Revamped work centered around Grace Muncy.
Grace could feel her heart racing as she paced outside of the Captain's office. Her hands were sweaty and her face felt numb. Even her throat felt tight. She thought about telling Olivia that there was nothing on the recording. Then she thought better of it in case the Captain had already listened to it.
Maybe she's testing you...
She swallowed hard as she raised her hand to knock. She gave a light rap before turning the knob. Olivia looked up at her.
"Muncy, I thought you went home."
Grace shook her head as she walked in. She had the thumb drive in her hand and held it out. Now Olivia knew the reason for the look of discontent on her face.
"So what do you think about your buddy Velasco's murder confession?" she asked.
"He would have said anything to get that banger to flip," Grace spoke, trying to be more confident than she felt.
Olivia stayed seated, "He's either a really good liar, ..."
"A great one." Grace finished.
Looking down Olivia nodded, "Well, either way, one of my detectives may have just confessed to a murder. So I need to get to the bottom of it."
"How are we going to do that?" Grace asked her, wanting the answer just as much as her boss.
"Well, not we. Me." Olivia spoke softly looking at her. She was worried about Muncy, especially with Duarte's murder. She'd looked out more than once to see her staring off into space. Standing up, she walked over to her, "I want you to take a few days off. And if he calls you, don't pick up.
Grace gave a slight nod, "Copy that, Captain." she told her before going to leave. She didn't know why, maybe it was just all the stress from the last few weeks, but she felt tears stinging her eyes.
"And Muncy," Olivia called after her.
Grace stopped and turned around. She held her breath, waiting for whatever was about to be said. The tone the Captain used had her slightly nervous.
"If you breathe a word of this to Velasco or anyone for that matter, I will have you working the foot post at the southeast corner of 42nd and fifth, on the midnight tour. We clear." Olivia spoke.
"Yes ma'am," Grace told her quietly.
"Okay." Olivia nodded as she watched her leave and go to her desk. Grace had her hands on her chair as if steadying herself and let out a deep breath.
A pensive look was on Olivia's face and she grabbed her keys, "Let's go." she said to Muncy as she walked through the bullpen.
"What's the call?" Grace asked as she matched her step heading for the elevator.
"Whiskey. Noah's at his brothers for a sleepover." Olivia told her as she smiled, "and I'm buying." she added.
Grace looked at her a little surprised and Olivia felt guilty. She knew all of her detectives so much more than Muncy and felt like she hadn't made enough effort.
"You don't have to do this," Grace said quietly as they walked to the parking garage.
Olivia looked at her, confused, "Do what?" she asked.
"Feel sorry for me," Grace said looking down at the concrete, moving her feet nervously. When she looked up tears were threatening to spill over, "I'm not going to be as good as Amanda. But I'm not here to fill her shoes. I came here to help people because I thought I would be good at it, but I- I can't even- Duarte-" her breathing was rapid.
"Hey, hey, hey, take a breath for me, Grace." Olivia said backing the detective up again her SUV to steady her, "Take a deep breath."
Grace shook her head, "It's m-my fault. I didnt- I didn't meet him. If I" she was gasping for her air.
Olivia shook her head trying to piece it together.
"I didn't m-meet him. He would still b-b-be alive." Grace sobbed.
Now it all made sense. Why Grace had been even more standoffish and in her own world than usual. She blamed herself for Duarte's death.
"Grace," Olivia whispered as she wrapped her arms around her and the woman broke down, "It's okay. It wasn't your fault" she whispered.
How could she have been so blind? Olivia remembered the sympathy she gave Velasco when the lifeguard victim drowned, yet she hadn't given Grace the consideration that she was hurting too.
"Come on," Olivia said opening up the passenger side door. Forget drinks. Olivia was taking her home. Grace climbed into the seat without protest and fastened her seat belt.
"Okay, where do you live?" Olivia asked, "And do you have booze at home?" she tried to make it seem light-hearted.
"23 Moon River in Douglaston. And I have all the booze." Grace said quietly with a grin as she stared out the window.
Olivia watched as she put a hand to her head again, "Migraine?" she questioned.
Grace just nodded, her eyes closed now. Olivia turned the radio off as rain pelted around the vehicle. It was a quiet ride filled with small talk here and there. Olivia pulled into the driveway in less than a half hour and couldn't believe where her Detective lived. It looked like it belonged in a magazine.
She looked over as Grace pulled out her phone and pressed a few buttons making the garage door open.
"Mind if I stay for a bit?" Olivia asked after parking.
Grace shook her head, "No. There's something you should know." she said quietly as they climbed out of the vehicle.
They walked through a breezeway that connected the garage and house.
"What's that?" Olivia asked, curiously as she handed Grace her jacket and kicked off her shoes.
Grace didn't have to answer her though because it came walking down the hallway toward them.
A teen girl who looked just like Grace...