2.
"Hey, that's the one girl!" Munch exclaimed as Olivia and Elliot studied Emily Crawford's picture further. Olivia sat at her desk, the book laid out in front of her. Elliot stood behind her, leaning down to examine it.
"I thought it was familiar when the principal said it was Sergeant Crawford's daughter. I just didn't put two and two together." Elliot shook his head.
"Does Captain know yet?" Munch reclined in his chair and hoisted his feet onto his desk.
"No." Olivia closed the yearbook. "Do you know when he'll be back?"
"Not really." Munch shrugged his shoulders.
"The nurse said Emily had no friends. Is that even possible?" Elliot made his way to his own desk and sat down.
"In a school that big? I wouldn't think so. And as pretty as Emily is… I would think she'd be getting some sort of attention." Olivia tried to think.
"Let the fun begin." Munch mumbled under his breath. Olivia swiveled in her chair- entering the squad room was Captain Cragen. Olivia turned back to her desk and looked at Elliot. They heard the Captain unlock his office and enter. After a couple of seconds they nodded at each other and stood up.
"Captain?" Olivia knocked on the door frame of the office.
"Ah, Benson and Stabler!" The Captain smiled at them. "Come on in." The two detectives entered but refrained from sitting down. "How was the call to Carver High School?"
"That's actually what we'd like to talk to you about." Elliot took another step closer to the desk.
"Oh, what's up?" The Captain relaxed in his seat and watched as Olivia and Elliot thought about what to say.
"Um, it's actually about Emily Crawford." Olivia looked to the floor.
"Emily," Captain Cragen raised his eye brow. "Is everything alright?"
"Well, it seems she's been absent for over a week." Elliot rested his hands loosely behind his back.
"Is that it?" Cragen asked.
"No, Captain. The principal says they've been trying to contact the mother but haven't been able to." Olivia knew they were beating around the bush but she couldn't help it.
"They called the SVU down there just for that? Sharon's busy; she probably just forgot to call it in." Captain Cragen waved his arms submissively.
"There's more." Elliot finally took a seat. "The nurse examined her the day before she stopped coming to school. This woman says Emily had all sorts of bruises and other injuries."
"Self inflicted?" The Captain leaned down onto his desk, concerned.
"The nurse didn't know for sure… but she didn't think so." Olivia answered.
"There has to be an explanation for this." Cragen shook his head, certain that nothing bad was happening. "Has anyone checked on her younger brothers?"
"Yeah. Emily's principal called the elementary school. They said the boys were fine and had been in school." Elliot scratched his head. The room was silent.
"I'm very familiar with the Crawfords." Captain Cragen finally broke the silence. "I was great friends with Sergeant Crawford. I've hardly been around the two youngest kids, but Emily…"
"Aren't you her…" Olivia paused.
"Godfather." Captain Cragen finished for her.
"Do you want us to transfer the case?" Olivia asked gently.
"No. This has to be a misunderstanding. Sharon Crawford is a respectable mother. She would never allow any of this to happen." Captain Cragen sounded sure of himself. He got to his feet and walked to the door.
"Where are you going Captain?" Elliot got up from his seat.
"I think before we start making any conclusions we should pay the Crawford household a visit." With that, Captain Cragen opened the door and led Olivia and Elliot out.