Friendly reminder that Chapter 35 is a recap. It just took me this long to think of any new material.
Right now, Carisi is off to bring Lionel Granger and his family to safety. Olivia is worried that they could be Odis Lee's next targets.
She and Melinda also have their own mission.
But first things first.
55 Riverside Drive
Residence of Lionel & Maya Granger
Upper West Side, Manhattan
12:35 AM
Carisi liked his job very much.
He encountered all of kinds of people because it.
But there was a specific subset that he always found interesting: the defense lawyers. And... the Special Victims Unit knew a colorful bunch.
Exley. Buchanan. Kressler. Granger.
The only exception to the general rule of defense lawyers being a pain was Langan. He was actually a pretty nice guy. Who knew?
But still... Carisi found that his job was never dull with so many interesting (or trying) people around.
Tonight's matter concerned Lionel Granger.
He was a particularly annoying thorn in the side of the squad. There were also times when he could prove dangerous.
Understandably, it boggled Carisi's mind that he had to seek the man out. At his home. Late at night.
The House of Granger was a decently-sized brownstone in the middle of Riverside Drive. It stood proud and majestic against the quiet night air. Every light was off. The home's occupants had retired to their bedrooms for the evening.
Carisi hated to ruin things. But duty called.
He rang the doorbell and waited.
Moments later, the second story lights flew on and two figures could be seen descending the stairs.
Carisi did everything in his power to keep a straight face when the Grangers opened their door. He was irate. She was curious. Both were in evening robes. They were in for a fun chat.
"What are you doing here?" Granger huffed when he saw who had come calling. "Detective Carisi, do you have any idea what time it is?"
Granger's wife put a steadying hand on his arm. "Have heart, Lionel. I'm sure the detective wouldn't have come if it wasn't dire."
"That's right." Carisi then turned to Lionel Granger himself. "Sir, this is about your brother. He's loose."
Granger actually rolled his eyes. "Like I haven't been saying that for decades. Or like I'm even surprised he's up here. What has that loser done this time?"
"Kidnap and physical assault." Carisi said in a very sober way. "He's already taken a handful of specific people tonight. Detective Rollins and both of her younger sisters are on that list. All three of your nieces are in trouble."
"What? They had more kids, at their age? How did you even make the connection to them in the first pl—Bedelia must also be in town. Is that it?" Granger had put two and two together in the middle of his own thought train.
"Yes." Carisi confirmed. "Bedelia's actually been in the city for awhile. She lives here now."
Granger's wife spoke again. "Detective, we're not close with our Georgia kin at all. 'Complicated' is a kind way to put it."
Carisi continued to be serious. "My CO has assigned me to bring you and your family to the station. We think that Odis Lee might try something. Removal from the premises is for your own protection."
"We understand and we're happy to cooperate." Missus Granger made a beckoning motion. "Come in. Please."
The Grangers two moved back some paces to allow Carisi entrance into their house.
"I'll go put something on and then wake the kids." Missus Granger closed the door behind their visitor. "Please excuse me, detective."
She ascended the stairs once more.
Her husband watched her go and then gave his attention to Carisi. "Maya is my rock. We've been married for a very long time. Only a limited number of people know that we're parents."
Carisi couldn't help himself. "Dare I ask why?"
"Maya is an immigration lawyer. She also attracts the occasional oddball. We do everything we can possible to provide for Henry and Sarah while keeping them out of that world? Will you keep my family safe?"
"Yes. We'll also keep you safe, councilor." Carisi motion towards the stairs. "Go check on your family. I won't leave without any of you."
Grateful, Granger hurried away.
The Flower Bucket
Residence of Birk & Daisy Novak
665 Central Park West
Manhattan
12:30 AM
Olivia and Melinda made it to the Novak's place of business in due course.
Birk and Daisy lived in a flat above the shop. Azalea also made her home there. With her fiancée and their daughter. It had always been like this. And they loved it.
But Olivia couldn't imagine how violated they must have been feeling just then. Azalea and Violet had been stolen into the night. By a screwball.
Melinda rang the rear doorbell that Daisy had mentioned.
In mere moments, mechanical whirring sounds reached hers and Olivia's ears. A set of wrought-iron doors in the wall then opened to reveal the woman who could only be Casey's mother. Daisy. A look of despair was on her face. No matter how hard she tried to hide it.
She motioned for her company to join her on the lift.
"Olivia, right?" Daisy said to the sergeant. "I wish I could say that meeting you right now was okay… But here we are…"
"Please don't worry, Daisy. My squad I are doing all we can to find everyone." Olivia watched their new acquaintance close the doors and send the lift back up. "Joy will be had after that."
Daisy hugged her.
She then extended a hand to Melinda. "You must be Doctor Warner."
"I am. Please call me Melinda." the doctor and florist shook hands. "But how did you know?"
"You're amongst those that Cassandra has talked to us about for years. Plus… We—my husband and I—have read your published research papers. All of them to date."
Melinda was both taken aback and flattered. "Really?"
"Mhm." Daisy bobbed her head. "Birk and I have always loved science. Even the more unusual aspects. Are you here to check on my younger daughter's fiancée?"
"Yes. And maybe help with any hysteria. I've heard that Hanakatoba already isn't in the best of shape."
"Unfortunately, yes." the lift reached the residence and they piled out. "Hana is over here."
It wasn't lost on Olivia at all that she was in Casey Novak's childhood home. Had the situation been more pleasant, a look around would have been afforded. But they maintained their focus and followed Daisy over to the living room sofa.
Hanakatoba was there, having a rest. She sat when she saw the newcomers.
"You're Olivia Benson, right?" Hanakatoba asked the sergeant as Daisy's husband moved away so the others could have space.
Olivia nodded as she moved closer. "Yes. I've worked with Casey a lot over the years."
"Will you going to find my family?" Hanakatoba pressed with some urgency. "Azalea bottoms out in crazy situations and it gets ugly. I'm the best at keeping her steady. Violet has never been away from home before. I'm terrified for them."
"We will find your fiancée and your daughter. My people are following a lead right now." Olivia indicated her companion. "This is my good friend, Doctor Warner. Is it alright if she checks on you before we go any further?"
"Yes, please. I really want to go to your station… hm…"
Hanakatoba's voice trailed away. Something wasn't feeling right.
So Casey's father called out to her. "What's wrong, Hana?"
"Birk, I don't… know…" it became clear that speech was growing difficult. "Where are my sweaters? I feel cold…"
Her pronouncement was immediately alarming. New York City was already in the middle of summer heatwave and what temperatures they'd felt during the day showed no signs of getting getting any cooler. Olivia was actually certain they were getting hotter. What was that about?
Olivia took another step closer in Hanakatoba's direction. "Are you feeling something else besides cold? Something tells me that that is the case."
The young woman shuddered. "Yes."
"Can you use your words about it? Doctor Warner and I are right here."
But then things went downhill at once.
Hanakatoba began blinking rapidly before her body gave one gigantic shudder and she fell straight back. In the blink of an eye, her whole body shook for a few moments before it convulsed for a few moments. Hanakatoba also began to foam at the mouth. Her eyes eventually rolled into the back of her head.
This woman was have a stress-induced seizure.
Melinda worked quickly with Daisy and Birk to move Hanakatoba to the floor so they could stabilize her. It was pandemonium. But somewhat contained.
At this point, Olivia stepped out into a nearby hallway.
She had seen people have seizures before but this one was freaking her out. It hit close to home. A member of Casey's family was in peril.
Right.
Peril.
Olivia called into the precinct radio she unclipped from her belt. "This is SVU portable to Central, badge number 4015! Rush a bus to Central Park West! Now!"
