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

Chapter Forty-Seven: Max

Adam looked at his computer screen and frowned.  The DNA results from the hair strands Jay had given him had finally come in.  He cursed quietly and looked up as his Sergeant walked out of his office.

"Sarge we have a problem."
"What is it?"
"Forensics identified the two men with Jays' father."
"Finally!" Antonio was relieved they at last had a credible lead to follow.
"So who are we dealing with?" Kevin asked.
"Meet Tom and Curt Samson, brothers. Tom is 44 and Curt is 42," Ruzek replied as he went over to the fax and retrieved two photos which he quickly placed on the board, "problem is they're not criminals. They both went missing from St. James' Care Home for the mentally disabled two months ago."
"What the hell?!" Kevin shook his head.
"Anyone see where this is going?" Hank asked rhetorically.
"Damn it," Antonio sank back down on his chair in disgust, "he's going to use them to get Jay to do something."
"That leaves us with another problem," Kevin looked around the room, "the weapons. The brothers wouldn't have had access to weapons which means the old man did."
"Ruzek I want you and Al to go to the Care Home.  Find out everything there is to know about the Samsons. Don't leave any stone unturned."
"You got it Boss," Adam nodded as he retrieved his jacket and followed Al down the stairs.
"Antonio I want you and Kevin to take another run at Burton.  He told us the old man paid $10,000 to each of them.  Doubt if that's right.  Tell him I've been patient up to now but I want to know every damn little thing that those three said."

Alone Hank headed back into the office and sat down as he picked up the telephone receiver.
"You free?"
"Yeah," Will answered looking across at Conor, "is it Jay?"
"We haven't found him but I need to talk to you."
"Sure. I can be at the precinct in fifteen .....,"
"No," the older man cut in, "your shift is just over so stay at Med. I'm on my way."
"Okay," Will was talking into a dead phone, "that was Voight he wants to talk about Jay. Said he's on his way."
"Okay," Conor shrugged off his rucksack and dropped it on the couch in the Locker Room then plopped down beside it.
"What if he's .......,"
"He's not dead," Conor stated confidently, "now just sit down.  He'll be here soon."
"Yeah," Will had a bad feeling he was not going to like what Voight had to say to him.

Ten minutes later his concerns were realized.  The Sergeant had explained about the two brothers and the theory that they were being used to keep Jay in line.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Will asked, the 'in person' was implied.
"We spoke about your father threatening you or your mother as a child but I need to know if he ever threatened outsiders."
"What do you mean?" Conor raised an eyebrow.
"If the old man believes he can keep Jay in line now by using the Samsons it's because he's done it before."
"Threatening strangers?" Will looked at the Sergeant sceptically.
"Look Doc I know you didn't realize the extent of the abuse Jay suffered but is there anything that you have remembered since this whole thing started that may confirm this theory because I'm telling you right now we need all the help we can get."
"I've recalled some things but ..... there's nothing ......,"
"How about neighbours or even their pets?"
"Don't remember any ........," Will paused.
"What?"
"Why did you ask about pets?"
"Fits the MO. Psychopaths often start out hurting animals," Hank leaned forward in his chair, "what is it?"
"I'm ... not sure.  It's just that ....... I don't know why it never struck me before but I came back from the Mall one day and my father said Max, our terrier, had been knocked down and killed."
"Hell," Conor ran a hand down his face.
"Thing is he said it was Jays' fault.  That he forgot to lock the gate before he went up to bed with a headache.  I went up those stairs so fast ready to rip into Jay but .....,"
"But .....," Hank urged patiently.
"He was asleep and it was obvious he had been crying so when he woke up I just said accidents happen.  He just looked at me and said he was sorry."
"There is one way to make sure if you're right," Conor put in, "dig up the body.  If it was buried that is."
"Yeah it was," Will seemed to pale before the two men, "the old man said Jay insisted on digging a grave."
"Doubt if he had much choice," Hank grumbled with disdain, "with your permission I'd like to dig up the body."
"Sure but the people living there now might not appreciate it."
"I'll sort it."
"Ye normally exume dead animals?" Conor spoke as the three men stood.
"Occasionally.  In this case the Forensic Pathologist will do it as a favour."
"They must owe you big," Will said lightly.
"Nope.  He just happens to care about one Jay Halstead.  That Kid has more people on his side than he'll ever believe."
"Well when we get him back home we can make sure he knows," Conor slapped the older Halstead sibling on the back as they headed out.

The following morning found Will, Conor and the three ex-Rangers gathered with the Unit.

"So what are the findings?" Mouse demanded looking at his Superior.
"The Pathologist said the skull had been shattered into small fragments.  There were a number of anomalies.  Findings don't fit with being struck by a car.  Dog was hit repeatedly with something heavy, probably a hammer."
"Oh God!  How could I have not known?" Will let out a roar and kicked the nearest desk, no one blamed him.
"You were a child too," Al offered solemnly as the others nodded.
"So Jay had to watch Max being killed and then had to bury him?" Conor looked again at the Detectives for clarification.
"Well we know he buried him," Hank replied after a short silence, "only Jay can really tell us what exactly happened though."
"I don't understand," Will looked at the group, "he said he was 'sorry' as if it was his fault.  Why say that?"
"Because he believed it was his fault," Kevin supplied softly, "your father made him believe it was."

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Tom and Curt had returned to the warehouse laden down with bags, most of which it turned out contained potatoe chips, sweets and enough soda to give a Dental Surgeon a stroke.  As the siblings were emptying their treasure out on the picnic table with glee Jay stood by the broken window with his father.

"They're easily pleased," the older man commented with a trace of derisiveness.
"When do you want me to rob the bank," Jay asked checking his weapons.
"In the morning.  Afterwards we'll meet you on South Lake Shore.  You could have left while we were gone.  Glad to know know you remembered your lessons."
"Every last one of them," Jay agreed easily as he headed over towards the grinning brothers, "and the tests," he muttered to himself.

tbc