1Chapter Two
Special Victims Unit
8:43 a.m.
April 10th , 2005
Olivia sat at her desk doing paperwork.
"What's up with you?" a voice said.
Olivia looked up to see her partner, Elliot Stabler standing above her.
"What do you mean?" asked Olivia confused.
"Well," began Stabler as he sat himself on her desk, "you're smiling."
"And?" Olivia questioned.
"And you're doing paperwork at the same time," said Stabler.
Olivia grinned, "Very funny." She turned back to the mound of papers on her desk trying not to smile.
Stabler stood up and moved himself to the desk across from Olivia's, which was his desk. He sat himself in the chair and began doing paperwork of his own.
"But seriously Liv," said Stabler, "why are you so happy today?"
"No reason," she answered simply.
"You're horrible at lying," he teased.
"I'm not lying," she reassured.
"Liv, I've worked with you for how many years now?" he asked.
"Too many to count," she responded.
"Exactly," Stabler said, "I think by now I would know when you were lying and when you weren't and right now your lying."
Olivia just shook her head and continued on the paperwork, ignoring Elliot.
It wasn't long before Captain Donald Cragen came out of his office. His bald head shining more than ever. He was Olivia and Elliot's boss.
"We got something guys," he said as he entered.
Olivia looked up.
"Where's Munch and Fin?" asked the Captain.
"Right here," said a voice. John Munch, a senior detective for the Special Victims Unit walked in with Odafin Tutuola, another detective for the Special Victims Unit.
"A fourteen year old boy went missing in Central Park this morning," began Cragen as Munch and Tutuola gathered around. "He was with his older brother. His older brother walked off to meet his girlfriend and left his brother skateboarding. The brother says he specifically told his younger sibling to stay and not wonder off and that he'd be back soon."
"And let me guess," interrupted Stabler, "When the brother came back with his girlfriend he was gone."
"Good guess," said Cragen.
"Did anyone see the boy being snatched?"
"Supposedly no," answered Cragen. "The older boy asked around and nobody said they saw the younger brother being kidnaped."
"Well how do they know he was kidnaped?" asked Olivia, "Maybe the kid wondered off because he didn't want to stick around with his brother and his girlfriend."
"Well that would be my conclusion if he didn't find his skateboard," said Cragen. "About twelve feet away from where the older brother last saw his younger sibling, his skateboard was found with a note on the underside of it. The note's a ransom and quite a frightening one at that. Olivia and Elliot I want you two to head down to Central Park and investigate the crime scene. Munchie and Fin, go to the boy's house, I have his street address in my office. We need background information on this kid."
Central Park
8: 57 am
Olivia got out of the passenger side of Stabler's car wearing sunglasses, a long sleeved gray shirt and a simple pair of jeans. Stabler too wore sunglasses but he dressed more formal than her, wearing a suit. His tie blew with the wind as he stepped out of the car and shut his door.
A young cop approached them. Olivia and Stabler showed him their badges. "I'm Detective Benson," began Olivia, "This is Detective Stabler."
"Hello," greeted the cop quite hurriedly as they approached the crime scene. "We haven't found much of a clue as to who kidnaped this kid. Who ever did this crime must be some sort of expert."
The three ducked under the yellow crime scene tape that was surrounding the area where the kid was last seen and where his skateboard was. Some locals gathered around to watch. Olivia went straight to the skateboard which was just finished being photographed. Stabler decided to ask some further questions about the crime.
"Where's the older brother?" asked Stabler.
"He went back home," answered the cop.
"To tell his parents?" questioned Stabler again.
"Yes but the parents are in Aruba at the moment, according to the older brother, it's going to be hard to get contact with them."
"What a perfect time to leave New York," grunted Stabler.
Olivia continued to check over the skateboard as Stabler continued to ask more questions. The note attached to the skateboard read simply: "I want $50,000 dollars for the return of your son. If you agree to these terms, meet me at the Sunset Bakery on Liberty Road." It was a pretty blunt ransom note, nothing out of the ordinary. Olivia checked over the skateboard, with white gloves on her hands. She looked carefully for any evidence that could be important. None seemed to be seen. She took out a camera and shot several pictures of the skateboard and then carefully placed the camera back into her pocket. From the other pocket, she pulled out a very large plastic bag and placed the skateboard inside. She sealed the bag shut.
"We're taking this to the lab," said Olivia as she interrupted Stabler and the cop's conversation.
"Okay," said the cop who seemed a bit concerned and not quite sure if they were allowed to do that.
"Ready to go," she said turning to Elliot.
"Yeah," responded Stabler. They headed back to the car and drove off.
23 Maple Road
The Residence of the Callin Family
9:00 am
Munch approached the apartment building with Fin following him. Munch looked at the directory for the apartments that were in that building. "Callin", which was the kidnaped boy's last name, was listed beside 23G. Munch pressed the button that was next to the name and he and Fin waited for a response to come trough the speaker box next to the directory. But nothing came out.
Munch pressed the button a second time and they both waited. Nothing happened.
"Do you think they're home?" asked Fin.
"Well let's hope," said Munch.
"The doorbell could be broken," suggested Fin.
"Doubt it," said Munch. He tried a third time on the button and waited. Fin walked around the side of the building.
Right as Munch tried the bell a fourth time with much annoyance, Fin came around to the front of the building.
"There's a fire escape on the back of the building," said Fin.
"Well let's use it," said Munch as he followed Fin down a narrow alley to the back of the building.
"There's two apartments on each floor, so the Callins live on the fourth floor," said Fin as he walked up the fire escape with Munch following him.
They had just reached the fourth floor platform of the fire escape and Fin looked at Munch, not sure of which window to look in.
"There apartment should be on the left," said Munch. They moved cautiously over to the only window from that apartment. Munch looked in the window first and his eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he saw.
"Isn't that Steve Callin?" asked Fin, "The older brother?"
"It sure is," answered Munch "And it looks as though we've interrupted something."
Inside the apartment, from what Munch and Fin could see was Steve Callin, upon his bed in nothing but boxers. Under him was a long blonde haired girl wearing just her bra and panties. Steve was running his lips up and down her neck as she giggled.
"Don't you think it's rather weird to be getting it on with a girl while your younger brother is missing?" asked Fin.
"Just a little," Munch responded sarcastically.
Munch knocked on the window. Both Steve and the blonde haired girl jumped and turned to the window to see Munch and Fin staring and holding up their detective badges.
"And what time did you call your parents?" asked Munch as he stood in the Callin's kitchen apartment with Fin. The blonde girl had quickly thrown back on her jeans and short-sleeved pink shirt. Steve stared at the detectives bewildered for a bit before putting on a pair of jeans and a sleeveless shirt.
"I told you already," said Steve, "five minuets before you guys came."
"He did, I was here," said the blonde girl who sounded more like Barbie than a surreal human.
Munch turned to the girl and Fin tried not to laugh.
"Thank you for that comment," Munch said to the girl. He then turned back to Steve. "And what exactly did your parents say when you told them Davey was missing?"
"They told me not to worry and that they'd be home as soon as possible," replied Steve.
"Okay, but why exactly were you getting it on with your girl while your little brother could possibly be in life threatening danger?" questioned Fin
"Christy and I just wanted to..." Steve didn't finish his sentence.
Munch continued. "Do you have a recent picture of Davey?"
"Uh...yeah I think so," answered Steve as he stood up and walked over to a drawer in the kitchen. He rummaged through the draw and then pulled out a small school photo and handed it to Munch.
Davey Callin had the same blonde hair as his older brother, except his was much longer and grungier, with black streaks in it. He seemed somewhat bored in the picture.
"What were Davey interests?" asked Fin after looking at the picture.
"Well skateboarding," responded Steve. "All he ever did and talked about was skateboarding. Oh and punk rock music, god that music is so annoying."
"Really?" interrupted Munch, "I actually kind of like it."
Fin turned to Munch and stared at him in disbelief.
Munch noticed his stare. "What? I do."
"What school does your brother go to?" asked Fin.
"Why?" asked Steve.
"'Cause we need some more information," answered Fin, annoyed that Steve questioned him disrespectfully.
"Roosevelt High," he answered.
"Thanks," said Fin "We'll keep in contact with you. You two can continued with you're sexual games. C'mon Munch." Fin approached the door and walked out, Munch followed and shut the door behind him.
Special Victims Unit
9:17 am
"So when should forensics be done with the skateboard?" asked Stabler
"I'm not so sure," answered Olivia as she leaned against her desk with her arms crossed.
Stabler began to look over his left over paperwork with extreme boredom. Olivia decided to return to her desk and continue with her's. She had nothing much else to do.
It wasn't longer than five minuets before Cragen walked in.
"Munch and Fin are heading for Roosevelt High to ask around about the kid. You wouldn't believe what they saw at the apartment," Cragen said.
"Steve isn't dead is he?" asked Olivia.
"No he's quite alive," answered Cragen.
"What happened?" asked Stabler as he leaned back in his chair.
"Steve, the older brother was in his room making out with his girlfriend barely dressed," announced Cragen.
"Kind of a weird thing to do when your brother's kidnaped," said Stabler.
"I agree," said a voice.
The three turned to see Dr. George Huang. Dr. Huang was a forensic psychiatrist for the Special Victims Unit.
"So do you think the kid had something to do with the kidnaping?" asked Stabler.
"Well we checked the kid's background. All he seems to have is two warnings of passing the speed limit and one ticket," informed Cragen.
"Why would he kidnap his brother anyway?" asked Olivia.
"For money, that's what the ransom wants," answered Dr. Huang. "But I don't believe he did it."
"Well he was making out with his girlfriend while his brother's life is in jeopardy," reminded Stabler forcefully.
"Yes I know," said Dr. Huang, "But he could of done that to get all the stress off his mind. It sometimes helps people to be with the one they love when they are under so much stress."
"Good theory," said Olivia.
"Yeah, a good excuse too," commented Stabler.
"Benson and Stabler," said Cragen, "I want you guys to watch Steve, he hasn't seen you two yet."
Roosevelt High
9:38 am
"So how was Davey in school?" asked Munch.
"He was a decent student," answered the school's guidance counselor. "Mostly B's, sometimes A's and an occasionally C."
"Did he participate in any after school programs?"
"Not that I know of," she answered.
"Were there any problems with him, for instance, class interruption?" asked Fin.
"He had a good deal of detentions but nothing ever major," responded the counselor.
"For what?" asked Munch.
"Talking back to teacher's, one or two fights and that's about it."
"Well does his older brother Steven go to this school?"asked Munch.
"Yes, he's junior. Excellent student and amazing athlete. He's our star quarterback," the counselor complimented.
"Do you know anything about his romance life?" asked Fin.
"Excuse me?" asked the counselor.
"Did he have any girlfriends and such?"
"Well of course. When you're the star quarterback of the school you have a lot of girls after you but I think he was dating Christy McConnell."
"Alright thank you," said Munch.
They walked out of the school, passing through the halls feeling a bit awkward. There weren't many students in the building for it was the weekend and during the weekend there was classes for the little amount of students who are having difficulty in school. Also, there were some detentions being held. When the reached the parking lot they began talking.
"Sounds a lot like the little brother was standing in the shadow of this older brother," said Munch.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Fin.
"Davey kidnaped himself?" suggested Munch.
"Yeah, but we don't have any evidence."
"Not yet we don't," added Munch.
Special Victims Unit
9:50 am
"So what's the story guys?" asked Cragen as Munch and Fin entered his office.
"Well Davey's a decent student but not the kindest. Got a few detentions here and there," answered Fin.
"What about the brother?" questioned Cragen.
"Well," began Munch, "he's the star quarterback of high school and his grades seem to be much better than his younger brother."
"Munch and I have a theory," announced Fin.
"And what's that?" asked Cragen.
"Well we at first thought the older brother might have something to do with the kidnaping of his brother even if his brother was indeed kidnaped," started Munch. "Maybe Steve was trying to get rid of his brother or maybe he wants money but then we thought, well Steve is an excellent student and Davey well isn't the best student and quite possibly, he might be stuck in the shadow of his perfect brother."
"We think that just maybe, Davey ran away and is doing this for attention," added Fin.
"It seems some what reasonable," said Cragen. "But its not enough. We'll wait for forensic lab to be done with the skateboard."
"Well we know we'll find Davey's fingerprints on the skateboard so it isn't going to help our theory," said Munch.
"Well it all comes down to evidence," added Cragen
"Yes but extinct is very important too," Munch proposed.
"We'll how much do you support your theory?" asked Cragen.
"Quite a lot."
Outside the Callin Residence
10:03
"Do you think he'll ever leave his apartment?" asked Stabler as he read a newspaper.
"Well let's hope," answered Olivia.
"What do you want to do first?" asked Stabler. "Follow him or search his apartment?"
"Well we don't have a warrant," reminded Olivia.
"So we're following him?"
"Yes."
As Olivia stared at the building from across the street she realized the street looked a lot like Jake's street. Wasn't it not that long ago, she was sitting by him with butterflies in her stomach? She hoped he'd call. Just not when everyone was around. She liked to keep her personal life, well, personal.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Steve walked out of his apartment with Christy attached to his arm.
"Hey Elliot," interrupted Olivia.
Stabler looked up from his paper as he saw Steve get into his red Corvet and Christy get into the passenger seat.
"They both look pretty happy," commented Olivia.
"Yeah, well," said Stabler. "Look at his car. No wonder why they're happy."
Stabler started the engine of the car just as Steve did.
Steve drove off with quite some speed and Stabler followed.
"I wonder where they're off to," said Stabler.
Steve lead Olivia and Stabler to a donut shop. They were walking in just as Stabler and Olivia pulled into the parking lot. After Stabler turned off the engine Olivia stepped out of the car and shut the door. Stabler followed stepping out of his car and then shutting the door.
They walked in and stood behind Steve and Christy as they ordered food. Steve turned around and glimpsed at Olivia. Olivia gave him a small smile and he returned the gesture.
The two ordered a pair of donuts and each got some sort of drink. They sat down and Olivia and Stabler stepped up to order.
"Good morning, how may I help you?" asked the cashier.
"Yeah I would like a coffee," began Stabler, "with milk."
"And I'll have a coffee," said Olivia, "with milk as well."
"Ok, that'll be six eighty three," said the cashier.
Stabler handed her a ten and received change back. Not long after Stabler and Olivia were handed their coffees. The two walked and casually sat diagonal from Steve and his girlfriend.
They listened to their conversation.
"So want to head back home after?" asked Steve.
"Sure," answered Christy.
They sat in silence for a while and ate their food and sipped their drinks. Olivia sipped her coffee and casually looked out the window. Not too long after, Steve and Christy's conversation started up again.
"I think we should talk about this," said Christy.
"Talk about what?" asked Steve as he took a bite of his donut.
"You know, this situation with Davey," said Christy attempting to whisper but failing.
"Not here Christy," hushed Steve.
Christy sat back in her booth which was across from Steve's and sipped her drink.
"Let's go," said Steve. The two walked out, finishing their food and taking their drinks with them.
"Should we follow?" asked Stabler.
"I don't think so," answered Olivia. "We won't get anything, let's head back to the office."
Special Victims Unit
10:50
"Well forensics won't be back with the skateboard today," said Cragen. Olivia and Stabler explained to Cragen, Munch, and Fin about the brief conversation they overheard between Steve and Christy. It seemed a bit shady to all of them and they all began to believe that Steve might possibly have kidnaped his own brother and Christy might be in on it.
"So we're going to have to wait around and let this kid's life continue to be in danger?" asked Stabler rudely.
"Well there's nothing else we can do," said Olivia. "Plus we don't even know his life is in danger he might of run away himself."
"For what? Attention? I doubt the kid's doing that," added Stabler.
"Well it seems reasonable," said Munch.
"Yeah but it's also reasonable that Steve is behind this," Fin stated.
"But why would he kidnap his brother?" asked Cragen.
"For money of course," said Fin.
"There's too many possibilities," noted Olivia.
"We're going to have to check the apartment," said Stabler.
"Well we're going to have to get a warrant but that might take a while," said Cragen. "And we can't just go busting into the apartment because we have a feeling that Steve might of done it."
"Well we can't just let this kid be out in New York without any safety," said Stabler.
"Well there's nothing else we can do," said Cragen. "What do you guys think happened?"
"I think the kid ran away himself for attention," Munch said.
"What does Huang think of that?" asked Cragen.
"He thinks it's a good possibility, younger siblings run away all the time because of their older sibling getting the lime light."
"What about you Fin?" asked Cragen.
"I agree with Munch," announced Fin. "From what the counselor told us, Steve is the star of the school while his younger brother is the one who goes unnoticed. I'd even be a bit jealous if I was Davey."
"Stabler?" Cragen said turning to Elliot.
"I think the brother did it," Stabler said. "What do you think Cragen?"
"Well it is possible that some random person kidnaped the kid," suggested Cragen. "What do you think Liv?"
"I really don't know," said Olivia. "There's not enough evidence for me to decide.
"So I guess we wait. I'll try and get a warrant from Ms. Novak."
Olivia's Apartment
10:00 pm
Cragen was told that forensics would be done with the skateboard by tomorrow and Casey Novak, who was the ADA lawyer for the Special Victims Unit couldn't get a warrant until tomorrow. So Cragen sent everyone home and he said he'd call if anything came up.
Olivia entered her apartment and shut the door behind her. She went straight to her phone to see if she had any messages. She didn't. Jake didn't call.
She walked into the kitchen and took out a glass and poured milk into it and drank it. She walked around her apartment completely bored and waiting for Jake to call. She had checked her cell phone earlier but she didn't miss any calls.
She finished the cup of milk and put it in the sink. She then walked over to her couch and sat herself upon it. She took out her cell phone and called Jake's number.
It rang three times before he picked up and greeted her with a friendly "Hello".
"Hi, it's Olivia," Olivia greeted.
"Oh hey, what's up?" Jake asked.
"Nothing too much. How was your day?" she asked.
"Alright, how 'bout your's?"
"It was a bit overwhelming."
"Oh really? Why?"
Olivia told Jake about the Callin case and every detail. She had told him about her job previously. While she was out being a detective, he was safe in his dentist office.
"Sounds a lot like the boy ran away himself," said Jake.
"Yeah, some people think that at my office," said Olivia.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"I don't know. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have the results of the skateboard, see if we find any evidence and maybe we'll finally get this case cracked."
"Hopefully," Jake said. "Well listen, I got to go but I was wondering would you like to do dinner with me, say Monday?"
"I'll see if I can get the night off, I was lucky that I had Friday off in the first place," said Olivia. "But I can't make any promises."
"Alright well, talk to you tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
She hung up, took a warm shower, threw on her pajamas and went straight to bed, knowing she wouldn't get much sleep.