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MEANWHILE, IN CAPTAIN CRAGEN'S OFFICE, ATHENA WAS STARING AT THE TWO DETECTIVES. Her eyebrow was raised and her arms were crossed, her hip cocked to the side in a gesture that showed her annoyance, "What is going on here?" her voice was firm, and she clearly wasn't here to play.
Finn and Olivia exchanged nervous glances, the weight of her gaze making them squirm in their seats.
"Chief Tyler, we were just—" Olivia started, but was immediately interrupted.
"Save it," Athena said, her tone icy, "I can see the chaos for myself."
"But—" Finn tried.
"Enough," Athena demanded, her gaze sharp under her dark sunglasses, "Brief me on the Jackson case."
Finn and Olivia exchanged another glance, their unease mounting as they began to recount the events that led to Rebbie's detainment. They explained the initial arrest, the lack of transparency regarding the charges, and the prolonged detention without a clear explanation.
But their explanation was all over the place, and despite Athena's above average intelligence, it was clear that the chaotic handling of the case had left her unimpressed.
Athena simply stared at them, blinking as if unsurprised at the lack of progress, "Those case files will be on my desk within the hour," she stated, "Not a request. Follow me," she added before walking out of the room.
Finn and Olivia exchanged a look of trepidation before scrambling to gather the necessary files. They knew Chief Tyler's reputation for efficiency and no-nonsense approach to solving cases. As they hurried to catch up with her, Finn couldn't help but voice his concerns in a hushed tone.
"Liv, why is she here?" he whispered hurriedly.
Olivia shot Finn a worried glance as they quickened their pace to keep up with the other woman, "I don't know, Finn," she whispered back, her brow furrowed in concern, "But the last thing we want is to get on her bad side."
In the conference room the Jackson family was in, everyone was sitting nervously as they were all scattered around the room, deep in thought.
"Michael?" Katherine spoke up, "This woman—this Ms. Tyler you spoke to—what was she like?"
"Um.....well, I would describe her as someone who doesn't take nonsense," Michael said, "She was reprimanding Olivia and Finn for their poor handling of Rebbie's case. And for how the squad room seems to be in chaos. And even for not knowing where the Captain of this precinct is. I could tell she was not someone to be trifled with, and she doesn't take any excuses," he explained, "Ms. Tyler.....I think we can trust her."
Jermaine nodded, "She sounds like the kind of person we need on our side right now," he said, looking at Rebbie who had her head on Katherine's shoulder.
There was a knock on the door and Joseph called, "Come in!"
"—for your incompetence!" a new voice was heard mid-sentence as the door opened and revealed Athena, "Hello. Chief Athena Tyler, but you can call me Athena," she added as she walked further into the room, Olivia and Finn walking in behind her and shutting the door.
The family all stood up simultaneously, all of them eager to greet the Chief, their faces showing a mix of hope and apprehension.
Athena gave a small, almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgment to the family, "Please," she said, gesturing everyone to sit down.
The family settled back into their seats, and the detectives sat down.
Athena's gaze swept over each of them—her expression unreadable behind her sunglasses as she leaned against the AC Unit, her feet crossed one over the other, "Benson, Tutuola," she said, "How did we get here?"
Olivia and Finn sighed, realizing they had to explain the whole thing all over again. So they did—from the arrest, to the lack of charges, to Rebbie's extended detention without proper cause. The Jackson's listened intently, and Athena simply nodded along having already been told the story.
"And do you have any circumstantial evidence to keep her in custody?" Athena asked.
"Well, technically no," Olivia confessed, "But her fingerprints were found at the scene of the crime!"
"It was a public place," Athena pointed out, her tone neutral but firm, "Anyone could have left their fingerprints there. That doesn't prove she committed the crime."
"Fingerprints are circumstantial evidence, right?" Finn asked.
"More so when the fingerprints are on the murder weapon," Athena said calmly, "What do you think this is—a federal prison? Let Ms. Jackson go."
Olivia and Finn exchanged a surprised glance, not expecting Chief Tyler to be so direct in her orders. But they knew better than to question her authority, and they quickly scrambled to uncuff Rebbie from where she was locked to the table.
"Ensure she gets out of here without chaos," Athena stated, giving a firm nod to the detectives before leaving the room.
"Um.....the investigation isn't over," Finn said when he got Rebbie uncuffed.
"Don't leave town," Olivia added before she and Finn left the room too.
