Author's Note: This story is based around an original character, or, more honestly, a Mary Sue :o) It is an introductory story to the character so that readers will know a bit more about her and will hopefully be more comfortable with her symbiosis into the SVU Team. However, the background on a case given in this fanfic will be integral to a future fic or, possibly, fics.
Chapter Two: Introductions
The squadroom was buzzing with activity, phones ringing and papers everywhere. This was not at all uncommon for her type of work, and surprisingly comforting to Elle.
Standing in the doorway she glanced at Captain Donald Cregan's office and found it empty. She was unsure of the correct action to take. She wasn't going to bother any of the detectives but she didn't feel right just waltzing up her desk.
Cregan can't be far, she thought. I'll just wait.
As she stood there tentatively, she realized one of the detectives, John Munch, was missing. She recognized the other three from the pictures supplied in their files: Odafin Tutuola, Olivia Benson and her partner, Elliot Stabler. Tutuola was busy ruffling through papers as he spoke to a young man in tight blues jeans weighted down with files.
Intern, she thought and smiled to herself. Poor kid.
Stabler was at his desk talking heatedly on the phone while Benson was meticulously going through the papers and photos on her desk.
Elle took a large bite of her bagel and looked to the corkboard beside Benson. She found it tacked with maps and photographs relating to the current case. Two of the girls in the photos looked vaguely familiar, leaving Elle a little confused.
She looked towards the markerboard situated beside the corkboard. "Weekend Rapist" was scribbled in caps across the top and beneath it, a vague description of the MO. The board also held pictures of the victims in happier times and information linking all six. The women all looked strikingly similar with their pale white skin and dark brown hair cut into pageboys or pixie styles. Again two of them seemed to stick in Elle's mind.
She took another bite. Where have I seen those two girls? Why are their faces so-
"Seymour the Shrink, I presume."
She looked to her right, her mouth full, and recognized Munch, the fourth detective, silvering hair and tinted glasses the same as in the picture. She disdained being called a shrink, and something in Detective Munch's voice put her nerves on edge, but she nodded anyway.
He raised his eyebrows and looked down at her appraisingly, then walked to his desk, saying nothing else.
Intruder it is then, she thought regretfully.
She turned back to the markerboard in time to see Benson get up from her desk and head in Elle's direction.
"I'm Detective Olivia Benson. Can I help you?"
Elle put up one finger and drank some of her orange juice in an effort to swallow her bagel bite.
Munch spoke but didn't look up. "She's from psych."
Benson took a step back and looked her over quickly. "Oh. Well," she gave Elle a brusque smile. "Good to meet you."
Elle shook her head. "I'm not from psych. I'm from Homicide. I-"
Munch interrupted. "But you're the shrink, right?"
"I'm the psychological adviser."
Olivia nodded. "Is that what they're calling it?"
"That's what I am."
Olivia nodded to her again, then turned to Munch. "None of Renee Anthony's customers knew anything about her, other than she was a very sweet, very shy vet. She apparently had better conversations with the pets than with the owners."
Elle looked at Olivia and hoped she wouldn't be intruding. "Renee Anthony?"
Olivia pointed to a picture on the corkboard. "The latest victim of our most pressing case. Raped, then murdered and left in a public bathroom."
Stabler tossed his phone back to the receiver as he stood. "We're gonna have to go interview the last two personally. Cab driver and a beat cop."
Munch frowned and opened his folder. "Why don't we have any records on her?"
Olivia shook her head. "Well, we only found her two days ago. Give 'em time."
"It's taking longer than usual."
Elle listened carefully. Something was so familiar about the MO on the board. Plus the two girls.
"Oh!" She turned to John. "Wasn't this guy the Groundhog's Day Rapist?"
He looked unimpressed. "Yes."
"On account of his first two victims were on Groundhog's Day. The papers warned everyone to be careful on Valentine's."
"In case he was an all around holiday type guy."
"Right."
Munch stood. "His latest victims have been on the weekend."
"So was Groundhog's Day."
"Yeah. Gives new meaning to TGIF, huh?"
Cregan entered and walked to Elle's desk, unceremoniously dumping a box of files on top. He motioned for her to follow him to his office.
Odafin Tutuola walked over to the group. "If Renee Anthony was married," he started. "Then where's the happy huz?"
"Maybe they're separated." Olivia suggested. "Or maybe they're divorced and she still wears the ring."
Elle stopped behind Cregan who turned back to his detectives. "Or maybe the husband's taken a sudden and permanent vacation. I want you on top of this now. Find out why there's nothing in the house on this guy. I think it's pretty conspicuous for a married woman, divorced or not, to have no evidence of her husband whatsoever. If she was wearing the ring, there has to be something else."
The four mumbled replies. He pointed to Stabler who was putting on his jacket.
"Where are you headed?"
"We've still go two customers of Anthony's left. A cop and a cabby."
Munch cut in. "We've got the cop."
Cregan shook his head. "Wrong. The ME called about a fluid match. You and Fin check that out. Benson and Stabler can check the remaining customers."
"Oh, goody," muttered Munch. "Another day at Forensics. It's becoming like a second home."
Tutuola snickered at his partner. "I'm sure Dr. Briar is just as happy to see you as any of your wives were."
Elle followed Cregan into his office, closing the door behind her and cutting off Munch's reply.
"Have a seat."
She did and looked around briefly. The room was dim and stuffy, but for the most part clean. It benefited little from the light urging its way in through the window peering into the witness room. The light seemed to stop a foot from the edge of Cregan's desk.
She noticed the lack of personal clutter such as pictures or trophies.
Very professional.
"I'll make this quick. Foremost, welcome to the team. I want to inform you briefly on a few topics. First of all, you understand what your job is here?"
She nodded.
"Good. Second, I just wanted to let you know that this is a very tough division. Sex crimes, dealing with live and needy victims... It can be rough. It requires strength and empathy. I'm sure as a psychiatrist-"
"Chologist. Psychologist."
"Of course. My mistake. I'm sure as a psychologist major, you've learned that."
She nodded again. "We touched on it."
"I'm positive that there are places where you could be of some assistance-"
She interrupted. "Of some assistance?"
He continued. "But at first I just want you to stay behind to let my detectives get used to your presence."
She frowned, leaning forward in her seat. "No disrespect to you, Captain, but how are they supposed to get used to my presence if I'm not there to get used to?"
"Your being here at headquarters will suffice for the time being. The files on your desk are just a few that we're currently working on. These are specific psych related unsolved cases that aren't on high enough priority to send to the FBI."
"So I'm stuck on backlog."
Cregan sat back in his chair, folding his hands. "I'd view it as easing into the job."