Chapter Four:
When they arrived back at the station. Cragen declared it time to go home, and each respective member headed back to their homes, all thinking about the little boy and girl who had endured so much in the three years of life.
The following morning, a panicked phone call alerted the Captain that the mother had been spotted at the ACS Center, trying to get her children back. Munch and Fin were dispatched to sort out the mess, while Elliot and Olivia ran checks on the men from yesterday.
After a couple of hours, Munch and Fin returned, looking emotionally drained.
"What happened?" Elliot asked.
"God, that mother is a piece of work. Well we arrested her and she's in the tomes. She yelled that her children were her property and she needed them to make enough money."
"How are Bella and Josh?" Olivia asked, part-taking in the conversation.
Munch and Fin looked at her uneasily, not wanting to tell the truth. Finally Munch spoke, "They're fine." Although Olivia didn't believe the answer, she let it slide, fingering that she would be able to head to ACS after they finished for the day.
"What do we know about the men?" Cragen asked Elliot and Olivia.
"From the vague descriptions from the children, we've got 347 names. We could put them in photo's and get the kids to pick them out. Or…" Elliot paused.
"Or…" Olivia continued, "We could interview them ourselves or send someone in under cover."
"Let's get Munch and Fin to interview them. You and Elliot – I want you to find any open cases of child abuse where the suspects lived."
Olivia opened her mouth to object, but Cragen cut her off saying, "You either do as I say or you're off the case."
Olivia nodded, but didn't look happy about it. The rest of the day was filled with going through files for Elliot and Olivia. As for Munch and Fin, they were talking with unresponsive children. The only things the children would say were requests for Olivia, which Munch and Fin were under strict orders not to report to Olivia.
At eight in the evening, Munch and Fin packed up and headed home. Olivia and Elliot, continued to stay for a few more hours, before Elliot decided to call it a night. Leaving Olivia at the station by herself. She poured over the files for at least another two hours before getting up to go to the bathroom and get a cup of coffee. After her short break, she went back to viewing the files, desperately trying to find any cases that might help her help these two children, who had made their way into her heart.
For two days, Olivia did not sleep. She barely ate, and the entire squad was worried about her. She used to be obsessed with cases, but this was a little to extreme. Elliot and Olivia continually perused the cases while Munch and Fin kept trying to interact with the children.
On the third day, a hysterical call from ACS stirred Olivia out of her concentration.
"Benson," she answered.
"Is this Detective Olivia Benson?"
"Yes, who's calling?"
"Detective Benson, it's Mandy from ACS."
"What is it?" Olivia asked quickly, "Is something wrong with Bella or Josh?"
"I think you should come here. It's urgent."
"I'll be there in ten minutes." Olivia said before hanging up the phone and hastily putting her coat on and running out of the precinct calling, "I'll be back soon!"
"What was that about?" Munch asked Elliot, as they watched her run to her car.
Elliot shrugged his shoulders, and went back to work, though worried about Olivia.
Olivia arrived at ACS in record time, and saw Mandy standing outside. She rushed over to her.
"Thank God, you're here!" she said.
"What's wrong?"
"Bella and Josh haven't eaten in three days, they haven't drunk anything either. All they do is ask if "Livvie" or "Livia" is coming to visit them."
"Where are they?" Olivia asked urgently.
Mandy quickly led her to the room where the two children were. When they entered, the sight that met them broke Olivia's heart. The two children were weak, clinging to each other as much as possible, sitting in the far corner of the room.
"Bella, Josh." Olivia whispered. Both heads of the children shot up, and with a joyous cry, they ran to Olivia and flung themselves to her.
"I'll leave you alone." Mandy said with a smile.
"Wait," Olivia replied, "Can you bring some food for them?"
Mandy nodded and returned shortly with some fruit and bagels. The children eagerly ate the food, as they spoke with Olivia, who watched the little children with delight.