Sunday
The latest sighting of Eric was in Brooklyn around 3 pm on Saturday which left them with four sightings these past two days. Sure the sources of all these sightings were drug addicts but the tips were still thought of as reliable. Why the weasel hadn't left the city yet was beyond the detectives' comprehension but it suited them fine to be able to themselves arrest him. Only fear was that he would try and come after Amanda again and they had put more detail on her during the night. Amanda's sister Justine was arriving later that day. They estimated it would take them 6 to 7 hours to drive depending on the speed they held. Liv got a text from the counselor that they left as early as planned though.
Back at the hospital Amanda was making slow but steady progress. Cragen got the word that she'd been able to talk, which of course Liv and Fin already knew, and they planned to talk to her a little later. Apparently they were running tests and scans on her this morning so the doctor had asked them to hold on just a little bit longer to make sure they didn't set her back in her recovery process. To pass time they all hit the streets to look for Eric. The narcotics unit was pushing a bust in Brooklyn forward this morning just in case they would get a lead on Eric and they detectives tagged along. As the narcotics unit rounded up their arrestees Fin, Liv and Nick went around with photos of Eric and asked if they'd seen him. Nick ran into a guy that had seen him buying drugs yesterday. He got the address and he and Fin drove by while Liv went back to the station.
They had a hard time first waking the pusher up and then to convince him that he wouldn't be in trouble if he just told them everything he knew about Eric. They got the name of the guy that had brought Eric to the pusher's door and with that they left him alone. They tried to locate the next guy but with no luck. They added his name to Eric's arrest warrant as a person of interest. Meanwhile Cragen got a go ahead from the hospital that they could talk to Amanda so Liv took her car and then passed Nick's so Fin could jump cars. She drove them to the hospital while Nick drove back to the station to wait for Amanda's sister to arrive. The counselor had expressed some concern over driving in the big city so Nick was on call to help her out if needed.
When they entered her hospital room they found Amanda sitting up in bed. Her mom was just stroking away her bangs from her face but it fell back down again. Gone were the white gas around her head, the oxygen line and the heart monitor. She was obviously doing great progress. Liv and Fin had run into the doctor outside and been told her memory still wasn't up to date and she was still weak so they needed to handle her with care even though she might act as she was doing well.
"You lost your fancy headpiece," Fin smiled as he walked up to her and planted his lips on her forehead. She smiled shyly and as he rose back up she showed him the back of her head. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail but he could see the plaster coming through her hair.
"You make it work," he smiled and let Liv pass so she could give Amanda a careful hug.
"You look so much better. How do you feel?" she smiled and got a slight shrug of the shoulders as an answer from Amanda.
"The doctor says she still needs peace and quiet," Bonnie interrupted from the same chair they'd caught her in last night. And again Jack was seated in the corner not saying anything.
"We know. We ran into the doctor outside," Liv informed both Bonnie and Amanda. "But he has cleared you to answer some questions and we could really need your help Amanda. Are you up for it?" Liv asked. Bonnie started to object but Amanda nodded.
"Are you sure sweetheart? It won't be too much for you? Oh I wish you'd cut your bangs," Bonnie said as she'd turned to her daughter and again stroked her hair away from her face. Fin cringed a little. He really didn't like her mother.
"I'm fine mom," Amanda said with a low, hoarse voice.
"We'll handle her with care Bonnie. Don't you worry," Liv smiled at the anxious mother. Jack had already risen to leave the room but Bonnie took her time. Once she'd finally left Liv went around to take her chair while Fin sat down on the foot of the bed. Reverse seats from last night.
They had both just been so relieved she was sitting up and breathing on her own it didn't dawn until they sat down and got a closer look at her what she really had gone through just days ago. The hospital gown didn't cover the bruises on her throat and neck. They could clearly see where Eric had put his hand. The gown went down over her upper arms but they saw the bruises further down and on her wrists even though she had her hands somewhat entwined into the cover. She was still getting nutrition and antibiotics through an IV. She had a glass of water with a straw and a, what looked to be untouched, bowl of some soup on her bed stand.
"You just let us know if it gets too much for you okay?" Liv smiled as she picked up her notepad and she got a nod from Amanda.
"Have your parents told you what they said in the interview we had with them?" Liv started with and was somewhat surprised when Amanda shook her head. "Nothing?" Another headshake. Liv couldn't read Amanda's face. "Okay then. We showed them the photo that we had from the footage in the alley and they identified him as Eric Salinger. Is that right? Is Eric the one that attacked you?" Liv got a nod as an answer. "And he was the one that attacked you in your apartment as well?" Amanda had held her eyes on Liv through her bangs but they fluttered up to Fin for a second before she answered with a nod. "When did he first contact you?" Amanda cleared her throat as she got ready to talk.
"He came by the station this past Tuesday," she said as best she could. Her voice was really hoarse. Her eyes fluttered by Fin again. "We were out so he left a note with the desk sergeant. He wanted me to meet him in this bar." Amanda gave them the name and address of the bar.
"That's close to your apartment. Did he know where you live?"
"I didn't think so but I'm not sure."
"So you went there?" Amanda nodded. "What happen?" Liv saw Amanda try and clear her throat again and asked if she needed some water. Amanda nodded and Liv handed her the glass.
"Thanks," Amanda said as Liv helped her put the glass back on the bed stand. "He wanted to contact Justine. That's what he always wants."
"When was the last time you saw him before that?" Amanda seemed to hesitate but then she said
"Two months before I left for New York. Justine had been in treatment for a couple of months then."
"Okay. I take it you never told him?" Amanda shook her head. Liv continued to ask what happen in the bar and then how they ended up by the alley.
"What did you think would happen once he dragged you into the alley?" Liv asked but Amanda shrugged her shoulders. "What happen in the alley?"
"He knocked me out rather quickly. I don't remember much." Liv wasn't sure she believed her, Fin was sure she wasn't being completely honest.
"And what happen Thursday night?" Liv decided to just move on.
"I went by the bar again."
"The same one?" Amanda nodded. "Okay, go on."
"I thought I could scare him off. Get him to leave the city, go back home."
"But that didn't work," Liv said and it wasn't so much a question since they all knew it didn't end at the bar.
"He might have followed me as I drove home. I don't know. I wasn't being careful enough so he might have. And then he was at my door."
"What did he want?"
"Wanted to know where Justine was and then he wanted money so he could go back home."
"Did you give it to him?" Amanda nodded.
"I kept the chains on the door but then he kicked the door in. I don't remember what happen after that."
"Nothing?" Amanda shook her head at Liv's question.
She wasn't being completely honest. Sure her memory was still sketchy of what took place that night but she had started to remember more and more during the day. The doctor had told her that could happen. She tried to push it all back though. There was no way she would tell Liv, and especially Fin, what happen to her that night. Liv pulled out a photo and carefully placed it on Amanda's lap.
"This is the latest photo of him we could find. Is it accurate?" Amanda picked it up and held it closer to her face. Fin watched her as she studied his photo. It pained him to see his partner having to go through this.
"He usually wears his hair up. His eyes are more withdrawn now, and so are his cheeks. Think a really heavy addict. And he has a scar underneath his right eye." Amanda brought her hand up to her own face and showed them where his scar was located.
"That's good," Liv took notes. "And at the bar, did you see him talk to anyone?"
"Not Tuesday but on Thursday he sat at the bar and he was talking to the bartender when I arrived."
"What did the bartender look like?"
"He was maybe 5'9, a bit heavy built. Like muscular. His hair was auburn, short cut. He had an earring. He wore a washed out Stones tee. A tattoo on his upper left arm. Some tribal sign. Just a pattern."
"Good. And were they talking as they were friends or just like a bartender talking up a customer?"
"More than just a customer but I could be wrong."
"It's worth checking up on," Liv said and smiled at her.
"Do you know if he has any friends or contacts here in New York?" Amanda shook her head.
"I never expected him to show up here."
"We're going to make sure he never bothers you again Amanda."
Liv tried again to ask about Thursday night and if Eric had said anything that could be useful to them locating him. But Amanda insisted she had no memory from the time he knocked her door in. A nurse suddenly entered. Since she had entered with some speed she wasn't able to stop until she'd taken a few steps into the room. She realized she'd walked in on something.
"Oh sorry. It's just… Amanda you need to..," the nurse stumbled at her words. Amanda knew what it was all about though. They had removed her catheter about an hour earlier and apparently it was important she went to the bathroom. She turned her head to Liv and while rolling her eyes with a shy smile she said
"I need to run a bathroom errand."
"Oh of course. I'll call this in meanwhile." Both Fin and Liv stood up.
"I'm Cheryl by the way," the nurse smiled at them as she took the last few steps to Amanda's bed. The detectives said hi to the nurse.
Cheryl pulled out a movable stand and transferred the IV bag to it while Amanda with some effort managed to get her legs down on the side of the bed.
"Maybe we should get some help…" Cheryl started as this was the first time Amanda would stand up since the attack.
"We'll help," Fin offered, knowing Liv would too if needed and he stepped around the bed in a hurry. Cheryl smiled at him.
"Great. Unfortunately this bathroom is out of service so we need to go across the hall. And since it's the first time Amanda's up we need to take it slow." Amanda and Fin exchanged a look. Slow wasn't a popular word for anyone of them. Cheryl bent down to put a pair of slippers on Amanda's feet. Fin could see bruises on her bare legs. Her gown wasn't completely down and it looked like she was wearing a pair of men's hospital boxers. A few sizes too large for her though.
He grabbed her arm as she got ready to put her feet down on the floor.
"Okay take it easy now Amanda." Cheryl warned. "You know I'll get you a chair if you need to. Don't push yourself too hard." Fin had a hard time seeing Amanda giving up on this mission and held on tight to help her make it. He felt her sway a bit once her feet were down and her fingers tighten their grip around his arm. She grabbed a hold of the stand with the other hand.
"Careful," Cheryl whispered. They remained there a while so Amanda could get her bearing. Then she tried to take her first step. Fin could feel how weak she was. Her legs trembled a bit and it moved up her body so he could feel it.
"I'll better get a chair," Cheryl said but didn't get anywhere before Amanda spit out
"Don't."
Fin held his breath as Amanda took another step forward. It went a little better. Cheryl watched her intensely. Liv had remained by the foot of the bed and was watching her too. She was happy to see Amanda had some spirit in her still, she would need a whole bunch of it to get through this ordeal. Slowly Amanda made her way to the door. Fin could tell she was trembling still and he was happy to see that she let him help her. Liv walked ahead and held the door open for them. Amanda hesitated in the door. She had a look up and down the corridor before she continued. Fin wasn't sure if she felt scared or if it was more a humiliating feeling to be seen by anyone in the state she was. He was by her side whatever was going on and ready to tackle whatever he had to to prove so.
They didn't have to go that far down the corridor though and Fin let Cheryl take over as they reached the bathroom. Fin and Liv took a familiar stance against the corridor wall.
"I'll let Cragen check out the bar and that bartender," Liv said as she got her phone up. Cheryl came out and gave them a smile.
"She might need some time in there. I'll be back in a while," she informed them and hurried down the corridor. Fin rested his head to the wall as he heard Liv reach their captain. He felt like closing his eyes for a second but didn't since he knew he was Amanda's detail for the moment. They had let the guards off for a bit and no one would get past Fin. Liv finished her call and hung up.
"He'll check it. Maybe we'll get lucky with the bartender."
"Maybe," Fin yawned. Liv looked at him with kind eyes.
"How are you holding up?" she asked. He took a moment but then turned his head to her. He didn't say anything but gave her a smile.
"Have you slept anything these past days?" she asked when she realized he wouldn't give her an answer.
"Enough," he breathed and looked down the corridor.
"Enough to stand up right eh?" she looked down the other side of the corridor. "But you know you need to take care of yourself to be able to care for her right?" Her eyes landed back on him again.
"Yes mom," he said with a wink in his eye. She punched him on the arm. He was referring to a conversation they had a few weeks back were Liv expressed she was starting to feel old and how she didn't want to be known as the mother hen of the squad.
They were small talking about the case and whether there was something they were missing to ask Amanda about when Cheryl came wandering back. Fin smiled at her as she went by and he watched as she knocked carefully on the bathroom door before she entered. She soon came back out, smiled a bit strained and walked down the corridor again. Fin looked at his watch. She'd been in there a while now.
"Probably the catheter or…" Liv started quietly and then faded out. Fin tried to take a deep breath to calm something stirring in his gut. Fin turned his eyes to the opposite wall.
"I'm not sure what I'll do if I get my hands on him," he confessed silently. Liv just looked at him. She had wondered herself what she would do if she got the opportunity to stand face to face with Eric. They were both passionate detectives and would do a lot for the victims they tried to help. This time it wasn't just a victim though. It was a partner. She knew all to well what length Elliot had gone to to protect her at times. She now worried what length Fin would go to.
"We'll make sure he gets what's coming to him. Don't forget there's a murder investigation we have to close too though. That victim's family wants justice too." He knew she was right but he still felt like squeezing the life out of the son of a bitch.
Cheryl came back a while later and repeated the procedure. This time though she didn't come out as quickly and when the door finally open she had Amanda with her. Fin got off the wall immediately and rushed to her side. Amanda smiled awkwardly at him and then at Liv. Liv smiled back at her and wished she could somehow make this easier for the young detective.
"Slowly now," Cheryl said and Fin could almost feel Amanda's irritation through her skin and on to his. He gave her arm a squeeze and their eyes met briefly.
"Last one's a rotten egg," he whispered and her nostrils gave away the smile she tried to hide. Liv couldn't hear but saw that the two detectives shared something that amused them both. She got off the wall to go open the door for them. She spotted Nick coming through the doors further down the corridor and she curiously gazed past him to his entourage.