Chapter 21
"So clean as a whistle. I do see your point about Baker's career. If Robertson didn't put her on the list it would have been suspicious. Maybe he had something in the works but she wasn't aware of it. Well at any rate, I think that gets you partially off the hook," Tucker said. The three sat in the IAB Lieutenant's office.
"Yes, partially," Olivia agreed.
"So what's the plan?" Elliot asked.
"First, you need to tell Cragen. If shit hits the fan and we need big guns to bring in, it would be better he knew and then he can help make the case. If he doesn't know and the Commissioner asks, it'll look like he wasn't paying attention to his troops. None of this needs to reflect poorly on Cragen, especially with him nearing retirement. And for the love of everything holy, don't tell him I know. Let him call me and talk to me. I'll act all surprised," Tucker told them.
"Ok, I think we can do that. We just nailed our murdering rapist and there's nothing left to do but paperwork," Olivia said.
"Perfect. Now for the tricky part. It's no secret that the Commissioner has been keeping an eye on you and while I wish we could use that to our advantage, I'm not sure we can. If someone finds out that he has been playing favorites, it could be Deputy Chief Robertson all over again," the Lieutenant shook his head.
"So how do we avoid the problem?" Elliot raised an eyebrow.
"Quite simply really – Olivia will now work for me," Tucker smirked.
"Hold up – what now?" The brunette gave him a look.
"If you work for me as an undercover IAB agent, then you technically do not report to Cragen but to me. As such, your personnel paperwork will reflect the status change, while still leaving you at SVU and allowing you and Elliot to move in together. I'm in need of a Sergeant and you are more than qualified," he said.
"So I would be an IAB snitch? No offense Ed but we know the unit is solid. How am I going to fulfill my duties?" Olivia was surprised that Elliot hadn't jumped into the conversation yet.
"That's the beauty of it. Your fives for your SVU cases will still go through Cragen, as if nothing has changed. No one in your unit, outside of Elliot, will know that you work for IAB, and that will make him uniquely qualified to watch your six. When you work cases with other detectives or members of patrol, you just give me their names and I'll run them. If nothing pops, you continue to work the case just like you always do. If something pops, I'll have a couple of my detectives help you out, so it looks like I initiated the investigation and not you. This way if it ever comes up, the Commissioner can say that you were on special assignment and everything is on the up and up," Tucker was obviously thrilled at this plan he came up with.
"Not even Cragen will know that she's IAB?" Elliot finally opened his mouth.
"Unfortunately the rules state that no one is to know outside of IAB and immediate family. Technically, you're her emergency contact, so you can get away with knowing but Cragen is not," Ed explained.
"Well that's not entirely true. My emergency contact has always been Elliot due to my lack of family. However, since we're both on the job, and now dating, I'll need to amend that. Cragen can be my number two," Olivia said.
"Then he can be included. So what do you think? I know it sounds like a lot but I want to be sure that you're good with this before you go spilling the beans to anyone outside of this office," the Lieutenant said.
"Thanks for going through all this trouble Ed. I am ready, willing, and able to do what IAB needs me to do," she told him.
"You don't want to think on it?" Elliot asked; a little surprised.
"What is there to think about? I want to be with you and this is the only way to do it. Besides, the kids don't need to have us working opposite shifts and working in different precincts. They need two parents that are consistently going to be there when they get home from school or to pick them up from practice. Between us and Kathy, the less fighting over who does what, the better, especially since I think Kathleen and I have had a breakthrough," Olivia said, not caring if Tucker heard.
"So we're good?" Tucker wanted to know.
"We're good. How do we get the ball rolling?" Olivia asked.
"You treat her right Stabler or you'll find my boot up your ass," Ed commented, giving the male detective a look.
"You'll have to get in line," Elliot chuckled.
To Be Continued…