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

Chapter Seventy: Media Disclosure

Hank and Al spent an hour the following morning grilling Halstead Senior but he was not forthcoming with any additional information.  Back at the 21st the two men discussed the matter in the Sergeants' office.

"I don't like it," Al spoke as he reflected on their early morning visit to the jail, "he's admitted to killing five people and abducting two so why not admit the lesser crimes?"
"I hear you.  We're still missing something and the old man knows it.  I've been thinking about it and it's obvious this time he meant to take care of Jay once and for all."
"We had figured that out."
"Yeah but with everything that's gone on we haven't really pursued that angle.  We still don't know why he decided to do it now.  If we had the answer to that it might give us a lead in the right direction."
"Something struck me before," Al looked across at his old friend, "after we found out about who hurt Jay and about the background it struck me maybe the old man is ill. What if he's dealing with a serious illness and so all bets are off where Jay is concerned.  It would explain his desire to deal with Jay now no matter what the cost to himself."
"That's definitely a possibility but as much as it might help the investigation I'm not sure it will help Jay or Will.  End of the day he's still their father."
"I know.  Maybe I'm wrong."
"Only one way to find out," Hank picked up the telephone receiver from its' cradle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At Chicago Med Will, Conor and Ethan were in the break room discussing the
length of time it was taking for the Cops to track down a likely accomplice.

"They're doing their best Will," Conor assured as he cradled a mug of coffee in his hand as he sat beside the redhead on the couch.
"I know that but it's taking too long."
"How is Jay doing really Conor?" Ethan turned away from the sink after rinsing his mug.
"I told ye. The MRI was clear so the headaches are concussion related.  The chest infection still has a hold but luckily he seems to have avoided bronchitis."
"Surprised he let you tell us how he's doing," Will shook his head.
"He doesn't want anyone worrying over him."
"As if we won't worry!"
"I know," Conor ran a hand down his bristled face, "so does he but things are out of his control."
"Did he say anything about the tapes?" Ethan checked.
"No," Will replied, "I asked him how it went and he just brushed it off by saying it was fine he'd seen it all before.  What he meant was that he'd lived it all before.  I spoke to Adam later on and do you know what he said?"
"Tell us," Conor instructed.
"He said he honestly didn't know how Jay turned into the guy he is.  I could tell Adam was shaken by what he had seen on the tapes but before I could ask he said he had to keep his promise and couldn't tell me what exactly was on them."
"Probably better you don't know," Ethan consoled his friend.
"Maybe but all I keep thinking is that they must have been very bad if they upset a Detective who had seen a lot of stuff in his job."
"Maybe when this is over you can talk to Jay about what went on when ye were younger but for now he just needs his big brother," Conor informed the older sibling honestly.
"I know and I'm there for him but it's like this wall he's put up around himself since the attack is getting higher the longer this goes on. I really thought once the old man was locked up it would be finished."
"It will be soon," Ethan confirmed, "one thing I've learnt since spending time with Voight is he isn't patient.  Himself and the Unit are doing everything they can to find the accomplice."
"Well hope they find him soon," Will stood up as his pager went off, "thanks guys.  Ye must be as sick of the situation as I am."
"We're just concerned about Jay like you are," Ethan followed his friend to the door, "at least you have work to keep you occupied."
"Guess so," Will nodded to his friends as he headed off.
"This is tearing him up," Conor commented sadly.
"I know.  Just wish there was more we could do to help."
"I hear you."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When Jay and Adam arrived at the 21st the Sergeant was coming out of his office and his grim features betrayed fury.

"As of ten minutes ago a tape has begun circling several News Stations."
"A tape? Isn't that usual practice?" Jay asked wondering why it was such a bad thing as he sat down behind his desk and then noted the stillness which had descended on the open plan office.
"Is it ......," Adam couldn't finish the question knowing from the older mans' barely concealed rage that it had to be the tests' tape.
"Yeah.  Jay I need to talk to you," Hank gestured to his office.
"Talk to me here," Jay said as he looked at the stricken faces of his friends knowing they knew something he didn't.
"Might be best if we ........,"
"Tell me."
"Sarge I'll do it," Adam walked over to stand in front of his friend after the Sergeant gave him a nod of approval, "on one of the discs when it was checked there was a labelled tape behind Mancini when he recorded himself in his house.  It was only visible on the disc when it was zoomed in on."
"Go on," Jay urged with dread when his friend stopped talking.
"The label said ........ 'Jay - Tests'."
"But we never found a tape with a label," Jay shook his head as the implications sank in.
"There wasn't one in the house," Antonio said softly as he walked over, "Kid we didn't tell you yesterday we found it because we figured you had enough on your plate and since we didn't have it in evidence we figured there was no point in mentioning it."
"Ye said ye would be upfront with me," Jay expressed his disappointment and hurt as he rubbed his injured shoulder, "guess I should have known better."
"Look Jay it was .......," Adam decided to fall on his sword and admit it was his decision to hide the find.
"What Ruzek was going to say is that you were looking wrecked yesterday," Hank wasn't about to let his Detective catch all the flak, "we weren't going to keep it from you for long. Just figured you could use a break from bad news."
"So when are they running it," Jay asked flatly deciding not to dwell on his friends' actions, "how many copies have been distributed?"
"At the moment five," Hank replied as his office phone starting ringing and he went to answer it.

"Jay we would have told you if we actually had it in our possession," Al put in sincerely, "we wouldn't have kept it from you."
"He's telling the truth," Kevin affirmed with a sigh.
"Let's just forget about it," Jay suggested as he watched the Sergeant walking out of his office, "what is it?"
"There are two Producers downstairs wanting to discuss the tapes they received with you.  I told Platt to send them up."
"We can't stop them airing the footage can we?" Jay asked in despair.
"Let's see what they have to say.  Maybe they don't want to air it," Hank motioned to the two men Platt was ushering up the stairs.
"Sure," Adam scoffed rolling his eyes figuring the chances of that were slim.

tbc