Chapter 1

In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In Long Beach, California, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit: Long Beach Division. These are their stories.

Long Beach Police Department: Special Victims Unit

Sergeant Maxwell Clark sat at his desk going over a case file. As he did research, Natalie walked into the office.

"Sergeant," Natalie said.

"What is it, Detective?" Clark asked.

"Lieutenant Wilson wants to speak with you," Natalie said.

"Oh, great," Clark said. "He wants me to go home."

"You have been working nonstop for like 36 hours," Natalie said.

"48 hours and counting," Clark said. "I can't sleep when Shayna's not home."

"Where is Shayna?" Natalie asked.

"She went to a wedding in San Jose," Clark replied.

Wilson walked into the office.

"You've been here for 48 hours?" Wilson asked.

"Yes, sir," Clark said. "I've been drinking coffee."

"Clark," Wilson said. "I'm not expert on autism, but I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to drink coffee. Now go home and rest."

"Okay," Clark said.

"You're not arguing with me?" Wilson asked.

"He's going to go home and work some more," Natalie said.

"No I'm not," Clark said, holding his hands together. "You are lying. Stop lying. Stop it right now."

"Clark," Wilson said. "You have the next two days off."

"No," Clark said. "I promise I will go to sleep for 8 hours."

Detective Sonny Carisi walked into the office.

"Excuse me," Carisi said.

Clark rushed over to Carisi and hugged him tightly.

"Whoa," Carisi said. "A little tight."

"Detective Carisi," Wilson said. "What are you doing here? This is a long way from New York."

"Max called me and asked me to come help investigate on a case," Carisi replied. "In the last month, 30 teenage girls have disappeared from Manhattan and someone reported seeing one of the missing girls here in Long Beach."

"Clark," Wilson said. "Please let go of Detective Carisi."

"I think he's asleep," Carisi said.

Carisi carefully walked over to Clark's desk and sat Clark down in his chair.

"He's been at this for over 48 hours," Wilson said.

"Without sleep?" Carisi asked.

"He works himself so hard," Wilson said. "Especially when his wife is out of town. He goes into power-work mode. It's helpful most of the time, but he needs sleep. I think he'll need some more therapy."

Clark woke up.

"How long was I out?" Clark asked.

"About two minutes," Wilson replied.

"Okay," Clark said. "Let's get to the case."

"You're going to bed," Wilson said.

"No," Clark yawned. "I have to locate these teenagers."

"Max," Carisi said. "Wouldn't you feel better if you got at least a few hours of sleep?"

"Yes," Clark replied. "But when Shayna's not there, I can't sleep. I worry about her and I worry about my unborn twins and how I should be protecting them."

"You can't constantly protect your family," Natalie said. "It's impossible."

"Tell you what," Carisi said, handing Clark his room key. "Benson's put me up in a hotel room. I slept on the plane, so I'm pulling an all-nighter. Call an Uber and you can sleep in my hotel room."

"I have a car, and Lyft is better," Clark said. "Thank you, Carisi."

An hour later, Clark was sound asleep in the hotel bed. A banging on the door then rudely awaked him. Clark got up, wearing nothing but red boxer shorts and walked towards the door.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Clark said. "Hold your horses."

Clark looked through the peephole to see a frightened teenage girl. He immediately opened the door and the girl ran into the hotel room.

"You have to help me!" the girl screamed. "I was abducted!"

Clark closed the door and turned on the lights.

"Don't worry," Clark said. "I'm a police officer. I'm with the Long Beach Special Victims Unit. I'll call for backup."

After Clark called for backup, he looked at the girl.

"Don't worry," Clark said. "You're going to be okay."

"Can you put some clothes on?" the girl asked.

Clark then remembered he was in his underwear.

"I am so sorry!" Clark exclaimed, grabbing his shirt and pants and running into the bathroom.