They belong to DW and NBC.
Thanks to Slidell; for your help I appreciated your effort and help.
Thanks to all who have read.
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The Calm before the Storm
Chapter11
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Same night
In an empty house that was being restored, four men were sitting around the TV set and drinking beers while they were having Chinese.
They all were around twenty to thirty years old, but apparently Toby Whiteland was the one calling the shots from the way he ordered the other guys around.
"What are they talking about? What witness? We never took our ski masks off; so how come they're saying they have a witness? The thing is they don't know who is making them look so bad, they are just reaching!"
"Let's see what they have to say next time when we do it again, right Brian?" Toby Whiteland said looking at Lancaster from the chair he was sitting on.
Toby and Brian had been in prison together, Whiteland had a record of murder and assault, but he had been able to get out of prison for good behavior and lack of evidence for the murder, he had been out of Sing Sing before Brian, and when he had gotten out of jail he had sought him out and had lured him back into robbing since he had the experience.
Brian Lancaster was glued to the news cast relating the news. A million things going through his head.
"Could it be possible? But how? They just crossed sight for a few seconds; five at the most, could it be possible that the girl was the one they were talking about? If so; how come they were letting the news out today, the incident had happen two days ago and nobody had said anything. Maybe Toby was right, maybe they were so desperate that they were just buying time to try and get anything to catch them. He was so into his thoughts that he missed Toby's question the second time until he felt a shoe hitting him on the leg.
"Hey I'm talking to you, where were you?"
"Um I was listening man, what's with you?
"I was telling you that they are so up their back sides, that they don't know how to appease the higher ups or the people and now they are lying to the news don't you think?" Toby looked at Brian and what he saw in the other man's face make him turn to Brain to wait for his answer.
"Yeah man, that's all they're doing" Brian kept quiet and lowered his eyes.
Whiteland was a murderer and a bully and sure as hell he wasn't stupid. That's why he was able to get out of jail, even when he had done what they said he did, but he hadn't left any proof for the police to find and track back to him, he knew the game and that's why he knew Lancaster was hiding something.
"What is it Brian, you have something to say to me? Are you hiding anything?"
"Look man I didn't think it was important, it happened so soon that I thought nothing about it, until now.." Lancaster was out of his chair and facing Whiteland's angry face just millimeters form his, as his back hit the wall.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Nick Trevino and John Sands the other two men of the group jumped out of the way just watching the other two struggling in the far side of the room.
"I'll ask you again; what are you talking about?"
"The day of the first killing… When you gave me your gun and got separated.. I was running and I accidentally ran into this kid, she is not older that eight probably… but she saw me.."
"What! She saw you! And you didn't tell me? Why?"
Lancaster freed his shirt from the grip Whiteland had it in and stood his ground.
"After what you did in the store? I wasn't sure what you wanted to do after I told you about her, she is a kid man and it was just for a few seconds not more than five.."
"Did she see your face?" Whiteland was fuming.
"Hey man I don't think they are talking about her that happ.."
"Did she saw your face?" Whiteland asked shoving Brian back with his hands.
"Yeah! But it happen so fast.. I don't think it's her, besides like I told you that was two days ago, why are they saying anything just now?"
This time Lancaster pushed Whiteland back and showed his anger at being treated like this by Toby.
Toby just looked at Brain and then spoke to the other two.
"Nick! Tomorrow you go to the pet shop and get some kitty-litter, about five bags big ones" The one name Nick nodded.
"John get in the computer and search hospitals and their admissions, check for any kid around ten, check back two days max, I want names and addresses, if possible pictures"
"Toby, she is a kid and from the looks of her she is from the streets, they wouldn't have any information on her."
"Where did it happen?" Lancaster asked. Not getting any answer he pushed Brian back, "Where?"
"Some store in Rockefeller Center"
"Got that John?"
"Yes boss."
"Toby?" Brian tried again.
"Do you want to know why I've never been convicted of a murder Brian? Because I never leave any clues behind, no witness, no nothing, and I'm pretty sure, I'm not going back to prison, just because you've grown any scruples lately, or for your stupidity I don't care who they are!"
With that he turned and got out of the room slamming the door in his departure, the others looking at each with concern.
"Look man. When I signed for this… I didn't agree to kill anyone, least of all a child" Nick Trevino said.
"Yeah me neither and now we have five bodies in our backs thanks to happy trigger out there." John added, "What are we going to do?"
They both looked at Brian for answers.
"I don't know guys, one thing I'm sure about is either we do what he said or we go back to prison but I don't like the idea of hunting little kids either."
With that Brian walked out of the room million things running through his head.
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SVU -- SVU -- SVU
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Precinct next morning
Olivia was still angry at Monroe and Stan for the slip on the news. She was so into her thoughts, that Amanda thought that maybe Olivia was upset at her for the question she asked the day before; maybe she didn't want the responsibility of a child, but she had said otherwise to make her feel better.
So she kept to her thoughts also, but thinking already where she should run away to once they didn't need her anymore. One thing was for sure; she wasn't going back to Foster Care.
Olivia and Amanda were sitting in a room with toys and coloring books and puzzles and a little table in the middle; with them was a younger woman, she was the sketch artist and was doing the drawing of the tattoo, the door opened and Cragen walked in.
"Olivia, can I speak to you for a minute?"
"Sure Cap. Amanda I'll be right back ok?" Amanda nodded but didn't look up, so Olivia glanced at Stacey and then the girl. Stacy knew what the detective was asking and she nodded back wording silently.
"Don't worry, I'll look after her." Nodding Olivia walked out of the room.
"How is the sketch coming?" Asked Cragen when Olivia got to his office.
"It's coming around. I feel like Amanda is apprehensive about something but I can't put my finger on it. I've been thinking about the news that was leaked last night so I haven't talked to her about it."
"Oh!" was Cragen's response.
"Captain what's up?"
Cragen looked at her and then reach into a drawer in his desk and handed her the news paper.
"First page."
Olivia got the paper in front of her and there she saw it, in big bold letters.
"The days of the Jewelry Theft's are Near the End" Police have a witness that has given a description of one of the suspect's…." She couldn't believe it.
"What on earth are these bastards playing at? Are they so desperate that they are willing to put the life of an eleven year old on the line, just to appease the public? Are they not aware they are still out there, that we haven't found out who the others are?"
"Olivia I know and I'm also angry at how they are handling the case, but what's done is done, what we need to do now is try and speed up the search and see if we can find the others before they find out who Amanda is"
As they were speaking, Monroe and Stand walked in to the office.
"Morning Captain Cragen, Detective Benson"
Before Cragen could stop her, Olivia was at Monroe's face demanding an explanation, waving the news paper at his face.
"What the hell are you doing? Why did you have to tell the press about Amanda? Are you that inept at what you do, that you are willing to expose a child to cover for your own stupidity!"
"Detective Benson; I'll appreciated it if you can control your temper and get back to business. As soon as we can get that sketch we can continue with our investigation." Monroe said with a smirk on his face, like he was enjoying this turn of events.
"What; you forgot how to do your jobs? Have you found anything about the other three men? Have you found out more about Brain Lancaster or are you just waiting for the sketch so you can stall your boss and the public?" Olivia was so mad that her voice could be heard outside of Cragen's office.
"I assure you detective Benson that we know how to do our jobs and if we had found out anything else partaking our case, you are not in need to know. We are here just out of courtesy for your help and to pick up the sketch you promised you'd have ready for us"
"You son of.."
"Olivia!" Cragen stop her from doing something she'll regret it latter, but could feel the frustration and her blood boiling.
Turning to the other two detectives he said.
"You'll have your sketch as soon as possible, now gentleman; if you don't leave this office now, I will forget that I just stop detective Benson from doing what I'm fighting to do myself. "
Monroe and Stan just looked at Cragen then Benson and turned to leave, just as Lake walked in with the sketch in his hands; Monroe still smiling to himself as if he knew something they didn't.
"Cap. The sketch is ready and... There's a situation out here that needs your attention." Lake said looking worried and giving Olivia an apprehensive look.
As soon as Lake had finished, Amanda's screams could be heard.
"No! let me go! Don't touch me ! No!"
Hearing Amanda's screams, Olivia shot out of the office trying to find out what was going on, followed closely by Cragen.
"What is going on in here?" Cragen holler, when he saw a woman trying to restrain Amanda and a younger one giving some papers to Elliot who was standing in between the girl and the two women.
Olivia snatched the papers out of the younger woman's hand and started to read.
"This is an order from child services, to let Amanda be put in the Child Care System.. but how? Did you call them?" Olivia asked her boss.
"No I haven't called them." Turning he ask the two detectives that where behind him.
"You have anything to do with this?"
"Now Captain we" Monroe said pointing between he and Stan "have nothing to do with this, but our Captain thought, It'd be a good option to call Child Services and put the girl in a home; so she can be available to us when we need her, that way detective Benson won't have to be brining her to the precinct when we need to speak to her."
"You piece of …" Olivia when to grab for Monroe, only to be stop be Fin; trying to calm her down.
"Liv think about Amanda; you need to reassure her she'll be fine, come on we'll deal with these two later."
Olivia instantly pulled away from Fin when she heard Amanda's name and went to her.
"Via? What's going on? Why they want to take me away? You promised! You promised you'd make sure I was safe, I don't want to go with them…I want to stay with you!…is this because I asked you that question yesterday?" Amanda asked, pleading with her eyes to Olivia not to let this happen.
"Amanda, honey I want you to stay with me but... I can't do anything about this order and they have to do what the judge told them to do, but I'll do what I can to…" She couldn't say 'to bring you back' there was no way the judge would go her way, so she opted for the more realistic reason. "I will do what is in my power to make sure you are fine, please believe me baby"
"No! I don't believe you!.. You just wanted to know what I knew and now you are just turning me over to them..liar!.. You are just like all the others!" Amanda said with such venom that it managed to take Olivia's breath away.
Taking a moment to compose her self, Olivia closed her eyes when she finally spoke, her words were guarded but you could feel the pain in them.
"That's not true Mandy and you know it, I told you I would do anything to keep you safe and I will do that."
"Liar!"
Once more the older woman tried to grab Amanda's hand and this time she managed to do so, and started her way out of the bullpen, while Amanda keep on struggling and screaming to be let go.
The younger woman touched Olivia's shoulder's and in a sympathetic voice try to appease her.
"I will keep and eye on her detective, and I'll make sure she is safe; I was once in her place and I know how you feel when you think you've been lied about even when that is not the case, like I see here.."
Olivia looked at the younger woman and managed a little smile.
"Thank you; I would appreciate that very much, she has gone through so much."
"I know; I got her file, if you have more information; I'll appreciate if you'd send it to our office. Here is my card, if you have any questions please feel free to call me."
Taking the card in her hand Olivia looked for the name of the young woman.
"Thank you Miss. Cordova, I'll do that."
"Please call me Silvia" Olivia nodded.
Just before Miss. Cordova was out of the office Olivia reach in her pocket and gave her one of her business cards.
"Silvia, if she needs anything please call me, doesn't matter what time, my personal number and cell are in there, please don't hesitate."
"I'll do that, if I feel the need to do so, don't worry."
With that Silvia Cordova, turn around and walked out of the bullpen, leaving Olivia staring at the elevator that had taken Amanda and with it, all her strength along with her heart.
Monroe and Stan walked out of the office feeling the tension in the air, nobody had said anything yet, but they were sure that their welcome had run it's course and that it was a matter of surviving to get out of the way from the detective's from the 1-6.
At the last moment, Stan stop and turn back to face Olivia.
"Detective Benson, please believe me when I tell you; I didn't know what my partner and the captain were planning, and that I wish things had gone a different way." Olivia just looked at him but said nothing, she just kept looking at the elevators, Stan nodded and kept on his way.
"Liv? you Ok?"
"Yeah" Was all she could managed before losing the battle with her emotions, she found herself walking away to the only place she new she could feel safe, to let those emotions out; the only place she was sure her friends would leave her alone for a little while, leave her to regroup and deal with her heart, before she return to do some mayor butt kicking and she found herself in the rooftop of the precinct.
Ok, I really hate to do this but I really need to know what you think so far or if I should even atempt to finished the story.
If not then I can just send the last chapters to the ones that had review so you can read the last parts.
