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

Chapter One Hundred And Forty-Nine: Downtime

The following morning the three out of town men made their way grimly into Morettis' office.   Upon closing the door Hank eyed his old friend and folded his arms.

"Well?"
"I've thought about it," the L.A. man offered as he eyed the Detective in question, "I've decided not to bring in IAB.   Halstead I had to raise some questions because the Petrocelli case is a one off.   You understand that?"
"Yes I know," Jay conceded unable to hide his relief at the other mans' words, "but I just dealt with the situation I was given."
"I know and for that you should be commended," Moretti gestured to the chairs in front of him, "now let's get down to sorting out Franklin.    How much do you think you can get out of him?"
"Not sure.  Reckon he did kill Carter and Thomas but I've been wondering maybe he had a grudge against them since school or something."
"You think you can get him talking about that?" Hank asked as the trio sat down now that the main item of interest had been dealt with satisfactorily.
"I'll try.  The tie in with Petrocelli doesn't give him a reason to have killed them.  It has to be personal.  Guess when he realized I was  undercover he did some checking in Chicago," Jay shrugged, he hoped his gut instinct was right it would go a long way to solving things, "he would have the connections to get them taken care of in lockup."
"Definitely," Hank concurred.
"So ye think it was just a coincidence we were working on Petrocelli and he came across you?" Adam asked the one question they were all avoiding.
"Don't you?" Moretti asked in surprise.
"I'd like to believe it was just a coincidence but I'd feel better if we knew for certain."
"Maybe Franklin will give something up about that," Jay suggested as he rubbed his temple, he was so tired and the day was only beginning.
"Unless he does we won't know for certain," Hank admitted reluctantly noting how weary his subordinate looked and  watching Morettis' eye, "we'll leave the interview until tomorrow."
"But ...," Jay began only to be interrupted.
"It won't do any harm to let him stew some more," Moretti also saw what his old friend did, "in fact I was going to suggest ye spend the rest of the day sightseeing.  We're still preparing Statements so there's nothing really for ye to do here."
"Well I won't argue about that," Adam rose quickly, tugging his friend to his feet.
"We'll all be here first thing in the morning," Hank stated as he opened the door after throwing the L.A. man a look of gratitude.

Chicago Med

Conor sighed as he looked across at his companion as they sat in the busy cafeteria.  Truth was Will looked like hell.   Ever since his sibling had go about of down the other man was torturing himself with scenarios of all that could go wrong.    

"I really don't understand why you're so worried.  He's with Voight and Adam.  They'll look after him.   He's not in any danger," the Surgeon reiterated yesterday again as he picked up a stray piece of chicken from his salad sandwich.
"I know it's just he's been through so much.    He should be at home taking it easy not working," the redhead pointed out as he forced himself to eat the unappetising salad before him, "I just don't think he's up to this physically.   He's running on empty."
"Wish I could disagree," Conor concurred unhappily, "at least they don't expect to be in L.A. long.   That's something."
"Before he left Jay promised we'd have a talk about the past.  It's the first time he ever brought it up himself.  All these years I've been wanting to talk to him about what went down and now I'm half afraid of what I  might actually learn.   Since his attack so much has come to light but I know there's more.   I'm not being naive.   I know there are things he will never tell me about.   It isn't in his nature to lay his wounds open."
"No I guess not but like you said since the attack a lot of those wounds have been exposed and once everything dies down he's going to have to deal with them.   Something tells me he has a rough road ahead.   He's going to need you more than ever."
"I'll be there for him.  I won't let him down again," Will assured resolutely.

Long Beach

Adam had persuaded Jay to travel to Long Beach to check out the Queen Mary vessel.  The ship was a floating hotel and open to tourists during certain hours.   Walking around the wooden decks of the liner Jay shook his head.   He never understood the fascination with cruises.   He would never go for a cruise.   Adam was fascinated by the surroundings.   Jay was glad Hank had opted to remain with Moretti in the end.    He wasn't in the mood for putting on an act.   He was still feeling bad and although he knew his companion knew he wasn't feeling good Adam was refraining from pestering him with questions about his welfare.

"Always wanted to go on a cruise," Adam admitted as they leant against a wooden railing overlooking the water.
"Really?"
"Sure.  Out in the ocean away from everything yet having anything you could want at hand," Adam expounded, "I'm telling you man the day I win  the lottery that's the first thing I'm doing."
"Something tells me you're going to be waiting a long time," Jay said around a yawn.
"Mans got to dream.  So what would you do if you won the lottery?"
"Not sure.  Never really thought about it.  Besides it's only once in a blue moon I buy a ticket so my chances are pretty slim."
"Hell knowing my luck you'll win.   I buy a ticket every week and have never hit big."
"Well tell you what happen I win I'll buy you tickets for a cruise.  Anywhere you want to go," Jay decided generously.
"Hope you mean that because I won't let you forget," Adam grinned before becoming serious, "you want to head back?"
"Would you mind?   Need to lie down for a while."
"No problem.   Not your fault you're a landlubber!"

Dunes Inn - Wilshire Boulevard

Hank had not been too surprised to find that his Detectives were back at the motel by the time he returned.  Adam met the Sergeant downstairs and the two men took a walk around the building.

"So how is he?"
"Physically he's rundown.  Not sure how he's walking around.  I know we're finally getting to the end of this but I'd be happier if we were back home."
"Me too," Hank conceded, "if Franklin talks tomorrow we should be able to head back to Chicago pretty soon but you know and I know this isn't over by a longshot.   Even if Franklin gives us what we want there will be trials that Halstead has to testify in and Petrocelli is still out there."
"You reckon he's going to resurface?" Adam asked in surprise for he had all but dismissed the possibility of the mob Boss re-emerging.
"Still don't like Halsteads' feeling he had a military target.   If he did I can't see him just giving it up.   In fact the fact that he has a terminal illness will probably spur him on."
"You speak to Jay about this?"
"No.   Kid has enough on his plate if he hasn't already thought of it.   Knowing him though he has."
"Yeah you're probably right," Adam agreed as they returned to their rooms, "wish I had a looking glass."
"You and me both."

tbc