Chapter 30
It would be weeks before all the victims of Louis Howey were identified. Most were locals, though a few were from New Jersey. Not all of them had been taken in pairs. Some were mothers and daughters but most were mothers or even single women. The worst part was that there were children and as far as Melinda could figure, most of them were probably Howey's progeny as the oldest ended up being eight years old. There was no rhyme or reason why someone so young had to die – at least from the bones and burial sites. That was something that only Louis Howey would know.
Elliot had gone undercover as he had warned Olivia. He did not give her much information but upon his return she could tell that something was different. Finally, one night, as they lie in her bed, he admitted that his younger brother, Joey, was in trouble up to his eyeballs. He'd disappeared on the bad guy's plane after their latest operation. They were stuck waiting to hear from Joey as soon as he could get a moment alone. Elliot was worried that he might never see his younger brother again.
Olivia did the best she could to console him. In the back of her mind, she knew that at the first word, Elliot would be on a plane to go find his brother, and she only wished that she could be with him. As a Captain, she couldn't go rogue any more. Especially since her unit was down a detective.
Carisi had come into the precinct and announced that little Nicky was finally coming home only a couple of days ago. Nicky still had a long road in front of him and his parents would have to watch to make sure that he was hitting his milestones, but the hospital felt comfortable in sending him home. Still, the ADA promised that Amanda would swing by with the little guy soon but they needed some time at home with Billie and Jessie. No one blamed them for wanting some time as a family. Still, Olivia called her friend to check in. Amanda was glad for it and they had some good laughs together.
"Benson," Olivia answered her office phone. It was almost lunch time and Elliot was swinging by the precinct with some food soon.
"Captain Benson, it's Lieutenant Erik Fürst," the thickly accented voice came over the line.
"Hi Lieutenant. What news does Polizei Berlin have for me?" Olivia smiled slightly. The Lieutenant had been her main point of contact for the German race to find Louis Howey. He seemed like a good man and had admitted that this would be his last case.
"The hunt is over but it did not end the way we all hoped," Erik said.
"He killed himself, didn't he?" Olivia had a feeling that Louis Howey did not want to go to prison and if he was backed into a corner, he would never surrender.
"Selbstmord durch Polizisten – or I believe you call it suicide by cop," he said.
"Sounds about right. He had no problem using, abusing, and killing others but when it came to his own fate, he wanted a say," Olivia huffed.
"I informed Agent Pritchard. I believe he has the unenvious duty of telling the families," the German police officer said.
"He does. I do not envy him. I have to pass it along here at the precinct," Olivia told him.
"Still an unenvious job. I will pass along my final report to you, just for your records," Erik promised.
"Please do. The NYPD and I thank you for your help," she said.
"Do not thank me. Bullets were too nice a death for this man," Erik said.
"Oh, I don't disagree. You enjoy your retirement. Get this guy out of your head," Olivia told him.
"My grandchildren will help with that. Viel glück und auf wiedersehen," came the reply.
"Auf wiedersehen," with that the call ended. Not a few minutes later, Elliot walked into her office with Chinese food in his hands. He could see a look on her face.
"Bad phone call?" He asked as he set the bag of food down on her desk.
"Louis Howey is dead. Made sure that he got in the way of German bullets," she told him.
"Good riddance, though I would have wanted a few words with him," Elliot said. Olivia knew that he meant more than words and she nodded.
"You tell the team?" He asked.
"After we eat. I'll have to call Detective Klass and George," she told him. Elliot nodded and started to divvy up the containers and chopsticks.
"So, what do you have going on?" Olivia changed the subject as they tucked into their meal.
"Ma forgot that Joey was… away," he still didn't know where his brother was.
"Oh geez. I'm sorry El," she said.
"I'm worried that we won't get him back before…" Olivia knew what he was getting at. Bernie's situation was stable now but no one could say for how long that would last.
"Hey, you'll get him back. Your brother will find a way to reach out," she told him.
"I'm lucky to have you," he said.
"You know it," she teased.
"Bring Noah to dinner this week? I think it'll do Ma good to see you. Plus…" he paused.
"Eli and his girlfriend will be there?" Olivia finished his sentence.
"I have a lot of work to do to patch our relationship. Especially with a grandbaby on the way," Elliot admitted.
"I'll do what I can. Let me know date and time," Olivia told him.
"Yes ma'am," Elliot smiled. A knock on the Captain's door interrupted them.
"Hey Elliot," it was Fin.
"What's up Fin?" Elliot smiled at the Sergeant.
"We've got a case. Just landed up at the hospital," Fin told them.
"I'll come with you. Send Bruno and Velasco to the crime scene," Olivia told him.
"Finish your lunch. I'll catch you up when I get back," Fin promised. She gave him a look but he shook his head. Olivia knew better than to argue with him and the Sergeant excused himself.
"Work/life balance?" Elliot asked.
"Something like that," Olivia winked. Fin wanted her and Elliot to work. He wanted her to be happy. There was still some work to get there fully, given the nature of Elliot's work but they'd figure it out. They always did.
The End