Amanda sighs as she pulls her hair up into a ponytail then sits down at her desk. She starts looking through the folders on her desk then scanning her computer screen. Fin walks in and sits down across from her.
"Seriously I'm too old for days like this…I think next time I see Carisi I'm gonna kick his ass for leaving us so short staffed" he complains.
Amanda can't help but laugh. How many times she's had that same thought she can't say but knows its been many and for a labyrinth of reasons. She looks back towards Liv's office and then to Fin.
"She said we would be getting some help soon" she offers up and Fin just nods
"Believe it when I see it" he says
Kat walks out of the office and towards them. She nods to Fin.
"Captain wants us to go question the cab driver for the Rodriguez case" she tells him.
He sighs and makes a show of standing up from his chair causing both Amanda and Kat to roll their eyes.
"and what are you gonna be doing?" he questions Amanda
"I think Liv and I are going to check out the Tattoo parlor for the Dennison case" she tells him holding up a folder. He just waves his hands at her and starts towards the elevator.
Liv walks out of her office staring at her phone, she stops at Amanda's desk. Amanda looks up at her and waits. After a few minutes she becomes impatient.
"Captain" she says trying to get her attention.
Liv looks up from her phone and takes off her glasses.
"Sorry just reading our newest member's background information" she tells her causing Amanda to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"Newest member?" She asks
"Well borrowed, he's only with us temporarily" she explains
Amanda nods "when does he start?" She asks
"Well, today actually. Apparently he is on his way here. I thought you could take him with you to the tattoo parlor" she tells her.
"Sure" she responds.
Amanda didn't have much time for introductions when Detective Morales arrived. They said hello and headed towards the elevator. She did learn he hasn't been a detective that long and wasn't too familiar with SVU. Which didn't surprise her since they don't receive too many experienced SVU detectives on loan.
"So I've been reading the case files. Are we thinking one of the tattoo artists are involved? Because I worked a case last year and there is some crazy things that go on after-hours in some of those places" Detective Morales tells her. He shifts in his seat and tugs at his seatbelt.
Amanda looks over at him then back to the road. She can tell he is eager, kind of reminds her of herself when she first started SVU.
"Honestly not sure, we just want to feel them out. See if they remember her?" She says
"Don't we have surveillance showing her going into the building?" he asks
"Yeah but they don't know that. Sometimes what they don't come forward with tells us a lot more then what they do tell us" she explains and he just nods.
Once they get there Amanda gently tells him to let her take the lead. He agrees and follows her into the tattoo parlor. Surprisingly the artists are really cooperative and even offer up their own surveillance video. Even Liv seems shocked to see them walking back through the elevators.
"Wow that was quick" she looks at them confused
Amanda nods "I know. They not only confessed to seeing her but gave us the surveillance video. Morales was just about to go see if we have anything" she says handing him the usb. He nods and walks towards the desk that Liv had given him before he left.
"doubt there is much there" Liv states
"Yeah, it was too easy" Amanda agrees
Amanda walks over to her desk and notices a coffee sitting there. She looks around then to Liv.
"Is he…"she starts
"Left about five minutes ago" Liv responds with a smile.
Amanda nods and takes a drink before walking over towards Morales to look over the video.
"got anything?" she asks and he just shakes his head.
"No, I mean she is obviously there but nothing that seems out of the ordinary" he answers
"Yeah I figured they wouldn't have offered it up if it did have something" she tells him before walking back towards her desk.
"You guys get coffee delivered at SVU, huh?" Morales teases
Amanda smiles then sits down and opens her laptop "something like that" she responds.
The frustration of the day had taken its toll on Amanda and she was thankful it was time to go home. Stepping off the elevator she hears her phone ding and smiles at the text.
"Quick drink before home?"
"Sure, I'll call the sitter" she replies back
She's exhausted and knows she should just go home and get some rest but it's been over a week and she would be lying if she said she didn't miss him.
He was easy to spot, sitting at the end of the bar still dressed in his three piece suit. She smiles as she walks up and notices he's already ordered her a beer.
"Hey" she says as she slides onto the stool and takes a sip of the beer.
"That didn't take long" he responds
"I was walking out of the elevator when you text" she explains and he nods taking another sip of his beer.
"How's the cases going?" He asks
She sighs "not sure about the one Fin and Kat are working but me and Morales have hit another dead end" she tells him
"Morales?" He asks shifting in his seat to better face her.
"New guy…well temporarily I guess" she tells him shrugging her shoulders.
"Where is he from? Has he been on the job long? Is he partnered with you?" Sonny questions in a rapid fashion causing Amanda to put her beer down and give him a questioning look.
"Easy there counselor" she laughs
He lets out a sigh and leans back grabbing his beer to take another drink.
"Sorry, habit of the job I guess" he tries to play it off like he wasn't about to have a meltdown.
She nods "Honestly I don't know much besides he's new to being a detective. He is eager, ready to go in head first but I think thats no different then any of us at the beginning" she smiles trying to ease the tension she sees in his posture.
"That can get ya hurt though if you don't keep it reeled in" he tries to sound nonchalant but she can tell he is now worried about her.
"It can but like I said he is just temporary" she tells him.
"You wanna another" he asks pointing towards her empty glass and she shakes her head no.
"Sadly I have an early morning and would like to see the girls before bedtime" she tells him and he nods in understanding.
As thy exit the bar he tells her to tell the girls hi from him. She nods and gives him a quick wave before walking back down the street to her car. She stops halfway and turns back towards him.
"Hey Carisi" she yells and is surprised to see him still standing there looking in her direction.
"Yeah" he yells back
"Thanks for the coffee today…and the beer" she smiles and he nods
"Anytime Rollins" he tells her before turning and walking the other way.