Munch and Fin sat across from each other thumbing through several stacks of paperwork.
"Anything interesting over there?" Fin asked breaking the silence. Munch did not immediately respond and continued to read the paper he was holding. Fin waited patiently.
"Started on the force in eighty-four at twenty one, promotions all came at the right times, moved from foot patrol to sergeant then detective. He has a number of excessive force right ups, a couple of small suspensions. Seemingly the perfect cop." Munch said reading off the paper.
"When did he leave?" Fin asked.
"Three years ago. Resignation letter states emotional distress and the need for new surroundings. No forwarding address given." Munch answered.
"It all seems to perfect. Stryker was a good cop who caught a difficult case and cracked. Happens to a lot of guys." Fin said. The two sat in silence, deep in thought occasionally picking up a piece of paper in search of a fact or note.
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Meanwhile Olivia and Penn were exiting city hall making their way back to the squad.
"Talk about a spineless man. We barley said our names before he started spilling his guts." Penn said in disbelief.
"I am more shocked that some one so high up would risk everything like that. Not only the job, but your family and reputation to, I couldn't imagine." Olivia said.
"At least our case is finally starting to take shape. Now only if Fin and Munch can come up with something we will be rolling." Penn said happily reaching the car.
"Let's go find out." Olivia said.
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"We hear the clerk sang like a song bird." Fin said. Olivia and Penn had just entered the squad room to find Fin and Munch still seated at their desks.
"Ya. Spilled everything and more. We got his statement then let the feds have him. Much bigger case for them to deal with." Olivia responded. "Did you guys come up with anything?"
"We are waiting on conformation, but we are pretty sure Beck Stryker is a fake." Munch answered. The girls froze and looked to the guys with raised eyebrows.
"What led you there?" Olivia asked.
"We talked, well we tried, to talk to Stryker's supervisor only to learn he died last year, cancer. So we asked for the Chief. Chief Dale Lambert informed us he only took the post three months ago from out of state and had no idea who Stryker was." Munch explained.
"That's not really helpful." Penn said. Feeling disappointed at this lack of information she continued removing her coat and sat down behind her desk.
"We thought the same thing." Fin said.
"So we dug deeper and asked if a detective named Gains had ever worked there. Chief Lambert knew exactly who that was. He regaled us with several stories he had heard about the legendary detective "awesome" Gains. When we asked him for his personal file he was more then happy to send it. Said it will be here tomorrow." Munch finished.
"The plot thickens." Penn said with very little enthusiasm. Olivia finished taking off her coat shaking her head as she did.
"So let me lay this out. Deputy police commissioner Gains worked in Oregon, maybe grew up there, went on a killing spree then kidnapped three children, laid out a false trail by inventing a detective and case files then moved to New York, gets married and has another kid?" Fin rattled off.
"The question still to be answered is how did this supposed killer become deputy commissioner. Wouldn't something have come up during the back round checks?" Olivia asked. Everyone nodded in agreement. They sat in silence for several minutes pondering the question and any possible answers. Olivia suddenly sat up straight, a question popping into her mind.
"I think we need to talk to the kids. Specifically the little girl Mia." She said.
"Care to share why." Penn inquired.
"Kids will say anything. I think she may have answers." Olivia explained.
"And you trust what a five year old will tell you?" Fin said not troubling to hide the skepticism in his voice.
"I am just looking for a lead." Olivia said.
"And do you think the parents are going to let you any where near those kids?" Munch asked.
"That's why I am going for the little one. I feel like they would let me talk to her."
"And if they don't?" Munch asked. Olivia slammed the desk in frustration taking everyone by surprise.
"Why all the questions? We are digging up more questions than answers right now so I'm looking for answers. Isn't that our job?" she asked speaking to everyone in the room. Fin, Munch and Penn exchanged a look of uncertainty. When no one spoke Olivia stood up and gathered her coat and service pistol.
"I will let you know if I come up with anything." With one final snap of a desk drawer she turned and left the squad room. Once Olivia was out of sight Fin and Munch looked at each other and then to Penn.
"What's with the face? You look torn." Munch asked reading her expression.
"Should I have followed her?" Penn asked. "I mean I know I am her partner but she seems determined to do this one on her own."
"That's Olivia for you. Words of advice though, next time she feels ganged up on by us defending her will go a long way." Munch answered.
"Thanks for the tip." Penn said. Fin smiled slyly behind his file as Penn returned to her paperwork.
She continued to stare at the squad room doors for several minutes before picking up her cell phone and dialing a number. She waited patiently for an answer. When the phone stopped ringing a sweet young female voice answered identifying herself as Sara.
"Hey Sara is Zoe busy?" Penn asked.
"No. She is supposed to be catching up on charts in her office." Sara answered. "I'll check. Hang on."
"Thanks." Penn replied. The phone clicked and soft piano music started to play lulling her to sleep.
"What do you need?" Zoe's voice suddenly replaced the music jerking Penn awake.
"Wha…ah….need?" She stammered stupidly. "Sorry. Did you look into that thing we talked about?" She asked regaining her train of thought.
"Yeah. I found something super interesting with that." Zoe answered immediately perking up. Penn listened intently for several minutes, and then suddenly shock spread to every corner of her face.
"Wait he has a brother?!" She asked louder then intended. Munch and Fin looked her way surprised by this sudden outburst. Penn took no notice.
"Identical?! And the brother died when?" Munch and Fin waited with growing curiosity.
"Thanks Zoe." Penn set her phone down on the desk momentarily stunned by this information.
"What?" Fin asked unable to wait any longer.
"Big development! But first I have to find Olivia she may be walking into something." Penn said. She quickly got to her feet, returned her phone to her pocket and hurried out of the squad room. Fin and Munch watched her go sharing looks of confusion.
"What do you think that was about?" Fin asked.
"I don't know but we may want to fill in the captain." Munch answered. They both stood up and made their way to the captain's office. Cragen was seated at his desk thumbing through files. Munch knocked on the open door frame drawing Cragen's attention.
"You got a sec captain?" Munch asked.
"Sure. What's up?" Cragen asked putting down his files. Munch and Fin entered the office and sat down.
"Penn may have a lead and Olivia may be in trouble." Munch said.
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The next day Fin arrived in the squad room early hoping to find Olivia or Penn. He was anxious to hear if the two had found a new lead. To his disappointment the room was dark and empty. He turned on the lights, made coffee, than settled himself behind his desk. He checked his watch, seven am, one of them better be here soon he thought to himself.
He waited for nearly an hour with no sign of either Olivia or Penn. Losing patients Fin pulled out his cell phone and dialed Olivia's number. After several rings a voice mail message began to play. He waited for the message to finished then spoke.
"Hey Liv it's Fin. I was calling to see if you got to talk with Mia. Call me back." He hung up the phone and set it down on his desk.
Munch arrived a few minutes later with four coffees in hand. He stopped suddenly as soon as he caught sight of Fin.
"Did hell freeze over or is my watch slow?" Munch asked.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Fin asked. "I can't come in early once and awhile?" Munch cracked a smile.
"Sure you can I just thought I would have retired or died by then." They had a good laugh over this while drinking the coffee Munch brought. When Cragen arrived later that morning he wanted an update.
"We are waiting to hear what Benson and Penn came up with." Munch explained.
"Call them and find out what the hold up is." Cragen said.
"Captain I've called Benson a few times already, she didn't answer." Fin said.
"Try her again and tell her I want to hear from her. Share the same message with Rhoades." Cragen ordered. He turned and headed towards his office, pausing momentarily to collect the days mail before entering his office.
Munch and Fin turned to face each other.
"You call Benson. Maybe she is ducking me." Fin said. He picked up his cell phone again. "I'll call Rhoades."
"I bet you five bucks Benson answers." Munch said. Fin who had already dialed rolled his eyes and shook his head. Both phone calls were met with voicemail.
"I got nothing." Munch said. "What?" he asked for Fin was staring at Cragen's door stiff and ridged. Munch spun around. Cragen was standing in his office doorway with one hand over his mouth and the other clutching a piece of mail he had just opened.
"What is it cap?" Fin asked. Cragen hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to find words.
"Did you reach Olivia or Rhoades?" he managed to ask.
"No we had to leave a voice message." Munch answered.
"What do you have Captain?" Fin asked impatiently. Cragen walked over to the layout board and stuck a picture and a piece of paper to it. Munch and Fin left their desks for a better look. The paper had a typed message on it and the picture was of Olivia. As Fin and Munch read the letter stunned expressions grew more pronounced on their faces. They finished reading and immediately looked to Cragen.
"Captain this says…." Munch started.
"Olivia Benson has been kidnapped." Cragen said cutting him off. Cragen did not trouble to keep his voice down allowing the entire squad room to hear. Everyone froze. A startling silence filled the room.