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

Chapter Eighty-Four: Petrocelli

As Jay opened the passenger door he was not surprised to find himself under the guns of the two men, after all he was an unknown to them.

"Hey Jimmy, Paul," Johnny walked around to the passenger side and passed the two glaring henchmen, ignoring the raised weapons, "this is my friend Jay. Came across him last week. Thought he might be useful."
"So where's the boss," Jay asked nonchalantly, not looking the least bit intimidated, "you said he'd be here."
"He always is on Mondays," Johnny motioned for his friend to follow him over to the large doors of the ramshackle looking warehouse.
"Whatever," Jay shrugged as he passed the two watching men after giving each a casual nod.

The pair of old friends were trailed into the building by the watchful men and Jay couldn't help but think of the last rundown warehouse he was in. Straightening his shoulders he mentally scolded himself. This was no time for looking back. He needed to concentrate on the here and now if he wanted to give Johnny the second chance he needed.

"Mr. Petrocelli," Johnny walked ahead and addressed a heavy built man who was seated on a large chair behind a matching ornate table, "I'd like you to meet my friend, Jay Sullivan."
"Where have you been Jackson?"
"Oh we've been catching up on old times Sir. We used to go to school together."
"You couldn't be found," Petrocelli stated unhappily, "you're always easy to find."
"I was," Johnny offered, "I mean I was with Jay at his place most of the week. I wasn't needed until today. That's what you told me."
"I don't like it when someone disappears," a new voice spoke out of the shadows as a tall, thin man emerged to stand beside the seated figure, "how do we know you haven't been talking to the Cops?"
"Mr. Petrocelli I've never once given you reason not to trust me. I just got caught up reliving the old days," Johnny ignored the newcomer addressing the powerful figure sitting before him, "I knew I was needed today and here I am."
"Why would you bring this guy here?"
Petrocelli spoke softly but the authority in his voice was unmistakable.
"He's been down on his luck," Johnny glanced back at his friend, "I was hoping you could give him a job."
"This isn't a charity ......," the tall man interrupted with an edge in his tone.
"Brown I will handle this," the mob boss stated firmly.
"Mr. Petrocelli I asked Johnny for a chance to meet you," Jay slowly approached the desk, which looked out of place in its' present environment, "I figured I might have some skills you could use."
"So he told you about my operation?"
"He told me he made good money, that's about it. He said if you decided to give me a job you would tell me the ins and outs of what's involved."
"And that didn't bother you? That you don't know what's involved?" Brown interrupted doubtfully.
"I figure money is money. I need a job."
"What skills do you have?"
"Not rightly sure what would be of use but I'm a skilled Marksman. I can handle myself in a fight and I don't mind getting my hands dirty."
"Son this is a commercial enterprise," Petrocelli pointed out, "don't really have a need for a Marksman."
"Well it was worth a try," Jay looked at the men around him, "maybe if something comes up down the line you would keep me in mind."
"You're a trier I'll give you that," Brown observed thoughtfully, "how long have you been out of work?"
"Long enough to know doing the right thing doesn't put a roof over my head," Jay sighed despondently.
"What do you mean by that?" Petrocelli questioned.
"I did two tours of Afghanistan. Was given a Medical Discharge. Insurance didn't cover most of the rehabilitation expenses so I wound up losing my house."
"You married? Have a family?" Brown asked.
"Was married ......," Jay ducked his head and put his hands in his pockets to give a picture of dejection, "not any more."
"What happened?"
"Doesn't matter," Jay raised his head and glared at the gathered men, "I came here looking for a job not a recap of my worst memories."
"Okay," Petrocelli nodded thoughtfully, "you go with Jimmy and Paul there while I talk to Johnny. We'll talk again."
"Okay," Jay said nonplussed making sure not to look at his friend as he headed out with an armed man on either side.

Outside the two men guided Jay back over to the truck.

"Get in. We'll tell you when Mr. Petrocelli wants to talk to you again," Paul directed with a gesture of his gun.
"Sure," Jay opened the drivers' door and climbed in, leaving the door open, "so how long ye been working here?"
"None of your business."
"Okaaay. Just making small talk."
"You really in the army?" Jimmy checked.
"Yeah, I really was."
"I thought about joining but never got around to it."
"You made the right choice," Jay and the Unit had developed his cover as someone who was disgruntled with the army and law enforcement Officers, "I nearly joined the Police first but my friend got gunned down."
"What happened?" Paul frowned.
"Nothing much. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and met a trigger happy Cop who saw a black man as a threat. Didn't matter that my friend was a Social Worker helping get kids off the street."
"Damn," Paul shook his head in disgust, this very discrimination was what had led him down the criminal path he was on.
"You see any of that in the army?"
"Racism? A bit. I got out in time though. Wouldn't fancy being there now with Trump as POTUS. Talk about a living nightmare!"
"Can't argue with you there," Jimmy chuckled, "I figure we'll all get blown up one of these days because that nut does something stupid."
"Could easily happen," Jay conceded ruefully as he saw Johnny and Brown exiting the warehouse, neither looking happy.

The reason for the mens' displeasure was soon explained as Brown informed Jay in clipped tones that Petrocelli wanted to talk to him in private. Looking from Brown to Johnny and back again Jay raised an eyebrow as he got out of the drivers' seat but headed back over to the building without a word. Paul and Jimmy once again shadowed him but he ignored them as he opened the door and went inside. This was unexpected. He had assumed Paul and Jimmy would try to test him, maybe even Brown. Usually the main man did not deal with such trivial matters. It seemed that despite the mans' earlier comments Jay might in fact be considered for a job in the organisation. Of course this meeting might also signal the end of the road where he was concerned, in more ways than one.

"Did you know that my son died in Iraq?" Petrocelli broke the silence as he got up from behind the desk.
"No," Jay frowned, that bit of information was not known to the Unit, there were always some things they were unaware of, "no I didn't.  I'm sorry for your loss."
"You mean that don't you?"
"Yes I do."
"I've had those same words said to me on many occasions since I lost Vincent," Petrocelli walked over to stand in front of the younger man, "I can always tell whether they are spoken genuinely or not. I thank you for your honesty.  From a Soldier it means a lot."
"How old was your son?"
"Twenty-two. He was nothing like his old man, for which I was always grateful.  I just wish if he had to die for his country it would have been in Afghanistan.  The Iraq War was founded on a lie.  Innocent men lost their lives because those in charge failed to act properly."
"Can't argue with you there.  That's the one thing that always bothered me about the army," Jay admitted truthfully, "the higher ups have the ability to send you into hell whether or not their reasons are just."
"And with the present idiot in charge it is more likely that more lives will be lost needlessly!" the older man stated vehemently, this was obviously something he cared deeply about.
"I agree."
"Good because I think you might come in useful after all."
"I don't follow," Jay frowned, wondering what he had stepped into because he was getting a feeling there was something going down far bigger than a gun deal.
"You will," Petrocelli smiled malevolently, "you will."

tbc