Chapter Ten: But If You Try Sometimes, You Just Might Find You Get What You Need
Manhattan's SVU Squad Room
Sunday May 15th, 12:34
The detectives had re-grouped and shared all the information they needed. Cragen and the Captain from Narcotics, Alex and Narcotics A.D.A. Chris Soberano joined the detectives in the conference room. The Captain from Narcotics looked around. "Well, what's the final word?"
Detective Martin looked at his Captain. "Well, the drugs weren't where we thought they'd be. Turns out Island is as legitimate as a club can be these days. We had SWAT raid it from top to bottom last night. It was clean. Mojito on the other hand was as dirty as they come."
Detective Luck took over as he pointed to pictures of evidence on the monitors. "We seized over a million dollars in cocaine while it was being off-loaded in the loading dock at Mojito. We tossed the place and seized all their computer equipment. It's down at One P.P. now getting the once over by Computer Crimes."
"Any word on what's on the computers?" The Captain asked.
Martin shook his head. "Not yet. We're hoping there are records on them of transactions. Either way, with Ramirez dead it'll be Juan Rios that is charged."
The Captain looked to A.D.A. Soberano. "What have we got him on right now?"
"Well, without a doubt, trafficking of a controlled substance. Given the weight and street value he's looking at a significant amount of time. Couple that with the violence he engaged in during the takedown and the charges coming to him from SVU, Juan Rios won't see the light of day again."
"What are we charging him with?" Cragen asked.
Munch started. "Our concern was always with the young women Ramirez and Rios were running. We knew Rios was involved but we didn't know to what extent."
Cragen raised his brow. "And now?"
Fin looked at him and pointed to pictures on the monitor board. "Lucia Almeida confirmed that Rios was totally involved in Ramirez's predilections. According to her he brought in at least eighty-five percent of Mojito's male clientele. He also oversaw the running of the compound where the girls they trafficked stayed. Which, by the way we traced to a dummy corporation that only has a P.O. box as an address."
"Rios also made all the arrangements for Almeida to bring back girls from Ecuador. And it was her that was bringing most of the girls back. Ramirez was smart enough to keep his noise clean of almost everything." Munch said.
Luck shook his head. "We just thought they were friends of Lucia's, you know. They were around her age or a little younger. She never brought more than two back with her at a time. If we had known…or suspected…"
Fin put his hand on his ex-partners shoulder. "You couldn't have known, man. Don't blame yourself for this."
Cragen looked at Alex. "What can we charge Juan Rios with?"
"For starters, human trafficking of minors, solicitation of minors for the purposes of sexual exploitation, facilitating prostitution and sex trafficking of minors and rape of a minor." Alex said in an even tone, although her eyes were dark with distain.
"He raped the girls, too?" Cragen asked.
"He raped Lucia, repeatedly. She's agreed to press charges." Alex nodded slightly. "None of the other victims will testify in court. In fact, INS is in the midst of deporting them back to their respective homes. Their statements in their interviews will be admissible in court and go to Lucia's credibility when she testifies against Rios."
"Are we charging Lucia with anything?" Cragen asked hopeful the answer was going to be no.
Alex shook her head. "No, she's eighteen and a half now. Carlos Ramirez kidnapped her from her home in Ecuador when she was thirteen. She suffered years of abuse, mental, sexual and physical, as well as rape, intimidation and humiliation from him and Juan Rios. The two of them brainwashed her and used her as puppet. She's been through enough."
Cragen nodded. "Good work everyone." He looked at the other Captain. "Kevin, thanks for bringing this to us." He held out his hand.
The other Captain shook it. "No, problem, Don." He looked around at the detectives. "Nice work. I'm glad we could collaborate on this one." Both Captains and the two A.D.A.'s left. The six detectives remained in the room. Fin shut down the monitor board. "It was nice workin' with you guys on this one."
"Yeah, you guys in sex crimes aren't as creepy as everyone says you are." Martin said with a half-smile.
"Is that a compliment? I think…I think that might have been a compliment…" Stabler said as he packed up some evidence.
"Yeah, yeah…Stabler. It was a compliment." Luck said shaking his head as he packed up some evidence and placed it in boxes.
Munch packed up some pictures and put them in a box. "Stabler's not familiar with compliments, he doesn't normally get them."
Fin packed up the two laptops. "You guys wanna grab a beer later?"
Martin and Luck looked at each other and nodded. "Sure."
Benson put the paperwork in order and signed off on some of it. "Sorry guys, I'm out."
"Seriously?" Luck said as he looked at her.
She looked at him. "Sorry. Next time, I promise."
"She's gotta get home to the wife and kid." Stabler said with a grin.
Benson shot him a sideways glance. "Don't you have a wife and baby you should be getting home to?"
After they packed everything up Luck found Benson getting her second cup of coffee. "You have a great kid."
She smiled at him. "Thanks. She's in a lot of trouble right now."
He shrugged. "Don't be too hard on her. You know her and Richard's urine tests came back clean."
"Oh, I'm aware. The fact that they were given urine tests is part of the problem." She said shaking her head. "They were in a club, aclub for God's sakes."
"That's not so bad."
Benson took a sip of coffee. "Really? Lying, sneaking around and going to clubs isn't so bad?"
"Hey, when I was seventeen me and some friends stole my dad's 1970 Challenger and drove it across two state lines."
"Seriously?" Benson grinned.
"Seriously." Luck nodded. "Jess seems to be a really good kid who was just trying to have a good time. She's pretty intense I think she just needed an outlet."
Benson nodded.
Luck put his hand on her shoulder. "Just, try not to be too hard on her. At least she stayed in the city."
"Thanks. I know you interviewed her and I appreciate how good you were with her."
"No problem. Nice workin' with you." He put out his hand.
She shook it. "Nice working with you, too."
Residence of A.D.A. Cabot, Detective Benson and Jess O'Malley
Sunday May 15th, 19:12
Jess couldn't study anymore. She had hit her limit and couldn't concentrate. She also knew her punishment was looming and she wanted to know what was coming her way. The teen walked out of her room and found her quasi mothers sitting in the living room. She sat at the opposite end of the couch and stared at them. "Well…?" she finally said after they ignored her.
Alex and Olivia looked at her. The detective began. "No laptop in your room. It's been set up in the den and you can use it for homework or when you need to go to work, that's it."
"No extra curricular activities this summer. No softball with Casey." Alex shook her head. "We are going to let you continue to practice with the band because you made a commitment there and we don't want to put the others out."
"You will go to work, band practice, therapy and then home. That is your summer. If you need an outlet for anything come find me at the squad. There is a ton of backlogged filing that can be done and other time-consuming jobs of that nature. Feel free to stop by and be put to work."
"You and Richard are on a break until further notice. Kathy, Elliot, Liv and I will be sitting down this week to discuss when we might consider letting the two of you see each other." Alex said in a dry tone.
"When and if we do let the two of you see each other again it will be under supervision. The pair of you have done nothing but lie to us for months. The trust we had in you both is gone as is your freedom to conduct yourselves as adults. It's clear neither of you can handle it." Olivia said without an expression.
Alex held out her hand. "Cell phone."
Jess's eyes grew wide. She understood everything up until then. "Why?"
Alex narrowed her eyes. "Because it's a luxury and you don't deserve it."
"I pay for it though. I bought the phone and pay for the service. I need my cell, it's a safety issue." Jess countered carefully.
The adults looked at each other then looked back their daughter. Olivia nodded. "Fine, for your safety you can keep the phone. You are to have no friends over here. You are not to play video games. You may watch tv out here but the laptop stays in the den while you're at home. The punishment is in effect until further notice."
Jess nodded when Olivia and Alex were silent for over five seconds. "Okay, I understand."
"Good. If at anytime for any reason you lose sight of the punishment you will no longer be working for Computer Crimes." Alex said.
"Okay." Jess looked down and fidgeted with her fingers.
Olivia knew the kid was struggling with something. "What is it?"
"I uhh…I have a question."
"What?"
"What is going to happen with Lucia?"
Alex and Olivia looked at each other. The blonde sighed and looked at Jess. "I am helping her claim asylum."
"Sooo, she's staying in New York and she's not being charged with anything?" Jess asked quietly.
"That's correct." Alex nodded.
"Leave her alone. Seriously, Jess, leave her alone. Don't seek her out and don't ask us about her. She's part of an on-going case that is none of your business." Olivia said sternly.
"I won't. I get it. I just…she needs help and I hope she gets it."
Residence of A.D.A. Cabot, Detective Benson and Jess O'Malley
Monday May 16th, 11:44
Jess had taken the week off from work. She had told Morales weeks ago she wouldn't be in this week because of her exams. Despite the teen's punishment she was still allowed to practice with the band and go to therapy. She walked through the lobby of the building and said hi to Carlos, who was behind the security desk. Jess rode the elevator up and got off on the top floor. The elevator door closed behind her and she walked towards her door.
"Meeeewww."
The teen stopped and turned around. In front of the elevator door was a tiny grey and white tabby kitten.
"Meeewwww."
Jess knelt down and the kitten came bouncing towards her. It ran into her and started rubbing its face on her legs. She picked it up and looked right into its eyes. "Where did you come from?"
"Meeeewwww."
She stood up and held the kitten to her chest. It nestled in her hand against her chest as she walked to the other end of the hall. There were only two units on the penthouse floor of the condo building. She knocked on the neighbor's door. A housekeeper opened the door. "Hey, Jess."
"Hey, Susan. Did the Murphy's get a kitten?" She pointed to the tabby with her free hand.
"No, Mrs. Murphy's allergic. They'd never get a cat. It's really cute, though. It's not yours?"
Jess shook her head. "No, I found it in the hall."
Susan pet the kitten's head. "You should take it down to the lobby and ask Carlos about it."
"Good call. Thanks, Susan."
Jess took the kitten downstairs and asked Carlos about it. He said no one had said they lost it but if they did he would send them up to see Jess. The teen thought about this for a minute. Ifnooneclaimedthekittencoulditbehers?Finderskeepers? She made a phone call and went upstairs to wait. Her cell rang thirty minutes later and she took the kitten downstairs with her to get the mail, and meet the caller.
Jaylyn smiled at the sight of her friend and the kitten. The girls hugged. "Got everything you asked for." Jaylyn handed Jess two bags.
"Thanks so much, Jaylyn. I really appreciate you grabbing this stuff up and bringing it over." Jess handed the kitten to Jaylyn, took money out of her wallet and handed it to her friend.
"How long is this house arrest again?"
Jess rolled her eyes. "Who knows? They won't let me see Richard and they confiscated my laptop."
"You managed to keep your cell." Jaylyn smiled. "Nice work."
"I bought the phone and pay for the service every month. I had to argue but they let me keep it."
"Don't you need your laptop for work?"
"Yeah. It's actually in the den. I can use it in there for studying and I can take it to One P.P. for work-that's it."
"And you really think they're gonna let you keep him?" Jaylyn held the kitten to her face, kissed it and handed it back to Jess.
"Hard to say. I'm in some pretty deep shit here."
"For so much deep shit you seem to be dealing really well with it."
Jess shrugged. "Well, signed, sealed, delivered I'm Livie's, forever. She can't send me back to foster care so I know I'm not going anywhere."
"You know she wouldn't send you back, even if the adoption hadn't gone through. Olivia loves you."
"I know. It feels good to know that, actually."
The friends smiled at each other. "Let me know how the kitten goes over."
"Will do. See ya tomorrow."
Jess held the kitten, grabbed the mail and the two bags and headed back upstairs. Once inside she unpacked the bags. She set up a litter box in the small laundry room, bowls of food and water in the kitchen, scratching post in her own room and three toys. She had the kitten for seven hours before anyone came home.
19:25
Olivia had finally made it home and was standing in the kitchen, beside her girlfriend and in front of their daughter. "Soooo…maybe you should start from the beginning. I'm confused how even though you are grounded you managed to acquire a kitten and all the paraphernalia that it could possibly need."
"It's really quite innocent."
Alex crossed her arms. "Be that as it may, we'd like to hear it-from the top."
The teenager explained her day from the time she stepped off the elevator and heard the kitten.
As the story unfolded Olivia could tell Alex was getting more annoyed. She beat her girlfriend to the punch and asked the first question. "So no one has gone to Carlos about the kitten. We understand that. What is your intention with this kitten?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you two about. I was wondering if you would let me keep him?" Jess asked in a hopeful tone.
"Absolutely not." Alex said.
"Why?" The hope in her tone had faded and sadness was the only emotion left.
Olivia looked at her girlfriend but spoke to Jess. "We have to talk about this. Go to your room."
The teen stood up and left the kitchen. Alex met Olivia's eyes. "What is there to discuss?"
"Uh, well for starters, why are you so against her having a kitten?"
Alex finally uncrossed her arms. "Then we'll have a kitten running around the house. We both work too much as it is. Neither of us has enough time for Jess, never mind a kitten."
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Jess is sixteen; she's capable of taking care of this kitten alone."
"And when she goes away to college in a year and a half?" Alex asked over the top of her black rimmed glasses.
"Then we'll have a cat running around the house." The detective realized. As if on cue, the kitten bounced into the kitchen and ran into Olivia's legs. It rubbed its head against her until she picked it up. The brunette nuzzled it and looked at her girlfriend. "Would that really be so bad? Plus, if Jess goes to NYU or Hudson she'll be living here."
"I've never had a pet. I don't want one. If you and Jess can work out a system where I do nothing and just exist in the same space as this mangy hairball, then fine."
"A system?" Olivia said with a half-smile.
"Yes, a system!" Alex gestured. "A feeding system, cleaning system. Whatever it needs just create a system in which it all gets done and I don't do any of it."
A crooked smiled appeared on Olivia's face. "Wow…really, a feeding and cleaning system."
The A.D.A. crossed her arms, again. "I could just say no."
Olivia cuddled the kitten to her chest with one hand and held out her other in protest. "Okay, alright…we'll devise a system."
"Jess, come out here!" Alex shouted.
The tiny brunette flew into the kitchen and took her seat.
Alex continued. "You will make flyers with the kitten's picture on it and post them downstairs and in the elevators. Make sure you clear it with Carlos first. If no one claims the kitten you may keep it on a couple of conditions."
Jess couldn't help it and squealed with excitement.
"Calm down." Olivia tried to hide her own excitement. "The first condition is that the kitten is yours, it's your responsibility."
"That means you pay for all the stuff it needs and create a system where whatever it needs you do it and we just exist around it."
"What?" Jess looked from Alex to Olivia confused.
The detective looked at her daughter. "You feed it, water it and clean out its litter box. This kitten should not disrupt my life or Al's in any way."
"Done." Jess nodded.
"Those are just the rules today. We reserve the right to create new rules that you have to adhere to at anytime." Alex uncrossed her arms but leaned in slightly.
"Fine." Jess had a huge grin on her face.
"Congratulations." Olivia's grinned matched her daughter's.
"Yesssss. Thank you!" Jess hugged both women. She looked at Alex. "Will you hold him?"
"He's mangy. Take him to the vet and have him checked for fleas."
Olivia stepped closer to her girlfriend. She held the kitten towards Alex and pretended to be the kitten's voice. "Please Al, please hold me."
The A.D.A. rolled her eyes but took the kitten. She held it awkwardly and stared straight into its green eyes. "Do you have fleas?"
The gray tabby wiggled and bit down on Alex's index finger with its needle sharp teeth.
"Son of a bitch…" she held the kitten out to her daughter. "That little fucker bit me."
Jess and Olivia burst out laughing. The teen took the kitten from Alex. "He's a baby. He's going to bite."
"Take him to the vet. Have him neutered, declawed and vaccinated." Alex said annoyed.
"I'll have him vaccinated and neutered when it's time. I will not have him declawed."
"If he wrecks anything in this house, it's on your head." Olivia warned.
"I got it. Thanks again."
Jess put the kitten down and chased it into the living room.
"I expect to see those flyers up in the building tomorrow!" Alex called after her.
Tuesday May 17th, 11:45
Jess had finished up her exam. She was on her way to the subway when she pulled out her phone and dialed the number.
"Hello, Sharon Wilkinson speaking."
"Hey, Sharon, it's Jess O'Malley."
There was a slight pause.
"Hey, Jess how are you?"
The teen was sure Sharon had many cases. It didn't surprise her that it took her a minute to remember who she was. "I'm fine. Ummm…I was wondering if I could come by and see Liam Andrews? He's still at the group home, right?"
The social worker paused again. "Listen, Jess, why don't you come by my office and I'll give you an update on Liam there."
Jess was surprised Sharon was so easygoing about this. "Okay, great. Can I come by in a half hour?"
"That will be fine. See you then."
"Thanks, bye."
Jess disconnected and went underground to catch the subway.
Thirty minutes later she arrived at the group home. She entered through the front door and had to be buzzed in. She asked the secretary to tell Sharon she was here. The social worker appeared a few minutes later.
"Jess, what a nice surprise."
The teen put on her best poker face and went with it. "Thanks, I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."
"Not at all. Please, come to my office."
Sharon led Jess through a series of hallways. The kid realized how unethical her request was. She didn't want Sharon to get in trouble so she understood why there was some secrecy and deception at the front door. Jess had only been at the group home for a couple of hours before Olivia, Alex and Elliot had come to get her. She hadn't felt that alone or abandoned since her mom had died. She could only imagine what Liam was going through. "How is he?"
"Jess, you know I can't discuss his case with you."
"I know, but hypothetically if you had a four-year-old here how might he be getting along?"
They stopped at an open door. Sharon walked through first and Jess followed her. They were in a small room with a huge window. The window looked into a large playroom where many children were playing. Jess realized she could see into the room but the kids couldn't see her; it was like the interrogation rooms at the squad. She scanned the room.
"Do you have any idea how many rules I'm breaking?"
"I know." Jess said slowly. "I'm sorry. I just…need…" She spotted the little boy. He and a little girl were playing with large blocks. Tears filled her eyes. Jess put a palm up to the glass and rested it there. "Liam." She said so quietly Sharon almost didn't hear her. Tears ran down Jess's cheeks.
Sharon was about to say something when she heard footsteps. Jess heard them too. They were all too familiar. The steps became louder and Jess's heart raced and the tears were getting the better of her. When the footsteps finally stopped the person was standing beside Jess. Sharon nodded and left the room. Silence.
"What did we say about this?"
"That I couldn't come here. That I couldn't seem Liam." Jess said transfixed on the little boy.
"Why did we tell you not to see him?"
"'Cause it would be too hard. He…wouldn't understand…I wouldn't…be…able…to…say…goodbye." Jess started to stutter as her emotions got the better of her.
"We told you to forget about him. We told you to let this go. Why didn't you?"
Jess finally turned and looked up at the blue eyes that had been staring at her. "I don't know how." She sobbed and threw her arms around Alex.
The blonde held her daughter. Jess shut her eyes and wailed. Alex had never heard her cry like that before. She had never heard that type of pain come from her daughter. Thiswasserious. Anger and frustration left Alex and she started to sway slightly as she held Jess. "We can help you with this but you have to talk to us."
Jess continued to sob. She had only lasted a few hours in the group home. Liam was a little boy who deserved so much more. Whyher?Whywasshesoluckyandhewasn't?Ifshecouldtradeplaceswithhimshewould. She cried for the little boy, the injustice and for herself. It was something she rarely did but being back at the group home brought back all the memories of having to leave Olivia that day and come here.
"We tried to scare you into dropping this. Maybe that was a mistake. Maybe we should have talked to you, listened to you and tried to understand you. When you and Olivia start fighting like that no one can tell either of you anything. You need to stop fighting us so hard. Ask us for help."
The sobbing and strange noises stopped eventually. Jess shook as she tried to breath normally and regain her composure. "I know. It's hard. I'm use to doing things on my own. I'm not use to having someone there to ask for help. I forget, sometimes, how much you and Livie love me. Sometimes, too, I don't wanna bug you. I just want you to come home and not have to deal with problems."
Alex held Jess away from her slightly so she could look her in the eyes. "Your problems, questions, concerns, thoughts and feelings are things Liv and I want to come home and deal with. You're not bugging us by talking to us about this stuff." She sighed. "We spend a lot of time all day wondering about you, worrying about you, wishing you were with us. When we come home we want to hear from you."
"I get why you tried to scare me out of coming here." Jess pursed her lips. "You were right, both of you were right. I can't handle this. I'm not old enough, I'm not strong enough." She looked down and looked back at Liam. "It's too hard…" tears formed. "I can't…" she closed her eyes and looked back at Alex. "It's heartbreaking."
"Yes…it is. We wanted to save you from this. Can you imagine what it would have been like for Liam?"
"Yes…I can. I'm sorry I came here. I'm sorry I disobeyed you and Livie. It won't happen again."
"I have heard this from you before, we have heard this promise from you before. I've had it with you and lying." Alex said it in a stern tone. "It isn't enough, anymore, that you say it won't happen again. Your word holds very little weight these days."
Jess nodded. "I know."
"Your lies over the last few months got you grounded. Now you're throwing your punishment aside and lying to Liv and me about your intentions with Liam."
"I'm going to make some changes in my life." Jess cleared her throat. "Once school starts in September I'm quitting Computer Crimes. I'm gonna go to school, go to therapy and go to band practice if you and Livie will let me." She bit her bottom lip. "A few really smart people have given me some really good advice lately and I think I'm finally gonna take it."
Alex tried to hide her smile but the corners of her lips gave her away. "I think that's a really smart decision. It does not, however, get you out of the boatload of trouble you're in right now. The three of us are going to sit down tonight and discuss what is happening and what is going to happen to you."
"You're gonna tell Livie about this?"
Alex shook her head. "No, you are. Have dinner with her and tell her about all of this. She needs to hear it from you. That's part of being her daughter."
Jess nodded. "Did you come from court?"
"Yes."
"I'm really sorry."
"I asked for a continuance."
"How did you know I would come here?"
"I saw that look in your eyes that day in the kitchen. I knew you were going to do whatever it took to see Liam. You thought you could handle it. You had convinced yourself of it. I called Sharon and told her that if you called asking about Liam to have you come here and to call me. I told her that I would deal with you."
"Being honest with you and Livie is part of my job as your daughter. Knowing your kid well enough to see what you saw in an expression is what makes you a good mother. You know that, right?"
Alex's grin got slightly wider. "Thank you."
"No, thank you." Jess said lovingly.
"You still have to apologize to Sharon and assure her this won't happen again."
"I will." Jess looked down and looked back up at Alex. "Can you give me a minute, please?"
The A.D.A. nodded and left the room. She walked halfway down the hall and thanked Sharon for the phone call.
Jess turned back to the window. She watched Liam play with the little girl. She cried softly and placed her palm back on the glass. "Mom, watch over him. He's just a baby." The two little kids started to laugh and Jess giggled through her tears. "Goodbye, Liam." She shut her eyes to the scene. She turned, opened them and left the room.