B99/HIMYM: I M here

Chapter 26: Liz and The Squad & The Serial Arsonist

The 99th Precinct bullpen was a cacophony of ringing phones, typing keyboards, and Jake Peralta's latest, questionable beatboxing. Then, the doors swung open, and Adam walked in, a quiet smile on his face, with Elisabeth Olsen by his side. The noise level dropped by approximately 70%. Jake's beatboxing sputtered to a halt. Charles Boyle, mid-bite of a bagel, froze.

"Squad," Adam announced, a mischievous glint in his eye, "this is Liz. Liz Olsen. She's here to observe the glorious chaos that is the 99th. Try not to embarrass yourselves. Too much."

Jake Peralta's jaw dropped. "Holy crap! It's... it's Scarlet Witch! I mean, Ms. Olsen! Huge fan! Your work in... everything! But especially the one where you do the magic hands! Can I get an autograph? For my niece! Who is me! And maybe a selfie? For... posterity!"

Charles Boyle, meanwhile, had abandoned his bagel and was now attempting to bow. "Ms. Olsen! It is an honor! Your portrayal of complex, nuanced female characters is truly inspiring! I once wrote a fan-fiction about a sentient artisanal cheese that gained sentience and fought crime, and your character arc in Wind River was a major inspiration!"

Liz, despite the absurdity, laughed, a genuine, warm sound. She shook Jake's hand, then Charles's, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's lovely to meet you all. And Charles, a sentient artisanal cheese fighting crime sounds... surprisingly compelling. Perhaps we should pitch it."

Amy Santiago, ever the professional, stepped forward. "Ms. Olsen, Detective Santiago. Welcome to the 99th. We're usually a bit more... composed. Though, Mr. Stiels does tend to bring out the unexpected in people." She gave Adam a pointed look. "Your work on Sorry for Your Loss was particularly poignant."

Liz smiled. "Thank you, Detective. And yes, Adam has a knack for that."

Rosa Diaz, leaning against a pillar, simply grunted. "She's cool." It was, Adam knew, the highest form of praise from Rosa. Terry Jeffords, meanwhile, offered a warm, paternal smile. "Welcome, Liz. Glad to have you. Just try not to let Jake scare you too much."

[Status Log: Relationship Progression: Elisabeth Olsen (Squad Integration).]

The pleasantries, however, were short-lived. A new case landed on Captain Holt's desk, grim and urgent: a series of escalating arsons targeting seemingly random, abandoned buildings across the city. The fires were expertly set, leaving minimal evidence, but the destruction was increasing.

"This is not random," Captain Holt stated, his voice grave. "The fires are escalating in scale and precision. This is a serial arsonist. Mr. Stiels, your expertise in fire forensics and pattern analysis is crucial. Find us a pattern where there appears to be none."

Adam, with Liz quietly observing from a distance, delved into the crime scene photos. The fires seemed disparate: an old factory, a forgotten warehouse, a derelict theater. But as he meticulously examined the burn patterns, the ignition points, and the subtle residues, a chilling detail emerged. Each fire, despite its location, had a specific, almost ritualistic element to its destruction. A specific, untouched object left in the center of the blaze. In the factory, a single, melted clock. In the warehouse, a charred, but still recognizable, child's toy. In the theater, a single, melted spotlight.

"Not random," Adam thought, his mind racing, the [Knowledge & Insight Module] subtly sifting through criminal psychology. "These aren't just fires. They're statements. And the objects… they're symbols. Symbols of time, of innocence, of attention. This arsonist isn't just destroying buildings. They're destroying concepts. They're trying to erase something. Or someone."

He brought his findings to the squad. "Captain, Detectives. The arsonist isn't targeting buildings. They're targeting memories. Each location, and the untouched object within it, represents a specific stage of life, or a concept: the factory (time/labor), the warehouse (childhood/storage), the theater (attention/performance). The arsonist is performing a ritualistic act of erasure. They're trying to burn away their past, or a past they resent. This isn't about property. It's about a profound psychological break. We're looking for someone with a history of trauma, a deep-seated resentment against their past, and perhaps a background in performance or meticulous planning."

Jake stared. "So, the arsonist is basically a supervillain with a therapy problem?"

"Essentially," Adam confirmed, deadpan. "And a very specific aesthetic."

Amy, however, was already pulling up databases, cross-referencing individuals with documented psychological trauma and a history related to the symbolic objects. Rosa gave a rare, almost imperceptible nod. Holt, for once, looked genuinely impressed. "A perceptive and disturbing profile, Mr. Stiels. Proceed with this line of inquiry."

Later, as Liz prepared to leave, she squeezed Adam's arm. "You're incredible, Adam. The way your mind works... it's truly fascinating. And a little terrifying. You see things no one else does."

Adam offered a tired smile. "Just trying to keep the city safe from psychologically damaged pyromaniacs, Liz. It's a niche market, but someone's gotta do it."

[Relationship Status: Dating Elisabeth Olsen. Duration: 28 days.] [System Status: Adam's relationship with Liz is integrated into his professional life. His expertise in complex pattern analysis is further recognized.]