Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: SVU. It belongs to a genius named Dick Wolf. No profit is being made from this story.
Everyone was standing still in utter horror until Fin suddenly slammed his hand against the nearest locker, making them jump.
"Goddammit!" he yelled. He was shaking with rage. "What the hell is this guy waiting for? What does he want from us?"
He stalked over to the window. "Are you still here, mother fucker?" he screamed out. "What are you waiting for, huh?"
"Detective Tutuola!" the captain snapped angrily.
The officers were watching in shock. Fin was very easygoing, despite his rugged appearance, and no one had ever seen him snap like that.
He blew out an angry breath and pushed past his partner and the captain. The other officers quickly got out of the way as he pounded down the stairs and out the squad room doors.
The captain looked at the other two. Olivia was almost catatonic, and Munch was teary-eyed. Cragen sighed and shut his eyes, shaking his head in defeat. His team was coming apart at the seams.
The man's eyes shone in delight as he finished the final game piece- typing up Elliot's obituary. He printed it out and stuck it in a glossy page protector, adding it the full book. A warm feeling spread through him as he paged through it, remembering each of his previous players. Setting the book aside, he picked up his flashlight. It was time to prepare his prize.
A phone ringing downstairs brought everyone back to attention as they were reminded of what they were doing. Officers scurried down towards the bull pen, leaving Olivia, Munch, and the captain. Olivia sniffled and turned her head away from her colleagues. Munch cleared his throat. "I'm going to go find my partner," he said softly.
The captain glanced at him as he brushed past him. He looked steadfastly at Olivia for a moment before turning and following, softly closing the door behind him. She slammed the locker door shut as hard as she could and collapsed to the floor in tears.
Olivia rejoined the others ten minutes later. Munch and Fin entered the room shortly after, and no one spoke to each other as they began answering the outpouring of phone calls from local precincts.
When Elliot heard the time and temperature from the radio above him, he started crying in bitter defeat. He had been held captive for an entire week, and now his squad was leaving him to die. He hung his head. It was his own fault. He had been a royal pain in the ass ever since he and Kathy had separated. Olivia was tired of putting up with it.
He suddenly wished that he could tell her how sorry he was and how much he loved her. She was the best friend he had ever had in his entire life, and had a special place in his heart. Why didn't I ever tell her? he thought. Seven years of being partners and I never once told her just how much she means to me. He prayed that she wouldn't grieve for his death. He didn't deserve it.
Olivia's mind was wandering as she automatically answered call after call. She and Elliot were so close that it was like they were one person. He knew every intimate detail about her…they were practically married, their bond was so tight. She realized that in all the time she had worked with him, she had never once told him how special he was to her.
He was her breath of fresh air, her reason for going to work each morning. His beautiful smile and breathtaking handsomeness had captivated her when they had first met. She was smitten with him in the beginning, but it soon developed into a deeper feeling. Elliot had become her best friend, her other half, and she took for granted the love she felt bursting inside for him when they were together.
Why didn't I ever tell him? she thought. Seven years of being partners and I never once told him just how much he means to me. It hurt to think that she might never get the chance.
The team answered countless anonymous calls from concerned citizens, each one claiming they knew about their guy. Cragen had warned them not to get their hopes up; they had no way of proving what was really credible. He had simply advised them to go with their gut instincts and hope for the best.
"Uh-huh….um, no sir. We are not offering a reward," Munch said into his phone, trying to reign in his temper. He couldn't count the number of calls they had received from moochers seeking a cash reward.
"You say you've seen the detective?" Cragen spoke into another phone. "Could you describe him to me, ma'am?"
He paused and scrunched his face in anger. "I'm sorry," he said shortly. "None of my detectives hold up grocery stores. Goodbye." He slammed the phone down.
"No, our perp does not work in a meat factory," Fin snapped in annoyance into a receiver. "That's very funny, you asshole."
"Thank you, sir," Olivia said tiredly, tuning out the insistent ranting of one overly eager man. "We…yes, sir, we'll be looking into it. Thank you." She hung up the phone with a sigh.
As the officers were crowded around the phones, a man walked nervously into the squad room. He was white, average height, and wore glasses. He stood to the side, chewing his lip, and was unnoticed for several minutes. An officer heading back from the restroom caught sight of him.
"Can I help you, sir?" he asked.
The man jumped, visibly apprehensive. "Um, yes," he stammered. "Yes…Is this were I can report about the missing detective?"
"Yes, it is," the man said warily. "What is your name, sir?"
"My name is Andrew Hopkins," he replied. "Um…I work for Fed-Ex. An officer was at my store a few days ago…my employees told me he worked here."
The officer looked at him in scrutiny for a minute, before turning to the side.
"Fin!" he called.
Fin looked up and he waved him over. "This is Detective Tutuola," the officer said to the man. "Fin, this man works for Fed-Ex…he says he has information."
Fin looked hopeful. "Thanks," he said, dismissing the officer, and turned to the man. "Would you like to sit down?"
The man shook his head quickly. "No, no," he said. "My-my name is Andrew Hopkins. Um….I think I know the man you are looking for. He used to work for me."
"Ok," Fin said, trying to remain objective. "What can you tell me?"
"He didn't report to work when he was scheduled, and hasn't been seen by any of my employees for a week," he said. "I received a letter in the mail yesterday informing me that he is quitting…..but he still has one of my trucks."
The man sensed that the detective in front of him was getting ready to tell him to get lost, and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "I've heard from the police that this guy leaves notes when he kidnaps his victims written in red ink," he said. He held out the paper to Fin. "This is the letter of resignation he sent to me."
When Fin looked at it, he felt the blood rush from his face. It was written in the exact handwriting and format as the note they had found in Elliot's truck.
"Holy mother of God," he breathed. He turned around and yelled loudly, "Captain! I think you need to see this!"
Cragen came over quickly, alerted by his tone. Olivia followed.
His eyes widened when he saw the note, and turned to face Hopkins.
He spoke before Cragen could say anything. "Don't waste time that your detective needs, Captain," he said quickly. "I know where this man is."