Match Making: Chapter 3
John came into work the next day whistling. He was the second person there as usual, the Captain being the first. John tossed his coat over the back of his chair and wandered into the Captain's office.
"Morning Captain." John said as he stood leaning against the door frame.
"Morning, John." The Captain answered noncommittally.
"We have any cases today?"
"Not yet." The Captain looked up at John. "Want to try for the broom closet?"
"I can wait a little while on that one. Do you think we should bring Elliot in on our little plan?"
"We could. He is Olivia's partner."
"Yeah, he might get suspicious if Olivia went out to a case with Fin instead of him. You could tell him that Fin and I aren't getting along and that we need to be separated for a little while, too." John suggested.
"Whatever you decide John." The Captain answered as he looked past John into the squad room. "He's here now." John looked back and nodded to Elliot. Elliot wandered over.
"Hey Captain, John, do we have a case?" Elliot asked with a concerned look.
"No but we'd like to run something by you…" John answered. He and the Captain explained what they wanted to do.
"And you want me to be your partner for the next case, so you can throw Fin and Olivia together? You do know that if she gets hurt, I'm going to have to kick yours and Fin's collective asses, if Olivia doesn't do it for me?" Elliot looked pointedly at John.
"Elliot, you'll have to get in line behind that Captain, now are you going to help us?" John answered.
"Yeah, I'll help you out. Anything for a buddy." Eliot answered with a grin.
"So we're buddies now?" John asked as he and Elliot walked toward their desks.
"Sure, but I'm doing this for Olivia." Elliot smirked. John just rolled his eyes. Olivia and Fin came in a few minutes later. They both had smiles on their faces and Olivia was talking animatedly. They each stopped at their desks long enough to drop their coats and then headed to the coffee pot, without even noticing their partners. Their conversation never faltered. When they finally focused on work, Fin noticed the odd look on his partners face.
"What's up with you? Did you smoke all your stash and now your coming off your high?" Fin joked. John just looked at him over the top of his glasses, like Fin was a delinquent child. John turned back to his paperwork without even commenting. Fin was confused. John would normally make a smartass comment and their banter would start. It was all good-natured. Fin glanced over at Olivia and Elliot to see if they had noticed his partner's attitude. Elliot was focused on what he was doing. Olivia apparently had noticed because she just shrugged when Fin looked at her. Fin turned back toward his partner and with on last look in his direction, started on his own paper work. About half an hour later the Captain came out of his office with a case.
"Ok guys, we have a case out in Chelsea. A woman was found in an alley behind a pool hall, beaten and raped. She's at Metropolitan hospital. I want you and John to go to the scene." Cragen told Elliot. "Fin, you and Olivia go talk to the victim if you can." With that Cragen went back into his office. Fin and Olivia looked at each other with confusion. It was unusual that they worked together. Elliot and John were already out the door by the time Fin and Olivia put their coats on.
"Did anything seem suspicious to you when we got to work?" Fin asked when he and Olivia were in his car and on their way to the hospital.
"Weird? I don't what you could possibly mean. My partner and your partner just went to a crime scene together and we get to go question the victim. Now what would be suspicious about the Captain switching partners on us?" Olivia stated sarcastically. Fin laughed and Olivia smiled.
"Well there was that, but I was referring to the silent treatment we got from our lovely partners." Fin said.
"I know what you meant. That was kind of odd. Elliot always says good morning, at the very least." Olivia answered.
"Yeah, I at least get a quip about being late or something else. Today I got the over-the-top-of-the-glasses glare, John usually reserves for juvenile delinquents. It was odd." Olivia shrugged and got out of the car. Fin followed her into the hospital. They talked to the nurse on duty and found out which room the victim was in.
John and Elliot could barely contain their laughter as they got into their car and drove to Chelsea. Elliot was the first to speak.
"Did you see the confusion on their faces when the Captain told them they were partnered? I seriously thought Liv was going to question it. She had that wrinkled nose look like she was about to say something but decided against it." Elliot comment through his giggles.
"I know what you mean. I was sure that Fin was going to say something but he didn't. I think I made him suspicious when I didn't respond to his comment. I had to hold the folder up to keep from smiling." John responded with a grin. Elliot pulled up to the scene a few minutes later. They split up to question the guy who found the woman and the pool hall owner.
Olivia and Fin didn't get much out of the victim as she said she was attacked from behind. The only thing she remembered was that the perp was wearing after shave that smelled like Brut. Olivia and Fin headed back to the precinct. John and Elliot weren't far behind. Cragen came out of his office when Fin and Olivia came in.
"Did the victim see anything?" Cragen asked as he eyed the two detectives.
"Her name is Cynthia Peterson and no, she says she was attacked from behind. She said she left the pool hall at 12. She was supposed to meet her boyfriend, but he didn't show. His name is Adam Kite. She said that the perp wore after shave that smelled like Brut. We asked if her boyfriend wore that particular brand, and she said no. " Olivia answered as she sat at her desk.
"I didn't know they still made that stuff." The Captain commented with an odd look on his face. Just then John and Elliot came in. "What did you get out of the guy who found her?"
"Not much. He says he works for the owner. He was taking out the garbage and found her. The owner doesn't remember her from the night before, and neither did the kid. I asked if they had security cameras, but they don't. John got the name of the bouncer from the owner and the two waitresses that worked last night." Elliot answered.
"Ok, you guys take the waitresses and Fin and Olivia will go talk to the bouncer and the boyfriend." Cragen stated. Fin picked up his coat and Olivia followed suit. John handed over the piece of paper with the bouncer's address on it. They were out the door first this time.
John and Elliot questioned the waitresses. Neither remembered Cynthia. Fin and Olivia had only slightly better luck with the boyfriend and the bouncer. The boyfriend was the first stop. He opened his door on the first knock.
"I'm Detective Benson, this is Detective Tutuola. We're from Special Victims Unit." Olivia and Fin flashed their badges. "We'd like to ask you a few questions about your girlfriend, Cynthia Peterson."
"Yes of course, come in. Is she in trouble? Did something happen to her?" Kite asked with concern.
"She was raped and beaten last night. She's at Metropolitan. She told us she was meeting you and that you didn't show, can you tell us where you were?" Fin asked.
"I was late. I had a meeting with clients that lasted until 10:30. It was supposed to be over at 9. That was on Staten Island. I came home to change because I was supposed to meet Cynthia at 11. I didn't get here until almost 11:30 and then I left at 11:45. I got to the pool hall at 12:15 or so. She wasn't there so I came home and I tried her apartment a few minutes ago and I was about to call her cell when you knocked on the door." Kite answered.
"Did anyone see you come in and leave your building?" Olivia asked.
"Yes, the doorman saw me come in and leave and then come back. His name is Jim."
"What about at the pool hall?" Olivia asked again.
"There wasn't anyone at the door when I went in, but one of the waitresses came up to me while I was looking for Cynthia. I told her I didn't want anything and I left."
"Did you see anyone at the door when you left?" Fin questioned.
"No I didn't."
"Ok, thank you for your time." Fin said and he and Olivia left. On the way out they questioned the doorman. He backed up Kite's times and movements. They headed to the bouncers apartment. When they got there, the bouncer didn't answer. Fin knocked again, and his neighbor came out.
"If you're looking for Ronnie, he's gone. He left this morning around 9." The little old lady said.
"Yes ma'am. We are. Do you know where he went?" Olivia asked.
"Yes. He left for work. He works down at the fish market. Ronnie is such a good boy. He helps me with me groceries and takes out my garbage. Is he in trouble? Are you the police?" The lady asked with concern and curiosity.
"Yes ma'am we're the police, but Ronnie isn't in trouble, we just want to ask him some questions." Olivia answered.
"Ok, Ronnie, he's a good boy. He wouldn't be in trouble." The lady nodded to herself and started back inside her apartment.
"Thank you." Olivia said quickly and the lady just waved a hand in their direction. "Well I guess we better head to the fish market." Fin just nodded and they followed her down the stairs. They arrived at the fish market about 15 minutes later. Fin and Olivia approached the nearest man.
"We're looking for Ronnie Atkins. Do you know where he is?" Fin asked. The man just pointed to the end of the pier where fish were being unloaded off the boat and onto a cart. "Thanks." The man nodded and went back to work. Fin and Olivia went down to the edge of the pier.
"Ronnie Atkins. We're from the New York Police Department. We need to talk to you." Fin called and pulled out his badge. Ronnie looked up and made a frantic attempt to get past the two detectives. Both Fin and Olivia reached out and grabbed his collar at the same time, slamming him to the dock. "Why you runnin'" Fin asked as he turned him over and cuffed him.
"Go to hell, pig!" was Ronnie's answer. They hauled him up and read him his rights, them marched him back to their car. Olivia and Fin drove back to the precinct. John and Elliot were already there. Ronnie was tossed in an interrogation room until the detectives were ready to question him.
Fin and Olivia questioned him for 3 hours and Ronnie finally broke down and admitted to raping Cynthia Peterson and beating her. He never asked for a lawyer. Fin walked him down to be processed and put into a cell. Alex came in not long after they brought Ronnie in. She congratulated the detectives before heading back to her office. John and Elliot sat at their desks doing paper work and writing up reports. Olivia and Fin followed suit and started their on reports. At six John and Elliot left followed by the Captain. Only Olivia and Fin were still there, engrossed in paper work they were trying to finish.
"Hey, Liv?" Fin called.
"Yeah, Fin." Olivia answered without looking up.
"You want to go out for a drink?" Fin asked innocently.
"Sure." Olivia filed the report she had just finished. "Let's go." They grabbed their coats and walked out. Fin took Olivia to a bar a few blocks away called 'Zula's'. They ordered beers and commandeered a booth by the window.
"So do you think it will be easy for Alex to prosecute Atkins?" Olivia asked, trying to make small talk.
"Yeah, I do. The evidence is stacked against him. He won't stand a chance." Fin answered, as he studied his beer. They didn't say anything else. Fin wanted to tell Olivia that he found her attractive and that he cared about her, but didn't know how. Olivia was having the same problem, so they sat in silence until they had finished their beers. Fin paid the tab and walked Olivia back to the precinct so she could pick up her car. He made sure she made it out onto the rode before getting into his own car.
"Tutuola, you are a Class A fool! You should have said something when you had the chance." Fin started the engine and pulled out into traffic.
John came into work the next day whistling. He was the second person there as usual, the Captain being the first. John tossed his coat over the back of his chair and wandered into the Captain's office.
"Morning Captain." John said as he stood leaning against the door frame.
"Morning, John." The Captain answered noncommittally.
"We have any cases today?"
"Not yet." The Captain looked up at John. "Want to try for the broom closet?"
"I can wait a little while on that one. Do you think we should bring Elliot in on our little plan?"
"We could. He is Olivia's partner."
"Yeah, he might get suspicious if Olivia went out to a case with Fin instead of him. You could tell him that Fin and I aren't getting along and that we need to be separated for a little while, too." John suggested.
"Whatever you decide John." The Captain answered as he looked past John into the squad room. "He's here now." John looked back and nodded to Elliot. Elliot wandered over.
"Hey Captain, John, do we have a case?" Elliot asked with a concerned look.
"No but we'd like to run something by you…" John answered. He and the Captain explained what they wanted to do.
"And you want me to be your partner for the next case, so you can throw Fin and Olivia together? You do know that if she gets hurt, I'm going to have to kick yours and Fin's collective asses, if Olivia doesn't do it for me?" Elliot looked pointedly at John.
"Elliot, you'll have to get in line behind that Captain, now are you going to help us?" John answered.
"Yeah, I'll help you out. Anything for a buddy." Eliot answered with a grin.
"So we're buddies now?" John asked as he and Elliot walked toward their desks.
"Sure, but I'm doing this for Olivia." Elliot smirked. John just rolled his eyes. Olivia and Fin came in a few minutes later. They both had smiles on their faces and Olivia was talking animatedly. They each stopped at their desks long enough to drop their coats and then headed to the coffee pot, without even noticing their partners. Their conversation never faltered. When they finally focused on work, Fin noticed the odd look on his partners face.
"What's up with you? Did you smoke all your stash and now your coming off your high?" Fin joked. John just looked at him over the top of his glasses, like Fin was a delinquent child. John turned back to his paperwork without even commenting. Fin was confused. John would normally make a smartass comment and their banter would start. It was all good-natured. Fin glanced over at Olivia and Elliot to see if they had noticed his partner's attitude. Elliot was focused on what he was doing. Olivia apparently had noticed because she just shrugged when Fin looked at her. Fin turned back toward his partner and with on last look in his direction, started on his own paper work. About half an hour later the Captain came out of his office with a case.
"Ok guys, we have a case out in Chelsea. A woman was found in an alley behind a pool hall, beaten and raped. She's at Metropolitan hospital. I want you and John to go to the scene." Cragen told Elliot. "Fin, you and Olivia go talk to the victim if you can." With that Cragen went back into his office. Fin and Olivia looked at each other with confusion. It was unusual that they worked together. Elliot and John were already out the door by the time Fin and Olivia put their coats on.
"Did anything seem suspicious to you when we got to work?" Fin asked when he and Olivia were in his car and on their way to the hospital.
"Weird? I don't what you could possibly mean. My partner and your partner just went to a crime scene together and we get to go question the victim. Now what would be suspicious about the Captain switching partners on us?" Olivia stated sarcastically. Fin laughed and Olivia smiled.
"Well there was that, but I was referring to the silent treatment we got from our lovely partners." Fin said.
"I know what you meant. That was kind of odd. Elliot always says good morning, at the very least." Olivia answered.
"Yeah, I at least get a quip about being late or something else. Today I got the over-the-top-of-the-glasses glare, John usually reserves for juvenile delinquents. It was odd." Olivia shrugged and got out of the car. Fin followed her into the hospital. They talked to the nurse on duty and found out which room the victim was in.
John and Elliot could barely contain their laughter as they got into their car and drove to Chelsea. Elliot was the first to speak.
"Did you see the confusion on their faces when the Captain told them they were partnered? I seriously thought Liv was going to question it. She had that wrinkled nose look like she was about to say something but decided against it." Elliot comment through his giggles.
"I know what you mean. I was sure that Fin was going to say something but he didn't. I think I made him suspicious when I didn't respond to his comment. I had to hold the folder up to keep from smiling." John responded with a grin. Elliot pulled up to the scene a few minutes later. They split up to question the guy who found the woman and the pool hall owner.
Olivia and Fin didn't get much out of the victim as she said she was attacked from behind. The only thing she remembered was that the perp was wearing after shave that smelled like Brut. Olivia and Fin headed back to the precinct. John and Elliot weren't far behind. Cragen came out of his office when Fin and Olivia came in.
"Did the victim see anything?" Cragen asked as he eyed the two detectives.
"Her name is Cynthia Peterson and no, she says she was attacked from behind. She said she left the pool hall at 12. She was supposed to meet her boyfriend, but he didn't show. His name is Adam Kite. She said that the perp wore after shave that smelled like Brut. We asked if her boyfriend wore that particular brand, and she said no. " Olivia answered as she sat at her desk.
"I didn't know they still made that stuff." The Captain commented with an odd look on his face. Just then John and Elliot came in. "What did you get out of the guy who found her?"
"Not much. He says he works for the owner. He was taking out the garbage and found her. The owner doesn't remember her from the night before, and neither did the kid. I asked if they had security cameras, but they don't. John got the name of the bouncer from the owner and the two waitresses that worked last night." Elliot answered.
"Ok, you guys take the waitresses and Fin and Olivia will go talk to the bouncer and the boyfriend." Cragen stated. Fin picked up his coat and Olivia followed suit. John handed over the piece of paper with the bouncer's address on it. They were out the door first this time.
John and Elliot questioned the waitresses. Neither remembered Cynthia. Fin and Olivia had only slightly better luck with the boyfriend and the bouncer. The boyfriend was the first stop. He opened his door on the first knock.
"I'm Detective Benson, this is Detective Tutuola. We're from Special Victims Unit." Olivia and Fin flashed their badges. "We'd like to ask you a few questions about your girlfriend, Cynthia Peterson."
"Yes of course, come in. Is she in trouble? Did something happen to her?" Kite asked with concern.
"She was raped and beaten last night. She's at Metropolitan. She told us she was meeting you and that you didn't show, can you tell us where you were?" Fin asked.
"I was late. I had a meeting with clients that lasted until 10:30. It was supposed to be over at 9. That was on Staten Island. I came home to change because I was supposed to meet Cynthia at 11. I didn't get here until almost 11:30 and then I left at 11:45. I got to the pool hall at 12:15 or so. She wasn't there so I came home and I tried her apartment a few minutes ago and I was about to call her cell when you knocked on the door." Kite answered.
"Did anyone see you come in and leave your building?" Olivia asked.
"Yes, the doorman saw me come in and leave and then come back. His name is Jim."
"What about at the pool hall?" Olivia asked again.
"There wasn't anyone at the door when I went in, but one of the waitresses came up to me while I was looking for Cynthia. I told her I didn't want anything and I left."
"Did you see anyone at the door when you left?" Fin questioned.
"No I didn't."
"Ok, thank you for your time." Fin said and he and Olivia left. On the way out they questioned the doorman. He backed up Kite's times and movements. They headed to the bouncers apartment. When they got there, the bouncer didn't answer. Fin knocked again, and his neighbor came out.
"If you're looking for Ronnie, he's gone. He left this morning around 9." The little old lady said.
"Yes ma'am. We are. Do you know where he went?" Olivia asked.
"Yes. He left for work. He works down at the fish market. Ronnie is such a good boy. He helps me with me groceries and takes out my garbage. Is he in trouble? Are you the police?" The lady asked with concern and curiosity.
"Yes ma'am we're the police, but Ronnie isn't in trouble, we just want to ask him some questions." Olivia answered.
"Ok, Ronnie, he's a good boy. He wouldn't be in trouble." The lady nodded to herself and started back inside her apartment.
"Thank you." Olivia said quickly and the lady just waved a hand in their direction. "Well I guess we better head to the fish market." Fin just nodded and they followed her down the stairs. They arrived at the fish market about 15 minutes later. Fin and Olivia approached the nearest man.
"We're looking for Ronnie Atkins. Do you know where he is?" Fin asked. The man just pointed to the end of the pier where fish were being unloaded off the boat and onto a cart. "Thanks." The man nodded and went back to work. Fin and Olivia went down to the edge of the pier.
"Ronnie Atkins. We're from the New York Police Department. We need to talk to you." Fin called and pulled out his badge. Ronnie looked up and made a frantic attempt to get past the two detectives. Both Fin and Olivia reached out and grabbed his collar at the same time, slamming him to the dock. "Why you runnin'" Fin asked as he turned him over and cuffed him.
"Go to hell, pig!" was Ronnie's answer. They hauled him up and read him his rights, them marched him back to their car. Olivia and Fin drove back to the precinct. John and Elliot were already there. Ronnie was tossed in an interrogation room until the detectives were ready to question him.
Fin and Olivia questioned him for 3 hours and Ronnie finally broke down and admitted to raping Cynthia Peterson and beating her. He never asked for a lawyer. Fin walked him down to be processed and put into a cell. Alex came in not long after they brought Ronnie in. She congratulated the detectives before heading back to her office. John and Elliot sat at their desks doing paper work and writing up reports. Olivia and Fin followed suit and started their on reports. At six John and Elliot left followed by the Captain. Only Olivia and Fin were still there, engrossed in paper work they were trying to finish.
"Hey, Liv?" Fin called.
"Yeah, Fin." Olivia answered without looking up.
"You want to go out for a drink?" Fin asked innocently.
"Sure." Olivia filed the report she had just finished. "Let's go." They grabbed their coats and walked out. Fin took Olivia to a bar a few blocks away called 'Zula's'. They ordered beers and commandeered a booth by the window.
"So do you think it will be easy for Alex to prosecute Atkins?" Olivia asked, trying to make small talk.
"Yeah, I do. The evidence is stacked against him. He won't stand a chance." Fin answered, as he studied his beer. They didn't say anything else. Fin wanted to tell Olivia that he found her attractive and that he cared about her, but didn't know how. Olivia was having the same problem, so they sat in silence until they had finished their beers. Fin paid the tab and walked Olivia back to the precinct so she could pick up her car. He made sure she made it out onto the rode before getting into his own car.
"Tutuola, you are a Class A fool! You should have said something when you had the chance." Fin started the engine and pulled out into traffic.