[Chapter 17 : Talking To The Bells]
For the second time today she was driving up to the Bell's house. No matter how many times she had delivered this kind of news to families it never got easier. Olivia felt sick to her stomach as she got out of the car and started to walk towards the front door. She hated the fact that in a few moments she was going to tell a ten year old that she would never see her best friend ever again. Olivia rung the doorbell and stepped back. In the two minutes that it took Mr. Bell to opened the door, Olivia went through such a range of emotions that she had taken to leaning against the wall just to keep herself upright. The turmoil she was feeling still showed slightly when Mr. Bell saw her face as he opened the door.
'No….' Jake Bell whispered.
'I am so sorry Mr. Bell. I thought I would come myself as I didn't want you to hear it from anyone else.' Olivia said as she stepped into the house.
'Thank you for coming. It might be easier coming from you.'
'I'm here to do whatever I can to help you all, Sir. Where is Sarah and you wife?'
'Um, they're in the lounge.' Jake said.
Olivia could see that Jake was unsure and overwhelmed at the prospect of given his daughter the sad news.
'Jake, why don't we step into the kitchen for a minute?'
Both Jake and Olivia walked into the kitchen. They were greeted by Daphine, the family liason officer who had been working with the family throughout the ordeal. As soon as Daphine saw Mr Bell and Olivia she knew why Olivia had come and she grabbed a chair for Mr. Bell. The three spent about five minutes in the kitchen discussing how they would break the news to Sarah. Finally it was decided that Mr Bell would tell Sarah and Olivia would be beside them to support and answer any questions that would arise.
It had been a few minutes since Jake Bell had told his daughter that her best friend had been murdered and the ten year old had not spoken or moved yet. He looked up with pleading eyes to Olivia as if to ask why his daughter had not yet showed any reaction. Olivia moved closer to Sarah and sat down next to her.
As she gently put her hand in Sarah's hand, she softly spoke to her. 'Sarah, honey, can you tell me what you are thinking?'
'Why?'
'We don't know yet.' All the adults in the room weren't sure which of the many questions that remained Sarah was thinking of but Olivia knew that at the moment she would be unable to answer most of Sarah's questions.
'Why did she die and not me?' Came a small voice.
'Sarah, we don't have all the answers for you yet. My friends and I are still trying to find the answers.'
Sarah looked up at Olivia with tears in her eyes. 'Will you find them?'
Olivia had to swallow hard before she answered. She slipped off the couch and knelt in front of Sarah so she could look the young girl in her eyes. 'Sarah, I promise you I will do my very best to get you all the answers you need. And until then I will have a copy of the case file in my desk.'
Sarah nodded and then leant forward to put her head on Olivia's shoulder and began to weep.
Twenty minutes later there was not a dry eye in the room. Even Olivia had shed a few tears. Sarah eventually excused herself and went up to her room. This gave the adults in the room a chance to talk. Olivia once again assured Sarah's parents that the team's work did not end here, but that they wanted to close this case and make sure that justice was served. After telling the Bells that she would be in touch in the days and weeks that would follow, Olivia gave them her business card so that they could contact her any time they wanted to and turned to leave.
At the door Mrs Bell slipped a card into Olivia's hand and gave her a hug.
************Olivia decided to drive to a park nearby and just sit there for a few minutes before she returned to the precinct. As she sat in her car watching the children play, she opened the envelope and read the card.
Detective Olivia Benson and team
Thank you so much for bringing our daughter back to us. This may have been just another case to you all but our kids are truly our world. You made sure our world could be whole again.
Detective Benson, the way you worked with Sarah, so tenderly and gently, was amazing. You are so good at what you do. We pray that every day you will become stronger and that you too will heal. Stay strong, detective.
All our gratitude and respect.
Jake, Marcelle, Steven and Sarah Bell
Olivia wiped away a tear that had made its way halfway down her cheek. After a few minutes of silently watching children play, the seasoned detective turned the key it's the ignition of her car and made her way back to work.