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

Chapter Ninety-Six: Explanations

Once the two seasoned criminals returned to the table Jay demanded rather than asked to know what was going on. Jimmy and Paul shared a glance before the latter spoke quietly.

"It's Vincents' anniversary next week."
"What's that got to do with the boss setting up business in the Big Apple?"
"It's the first time the anniversary is taking place when Vincent isn't buried in New York," Jimmy explained.
"I don't understand," Jay allowed his genuine confusion to show as he looked at both men, "I thought he died years ago."
"He did but the boss had his casket removed from New York a couple of months back. It took some time to get it sorted but he wanted Vincent buried back in Chicago. There was a lot of paperwork to be dealt with."
"Surprised he let red tape get in the way."
"He had to do it the right way," Paul put in, "Vincent never broke the law.  The boss had to respect that."
"Why didn't he bury him in Chicago when he died?"
"His mother insisted he be buried there so she could visit.  After she died the boss made the decision," Jimmy stood up after draining the end of the glass, "guess it didn't feel right setting up business when his son was buried there.  Come on.  We've got an early start tomorrow."
"Good thing breakfast's on you then," Jay chided as they left the booth.

Following the older men out he wondered if the offered explanation was the only reason for the New York enterprise.  He sensed the men were telling the truth. The fact that they didn't shy away from his questions confirmed the Detectives' belief that they now considered him one of them.  The arrest had apparently squashed any doubts about his reliability which the two men may have had.  The young man knew Petrocelli trusted him, mainly because he wanted to arising out of the resemblance to his late son.  It had become clear since Jimmy had paid his bail and collected him from the Police Station that the main problem he was going to have was still in the form of Brown.  The older mans' treatment of the new addition had not changed in any way.  He still viewed Jay with suspicious eyes.  Jay had been grilled by the man upon his arrival back at the house. Sensing it would be dangerous to act meekly Jay had countered some of the questions thrown at him with some of his own.  He brought up the fact that the house he had broken into was empty.  Brown had merely commented that the brothers must have been out for the night.  Jay figured that the accident had consolidated his cover with Petrocelli, Jimmy and Paul.  The Unit had heard the conversation in the hospital and knew there was a possibility that Brown had caused the accident.  There was no conclusive evidence however so it was agreed that Brown would be tailed everywhere he went.  This meant the use of more resources but it had to be done.  Petrocelli had left the questioning to Brown and Jay figured Brown had lost some points with the main man since it seemed Jay was on the level.  It was one thing pushing Jimmy and Paul for answers but the Detective knew the days and weeks ahead would be filled with many pitfalls and he was going to have to thread carefully to avoid tripping up.  He just wished he was feeling well.  He hadn't mentioned it to his Sergeant or friends, and definitely not to the well intentioned Doctor, but he was feeling tired all the time.   He hoped it was simply an accumulation of the damaged ribs and being undercover.  This was not the time to be sick he scolded himself!

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As Adam glanced at his watch in the darkened room across from Petrocellis' L.A. residence he turned to the silent Antonio.

"Brown doesn't seem to be letting up on Jay.  Figured after the arrest he'd have lost some of his misgivings."
"Heck you definitely haven't done a lot of undercover work," Antonio looked away from the telescopic lenses he was using, "sometimes it's the second in charge who calls the shots in relation to the characters the Undercover Cops are playing.  We know he probably set up the cab accident but as we discussed that.  It could mean he's getting tired of taking orders and wants to make a move to be the one giving orders.  A powerplay might help us."
"And it might not.  You've done more undercover work than me.  How do you live with the constant danger?"
"Everyone deals with it their own way. Me? I'd be alright during the op, it was the aftermath which was hard.  When you're under for a long time you become friends with people and then you have to betray them."
"But ....,"
"But nothing.  You do become friendly with people and yes it's the job but sometimes that doesn't make it any easier."
"Don't think I could do it for long. A few days is one thing but staying under weeks and months is another thing altogether," Adam shook his head as he picked up a pair of binoculars and focussed on Jay who was standing by the window in the spacious front room looking decidedly unhappy about something as he talked to Paul, "looks like something is up."
"We were lucky Jay was able to plant some bugs," Antonio donned a headset as his companion followed suit, "Jay looks upset."

Across the street Jay was well aware that his friends were listening and recording everything that went on in the three storey building.  Walking over to the window his eyes briefly flicked to the room opposite where he knew some of his friends and colleagues would be.  Sighing he turned back to Paul with a scowl.

"This is ridiculous.  There's no point in discussing it."
"I just thought it might give the boss an idea of what Vincent went through over there," the burly man explained with surprising gentleness, "I didn't mean to upset you."
"Look Paul," Jay sighed again, "me telling the boss about my flashbacks isn't going to do any good. Listen man I'm sorry I got angry.  You just surprised me that's all."
"Vincent had flashbacks too. Part of his PTSD," Paul elaborated after a moments' reflection, "he'd never talk to his old man about the problems he was having.  That made it harder.  You ever talk to your old man about Afghanistan?"
"He's dead,' the Detective replied without hesitation, it was the truth in a way as the man who called himself his father was dead to him for all intents and purposes, "it was a good idea Paul but everyones' experience is different."
"I guess so," the older man agreed before smiling, "come on it's nearly time for the poker game."
"Think you'd get sick of winning," Jay grumbled but there was no real anger behind his words.
"Need to teach you young ones to respect yer superiors."
"Yeah, yeah.  Heard it all before old guy."

Across the street Adam understood the import of Antonios' words after watching the scene play out and hearing the conversation.  It was easy to like the big man.  On the surface he could be a favourite Uncle.  The Detective wondered how his friend was going to deal with the fallout when his true identity was revealed, which would happen sooner or later.  Shivering he realized he definitely was not cut out for undercover work. Problem was however that despite Jays' exemplary undercover record he knew that the young man was not cut out for such work either.  That was why he had jumped at the chance of joining Intelligence after all.  The difference was that Jay wouldn't let his feelings get in the way of getting Petrocellis' organization shut down and Bright Glow off the streets.  There were too many innocent victims and for Jay his own hardship during and after the operation would not be something he would be concerned about.  Adam thought it was just as well that himself and the team were concerned instead.

tbc