Back at the precinct…

Alex was feeling unsettled.

She and Casey had only gotten the outline of what was going on with Tully. But…

The case was beginning to dredge up recent memories. And all were dreadful.

The blonde jumped when Casey waved a hand in front of her.

So Alex apologized. "I'm sorry. What were you saying just now?"

Casey gave her boss a sympathetic smile. "I said, 'Judge Donnelley will be here soon.' Are you okay?"

She shrugged. "Casey... Have you noticed, since our return, the recurring theme of domestic violence in the detectives' investigations?"

"I have." Casey leaned back in her seat. "But I do understand the darkness for myself. A long time ago, I was with... someone bad. Learned the hard way that he had schizophrenia. He was even violent."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, Casey..."

"I even lost his child back then. And he never found out."

"Who does know?" Alex asked softly.

"Just my parens, Rafael, Liv, my sister Margaux because was there when the loss happened, and now, you." Casey answered. "Might I ask what has the recent holding patten on your mind?"

"We've hit the ground running since coming back. The drama with Jude is obviously in my recent past," explained Alex. "But I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me. Olivia understands. And I'm grateful."

Casey's heart filled up with sympathy. "I get it. Rafael even supports me to the best of his abilities, and I love him for it. But... Do you know what I really love?"

"Hm?"

"That you and I are now with people who could never hurt us. Or our little ones. That brings me joy now." Casey patted her friend's hand. "Your feelings are absolutely valid. I promise, Alexandra."

"Thank you. I appreciate that. And you." she looked out into the squad room. "Did the judge tell you when she was coming here?"

Casey checked her watch. "It should be any time. Look smart."

Judge Donnelley found herself amused by the time she was in the conference room with Alex and Casey next.

It was a good thing all three of them got along.

But the judge would be a great liar if she said she said she didn't find Alex and Casey fascinating.

"I am beginning to wonder if we missed our callings to be detectives." Donnelley quipped as she joined the others at the table. "Perhaps we should ask for desks here."

But she was greeted by a stony silence.

"Oh, no." the judge already felt dejected. "Have they pulled us in? Again?"

Casey grimaced. "Uh… Not quite. This is one is on Alex. Technically. I just happened to be there."

So the judge promptly shifted her attention to her pupil now. "Elaborate."

Alex told her everything. Left no stone unturned. At least Judge Donnelley was used to their absurdity.

"Wow." she remarked when Alex had finished relaying it all. "That... Was most certainly a lot."

"You aren't wrong." agreed Alex. "No matter how you look at it, Casey and I are very involved."

"Mhm. That is true." Casey herself added before speaking specifically to her boss. "I didn't hear Tully mention a last name. Did you?"

"No." Alex admitted. "But I heard her as well as you did when she mentioned migrating from Georgia. Like Amanda did when she got here."

Donnelley amazed herself by being able to keep up with what was being told. "Now both of you are positing a connection to Detective Rollins. Because she moved here from Georgia. Some could call that one wild coincidence."

Alex arched an eyebrow. "Liz, when, in all your years of hanging around this particular squad, has anything ever been 'one wild coincidence'?"

"Touché. You two definitely found something big. And... stranger things have happened to all three of us because of these people."

Donnelley looked from one woman to the other.

"I will take this case. To circle the wagons is not usually my style, but I feel as though I should. Are Detective Rollins and Sergeant Benson out with our guests?"

"Yes." Alex confirmed. "They're looking after them."

"Excellent. The sergeant and her team trusts your judgement. Both of you." Donnelley surveyed the others again. "Both of you may stay, but I am taking charge. Especially if this goes to court. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Alex and Casey told her.

"Outstanding. Now let's work on a strategy to tackle this new situation."

DING! Alex jumped out of her skin a little bit later on. Her phone had beeped at her with a new text alert.

She, Casey, and Donnelley had been discussing what to do if Jim Rollins was found dead. Because they had a feeling it was going to happen.

The ringing of her phone broke the bubble.

"What…?" she murmured when she didn't recognize the number.

But she still read the text. It's Amanda. Got your number from O. Are you and Casey at the precinct?

Yes. Judge Donnelley joined us. We invited her. Does O want something? sent Alex.

O asks that you all and the others relocate to the media center. We need the conference room.

Alex didn't even ask how Amanda had made this leap. Okay. I will tell them now.

Casey and Judge Donnelley relocated with Alex to the media center. They caught the detectives in their wake.

No sooner had both parties relocated, caught each other up, and agreed on who got to fill the others in when…

Carisi said softly, "Look. Sarge and Rollins are back."

Everyone looked to where he was indicating.

Olivia and her party could be seen making their way to the conference room.

Getting them settled there didn't take long. Nor did playing catch up with everyone else.

Yet, it was Nick shaking his head in wonder first.

The whole entire situation felt surreal to him for an extra reason. One big one.

The other Rollinses were also his family.

And Zara's. The baby's, too. He would talking his feelings out with Amanda later on.

The detective pointed at the closed conference room door. "Now they're seeking refuge? From a man who could or could be here…"

"But who also just so happens to be Amanda's pops." Fin finished.

"Yes." Olivia and Amanda chimed in unison.

But then it was Carisi who chose to address what no one else had mentioned yet. "Rollins? When did you last see Tully at all?"

Amanda shrugged. "Just before I moved here. We're not that close because we're almost a decade apart, so I never had a reason to keep in contact after I left the neighborhood. You know how it goes."

"Yes, I do. I'm also from that kind of area. Will you tell us when you last saw your dad?"

"The day he struck my mom so hard that she saw stars when she fell." Amanda turned gruff. "That man also took off with Beth Anne's life savings. Never saw him again."

"So he's never contacted you? Or Kim?"

"Me, no. My sister... probably. Kim's memory about Big Jim seems to be selective. At best. My sister seems to remember the few times when Big Jim was kind. Not so much as when he was vile to all of us."

The detective's eyes flickered towards the closed conference room door and back to her present company.

"What I can't figure out is what Tully Jo saw in my dad enough to have children with him. Or… Where the hell Aunt Juliette is…"

DING!

Everybody but Carisi checked their mobile devices. On reflex.

Carisi rolled his eyes and directed their attention the main screen. He'd run a search. And now the results were up.

"Look at this." he said.

They were met by a photo of a young blonde woman. And… She just happened to have a passing resemblance to one of their number.

Amanda blurted out, "That is Aunt Juliette! You were looking her up?"

"Yes." Carisi answered. "The sergeant suggested it, because Tully was asking about her. Looks like she could be local... Do you know if Juliette had any inclination of coming up here?"

"No. The last time I saw Juliette was when I left Atlanta because she drove me to the airport. We also FaceTimed on Christmas. This was when she was deep into making plans for herself and her daughter to relocate. Any mention of where was not had."

The detective pointed to the screen again as she made direct eye contact with Carisi.

"I know that she wouldn't harm anyone unless pressed. Why in God's name is she in any system?"

"No felony charges." Carisi reported after checking the details. "It happens that Juliette Diane Frasier is a bartender."

"Must be a real upscale place if she had to be fingerprinted." Casey murmured. "That practice is not uncommon."

Alex added, "It also means that she is about. Employed. What do the records tell you, Dominick?"

"That Juliette Diane Frasier works at a joint called The Bar Association." he told Alex. "Clever name."

Judge Donnelley said suddenly, "I know The Bar Association. It's at the new place in Times Square called Ivory Mill Resort And Spa. My husband took me there for my birthday last month. It's upscale. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"We'll take your warning under advisement." Carisi told her. "Thanks."

Donnelley bobbed her head in acknowledgment.

Olivia opened her mouth to issue a new order, in regards to The Bar Association.

But she was waylaid this time as a new search hit popped. Now they were greeted by a mugshot.

"Judging by the disgust on Rollins' face," Olivia finally said. "I think we've just found her father."

Carisi examined the newest records before him. "James Dale Rollins, from Loganville, Atlanta…"

His voice trailed away as he digested the rest of the information in surprise.

Amanda sighed theatrically. "Other highlights include that Big Jim has just turned sixty-one, and that he has a record for domestic violence, b & e's, and public nuisance violations."

The detective's cheeks burned in embarrassment.

Olivia arched an eyebrow at Carisi. "And…?"

He said quickly, "Rollins is right. I also just got a hit on Mister Rollins' credit card. It's pinged at the Lydia Motel, sarge. Fin and I can go check it out now."

"Good idea. Report back, ASAP."

The men left fast.

"What about us?" Amanda asked of herself and Nick.

"Please go put out an APB on your father." Olivia decided. "Then both of you, head over to The Bar Association."

It was clear that Olivia was keeping them both away. Just in case.

Amanda told her seriously, "We understand. Talk to you later."

And the couple headed away.

Olivia laughed as she registered the remainders. "Why is it always you three?"

Alex shrugged.

Casey muttered, "I'm damned if I know."

But Donnelley sighed, "I think I accidentally sold my soul to your squad after the Stuckey Incident."

"Hm. Par for the course." Olivia mused. "I'm off to speak with Tully Rollins. Are you three working as a unit? Is that how you're still here?"

Donnelley nodded. "Yes. They asked for me. I am the lead on our end. But… We both know that if I bar Alex and Casey from this, they will find a way back in. Most likely when they think I'm not looking."

Alex and Casey assumed sheepish expressions.

"It's how they work." Olivia made a beckoning motion. "Come on."

When Olivia made it back to the conference room, it was to see Dashiell and Magdalene fast asleep together on the couch. Nap time.

Tully sat at the table. Very lost in thought.

But she rewarded Olivia with a (vague) smile when she joined her. "Is this the part where I finally tell you everything now?"

"Yes. Please." Olivia grew emphatic. "All you can."

So Olivia found herself listening to the fuller ballad of Tully Jo Gordon Rollins.

It was long, unhappy. Full of heartbreak.

And clues.

But Olivia felt an overall strong sense of pride that Tully had survived.

"Is it wrong that I want to leave him?" Tully asked the sergeant when she had finished. "Back home, people kept telling me I needed to lay down in the bed I'd made."

"You are not in the wrong." Olivia reassured her. "At all. It's your life. We will make sure you don't leave without the literature that can give you a boost for this new chapter. I am your friend. So is my squad and our associates."

Tully almost cried in relief. But she proceeded to study Olivia's body language.

"What is it?" she asked. "Was my husband spotted in the city?"

Olivia chose her words carefully. "There has been a charge on his card. Two of my people are checking it out. Do you and the kids have a place to go?"

"Yes. We have our hotel room, but… It won't be long before he realizes for any reason that we're here." Tully shuddered. "My husband may poison his body, but he is not stupid. Amanda inherited his cunning. So did Kim."

"Well, you can stay h…"

But Olivia was cut off this time by a soft knock on the door. Followed by Casey poking her head in.

"Excuse me." the redhead said as kindly as she could. "Please pardon the interruption."

Olivia promptly stood and buttoned her blazer. "Councilor? Did you need something?"

Casey bobbed her head. "Yes."

Olivia read well into her clipped tone.

So she said to Tully, "Excuse us now."

Tully nodded and wished her luck.

Casey spoke the instant her friend had closed the door behind herself. "Liv, there's been a response to the all-points bulletin in the form of a witness."

"And," Alex added. "She just got here."

Olivia could only bring herself to say, "What?"

Alex pointed in the direction of Olivia's door. "Trevor's wife has come by."

Now the sergeant felt a jolt. "But she's—"

"Mega ultra super film star, filmmaker, Megara Bordeaux Langan. We've bee through this. Recently." Alex patted Olivia on the shoulder. "Come on. You've got this."

Casey added on her own thoughts. "In addition to her best-selling books turning into Oscar-winning movies, Megara is also an open ally of the NYPD. And an advocate for children's rights. I would not be surprised if that woman's got our bosses and the mayor on speed dial now."

Olivia began to recall vestiges of a previous conversation about Trevor Langan's wife. "And she's pregnant, right? In her last trimester?"

"Yep." Alex quickly straightened to Olivia's appearance. "My friend is very kind. Just be cool."

The sergeant made a show of exhaling steadily. "I will be right back."

Olivia found Megara sitting on her office couch.

This woman was a stunner. Pale skin, with rounded elegant features, and big blue eyes. Bright red hair was done in a long side braid to keep it out of her face. Even her clothing hinted premier wealth. Olivia also noticed that Megara's legs were arranged at an angle. For accommodation. Like she was very tall.

But what was plain for sure was Megara's very large baby bump.

Olivia found herself hoping that this woman would not be spooked into labor today.

But she said, "Are you Megara? Trevor's wife?"

The other woman snapped out of her reverie when she saw Olivia.

"I am." she said as Olivia sat with her. "I know who you are, sergeant. Trev has been talking about you for years now. As such… He's always reminded me that your squad room is a sanctuary. And that you can be trusted. Especially in a crisis."

"Trevor is my friend now. And you are his wife. I will do anything I can for either of you." Olivia nodded to Megara's bump. "Is it the baby?"

"Uh-uh. But William is welcome to grace us with his presence... Whenever he feels compelled enough."

Megara fetched her phone from her purse and found a photo she was in search of.

"Trev calls me paranoid for giving heed to the crime blotter, and kooky for having the app version. I say it's occasional book research." Megara shook her phone with indication. "My app got your department's APB."

"Go on." Olivia encouraged.

"Sergeant… I saw him. Not even twenty minutes ago. Here."

Megara handed Olivia her phone.

The sergeant's heart did a crazy flip when she took in what she was looking at.

Megara had delivered her a picture of Jim Rollins. Taken at a distance.

But very clear.

Olivia looked back to her new acquaintance. "Please tell me everything, Megara. Our case depends on you now."