A/N: We're nearing the end. Mostly fluffy stuff from here on out. Thanks so much for reading.
A/N2: A shout out to SVUSHIPPER4EVER. Thanks so much. :)
Chapter 29
The next morning, Officer Lewandowski was released from the hospital, but she wasn't able to go home. Her partner took her to his place while CSU was combing through her apartment. There was a protection detail assigned to Lewandowski, the officers guarding them were from IAB, in order to avoid having anyone from the one oh five assigned.
The cough drops had indeed been tainted with peanut oil. The lab technician that had figured someone had injected the cough drops with the oil. If it had been on the outside of the cough drop, Tanya would have tasted it right away.
"Someone took the time to taint the cough drops with a needle. They have some issues," Olivia said as the group reconvened at the precinct.
"More like subscriptions. Once Tanya could talk again, she said that the bag seemed fuller than she remembered it but shrugged it off because she hadn't really been paying attention to how many of them she was using," Munch told them.
"So someone bought a new bag, tainted all of them, and then put that bag in her locker replacing the other one," Elliot said.
"Seems like. We didn't find any cough drop bags in the trash cans of the precinct, so the perp took the bag home or dumped it once outside the precinct," Fin said.
"Tucker is taking over the investigation," Captain Cragen announced as he left his office.
"Makes sense. It has to be a cop doing this. No civilians have access to the locker room," Elliot shook his head.
"How did Tucker get wind of what happened?" Kenny asked.
"I called him. Officer Russo made an allegation that another cop was trying to kill his partner. Seemed pretty legit considering what else he told me," Olivia was trying to cut this off at the pass.
"What else did he say?" Munch wanted to know.
"That someone logged into the desk sergeant's computer using his login info. That he thought Tanya saw who it was," she said.
"Giving whoever it was a motive to try and have her killed," Fin nodded.
"Exactly. Whoever did this needs to be kicked off the force and sent to jail. Tucker and his goon squad are the best to handle that. We have rape cases to solve," Olivia pointed out.
"Well I hope he at least keeps us informed," Elliot said.
"Not sure I'd hold my breath on that one. Olivia, a minute?" Cragen indicated that he wanted to speak to her in his office. She gave Elliot a look and then followed the Captain into his office. Cragen closed the door and sat back down at his desk.
"Cap?" Olivia sat down, slightly concerned at what was going on.
"I know that technically you have to report to Tucker but next time can you give me a heads up? I don't want anyone wasting time on an investigation that we aren't going to be able to see through anyway," he said.
"No problem. Things were happening so fast; I was kind of hoping we could finish this one out. Whoever this cop is, they're dangerous and they've been backed into a corner," Olivia frowned.
"Somehow those parking tickets must be the cover to something much bigger. That said, it is definitely not something that would involve our unit. Hopefully, Tucker will be able to work it fast. You and Elliot heading to that auction that led to our last case?" Cragen wanted to know.
"Yeah. The auction is tomorrow," she said.
"Good thing it's Saturday then. Make sure that you and Elliot take the day off," he winked and then dismissed her.
"All good?" Kenny asked as she left the room.
"Yeah, nothing to worry about. Just needs our fives before we leave today," she said.
"He couldn't tell us that himself?" Munch raised an eyebrow.
"Well let's just say I won't be calling Tucker first the next time this happens," Olivia told them.
"Don't sweat it. You did the right thing, baby girl. I may not like IAB but they need to exist for those of us whose power goes to their heads," Fin said before turning back to his paperwork. Liv said down at her desk and turned her focus to her computer. Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and noticed that Elliot had texted her from his desk. She had a smirk on her face when she read the message – You in trouble?
Cap wishes us luck at the auction tomorrow, she typed back.
Hopefully we'll be celebrating tomorrow night, he responded. They quickly got back to work. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.
To Be Continued…