Chapter 12
Two days later, Fin and Elliot ended up at the bodega with the age progressed photo. Elliot had called for Olivia originally but as a Captain she was having to attend a COMPStat meeting. Fin had answered her desk phone, which Elliot had called, after Olivia didn't answer her cell phone.
"Hey, can we ask you a question?" Fin wanted to know as he flashed his badge at the cashier.
"You here about the guy who robbed me two weeks ago?" The man asked. He was of Indian descent and spoke with a slight accent.
"You were robbed?" Elliot raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me I have to file another report," the man said.
"No, I'm sure the detectives who are handling that are on it. We're actually here about one of your customers. He's in big trouble," Fin said.
"What kind of trouble?" The man wanted to know.
"Murder," Elliot told him.
"I don't know anything about that," the cashier's eyes went wide.
"We know. We just want to know if you see a guy who looks like this on a regular basis," Fin handed him the photo. The store clerk stared at it, the face didn't click at first, but then he shook his finger at the photo before setting it down on the counter.
"What?" Elliot asked.
"Hold on," the man ran into the back of the store and to the two detectives looked at each other. They then looked around and saw the man had a camera near the register and a few others dotted around the store.
"I think you'll find him on here," the cashier came back a few minutes later holding some DVDs.
"Security tapes? Your boss will just let you hand them over?" Elliot asked.
"Yes. I'm the boss, Akshay Singh. I have them overwrite the files every week so it's only this past weeks' worth," the man admitted.
"Thanks Mr. Singh. Hey, you think he used a credit card? He buy lots of stuff when he's in here?" Fin wondered.
"He usually wears a baseball cap which is why it took me a minute. I don't remember him using a card though, sorry. Though I don't work every shift. Should I call my nephews to see if they saw him?" The owner wondered.
"Tell you what, can we have the receipts for the last week to go with the footage? If we can match it up, to a time, we'll bring the other ones back," Elliot said.
"I can do that," Akshay nodded. He disappeared once again, heading to the back of the store.
"We better call the local precinct, see who caught the robbery case. This guy is helping us out big time," Fin spoke up.
"I agree," Elliot nodded as the bodega owner came back to them.
"Here you go," Akshay smiled.
"Thank you. Here is my card. You call if you need anything, ok?" Elliot told him.
"Yes, sir. Thank you," the owner was still smiling.
"Do us a favor. Don't do anything crazy if he comes in here again. Just pretend like it's a normal day and call us, once he's out of the store," Fin didn't want the man getting hurt after being so helpful.
"You got it. I'll make sure my nephews know as well," Akshay nodded.
"Good. Thanks again," Elliot smiled and the two men took their leave. They got into the car and Fin put the vehicle into traffic, heading for OCCB's squad room.
"We have to hope we get lucky here," Elliot said.
"Just like you're hoping to get lucky with Liv?" Fin had changed the subject.
"Whoa," the former SVU detective looked at him.
"Look man, I see you trying to get back into her good graces," the Sergeant said.
"I just want to try and be friends again. We have a lot of catching up to do and I owe her quite a bit," Elliot told him.
"She's been through hell and back since you left. I know we used to joke about you watching her six, but that job fell to me once you were gone. I did as much as I could but we both know she's shared stuff with you that she probably will never share with me," Fin admitted. Sealview popped into his head and he swallowed hard. Elliot nodded.
"You do what you gotta do but I swear to God Elliot, you do something to Baby Girl and you and I are going to have a problem," Fin said as he steered the car into the OCCB's parking lot.
"Where is this coming from?" Elliot wanted to know.
"Liv's been putting her walls back up. Me and Rollins can see it. Joe's too green and Carisi isn't around as much as he used to be. This might be the only time you and I get to talk about it, so I'm laying it out for you," Fin said.
"You know I appreciate you looking out for her. I'm sure she does too, despite everything she seems Badass Benson still to me," her former partner said.
"It's Momma Bear Benson now and trust me that's much scarier," Fin smirked. Elliot couldn't help but smirk either. They exited the car and headed inside with their evidence. Elliot's thoughts wandered to his former partner and he hoped that when this case was more in hand, that they could have an honest to goodness sit down.
To Be Continued…
