My slumber was interrupted by the harsh ring of my phone. I slowly opened my eyes to the dark bedroom, slivers of light made their way through the window blinds to the walls. I felt my bedside table for the noise maker and shielded my eyes to the bright light once I picked it up.
“Clearing,” I said in a tired voice.
“Danny, we’ve got a kidnapping. Need you in right now.” Cragen said in a serious tone.
“On my way.” I replied, somehow instantly out of bed. I pulled on some wrinkled black slacks and buttoned up a blue blouse. I was out of my building in ten minutes and on my way to the precinct.
There was an energy the second I walked into the building. The elevator ride was heavy with anxiety. The doors opened to a busy hallway with people running back and forth to something. The squad room was even busier. The squad had definitely been this busy at four AM before, but this time was different. There weren’t people being booked, or people crying, or strangers yelling. There was one life source focused on one issue.
“Four year old Jeannie Parker was taken from her bed earlier this morning. Parents heard noise around one and went to her bedroom to find the window open and the girl missing. No sign of a struggle.” Benson said as I got to my desk.
“Any suspects so far?” I asked
“The parents can’t think of anyone that would want to take her, and we’ve got no evidence to suggest anyone in particular.” She answered. “We’ve got an Amber Alert out and patrol is canvasing the neighborhood.”
“Patrol found something,” Cragen shouted to the room. Everyone turned their attention to him. “A stuffed animal belonging to the girl was found on the same block as her house in Queens. We don’t think she’s been taken very far away.” The room was buzzing once again when he finished up. “Clearing, Carisi, I need you guys to meet CSU at the crime scene. Benson and Amaro, you go too. Fin and Rollins, I want you guys getting in touch with every bus station, train station, and airport.” Cragen ordered. “I’ll let Barba know what’s going on.” He added.
The Parkers were crying on their couch while a uniformed officer asked them questions.
“Hey, we’ll take it from here.” Benson said to the officer. “I’m Detective Benson and this is Detective Amaro. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?” Benson asked. The couple nodded, their faces defeated.
“Carisi and I will look at the girl’s room.” I said as we started up the stairs.
The room was pink with flowery drapes and bedding that was still somewhat neat. CSU was dusting for prints on the window frame and around the room. The floor was clean of clutter and all of the surfaces were decorated with toys and knick knacks. Nothing seemed out of place besides the open window and the team investigating.
“No signs of a struggle,” Carisi said, looking at the path from the bed to the window.
“Yeah,” I continued. “It looks like she just left. I bet she knew the kidnapper. She probably went willingly.”
Carisi went to the closet. “One pair of shoes is missing,” He said, gesturing to the empty spot on the shoe rack. “Either she grabbed them herself before she left or the kidnapper got them for her. He wanted her to be comfortable.” He said.
“Does this one feel odd to you?” I asked. “Normally right now I would be thinking it was a parent in a custody battle because she’s taken care of but the parents are still together. Could it be another family member?”
“It does feel odd to me.” Carisis said.
“There is no family,” Amaro said, walking through the door with Benson behind him. “The dad has a brother in Arizona but that’s it. Both sets of grandparents have passed and the mother is an only child.” He explained.
“Is the brother worth looking at?” I asked.
“I don’t think so,” Benson said. “The dad doesn’t talk to him much, but they’re on good terms.”
“The girl has to know this perp,” Carisi said. “Nothing else makes sense. Is there anyone that the girl is close to?”
“She has a babysitter in the neighborhood.” Benson started. “Just a 16 year old girl that watches her on the weekends sometimes, but that’s really it. With no family and her not starting school yet, we really don’t have anyone else to look at.”
Carisi and I went to the sitter’s house two blocks over. It was 9 AM by this time. The sun was out and birds were chirping. It made the day seem even worse, like the universe didn’t know there was a girl missing.
Carisi knocked on the door. A middle aged man answered. “How can I help you?” he asked.
We both showed our badges. “I’m detective Clearing and this is Detective Carisi. Is Sarah here?”
“Yes, what is this about?” He asked.
“We understand that Sarah watches a girl named Jeannie in the neighborhood.” Carisi began. “She was kidnapped this morning and we were hoping that Sarah might be able to help us out.”
“Oh my god, that’s awful.” The man said. “Of course you can talk to her, let me get her from her room.” He walked halfway down the hallway. “Sarah, I need you to come out here please.”
A girl with shoulder length brown hair came into the room. “Hello,” she said, a little confused.
“Hi Sarah,” I said. “We are detectives. We were hoping you could answer some questions about Jeannie Parker.”
“Sure,” she replied. “Is something wrong?” She asked.
“She was kidnapped this morning.” I explained.
He face went pale. “Oh no, is she okay?”
“We aren’t sure. We were hoping that you could tell us about her.”
“Yes, I’ll help in any way I can.” She answered.
“When was the last time you saw Jeannie?” Carisi started. He was sat leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees.
“Last Saturday,” she answered. “I watched her while the Parkers went out for their anniversary. They made a whole afternoon of it.” She said.
“What did you guys do that day?” I asked.
“We made cupcakes when I first got there. Then we went to the park for a couple hours, then had a movie night. She was in bed by nine.” Sarah said. Her brows were furrowed and her eyes were worried.
“Is there anyone she was close with or anyone that you guys spoke to?” I asked
“There isn’t really anyone in particular. There are a few kids she sees at the park somewhat regularly, but she isn’t really close to any of them.” She said. “I don’t know any of their names, or even their parents’ names.” She added.
“That’s okay.” Carisi said. “Is there anyone else you can think of?” He asked.
“We talk to the manager at the grocery store across the street,” She said. “He always gives Jeannie a balloon.” She explained. “And there’s Damian at the ice cream parlor.” She added. “He’s always very nice.”
“What ice cream parlor?” I asked.
“It’s called Howdy’s.” She answered. “They employ people with disabilities or with mental challenges.” She explained.
“Do you have any reason to think that either of those people would want to hurt Jeannie?” Carisi asked. “Were they ever inappropriate with Jeannie?”
“No, never.” She said. “They were only ever kind to her. Mark, the store manager, gave her balloons but he gives them to all of the children. I think it was to occupy them so they wouldn’t make a mess of the store. And Damian is a lower mental age, so he got along with children better than adults. He functions well, he’s just a little slower.”
“Thank you for your help, Sarah.” I said, standing. I held out my card. “If you think of anything else, please give us a call.”
“Yes, of course.” She took the card. “Please find her.” She said.
Once back at the precinct, the squad gathered around a screen with photos and Jeannie and text. “Have we got anything on the second canvas?” Cragen asked the group.
“Not yet. We got a bit of info from the babysitter that we’re looking into, but I’m not holding out hope.” Rollins answered.
“Where are we on the market manager?” He asked.
“Mark Dixon. 42, married, no record, and has an alibi for the night. Store security footage shows him locking up shop after a late night inventory after Jeannie was already taken.” She explained.
“And the ice cream parlor guy?” He asked.
“Damien Reese, 19, no record.” She answered. “Carisi and Clearing are going to talk to him once his shift at the parlor starts.” She added.
“Okay, you guys go talk to him. I need Fin and Rollins to go to the lab. CSU has something.” Cragen ordered. The group scattered to their tasks, and I walked to the elevator with Carisi.
The doors opened to reveal the Assistant District Attorney. “Hello detectives.” He said. He was wearing a tan overcoat over his dark grey suit. He had a coffee in one can and a briefcase in the other.
“Hey, Barba.” I said. “How’s it going?” I asked.
“I’m just going to get caught up from Cragen on the case.” We switched places with him in the elevator. “Where are you guys headed?” He asked, looking at us from the hallway.
“Talking to a suspect. He works at an ice cream parlor.” Carisi answered.
“Oh bring me back a strawberry cone.” He winked. I gave a small giggle as the doors closed. Carisi and I rode down to the ground floor with small conversation.
“Barba is funnier with you.” Carisi said.
“What?” I asked, definitely confused.
“Barba is funny but he’s funnier around you. I think that he feels that he has to compete with how funny you are, so he really steps up his game.” He explained.
“What made you think of that because what he said wasn’t even funny?” I said.
“I thought it was funny,” Carisi laughed.
The doors opened to the main floor and Carisi and I made our way to the car. I drove.
“Welcome to Howdy’s, how can I help you?” A tall boy with a name tag on his blue apron reading ‘Matt’ asked from behind the counter. He spoke with slight hesitation but had a large smile.
“Hello, is Damien here?” I asked, both Carisi and I showed our badges.
“Whoa,” he said, looking at the badges. “Are those real?” He asked.
“Yes, they are.” I answered.
“That’s so cool.” He said with a smile. “I’ll get Damien for you. He’s in the back.” He said, running quickly to the backroom. He soon walked out with a shorter boy with long curly hair.
“Am I in trouble?” he asked, not looking up. “Matt said the police were here for me.” He still didn’t look up.
“You’re not in trouble Damien,” Carisi said. “We just want to ask you some questions.” He said.
“What about?” He asked, softly.
“Jeannie Parker. Do you know her?” I asked.
He looked up at us finally. “Yes, Jeannie is my friend. I like Jeannie.” He smiled. “Jeannie comes in with Sarah. Jeannie always gets vanilla with sprinkles.” He added.
“Something happened to her this morning.” I started.
“Oh no, is she okay?” He asked.
“We don’t know,” I said. “She was taken from her bedroom by someone.”
He looked back down. “I don’t know anything about that. I don’t know anything.” He said quickly. My phone rang, interrupting us. I gave Carisi a look that said I’d be right back.
“Clearing, we got something from the crime scene.” Fin said. “CSU found some blue polyester threads. Mostly used for uniforms and aprons.” He said.
“Was there anything else?” I asked.
“Yes, there was a footprint, size 12, with some kind of frosting that was on the bottom of the shoe. Looks like a crushed dessert sprinkle.” He said.
“I think we have our guy.” I said, hanging up.
I returned to the conversation and gave Carisi another look. “ Damien, you said that you and Jeannie are friends. When was the last time you saw her?” I asked.
“Uhhhh, I uh saw her yesterday.” He answered.
“What time did you see her yesterday?” I asked.
“It was when I was walking home from work. I saw her playing through the window. She’s very nice.” He smiled at his shoes. Pretty big. Maybe a size 12.
“Do you know where she is right now?” I asked.
He hesitated. “No I don’t know where she is.” He said unconvincingly.
“Excuse me for one minute, please. I need to make a phone call.” I said, backing away.
“Barba.” The ADA answered.
“Counselor, it’s Clearing. I’m going to need a search warrant for Damien Reese’s home. I think he’s our guy. Get with Benson on the CSU details, but his apron and shoe size match those found at the crime scene and there were sprinkles which is what Jeannie always got in her ice cream from the store. And he lives on the same block as Jeannie.”
“I’m on it. You’ll have the warrant by the time you get there.” He said. “Best of luck detective.”
I walked back up to Carisi and Damien. “Damien, is Jeannie at your house right now?” I asked.
“She’s not allowed to have sleepovers. She can only play during the day.” He said.
“Did she have a sleepover last night?” I asked him.
“I knew we weren’t supposed to, but we were having fun.”
“Is she at your house right now Damien?” I asked again.
“Yes. She was going to sleep over again tonight.” He said.
Carisi got behind him and handcuffed him. “Damien Reese, you’re under arrest for the kidnapping of Jeannie Parker.” He finished reading Miranda as we got in the car and sped to Damien’s house.
Barba was there with Benson and Amaro with a warrant in hand. “I say there’s probably cause, but here’s a warrant just in case.” He said, handing me the document.
We knocked on the door, but there was no answer. The door was locked, so Carisi gave it a swift kick, breaking it open. We stormed the house, shouting for Jeannie.
“I’ll check the basement.” I said, starting down the stairs. “Jeannie, are you down here? Can you make some noise, sweet heart?” I shouted.
The room was well lit. Wood panelling lined the walls and the floor was covered in green shag carpet. The click of the door to my right startled me.
“Jeannie?” I spoke softly. The girl poked her head out from behind the door. “Oh my god,” I said running to her. “Are you okay?” I asked, picking her up.
“I’m okay,” she said. “Where is Damien? We were going to play dolls.” She said.
Jeannie had been reunited with her parents and Damien had been taken to the station by Carisi. I stood in front of the house with Benson and Barba. “I don;t think the kid knew what he was doing.” I said to Barba.
“He knew that having a sleepover was wrong, but I don’t think he knew that he kidnapped her.” Benson said.
“I’m going to plead him out, I think.” Barba said. “We’ll talk to him more, but I think it’s wrongful imprisonment.” He explained.
“Good work guys,” Benson said. “I’m heading home.”
We both said goodbye to Detective Benson. “You did well on this one, Danny.” Barba turned to me. “It’s always nice when they get home and were never hurt in the first place.” He added.
“Absolutely. Thanks Barba.”
He gave me a pat on the shoulder. “Go get some rest.”
