly, as if the need alone wouid conjure up a successful apprehension of their quarry.
"Don't see why I couldn't sit in," Collins stated unhappily, not for the first time.
"The minute Rossini realises the Feds are involved he's going to be even more reticent," Al pointed out, also not for the first time.
"Least we know he's tight with Martin," Parker tried to avoid another argument with the Visitors, it would not accomplish anything.
"Jay and Kevin will use that," Antonio put in.

Interrogation Room

Jay sat up straighter in his chair deciding to cut to the chase.

"We found the heroin in your apartment," the green eyed Detective tapped the paperwork before him listing the results of the search carried out earlier that morning, "right now you're looking at ten years .... minimum ....,"
"Hey man that's for personal use!"
"That amount as 'personal use' is not going to be accepted by any Judge," Kevin put in shaking his head.
"It's your third strike," Jay observed, "which basically means your stuffed."
"Look surely there's something you can do?" Rossinis' earlier bravado had vanished when confronted with the bleakness of his future reality.
"Like what?"
"Give me a deal .....,"
"This is the first time we met you," Jay reminded then shrugged, "so why would we give you a deal? You have to have something we want for a 'deal' to be made and you don't."
"Hey I can give you information," Rossini hastily insisted, shifting nervously on his seat.
"What type of information?" Jay asked with clear scepticism tinging his words.
"I can tell you where to find someone."
"Who?"
"Hey I'm not saying anything till I get sonething in writing."
"You don't get a deal without giving us something first," Jay went to stand up as if believing the man was trying to play them.
"Okay, okay! I'll give you a name."
"We're listening," Jay sat down resignedly, wanting to give the impression he was metely going through the motions.
"Jason Martin," Rossini stated smugly clearly expecting a reaction.
"Who's he?" Kevin asked monplussed.
"You're kidding right? He's Gambinis' top man."
"And you work with him?" Jay asked doubtfully.
"Occasionally. The guy's staying low because something big went down."
"So where is he?" Kevin asked.
"No way am I telling you anything else until I get a deal," Rossini declared leaning back and folding his arms.
"We'll see what our Sergeant says," Jay looked got unimpressed as he got to his feet for real this time and led the way out.

Observation Room

"That was well played," Andrews lauded as the pair entered.
"Jay knew the best way to play it," Kevin gestured to the green eyed man unwilling to take credit for the other mans' plan.
"He gives up Martin Gambini will really be under pressure," Antonio noted.
"How soon can we get a deal in place?" Jay checked, time was of the essence.
"Crowley has cleared it with the DAs' office," Voight was happy to report, "they already have the paperwork prepared."
"Guess they're anxious for a result," Al commented sardonically, usually getting a deal approved took bours, days or sometimes even weeks.
"No one wants the organ operation going a minute longer than necessary," Voight put in grimly.
"You reckon Martin will flip?" Collins asked the room in general.
"We need him to," Kevin stated the unpalatable truth, the man was their best bet at getting to Gambini and his elusive Partner.
"It all depends on how well Martin trusts that guy," Voight motioned to Rossini still sitting in the Interrogation Room.

The men all knew trust between Criminals only went so far. They had to hope on this occasion the level of trust between the pair proved advantageous to them.

Locker Room

An hour later Jay was sitting on the lone bench before the row of lockers simply enjoying the solitude. His friends meant well but their constant presence at his side was making him feel smothered. It turned out taking off the bandage had not eased their zealous overprotectiveness. He closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face tiredly. The door opening had him quickly lifting his eyelids.

"Here you are!" Adam declared as if finding a long lost treasure.
"What do you want?" Jay asked with rate abruptness, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
"Uh .... nothing," the brown haired man entered despite the less than warm greeting.
"No offence Adam but I just want to be alone for a while," the green eyed Detective looked at the door meaningfully.
"Sure," Adam headed back out without another word but gave a wink to assure mo offence was taken.

Bullpen

"You went in didn't you?" Antonio accused as Adam headed over and sat down at his desk.
"What did he say?" Al asked evenly keeping his anger at bay.
"That he wanted to be alone ......,"
"Like we told you!" Kevin shook his head in disgust.
"I was just worried about him!" Adam defended.
"You're just lucky you tried that on Jay not one of us," the Italian-American mused, "we wouldn't have let you walk out unscath."
"Oh come off it he needs ......,"
"... his friends to abide by his wishes," Kevin pointed out frankly, "we all knew he just needed a break."
"I know ... I know."
"Well in future pay attention to the clues," Al ordered, by now his former Partner should be be aware that sometimes alone time wasn't just a desire for the former Ranger it was a necessity.

From his office door Voight had listened to the interaction and subtlety signalled for Al to come into his office. Once the pair were seated the Sergeant looked at his old friend with an unspoken question.

"Halstead just needed some space Hank. He's okay."
"You think we can get Martin to flip?" Voight asked after a brief silence, he trusted the other mans' evaluation so for now wouldn't press the issue.
"It won't be easy but if the right incentive is offered to him he might cut his losses and turn on him."
"It's not going to be simple even if he does," Voight sighed heavily, he had been chasing Gambini for a long time and the man wouid not be taken into custody easily.
"We can only do our job as always" Al observed, he knew his old friend still carried the weight of his CIs' murder on his shoulders despite the long passage of time, "and the Task Force is our best bet of bringing him down."

The Sergeant would never voice it but he was really hoping their youngest Detective would work his indefinable brand of magic. The sharp mind behind the quiet persona could be their greatest asset in the investigation. He was mindful however of placing too much pressure on the green eyed man. No
matter how much he wanted to bring Gambini to justice, especially in light of the organ stealing operation, he was not willing to sacrifice anyone in the pursuit of same. Past cases however forewarned of Halsteads' propensity for getting hurt. That in addition to the unsettling fact they still did not know who was behind his abduction and why it took place ratcheted up his worry. Clearly there was someone out there with a very specific agenda against the young Detective.

"You're thinking mighty hard over there," the moustached man noted quizzically, "care to share?"
"Just thinking about the Kids' abduction. We still have no idea who or what was behind it."
"No we don't," Al concurred unhappily, as long as that remained unresolved his fellow Veteran was going to be tied to the Unit for his own safety and he knew it was already wearing the private man out ....

tbc