Fandom: Victorious
Title: Point Of View
Chapter 24 The Hunt
Point of View: Amanda Rollins
Jan 1st 2023
Los Angeles Police Department
"Thank You, everyone, for coming in on such short notice, for those who don't know me. I am Captain Olivia Benson. Captain of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. I'm here as a courtesy to help Captain Jenson in helping to track down our suspect seventeen-year-old Sutton Valentine. He is wanted in the attempted murder of two teenagers and the murder of a third teenager."
As Olivia talks, I point to the board where the pictures are located, so each officer knows who they are looking for and who the victims are. They mustn't look at the victims as statistics. They must view them as people.
"I'm in charge of selecting the final officers helping the LAPD task force close in on the suspect. So, let me ask two questions since this case involves celebrities and Hollywood. Are there any officers in this room who are former actors that have grudges against Hollywood for failed careers?"
There are fifty-plus cops gathered in the conference room, at Olivia's question, about twenty steps back, scratching their heads, mumbling curse words. Sighing, Olivia poses her second question. "Are there any officers here who are obsessed with celebrities and the lifestyle of the rich and famous and think they are above the law, or have a problem with celebrities and how they are often treated like they are above the law?"
Another twenty or so step back. "Egotistical Maniacs! All of them, especially the reality show ones! They walk around like they have a stick up their asses!"
"Okay, thank you, officer Smithy. You are excused now." Jacqui dismisses the officer, who screams out. Turing to a shocked Olivia, we both tell her the same thing.
"Welcome to LA."
"Jesus Christ, we barely have a team left."
"We may be small, but we are the best of the best, Captain Benson. Lovely to meet you; I'm detective Angela Lopez."
The young woman is vibrant and eager to meet Olivia. Holding her hand out, Olivia shakes it. "Nice to meet you as well. How long have you been a detective?"
"Only a year, Captain, but I've been a police officer for nearly thirteen years, so I have plenty of experience and am eager to catch this kid. He has mental health issues. I am a firm believer in people getting the help they need. Too many people have failed this kid in his life."
"I agree with Detective Lopez, but let's keep in mind he has killed one teenager and attempted to kill two others, so as bad as you feel for this kid, keep in mind our job is to bring him in, not cuddle him."
"Can I have a quick introduction to the rest of you? Name and Rank. Starting with you, Officer Chen."
"HI, I'm Lucy Chen. Patrol Officer II."
"John Nolan, Patrol Officer III."
"Tim Bradford, Police Sergeant 1."
"Nyla Harper, Police Detective 1."
"Thank You, let me introduce you to my team. Detective Katriona Azar "Kat" Tamin, Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, and Detective Amanda Rollins. We have a location for our suspect. So, let's gear up and head out."
"Before we do that, though, I want all of you to look at the board, memorize the faces of each of these people on the board and remember that each person has family and friends who love them and who have been impacted by what Sutton is accused of and let's also keep in mind one of our victims Remi is also a suspect. Officer Chen, what can you tell me? What is Remi's crime?"
"Soliciting of rape of a minor."
"Wrong. Officer Nolan?"
"Reckless endangerment of a minor child."
"Also wrong, but closer."
"Detective Lopez, why are they both wrong?"
"Officer Chen is wrong because, in Remi's challenge, she never used the words rape or force. Her challenge was sick but not a criminal offense by the laws of rape. She asked her fans to prove they took Cat's virginity but never used the words take by force or rape. Reckless, yes, but she wasn't in charge of Cat's well-being. So, she can't be charged with endangering a child. Especially since she is a minor herself."
"What could Remi be charged with, Detective Lopez?"
"Two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation and two counts of third-degree exploitation. She could face ten years behind bars if convicted and forced to register as a sex offender."
"Correct. On some level. However, I do not know that Remi gets a free pass on rape. Hello, everyone. I am Alexandra Cabot. District Attorney for Beverly Hills Criminal Court."
"ALEX!" Olivia shouts in shock, grabbing her chest. I move to catch her as she stumbles back.
Adjusting her glasses, Alex smirks at Olivia. "Hey, Liv. Sorry for not giving you a heads-up. I don't usually prosecute anymore. When I heard about what happened, I asked to be assigned to this case. I just got clearance today."
Turning her attention back to the rest of the room, Alex continues her explanation.
"What Remi did was hateful and done out of spite. Not only am I charging her with issuing a social media challenge aimed at unlawful sexual contact I am adding a hate crime status since she used degrading remarks regarding a protected class, the LGBTQ community she interfered with, injured, intimidated, and oppressed Cat's exercise of rights established by the law or the Constitution of California and the Constitution of the United States of America."
"Remi aided and abetted a crime by telling people to seek out Cat and take her virginity. If it weren't for her challenge, these three Neanderthals would have never gone after Cat. Therefore she would have never been raped. So, I am going after Remi with every force in my power as DA. I'm pushing for the max and charging her as an adult. So could be facing years in prison. TikTok's community guidelines expressly prohibit videos "depicting, promoting, normalizing or glorifying dangerous acts that may lead to serious injury or death."
"She violated those guidelines as well, which is a felony offense. I'm also seeking to add her as a defendant in the murder of Chase Reagan and the attempted murders of Jade West. Had Cat never been raped? Sutton wouldn't have gone after Remi, and Jade and CJ wouldn't have been shot. Yes, Remi is a victim of Sutton, but in my theory, Sutton is also a victim. He saw his sister hurt and violated, which pushed his fragile mental status over the edge. Remi needs to be brought to justice."
My heart squeezes at Alex's proclamation she's charging my daughter with the murder of my son. Her brother. How did this happen? Why don't I feel anything at Alex's words? Shouldn't I feel scared or guilty, or angry?
Instead, I feel numb. My son is dead. My daughter orchestrated his murder, intentional or not; he's dead because of her. I should hate her or feel sick, but I feel nothing.