A/N: A shout out to SVUSHIPPER4EVER! The beginnings of EO... could be... could be... ;)
Chapter 4
"So how long do we need to be here?" Elliot asked as he plopped down in a chair in front of an empty desk. It had been two days since the incident and the unit had been relocated to an unused bullpen on the floor above theirs. With Olivia still out, Kenny Briscoe was instructed to be Elliot's partner by the desk sergeant. No one had heard from Cragen since his interview with IAB.
"As long as it takes for CSU to get all the evidence and then for the crime scene cleaners to make sure it's sanitary," Munch said. The Sergeant was commanding the unit until the Captain returned.
"All of our stuff is in our desks and our computers. How are they expecting us to conduct business?" Fin wanted to know, picking his own temporary desk out.
"Memory I guess. I haven't heard of any new cases. I was just told to report up here and to spread the word per the Chief of D's," the Sergeant admitted, picking the desk across from Fin's.
"This is bad isn't it?" Kenny asked. He'd sat down on top of the desk next to Elliot's.
"It's bad," Elliot nodded.
"How's Liv holding up?" Fin gave the former Marine a look.
"About as well as you'd expect. Questioning her moves, questioning how she didn't notice that something was wrong, questioning everything," Elliot heaved a sigh.
"She saved a lot of lives by ending it. They should be glad they aren't planning a funeral for any officers in the room," Kenny frowned.
"Sister Peg was a hell of a price to pay. From a legal standpoint, she's the only true victim in the whole thing. Had Jenna survived, they would have thrown her in jail," Munch pointed out.
"Tucker says that the brass are looking for heads to roll. Jenna got a weapon past an entire precinct full of cops and then started shooting. Three people are dead because of her actions," Elliot admitted.
"Seriously? When was the last time anyone asked a victim to go through a pat down? I would have thought she would have had to go through the metal detector, I'll admit, but the last thing you want to do is give a rape victim a pat down," Fin was not happy.
"Shouldn't the desk sergeant be getting into trouble for that? I mean I don't wish anything on Martinez but he's the one who should have made sure that Jenna went through the detector," Munch said.
"She came through when Martinez was on break," Kenny revealed.
"So wasn't someone still supposed to be at the desk?" Elliot inquired.
"Technically yes but there was a commotion as some of the officers were bringing in a prisoner. The guy filling in jumped into help, leaving the desk unmanned…" Kenny started. He'd seen the footage from the security cameras near the door. TARU tech Rena Jones had let him look, even though she wasn't supposed to. The team knew he had a connection inside of TARU but never pressed him on it, especially when it helped them jump on a lead.
"Allowing Jenna to skate right through," Fin frowned.
"What is the likelihood of that happening?" Munch raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah slim to none…" Elliot shook his head before quickly pulling his cell phone out of his pocket.
"Who you calling?" Fin asked.
"Have to give this to Tucker. If Jenna had help…" Elliot said.
"Do it. If it'll help clear Liv and the Captain, do it," Munch nodded. Elliot waited for Tucker to pick up and then quickly relayed what they had just been discussing. While he was on the phone the Chief of Detectives, Robert Heath, walked into the bullpen.
"Chief!" Munch shot up out of his seat, which surprised everyone around him. Fin and Kenny quickly stood up and Elliot wasn't sure if he should finish his phone call. He looked at the new Chief of Detectives.
"At ease. I'm not looking to give anyone a heart attack. Finish your phone call. We'll wait," Heath said. Quickly, Elliot finished up with Tucker, who promised to keep him in the loop.
"Sorry about that Chief. IAB had a question," Elliot told him.
"I'm sure they have more than one," Heath nodded before turning his attention to everyone.
"I realize that this is going to be tough to do without your desks and computers but I received word that we have a case," the Chief said.
"Well we'll do what we can," Munch told him.
"Good to hear Sergeant. They say that they'll have everything back in ship shape downstairs in a couple more days," Heath promised.
"We just need an address," Fin smiled slightly.
"Well the victim just walked into the hospital so I'm not sure we have an actual crime scene as of yet. Here's what you need to know," Heath handed Munch a card and then headed back toward the elevator.
"All right, Elliot, Kenny, head to the hospital. Fin and I will wait for your call to see if we need to head out to a crime scene," the Sergeant ordered. Elliot nodded and grabbed his coat while Kenny did the same.
To Be Continued…
