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

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Six: Recalling A Bully

By the time Hank and Antonio arrived at the apartment Jay had decided it was time to disclose a part of his childhood.  This decision was partly made for himself in an effort to get rid of one nightmare but mainly to make up for the fact that he was unable to list all of the pupils he had arguments with all those years ago.  The Sergeant had looked at the list of six names, including Carters, the injured man handed him on arrival and before he had an opportunity to ask if the named parties were the only ones Adam had stepped in and explained that his friend couldn't remember everyone.   Hank had accepted this information easily, seeing the underlying guilt his youngest Detective tried to hide.     After everyone was seated in the cosy living area Hank got down to business.

"Williamson finally admitted that his brother was doing him a favour by causing the collision.   We haven't picked him up yet but I promise you we will," Hank assured as he eyed the injured man, "he even gave up Carter.  He brought him up.  Not us."
"Sarge you didn't ...,"
"It was by the book," Antonio cut in, "seems Williamson and Carter kept in touch all these years."
"Ye didn't find Carter?"
"No.   He's on the run but we'll track him down."
"Do they ....... know?" Jay looked at the floor unwilling to meet anyones' eyes.
"No Jay they don't," Hank knew what was being asked, "the old man only accepted Williamsons' money on the basis that no questions were asked.   If he had known Williamson would have brought it up at the first interview.   He was real confident then, boasting of how he had helped make your life difficult."
"Sarge is right," Antonio confirmed, "if he had known the full background he would have told us.   He really hates you."
"Must be my winning personality!" Jay huffed out angrily.
"Hey Kid this is not on you," Hank leant forward on his armchair, resting his elbows on his knees, "you haven't done anything but stick up for people when they needed it.   Bullies always choose those they consider weaker so they can feel superior.    You took that feeling of power from Williamson and Carter and they hate you for it."
"So these other guys," Antonio gestured to the sheet of paper the Sergeant had passed to him, "is it the same story?    You stood up to them for picking on other kids."
"Yeah.   Do ye think Williamson and Carter got in touch with them even though the ..... arguments took place over several years?"
"Williamson only gave up Carter but that doesn't rule that possibility out," Hank mused, "as you said, the arguments took place over an extended period of time.   We'll have to check the school records to ascertain the classes they were all in for the years you attended school."
"You willing to tell us about Carter?" Antonio asked quietly.
"Guess so," Jay sighed heavily before standing up and going over to lean against the kitchen door frame, automatically giving him some distance from his audience, "I had seen him picking on smaller kids before but it was only words he used.  I had been back at school a day after ...... breaking a rib."
"Ah hell!" Adam couldn't contain the curse knowing exactly how he received the broken rib.
"Anyway," Jay ignored the interruption as he recalled the day in question, his right hand subconsciously going up to his right side, "that day I saw him picking on a kid on the way home.   The kid was on the ground and Carter was just kicking him.   There was no one around.   We were too far from the school to go back and get help."
"So you stepped in," Hank spoke up when the narrator stalled.
"No," the pale man ducked his head in shame, "not right away.   I ...... I was hoping he would just stop.  So stupid!  Like that was going to happen!"
"Man you were already hurt.  No one can blame you for not wanting to get in a fight," Adam pointed out, wishing his friend didn't take on unnecessary guilt.
"Mikey was crying and I knew if I didn't do something Carter was going to do irreversible damage.  He had this rage in him that day which was ...... staggering to behold.   He ..... he scared me."
"Kid we all know you're not a fool and only a fool wouldn't be scared if he was faced with that situation," Hank gently put in.
"I kept hoping someone would come along but ........... they didn't.  In the end ..... I stopped him."
"How bad was it?" Antonio looked over, knowing the information wouldn't be volunteered without some prodding.
"I got him away from Mikey," Jay raised his chin defiantly.
"Tell us what he did that caused you to zone out back in the office," Hank ordered ignoring Adams' glare.
"We just .... fought."
"It was more than that."
"It doesn't matter," the embattled Detective insisted abandoning his earlier resolve to deal with the issue.
"Kid I want to know what happened that day," Hank rose and walked over to stand in front of the smaller man but ensured he did not invade his personal space, "you know you can trust us."
"It's just .......," Jay looked from his Superior to Adam and Antonio then back again, "during the fight ........... my shirt got ripped.  He saw the bruising on my side ....,"
"Damn," Antonio moaned knowing with a sick feeling where this was heading.
"He ...... he kept hitting me there ..... it reminded me of ...... the old man.  He had the same look in his eyes."
"What was the damage in the end?" Adam asked.
"I broke his nose," Jay smirked momentarily.
"How about you?" Adam looked for the real answer he had been seeking.
"He broke another rib.   It was okay though, I could deal with that."
"But you shouldn't have had to," Hank took a step closer to his subordinate placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, "your old man made the biggest mistake I've ever seen any man make in my lifetime.   He didn't appreciate you when he had every reason to be grateful for such a special son ..... "
"Sarge ....,"
"I'm talking," Hank brushed aside the attempted interruption, "I said it before but it obviously needs repeating.  You are a young man with a streak of integrity, caring and courage which is truly amazing, especially considering what you have gone through.   Don't ever duck your head in shame son because you could never have cause to be ashamed of anything."
"Anyone want a coffee?" Jay asked hoarsely as he turned back into the kitchen blushing.
"Sure I'll give you a hand," Adam quickly joined his friend as the Sergeant retook his seat.

"You make a decision yet about witness protection?" Antonio asked quietly ensuring his voice didn't carry far.
"We'll check out those on the list first.  I'm hoping we can avoid it.  If we can get Martin Williamson and Carter soon we might get some answers."
"Problem is Jay doesn't recall them all," Antonio voiced the obvious concern as he continued, "we're never going to know if there's someone else out there waiting for a shot at revenge.  Wonder if Jay has thought of that yet?"
"Oh I'm betting he thought of that possibility years ago."
"Yeah," Antonio shook his head in disgust at the situation, "I guess you're right."
"For now I want one of us staying with him.  Better to be over cautious than sorry down the line."
"He'll never agree."
"I won't give him a choice.  While Martin Williamson and Carter are at large he's in danger."
"I might make myself scarce and get a start on this list," Antonio stood up as he spoke, "wouldn't want to get caught in the crossfire when you tell him."
"Tell who what?" Jay checked warily as he walked out of the kitchen and handed his boss a steaming mug of coffee.

tbc