Just a quick note to say thanks for the reviews I have gotten. It's nice to know what you think. Much appreciated. And now I won't be afraid to post long chapters if I feel the need to :)
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When Fin got back to the station everyone was already there. No one looked very well rested though. Liv caught him as he came in and asked him how he was doing. He didn't know how to answer that and just gave her a smile. He knew she meant well. There had been no development over the night as Cragen had hoped. The only thing was that Amanda's old boyfriend from narcotics had called Liv on her voicemail and said that two of his coworkers had thought they recognized the man in the photo but couldn't name him. They would bring the photo out on the street with them though and ask around. He thought it must be someone they knew from the drug circuit. He just wanted to let her know in case it could help in any way and he would call back if they got anything. If this would turn out to be solid that meant the suspect probably originated from Atlanta and was associated with the drug circuit in one way or another. Didn't seem like someone Amanda would hang around but they all knew drugs could sneak up on the best.
Since Fin now knew that Amanda had a sister - Justine, born five years prior to Amanda - he decided to tell the rest of them that he thought that Amanda once mentioned that her sister was involved with either, or both, drugs and had mental issues. She could be a link to the drug lead or at least have some insight that would help them. Cragen didn't know whether or not the parents were bringing the sister but they would soon find out since the parents would be in for their interview after they had some time with their daughter at the hospital.
When they did a search on the sister they got a bit of history. She had some minor misdemeanors from the age 22 and up. Petty theft, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and reckless driving. She'd gotten off with probation mostly. Done some community service and one stint in rehab after the second public intoxication arrest. She no longer had a valid driver's license. Nothing for the last five years though. She was registered as a student at Columbus State University at the age of 18 but it didn't look as though she had graduated. After that she had many different addresses, mostly near and around Atlanta. Then four years ago she did a jump to Nashville, Kentucky and then to Knoxville but right now she had no known address. Her mail went to a PO Box in Atlanta. They decided to wait until the parents got there, hopefully with the sister in tow.
They were all starting to feel very frustrated that they didn't get anywhere. Even Nick had a hard time hiding it. Seeing how this was personal to them Cragen got he wouldn't get them to work other cases until they got Amanda's attacker. He'd managed to talk Munch into taking over some cases meanwhile though. They had some that just couldn't wait but Cragen knew they would be dealt with in Munch's hands. They had to wait until close to noon before Amanda's parents finally came in. Amanda's mother had been unwilling to leave her daughters side. Cragen had offered to get his detectives over to the hospital to interview them but she had told him he just had to wait. Her daughter needed her. He couldn't argue with that even though he felt as though it wasn't really true. Amanda needed her three days ago and then again one night ago. Now she needed peace and quiet and for them to catch this bastard.
Liv was the first one who spotted them as they entered the squad room. Of course she knew who they were expecting but she felt as though she would have recognized them anyway. Amanda was a spitting image of her mother Bonnie. Sure the mother was almost 30 years her age but she'd aged rather well. She had the same light skin tone, blonde hair, blue eyes, button nose and thin lips. The mother's eyes seemed to be further apart though and her pointy cheekbones slightly more visible. Her skin had lost some of the bounce and shimmer Amanda's still had. She was slimmed build just as Amanda and about the same height. She wore clothes that gave away her age, wore little make-up and had a haircut that didn't seem to need much effort. It could all just be the stressful time she was experience though. She held her purse close to her body and the way she held herself made her seem on edge. She kept her distance to Amanda's father.
He had the same manner. Seemed on edge and kept sweeping his eyes back and forth around the room. He had white clean-cut hair covered by a baseball cap. His jaw and upper lip dressed with well trimmed white straws. He looked kind for some reason but also wore sadness. Amanda didn't have a chance to grow tall, he was just an inch taller than the mother. He was medium sized with some weight around his waist. He wore leisure clothes. Seemed out of place for some reason. They both did and Liv hurried over to them. They were escorted by a uniform whom Liv recognized and she smiled at him as she saw him point to Liv and gestured for them to step inside. –Mr and mrs Rollins? Hi I'm Olivia Benson. She saw Jack Rollins remove his baseball cap in a polite manner. –Bonnie Rollins. Not mrs any longer. Amanda's mother said as she with some hesitation reached out and met Liv's extended hand. –Oh of course. Liv shook her hand with a smile. Bonnie's voice was nothing like Amanda's. It was higher pitched and more shrilling. Her southern accent prominent. And her handshake cold and loose. She seemed as a very reserved person.
Liv let her go and turned to Amanda's father. She took his extended hand. It was more solid and with some moist. His eyes kept stirring, had a hard time staying on Liv as they made their introductions. He said his name but she could barely hear him. She already knew his name was Jack though. He seemed very, very nervous. –I work with Amanda. I'm a detective too. I'm sorry to meet you under these circumstances. Liv smiled at them. She could hear someone coming up behind her and soon heard her captain's voice. –Mr & mrs Rollins. Hi I'm Captain Donald Cragen, we spoke on the phone. He extended his hand to the mother. Liv wondered if she would give him the same little speech. –Bonnie. Please call me Bonnie. She just said as she took Cragen's hand, again with some hesitation. She seemed as though she wanted to hold on to her purse more than shake anyone's hand. Cragen shook hands with Jack too. –You had as good as a visit you could with your daughter at the hospital? He asked and got two nods. -Please come inside. This way. He gestured to them and led the way through the squad room. –This is detective Nick Amaro. He said as they came up to the detective's desk. Nick was already standing and he shook hands with the two.
-You're going to sit down with Olivia and Nick. They have a few questions for you. And of course try and answer whatever questions you might have. Cragen told the parents and then continued the walk over to the interview room by his office. He stopped outside the door though and looked around. He was searching the room for Fin and found him lingering in the doorway to the break room. A coffee mug in his hand. He had tried to keep out of sight, felt for some reason scared to meet her parents. –Hey Fin. Cragen shouted and waved at him to come over. Fin came across the room. –Bonnie. Jack. This is detective Tutuola. Fin. He and Amanda are partners. It didn't go unnoticed by any of the detectives that the parents were surprised by their daughter's partner. They got a look on their faces that signaled something like fear. For a short while it looked like the mother's eyes would pop out. Jack Rollins tried to cover his surprise with a smile but didn't do so well. Although it was the first time he'd smiled so maybe that's what his smile looked like.
It wasn't the first time Liv had seen that reaction to Fin's appearance. It wasn't just the way he looked but the way he carried himself. He carried himself proud but for many people that was threatening. She wondered what approach he would take, she'd seen many different approaches during the years. She was happy to see though that he just backed off once he'd made his introductions. He knew this wasn't the time to make a statement. –Can we get you anything? Coffee? Tea? Are you hungry? Cragen showered them with suggestions but they both just shook their heads. –Just water please. My mouth is kind of dry. The mother said. –I'll get it. Nick said quickly and rushed off to the break room. Cragen lead them inside the room. –Please have a seat over there. He gestured to the two seats on the opposite side of the table that had a centre point of the room. This was of course because he was planning to look in on the interview from his office and preferred to see their faces during. The parent's went around the table and sat down. Bonnie put her purse in her knee and kept holding on to it for dear life.
Liv put the unmarked file, carrying only the photo of the unknown alley attacker, down on the table where she was planning to sit. She went to grab a piece of paper and a pen from the bookshelf by the door and when she came back she had a seat. –So I'm getting updates from the hospital every half hour as requested and if there's any change I promise I'll be in to let you know. Cragen told the parents. –Thank you very much. This won't take long though will it? I want to go back to her soon. Bonnie said with a deep concern both in her voice and on her face. She looked from Cragen to Olivia. –We'll try and keep it as short as possible but we really need your help. We don't have much to go on and we really, really want to get whoever did this to your daughter. Liv said and the mother nodded. –Yes of course. But I don't know how much help we will be. She said quietly. Liv gave her a smile. –Trust us. We do this for a living. Sometimes people don't know how valuable the information is that they are sitting on. She saw Bonnie give Jack a quick glance and wondered what that was about.
Nick came back in. He'd grabbed two bottles of water and two glasses. –Just in case you get thirsty too sir. He said and put a set down by Amanda's father. He twisted the cap of the other bottle and poured some water in the glass for the mother. –Thank you. She said and took a zip of water. Her hand was visibly shaking as she brought the glass up to her mouth. –I'll be next door then. Cragen said and closed the door behind him as he left. He went into his office and found Fin already by the window. –They seem overly jumpy. Cragen said as he came up by his side. –They are not fans of the big city. Amanda told me just the other day. Fin informed him without taking his eyes off them.
He was curious of them. Amanda's parents. He remembered her smile as they talked about them the other night. All she'd told him was that they didn't like the big city. They had no rap sheets what so ever either of them. Not even a ticket. Jack had been working for a plastic bottle manufacturer his entire adult life. Bonnie had been a dental hygienist, taken time off with her first child Justine and then been a stay at home mom until Amanda started preschool. Then she'd gone back working part time with the same dentist office as before. She was still with them. Bonnie and Jack were married two years prior to the birth of their first born. They divorced the same year Amanda went away to college. Fin wondered if they had only kept together for their kids. They seemed very alienated today.