Tolerance Book I (Chicago PD/Med FF) by Frances51163

Chapter Twenty-Eight: More Victims

As it happened Will didn't get a chance to set things straight with his brother before he went to work. Jay was relieved upon waking to find only Adam and Kevin in the apartment.

"Will said he'll talk to you tonight," Adam explained, "Kev is making you an omelette so hope you're hungry."
"I can make my own food," Jay looked over at the man busy in the kitchen.
"It's okay I was making one anyway," Kevin explained, "unlike some of us I need more than takeout to survive."
"Hey it's not my fault you don't have refined tastes," Adam teased as he set out three place settings on the counter.
"Why are there three sets of cutlery?" Kevin looked up from the two frying pans he was watching.
"Well there are three of us here."
"So?"
"So I'm having something to eat as well," Adam explained.
"Sure," Kevin agreed easily, "I'll be finished here in a couple of minutes then the oven is yours."
"Why would I need the oven? You just said the food is nearly done."
"Well let me see.  I have two omelettes.  One plain for the unadventurous one," Kevin gestured to Jay who had his back to him as he once again looked out the window, "and the cheese and ham omelette is mine."
"But that's," Adam also glanced to see if their friend was paying any attention to the banter but it was obvious he was not, "not fair.  You know sharing is caring."
"Okay okay you can have half of mine," Kevins' mock exasperation belied his worry as he looked over at his still all too pale friend, "Jay you better get over here before Hoover Ruzek decides to demolish your omelette."
"What," Jay turned back to the room distractedly.
"Come on your food's ready," Kevin was careful not to sigh, anxious not to give the younger man any wrong signals.
"Thanks," Jay slowly walked over and took the one vacant stool at the counter which was between the two men, "not sure if I can eat all of this."
"Just eat what you can," Adam urged passing over the ketchup, "don't know how you can taste the eggs with all the sauce you put on!"
"Figure it's better than salt."
"Probably," Kevin agreed around a mouth of omelette, "have to say this is good."
"Yeah it is.  Thanks Kev," Jay nodded as he took a small bite.
"I wasn't talking about the food."
"What were you talking about," Adam enquired when Jay didn't.
"Just having a meal with you guys.  Been a while since it was just us.  This place is like Grand Central."
"Know what you mean but at least we're getting better at poker!"
"Guess practice makes perfect," Jay forced himself to join the conversation knowing his friends were concerned about him, "this is nearly as good as mine."
"Now there's a compliment!" Kevin slapped his friends' back.
"I offered to make an omelette before," Adam reminded as he sprinkled salt over his dish, "but ye said no."
"Only because we want our stomach lining to remain where it is," Jay offered.
"Geez didn't know I was with two Michelin Chefs."
"That's okay.  Just remember in future," Kevin instructed smugly.

Three hours later Hank phoned requesting their presence at the precinct.  Adam had tried to obtain the reason behind the request but the Sergeant wouldn't reveal anything. Glancing at Kevin as Jay went into his room in search of a warmer jumper Adam rolled his eyes to indicate he didn't know what was going on but it couldn't be good as the plan was for them to stay in the apartment the next few days to ensure there was less of a possibility of Jay being located again.

In his room Jay quickly loaded his handgun before donning a thicker black jumper and grabbing his black leather jacket.  He hoped the chill he was feeling was only caused by the cold winters' day but his gut told him otherwise.  Arriving at the 21st Jay was anxious to find out what was going on.  During the drive over, which seemed to take forever, he had been thinking of various scenarios.  None of them with good endings.  He just hoped no one had been hurt.  That was what kept him awake at night, well that and a wish to avoid nightmares of times gone by.  Now that they were headed up to the Units' offices Jay found himself torn and subconsciously slowed his steps up the stairs as Kevin bounded on ahead.   The quicker he got to the office the quicker he would know whatever had happened.  And he knew something had happened because his boss had been clear in his instructions about staying at the apartment.  If he slowed down it would take him longer to ascertain the bad news.  A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his reverie and he looked towards a concerned Adam beside him.

"What?" Jay barely got the word out through dry lips.
"You okay or do you need to stop a while?"
"I'm good," Jay quickly assured, not just trying to convince his friend but himself also.
"Whatever it is we'll deal with it," Adam spoke quietly as they climbed the last few steps.
"Tell me," Jay cut right to the chase as Hank came out of his office upon seeing their arrival.
"Sit down," Hank, yet again, motioned for the younger man to take Antonios' chair.
"Just tell me," Jays' voice had an edge to it which none of them had ever before encountered, causing everyone to look more closely at him as he leant against the desk folding his arms.
"Your father seems to have had a falling out with the other two men we were trying to trace," Hank complied with the request after a moments' contemplation.
"'Were'," Jay had picked up the past tense being used, "they come in of their own accord?"
"No," Hank looked away as more footsteps approached and nodded to Al, Will and Conor, "they were found forty-five minutes ago shot in a backalley."
"My father?"
"Not with them," Hank looked around at the team and the two Doctors, "this changes things."
"How do you know it's them?" Adam frowned.
"Burton identified them."
"Anything else?" Jay sensed there was more to come.
"There was a note," Antonio walked over after a nod from the Sergeant and handed an evidence bag to Jay which had a note inside.

"What does it say," Will demanded impatiently as his brother read the note and handed it to Adam without comment.
"Jay?" Conor noticed how calm the other man was.
"It's time to finish this," Jay spoke determinedly as he pushed away from the desk.
"What the hell does the note say?" Will demanded angrily as the bag was passed back to Antonio.
"He wants to meet Jay.  Alone," Hank replied but his gaze was on the youngest Halstead.
"As if that's going to happen!" Will scoffed in disgust.
"Oh it's happening," Jay returned his superiors' look, "this needs to end before someone else gets hurt."
"Jay are you crazy!"
"Will if we don't do this more people are going to get hurt," Jay looked at his sibling.
"Hank you can't agree to this," Conor put in reasonably.
"Kid sit down," Hank pointed to Antonios' chair again before looking at the two civilians, "ye're under 24 hour protection until this is sorted.  Take a seat.  This could take a while."
"But ...," Will began.
"Sit down and listen," Conor instructed, "would be good to know what's happening."
"Wise choice Doc," Antonio grinned to ease the tension.
"Don't think there was much choice involved," Conor stated wrily as he sank down on Kevins' vacant chair and Will perched on the desk.
"Might have a point," Adam agreed before becoming serious as he glanced over at a now seated Jay, "you can't meet."
"What weapons were used to kill them?" Jay ignored the comment.
"AR 15."
"Damn," Will shook his head trying to accept that their father was now a murderer, "he killed them."
"No he didn't," there was no doubt in Jays' voice.
"Evidence suggests he did," Hank offered quietly, "forensics should be back soon with confirmation."
"He didn't do it," Jay shook his head in disagreement.
"I know it's hard Jay," Al looked over at the younger man, "but ....,"
"I'm not in denial," Jay voiced his frustration, "I know what he's capable of and yes I believe he could kill someone.  I know he could kill someone.  What I'm saying is he didn't kill the two men."
"Why are you so sure?" Kevin asked scratching his chin.
"Because if he's going to kill anyone it will be someone I care about," Jay didn't bother adding 'or me'.
"He threaten to kill someone before?" Hank scrutinised his Detective.
"Look I just know him.  I know what he's capable of," Jay avoided giving an answer.
"But the note was found with the bodies," Antonio pointed out a flaw in his friends' thinking.
"Well when I see him I can ask him."
"Over my dead body!" Will raised his voice.

Hank had been looking at Jay as his brother spoke and saw something flicker in his eyes. He cursed realising that their father must have threatened to kill Will at some stage.  The situation was getting worse by the minute and he just hoped his young friend came out unscathed.

tbc