Chapter 8

Monday around 7.30 am: outside the interrogation room

Cragen was watching Elliot interrogating Flynn behind the two-way mirror. Munch walked in

"How is it going?"

"He sticks to his story; he arrived at his apartment around 8 pm yesterday evening, at the time to get in, his key was missing. It happened to him before to forget it inside, so he goes at his boss, knocks on the door but he doesn't answer, he goes back and falls asleep on the floor."

"He could be telling the truth. When I went to his boss, Ray Foster, to get the key for the van, he was upset I woke him up. I asked what's wrong and he told me the evening before a couple in one of his apartments called him for a broken pipe. He couldn't make it home until midnight."

"So if Flynn went there by that time, it's possible he missed him."

Elliot with a puff got up from the chair and exited the interrogation room.

"Maybe we have a problem."

"Hey Munch!", Fin's voice echoed in the corridor "thank' s for leaving me with three buildings and eight apartments to canvass."

"Probably it wasn't Flynn", continued Cragen as if Fin never talked.

"What? What did I miss?" asked Fin confused.

Cragen illustrated to Elliot and Fin what Munch told him.

"Can' t be." Elliot, Munch and Cragen turned to look at Fin.

"If you helped me, John, you'd know that in seven apartments twelve people watched the football game all evening and in the eighth, the guy was at least eighty-five and went to sleep early. So what Foster told you was a load of balls."

Elliot was hit by a bad feeling; he took a few steps away from the group absorbed in his thoughts. He stared at Flynn in the other room, slowly a puzzle formed in his head; all the pieces now locked together perfectly.

"Elliot…", called Cragen.

Elliot rushed back in the interrogation room.

"When Foster employed you, did you tell him about your previous arrest?"

"I have to, if don't tell my employers that I spent time, I can be fired. Foster was the only one who didn't make problems. Why?"

Elliot didn't answer and got out of the room.

"I talked to Foster less than an hour ago", said Munch anticipating Elliot's question.

"He framed Flynn, he knew we would focus on him. He had motive, possibility and a charge on him.", Cragen reasoned.

"The agents still on the scene say Foster left a while ago", Fin let them know, while hanging the phone.

"He thinks we're on Flynn and feels safe. What car does he drive?" asked Elliot.

"Dark blue Mercedes…wow! Latest model." answered Fin after researching on the computer.

"What did he do before renting apartments?" Cragen asked.

Elliot typed in the computer his name.

"He's famous. He was the personnel manager in gas and oil storage facility upstate. It was shut down last year after the Prevention Act was applied, because it didn't meet the standards required. Every head of department was offered by the company 300.000 $.", read Elliot.

"There's your Mercedes", pointed out Munch.

"You think he brought Olivia and Hailey there?", asked Cragen.

"Yes, he might. The place is huge, perfect to hide someone. Plus he knows it like the back of his hands.", Elliot hazarded a guess.

"Alright then, you three go there", ordered Cragen "I'll alert the local police."

Elliot Munch and Fin ran out the door as Cragen was still finishing the phrase.