Fitz and Olivia followed Nick into Olivia's building to go talk to Caroline Stillman. Fitz felt guilty because he had just promised the captain that he would keep her from dangerous situations but Olivia insisted stating she would be with both Fitz and Nick plus the uniformed officers that were with Caroline Stillman now. Fitz conceded.
'How well to you know this woman' Nick asked her once the elevator doors closed.
'Not that well. We've had a few conversations when we have been on the elliptical machine in the gym. I've ran into her in the elevator. Normal neighbor stuff. We aren't friends but we are pleasant.' Liv explained.
'Does it bother you that she is schoolteacher and she lives in this building?' Fitz said to Nick.
'Completely. Do you know how long she's lived here, Olivia?' Nick responded.
'I don't know. I am not home much. And when I am here I keep to myself.'
'Do you know how long ago you first met her?' Fitz asked as they walked off the elevator his hand softly rested on the small of her back.
'Maybe three months ago on the elevator. She asked me some questions about the Chris Bristow trial which happens everywhere.' Olivia explained. Fitz and Nick nodded at the officer that was standing outside Caroline Stillman's door and headed in.
Caroline Stillman was young. Olivia guessed she was in her late twenties. She was a pretty woman with Nordic features. Her dark blonde hair was pulled into a high ponytail. She was wearing jeans and a gray hoodie with her school's logo. Her blue eyes were icy but tried to hide it.
'Miss Stillman, I am Detective Cavanaugh and this is Detective Grant. I believe you know Miss Pope?' Nick said.
'Of course. Hello Olivia, how are you? I've missed seeing you in the gym.' Caroline smiled.
'Hi Caroline. I am well, thank you.' Olivia responded.
'Please have a seat.' Caroline said and sat in a chair with one of her legs tucked underneath her. 'I am anxious to hear what this is all about?'
Fitz and Olivia sat on the sofa while Nick continued to stand. 'Do you know this man?' Nick showed Caroline a photo of the man that attacked Olivia.
'Yes, that is my brother Dean. Why?'
'Dean Stanton?' Nick asked.
'Yeah. I was married for like two minutes and didn't want to change my name back after the divorce because of the kids. I didn't want to confuse them. My maiden name is Stanton. What has he done?'
'What makes you think he would do anything?' Fitz questioned.
'Well my brother is a pretty advanced drug addict. He's never been arrested but I know it is just a matter of time. He's escalated over the last couple years. I am surprised he has been able to hold down his job for as long as he has.' Caroline explained.
'What's he on?' Nick asked.
'Meth, Heroin, crack. Whatever is available. It is pretty severe.'
Nick filled Caroline Stillman on the events the day Olivia was drugged. Caroline appeared to be stunned and very apologetic.
'Oh my god. I am so sorry, Olivia. I don't know why he would do such a thing.'
'Do you have any idea on how he would have gotten his hands on an anesthetic?' Fitz asked.
'Well he was dating this nurse at Cedars but I think that ended a few months ago. He started stealing from her so she broke it off.' Caroline answered.
'Do you know her name?' Fitz replied.
'Um…Kimberly Ryder.'
'Do you know where your brother is now or how we can reach him?' Nick asked.
'He's been living somewhere in Culver City with a friend. I don't know who.'
'When was the last time you saw him?'
'A little over a month ago. He came to the school all strung out. I told him not to contact me again until he was ready to go to rehab.'
'Ok….see that is a problem because we have footage of him entering your apartment on the evening of the 18th.' Nick handed her the photo from the video footage the night the killer left the photo under Liv's door.
'What? I swear I have not seen him in a month. I was down in San Diego with a couple of girlfriends on the 18th. My best friend Hayley is getting married. We drove down for an impromptu bachelorette party. We left right after school on the 18th. You can check with them. If he was here I didn't know.' Caroline explained with wide eyes.
'Does he have a key?' Nick asked.
'No. I had my locks changed.'
'Ok.' Nick looked at Fitz to see if he was buying the story.
'Um Caroline. Do you mind if I use your restroom?' Olivia asked.
'Of course. It is down the hall….oh you know where it is. All of these condos are laid out the same.' Caroline said.
'Not to be rude or invasive but these condos are pricey. How do you afford them on a teacher's salary?' Fitz asked her.
'No problem. It was the one thing I got in my divorce….' Olivia heard Caroline say as she closed the door to the bathroom. She just wanted a minute to herself. She felt like things were spinning out of control. Being back in her building and walking right past her own door was a lot to handle. This killer had chased her out of the home she worked so hard for. It was infuriating. After couple more minutes Olivia came out. She was walking down the hallway when one of the photos hanging on the wall caught her attention.
'Fitz, can you come here please?' Olivia called out.
Fitz and Nick looked at each other. Fitz stood up and headed toward Liv's voice.
'Fitz? That's cozy.' Caroline said under her breath. Nick looked at her intently. Something in her voice wasn't right. He could hear Fitz and Olivia whispering but couldn't make out what they were saying. After a few more moments they both appeared and Fitz was carrying a picture frame in his hands,
'Miss Stillman, who is the man in the photo with you?' Fitz asked as he handed the photo to her.
'Oh. This was taken at our Spring Carnival that is Stacey Talen, she teaches fourth grade, and that is Alex Handley, our Assistant Principal.'
'And does Mr. Handley know your brother?'
'Yes he does. We have known Alex since high school. Dean was Alex's best man when he and Harrison got married.'
'Harrison? Harrison Wright?' Olivia asked this time.
'Yes. Harrison Wright. They split up about a year and half ago. Harrison got caught up with some big new project at work and left Alex when he gave him the choice of their marriage or the job. I can't remember what he does. I didn't really know Harrison too well and Alex has been pretty quiet about it. But I know it broke Alex's heart. He hasn't been the same since.'
'Ok thank you for your time, Miss Stillman. If you hear from your brother please contact us immediately.' Fitz said and headed for the door with Olivia and Nick in tow. They didn't speak again until they got to the elevator.
'What just happened?' Nick asked.
'Liv recognized Handley.'
'I've only met him a handful of times when Harrison first came on board a few years ago. G&I is Harrison's baby and he only me for it. The network finally gave him the go ahead a year ago. It took about six months to get it up and running. It was a major issue for their relationship. Harrison and I would be at the studio from eight in the morning until midnight or later. Harrison never came out and said it but I knew G&I was the reason they split. A few months into getting it set up Alex came into the studio and was livid when he showed up. When Harrison refused to go home Alex turned all of it on me and told me I was destroying is marriage. It was insane.' Olivia explained.
'The first letter said you stole something. Maybe this guy thinks in some way you stole his husband.' Nick said.
'Ok, Liv and I will go talk to Harrison and the nurse ex-girlfriend. I am willing to bet she is where he got the drugs he gave Liv. Nick, you see if you can track down Handley. We'll catch back up later.' Fitz said. 'You can drop us back at the station so we can get Liv's car.'
'Sounds like a plan. Looks like we finally got a break, Olivia.' Nick said as they all got into the car.
Olivia had a bad feeling. Something seemed off. Something about Caroline seemed strange.
'Can I ask, are you going to follow up on her alibi?'
'Why?' Fitz asked.
'I just have a bad feeling.' Olivia responded.
'You too? She said something when Grant got up to meet you in the hall. It bothered me.' Nick agreed.
'What did she say?' Liv asked.
'She said 'Fitz? That's cozy.' It wasn't what she said. It was how she said it. It sounded….catty….almost jealous. I will track down her friends and see if the San Diego trip is true. Don't worry we will cover all the bases, Pope.' Nick smirked at her in the rearview.
'Pope?' Olivia raised her eyebrow. 'I am a reporter not a cop. Let's just stick with Olivia.' She smiled back.
'Oh Christ! Knock it off you two.' Fitz said slightly jealous.
Ok….sorry this one got lost in the shuffle. I got sooo into We Can Begin to Forgive I let time get away. Looks like we are on the killer's track. Sorry ladies for making Harrison gay but for the purpose of this story it was necessary. He's still pretty though and a sharp dresser so at least we have that. Review please!
