Chapter 13: Shell of a Human

New York Smallpox Hospital Site
Roosevelt Island
4:35 PM

Deputy Inspector Alexandra Eames arrived at the site of the old ruins that were once the site of a smallpox hospital that was located on the southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island.

The New York Smallpox Hospital neighbored what was now known as the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. Built in 1856, and as its name implies, the original hospital served as a quarantine facility for those afflicted with the deadly Smallpox virus.

The hospital was officially closed in 1875, and its buildings were repurposed for other medical ventures before being abandoned and left in disrepair. The hospital's ruins were designated as a historic landmark in 1972, and now have some notoriety as being the only building ruins in New York City to be designated as such.

Eames was clad in a black turtleneck sweater, black slacks, and black boots with her NYPD tactical vest over her sweater. Her Deputy Inspector's shield was pinned to the upper right corner of the vest.

She soon found Captains Olivia Benson and Amy Lockwood speaking with members of the Emergency Service Unit. The 2 of them turned to see the Deputy Inspector coming toward them.

"Alex," Benson greeted, "Thank you for coming."

Eames nodded in response. "You're welcome," she replied, "Thanks for the call. So, we have ourselves a viable suspect in this whole thing, do we?"

"We do, ma'am" Lockwood said, "Her name is Mia Harris. She seems to be holding four hostages inside the hospital ruins."

Eames then gave Lockwood a look, realizing they hadn't met, at which point Benson spoke up. "Captain Amy Lockwood," she said, "This is Deputy Inspector Alexandra Eames from One-PP. Captain Lockwood is the commanding officer at the One-Forty-Four."

"My team and I responded to Olivia's request for backup," Lockwood added, "As you can see, ESU and several precinct units are here on scene holding down the perimeter, but no one's made entry yet, per my orders. One of my detectives, Mark Deegan, is also a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team. He's preparing to begin negotiations shortly."

"What about the team we put together?" Eames queried.

"Stabler and I devised a plan with everyone else's mutual approval," Benson began explaining, "We're going to let Detective Deegan try to establish contact with Mia via her cell phone and try to negotiate with her for a certain amount of time. However, she seems to be very agitated, so if his approaches don't seem to win her over, Elliot and I are prepared to make entry for face-to-face contact."

Eames nodded as she took in all the information. "What do we know about the hostages?" she asked.

"Like I said before," Lockwood explained, "There's four confirmed hostages inside the main building site. My officers have visuals on Perry Gilbert, her mother Barbara Hedley, her stepfather Mark Hedley, and Mia's sister Zoe Harris."

"Mark Hedley is a New York State Trooper, right?" Eames said, "I'm surprised that we don't have any troopers here on site."

"I talked to the State Police Director by phone again on the way here," Benson said, "I assured him that we have all the help we need, but he's willing to send in resources if this goes for the long haul."

"Understood," Eames replied, "What is Mia armed with?"

"My officers say that it looks like she has what looks like an eight-inch bread knife in her hand," Lockwood said, "I'm guessing she must've taken that from the Hedley place in Prince's Bay during the abduction."

Eames thought for a minute. "You'll have to excuse my pulling rank on you, Captain Lockwood" she said, "But I think that it would be best if Captain Benson and I took over command of this scene for now. You and your guys are welcome to stay put and provide support."

Lockwood held up her hands for a second. "No objections here, Inspector" she replied, "I'll tell my guys to stay in place pending any decisions from ESU and hang back for now." The captain then took her radio out of her coat pocket and walked away to notify her team.

Eames traded looks with Benson for an extended beat. "Alright then," she said to her, "Where's the rest of our team?"

"Elliot has Kat, Dani, and Sergeant Ming staged at all the window sites of the ruins," Benson replied, "They're going to stay put while negotiations are in progress, but when I give them the signal word, they'll sneak in, free the hostages, and guide them out."

"What about Slootmaekers?" Eames queried.

"She's helping Detective Deegan set up communications to commence phone negotiations," Benson said, "I'm just waiting to hear from them."

As if on cue, Stabler then tapped his former partner's shoulder. "Jet and Deegan are ready," he said, "Deegan wants us to wait at least twenty minutes before we make entry."

"I'll tell ESU to fall back a little and keep eyes on everything until absolutely necessary," Eames said.

A few minutes later, Stabler and Benson approached Lieutenant Beck, Detective Tamin, and Sergeant Ming. The 3 of them were all covertly kneeling just under the hospital site's trio of empty window areas, just as Stabler had previously instructed them to do.

"Hey guys," Stabler whispered, "What's the story?"

"Deegan established phone contact with Mia on her cell phone a few minutes ago," Beck whispered, "He has her on the line as we speak."

Stabler looked inside the window and found a nearly despondent Mia Harris pacing back and forth inside the site, talking on her cell phone.

"I ALREADY ASKED YOU!" Mia shouted into the phone, "WHERE THE HELL IS STEVEN?!"

No one could hear whatever Detective Deegan had replied, but his response apparently added to the bedevilment of the disconsolate young woman. Mia then ended the call and threw the phone to the ground.

Stabler then traded looks with his 3 colleagues for a second. "Looks like the situation's getting away from us fast," he said, "I'm going to call Liv and see if we can get in there to talk to her." This statement was met by affirmative nods from Beck, Tamin, and Ming.

Stabler then took out his portable radio and keyed the mic. "Olivia," he whispered into the radio, "Mia's losing it inside. She hung up on Deegan and threw the phone down. I suggest that we get in there now."

"Copy that, El" Benson replied from the radio a few seconds later, "I'll meet you at the front of the structure."