The next day continued to be cold and rainy. Munch, Fin, Olivia and Penn were gathered around a clear two-sided board with notes, pictures, and various other documents related to the case.
"Munch run through where we are." Cragen said.
"We have an eight year old boy with obvious signs of abuse and three young children we know nothing about. No births certificates to be found on any of them. The neighbor's nanny claimed the driver that picked up the boy was not the usual driver. The manager of Professional Car Service dropped off the Gains file giving us the two drivers names, Kevin Mannix was the normal driver and Cameron Ryder was the fill in, both were hired to drive Hanley to and from school with very specific instructions on how to do so. Photos taken at the hospital and photos from a newspaper article are with T.A.R.U for facial recognition to see if the kid is a match to the one involved in a murder kidnapping out of Oregon three years ago. Oregon state police and the FBI are sending what files they have on the case." Munch exhaled and drunk a sip of water.
"So not much? Just a potential lead to another states case." SVUs assigned assistant to the district attorney Casey Novak spoke from behind the group. "If we can some how link this case and the one from Oregon the brass will be in a big hurry to give you all commendations and promotions."
"We are focusing on the welfare of a child here Casey, not accolades." Olivia snapped.
"I know that Liv. It was meant as a lighthearted jab. Just trying to lighten the mood." Casey said changing her tone.
"Fin and Munch find the drivers and get what you can. Olivia and Penn make yourselves comfortable here." Cragen instructed.
"Why?" Penn asked. "I'm fine, I don't need special consideration." She got very defensive but realized her mistake at once. "Sorry captain. Reflex." Cragen glared at her for a moment before continuing.
"The files from Oregon just arrived. I want you two going through them. Casey why don't you join them."
"Sounds exciting." Casey said with a sarcastic grin. Fin and Munch left the squad room to find the drivers while Penn, Olivia and Casey settled in to the loft with eight boxes of case files and three very large coffee's.
After five hours of thumbing through files Cragen arrived and asked for progress report.
"Who ever did this was violent. Crime scene photos show a huge mess." Olivia answered throwing down the photos and rubbing her blood shot eyes.
"Hang on. I think I have something." Casey said. "These are the notes from one of the detectives on the case. He talks about a suspect, male, five foot eleven, white skin, brown hair, mustache and goatee, heavy build, looks like a cop. There is a note with a date and time on it and the word interview."
"What did the interview transcript give us?" Cragen asked.
"There is no transcript. Only a blank transcript page with the words "suspect no show. Warrant for arrest issued." There is a name in the suspect field, a Dominic Kane." Casey answered.
"I'll run him and see if anything pops." Cragen said.
"Captain you may want to run this detective as well. Beck Stryker with Northern Falls PD. The name is familiar from somewhere, I just can't remember from where." Penn added. Cragen took the papers then retreated back down to the squad room.
"Fin said the newspaper stated the case went cold and cops had exhausted all leads but these case files make it seem as if they just stopped looking." Olivia said.
"The last time a sighting was reported was in Oswego, Maine. Detective Stryker didn't even check out the report he just labeled it unreliable." Penn said. Olivia thumbed through several more folders with an expression of curiosity and confusion. Casey and Penn waited patiently for her to explain what she was looking for.
"You said Stryker never investigated the last sighting?" She asked.
"That's what the files say." Penn answered.
"Well it doesn't seem like he investigated any of the sightings. Everyone of them has a file but all it says is unreliable." Penn looked form Olivia to Casey then back to Olivia. All three shared a similar look of confusion.
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Fin and Munch joined the girls in the loft followed closely by Cragen.
"I ran the suspect Dominic Kane. No criminal record, no prints in the system, no birth certificate, not even a social security number issued for that name. I'm not sure he existed. Now the detective, Beck Stryker, exists. He's been a life long cop with the Northern Falls Police Department. Clean record, no demerits or complaints, promoted to captain three years before he suddenly resigned and disappeared. The last case he worked on, the murder kidnap. No current address or license on file." Cragen said.
"So your thinking this decorated cop murders these parents, steels the kids, leaves a false trail, and then ends up in New York as the deputy police commissioner?" Munch asked. "You know how I feel about conspiracy theories but that is far out there even for me."
"I don't think he became the deputy police commissioner. My bet is that Gains bought the kids from the kidnapper or he paid someone to kidnap them." Penn said.
"I think we are moving to fast. The original investigation is child abuse. We need to focus on that until we get some concrete evidence with the kidnapping. We need to interview the commissioner and his wife. Has anyone talked to the nannies?" Casey asked. Everyone looked around the room at each other. No one said anything but shared a similar thought; Casey was back peddling scared to move forward with a case against such a high-ranking officer.
"I agree." Cragen said. "Fin and Munch you go talk to the wife, but be nice and don't spook her."
"We asked the hospital to tell her it was a fight so she wouldn't suspect. We can keep to that story." Munch said.
"Good. Olivia and Penn your on the nannies. Track them all down and question them. I will go and interview Deputy Gains." Cragen seemed apprehensive about this assignment. Penn rose to her feet.
"Captain I would like to go with you." She said. Cragen was surprised by this request.
"Why would I bring you?" Cragen asked.
"I am simply curious. I won't say anything just observe. You may find having me there is enough." Penn said evasively. Everyone was intrigued by this statement.
"What about me?" Olivia asked. "Your jumping ship that fast." Penn looked to Olivia but did not respond. Cragen took his time thinking over Penn's request.
"Casey if you are not busy, go along with Olivia. Penn and I will meet you when we are finished. I don't think the interview will last very long." Casey agreed to go with Olivia and the squad dispersed.