Chapter 14 ahead! I'd qualify this one as "intense" , enjooy!
Tuesday, November 26th. 3:00am. Amanda's apartment.
It was dark in Amanda Rollins' apartment. She was wide awake, unable to rest, still shaking from the phone call she just received. She didn't know what to do. The idea of calling Fin crossed her mind for a split second but she didn't go for it, not only because she didn't want to worry him, but the truth is, she didn't want Fin to see her frightened.
In her career, Amanda had to face a lot of perpetrators. Angry ones trying to attack her, or intimidate her, but they never scared her. Even though she was not as tall or as strong as they were, she always managed to put them down and show them who was in control. But it wasn't the case with Miller. Something about him, made her lose the glow of confidence she had in her. He managed to overpower her physically, but mostly mentally. Just thinking about him, made her go numb. She felt paralyzed, out of touch, Filled with doubts and confusion.
Amanda taking he courage between her hands, stood up from her bed and headed to the kitchen to get something to drink.
Few minutes later, hearing knocks on the door, Amanda froze. She stopped breathing, turning utterly pale. The most horrible idea crossed her mind.
"He's here..." Thought Amanda silently.
Gaining back her focus, Amanda rushed to her nightstand and grabbed her gun, then started approaching the door slowly while pointing her gun straight out, trying to keep her hands steady, in vain. Each step she was making, tightened her heart more and made her breathing fast.
Few inches away from the door, Amanda's heart dropped when she heard Fin's voice.
"Amanda... it's me! open up!" Yelled out Fin through the door.
Amanda putting down her gun in relief, opened the door.
"Wow... it's me... I saw the lights from your window! you alright girl?" Said Fin noticing the gun in Amanda's hands.
Amanda releasing a heavy sigh, managed to say with a shaky voice "...He... called me...".
"What? Miller called you? When?" Replied Fin extremely worried.
"... About an hour ago. He said he's coming for me... so when i heard the knocks on the door... i thought..." whispered Amanda, not able to hold her tears anymore.
"Hey easy easy" Said Fin while taking Amanda's gun away, then he got closer to her and held her in his arms.
"I... don't know what to do, Fin... I'm so scared..." Cried out Amanda.
"Just take it easy... i'm here for you... It's gonna be alright." Reassured Fin, then added "Look, take this gun, i'm gonna check the building up... Lock your door and don't open it until i come back. Okay?".
Amanda nodded while wiping her tears away, then took her gun back.
Fin left the apartment leaving Amanda all alone. She was highly anxious, holding her gun straight up to the door. Crazy thoughts were rushing in her mind. Her emotions were mixed up.
Ten minutes later, two knocks on the door made Amanda slightly jump.
"It's Fin." Asserted Fin.
Amanda relieved, opened the door to him, then asked "So?".
"It's clear. He was just trying to intimidate you, Amanda." Reassured her Fin while locking the door behind him, then walked her to the couch "Get a seat... let me get you something to drink.".
Amanda still holding the gun, headed to the couch and sat down.
Few minutes later, Fin bringing two cups of coffee, sat beside her while handing her one.
Amanda put the gun over the table, then took the cup and remained quiet.
Fin kept looking at her, noticing how frightened she was, then said trying to calm her down "Amanda, he can't reach you. I won't let him, you're safe... i promise.".
Amanda making eye contact with Fin, nodded, trying to show Fin that she trusted him, but she knew what Miller was capable of. And that he would get what he wanted no matter what.
"Don't tell Olivia about... the phone call... please." Requested Amanda.
Fin didn't reply.
...
Tuesday, November 26th. 12:00pm. The special victims unit squad room.
Everyone was gathered in the squad room, waiting for Olivia's instructions.
"Guys, please..." Ordered Olivia, asking for the detectives' attention, then added while pointing at a Picture on the board "Alright... Roney Nollan who goes by Jake Russel on the net, registered as a sex offender but never convicted. He was identified by Becky Anderson as being Samantha Robins' rapist. Becky hired him to get rid of Samantha. Detective Amaro got in contact with him yesterday night, pretending to be a forty five year old woman, asking for his services, to get rid of her cheating husband for a thousand dollars. I'm gonna present myself as her. You guys will be in position, waiting for my signal. The exchange will happen At two pm at a warehouse, in Long island. He might be armed, so we gotta be careful. Once the exchange is done, we hit.". Then added "Any questions?... okay. So we better move. Everyone in position.".
Olivia headed to Amanda's desk then said "A moment?".
Amanda followed Olivia in her office.
"Everything went well last night?" Olivia asked showing her concern.
"Did you talk to Fin?" Replied Amanda, thinking Fin told Liv about what happened the previous night.
"I'm asking you... Why you asking?" Replied Liv intrigued.
"No particular reason..." Said Amanda, then added after a minute "He called me at two am... Miller. It was not big of a deal, Fin searched the whole building, but it was clear.".
Olivia remained quiet for a minute, then said "What did he say?".
"The usual, you know, he tried intimidating me." Replied Amanda without getting into details.
Olivia could clearly see that Amanda was scared.
"Are you okay?" Asked Olivia concerned for her friend.
"I can handle it." Replied Amanda without breaking eye contact with her.
"Good." Said Olivia without conviction, then added in a reassuring tone "We'll find him, Amanda... We'll find him.".
...
Tuesday, November 26th. 2:00pm. Long island.
Olivia walking inside the warehouse, was anxious but remained calm.
Meanwhile, Fin, Nick and Amanda were all set. Fin was covering the back door, while Amanda and Nick covered the front door.
Roney Nollan was right on time waiting for her.
Olivia seeing Nollan ten yards ahead of her, approached him.
"Are you Jake Russel?" Liv asked.
"Depends... Do you have something for me?" Replied Nollan with his crooked voice.
Olivia reached slowly down her purse to show him the money. Once Nollan saw all the cash, he popped up a smile on his face.
"So... A pretty lady like you... wants to get rid of her husband! that's pretty naughty..." Said Nollan.
"Desperate times require desperate measures." Replied Olivia trying to sound as brief as possible.
"Ahhh... Pretty, naughty and smart! i'm starting to like you sweety..." Said Nollan while approaching Olivia.
"So you do it or what? i have the money, i achieved the half of the deal! it's up to you to achieve the rest!" Said Olivia while feeling that Nollan was hitting on her.
"Oh come on sweet heart... there's no rush!" Replied Nollan while rubbing his filthy hand on Liv's cheek.
Olivia tried to remain as calm as possible, but the thought of that pervert's hand on her face made her sick to her stomach.
"I have to be somewhere else..." Said Olivia trying to keep her face away from him.
"Shhh... honey... you're not going anywhere... we're gonna have fun, just you and i baby girl..." Cackled Nollan.
Olivia feeling the situation heating up, couldn't stop replaying Images of William Lewis in her mind.
When Roney Nollan started to get clingy, Olivia grabbed his hand, and sprained it violently. Nollan couldn't contain his pain and started screaming. Olivia knocked him down, forcing him on his knees. Amanda and Nick hearing all the conversation, rushed in shouting out "Police!".
Nick approached Nollan and proceeded to handcuff him, then Olivia got closer to Nollan's face and said with an intimidating tone "I told you i have somewhere else to be...", then whispered on his ear "Oh and it's sergeant Benson by the way.".
Amanda noticing how tense Liv was, said "You okay Liv? you're shaking!".
"I'm fine." Replied Olivia sharply while trying to hide her shaky hands.
...
Tuesday, November 26th. 4:00pm. The special victims unit's interrogating room.
Nick and Olivia in the interrogating room, were questioning Nollan to get a confession out him. While Amanda was following the interrogation behind the window.
"Roney Nollan... yeah i agree Jake Russel is much better " Said Olivia sarcastically, trying to break him.
Roney Nollan cracked up a fake smile but remained silent.
"So Roney, did you know that you're registered on the sex offenders list?" Asked Olivia.
"I never did anything." Replied Nollan starting to get anxious.
"Oh really? what about in that warehouse? Didn't you say you wanted to have fun?" Said Olivia while standing up slowly, then went behind him and approached his ear from the back, whispering "Huh? Just you and...i?".
Nollan started to get sweaty, then he said showing his anger "You turned me on! You asked for it!".
"What about Samantha Robins? Did she ask for it too?" Asked Olivia shouting.
"Who? i don't know who that is..." Replied Nollan trying to remain calm.
"Really? Well that's inconvenient! because you see... we found your DNA in her!" Lied Olivia trying to make him break.
Nollan burst out yelling "That's impossible! i used a condom!".
Olivia sitting on the table looked at Nick and smiled saying "Well that was easy!".
Roney Nollan noticing what he just said, blurted out "No! that's not what i meant!".
"Too late ..." Replied Nick while standing up.
Meanwhile Amanda behind the window, cracked up a smile and sighed.
Hearing foot steps behind her, she turned around, while turning off the speaker so she wasn't able to hear the conversation in the interrogating room anymore. She noticed Fin and said while leaning against the window "Did you see that fool, Liv totally cracked him up..." .
Nollan in the interrogating room, suddenly stood up outraged, yelling out "Liar!" while grabbing his chair and throwing it across the table trying to hit Olivia, but she anticipated his move and ducked on time before the chair could reach her, and the chair violently flew, hitting the window, breaking it in thousands of pieces.
Nick and Olivia rushing over Nollan, subdued him, but heard Fin screaming behind the window "Call a bus!".
Olivia hearing Fin calling for medical assistance, rushed behind the window and found Amanda lying down facing the floor, unconscious and bleeding out.
