There is someone out there tying up, raping, robbing and then killing them. They have been on the case for three weeks and were up to a body count of three.
Nick: Okay this is crazy, we've been on this case for three weeks now and we don't have any leads.
Rollins: And we still haven't found a connection between the victims.
Olivia: I think I might've found something. (She says coming into the bullpen)
N: What?
O: Well, I talked to a few people and they spotted all out victims at the same club.
Finn: And?
O: It was a gay club.
R: But all our victims were married.
O: But they were all seen at this club.
Captain Cragen: Benson, you and Amaro go to this club. Finn, you and Rollins go through everything that we have on these guys and find out what else we don't know about them.
N: Okay. (He said taking his suit jacket and following Olivia out)
=In The Car=
N: So where are we going? (He asked pulling out into traffic)
O: A club on 25th and 2nd, called 'The Flaming Dragon'.
N: What? (He said startled)
O: 25th and 2nd, 'The Flaming Dragon'.
N: Oh, uh... uhm okay.
O: What's wrong, do you know the place?
N: No, it's not that. Don't worry about it.
O: How can I not, you're my partner?
N: It has nothing to do with work.
O: Nick, you know that you can always talk to me about anything right? (She asked softly)
N: I do and thank you for that but at the moment... I'm fine.
O: Okay.
The rest of the drive was silent even thought Olivia knew something was off about Nick, she decided to drop it... for now. When they got to the club, Olivia's phone started ringing just as they got out of the car.
O: Go ahead, I'll quickly take this and meet you inside.
N: Okay.
Nick threw the keys to Olivia and took the pictures of the victims that she was holding. He walked towards the door and took a deep breath, something that Olivia didn't fail to notice. He walked in and went directly towards the bar without looking around much.
Bartender: Nick, isn't it a bit early to be at a club?
N: I'm uh, I'm on the job... so can you, uh, please...
Bartender: Don't worry. I don't know you and I've never seen you before.
N: Thank you. (He said sincerely) Okay, so um... have you seen these three guys here? (He asked showing him the pictures)
Bartender: Uh they all usually come in like once or twice a week but I haven't seen these two in the last couple of weeks and I saw his one on Monday night. (He said gesturing to the latest victim) What happened to them?
N: They were raped and murdered.
Bartender: What. (He said as Olivia walked up to the bar)
N: This is my partner, detective Benson.
Bartender: Hi.
O: Hi.
N: So the victims all came in here regularly and the last victim was in here Monday night.
O: Did they talk to someone in particular?
Bartender: Not usually... but...
O: But what?
Bartender: There was this one guy that's always in here chatting up other guys and I saw him talking with those two guys and if I'm not wrong I think he and the third guy left together on Monday, I think.
O: Are they any cameras in here?
Bartender: There is one at the door and another up here facing the bar.
N: Can we get the footage from Monday night.
Bartender: Only Monday night?
N: Yes.
Bartender: I'll go get it for you. (He said going into the back office)
O: Why only Monday's, we need proof of him with all three victims.
N: You're right, sorry. I'll go tell him.
O: I'll wait in the car. (She said looking at him strangely before turning around and walking away)
N: Hey, we'll need your footage for the last three weeks too.
Bartender: Okay and sorry for this but with holding it would've made it seem like I'm trying to hide something.
N: It's alright. I'll go through it myself. (He said with one of his signature smiles)
Bartender: You know, you should consider telling them.
N: Maybe when this case is over. Uh, can you perhaps describe this guy because it'll make looking for him easier?
Bartender: Oh yeah. (He said and gave Amaro a description of the guy)
N: Thank you, that'll be all for now.
Bartender: I hope everything works out and I don't mean only with the case.
N: Thanks. (He said and walked to the car)
=Precinct=
N: I'll go through the clubs footage.
O: We'll both do it.
N: No, you don't have to. I don't mind.
O: Fine but Nick, you need to tell me what's going on. (She said with a sigh)
Nick sighed and walked out of the elevator as soon as it opened on their floor.
R: We found something on their bank accounts.
O: What?
R: All three of our victims bought drinks at the bar of different hotels on the night that they were killed.
N: Where was out latest victim?
R: At the Chilton Hotel.
O: That's grand.
R: I know, so I was waiting for you two so that one of you can come with and we go ask if anyone remembers him.
N: I'm going to be reviewing footage so the two of you can go.
R: That's fine with me, Olivia?
O: Sure.
...
R: Is it only me or is Nick acting weird?
O: I noticed it too and I asked him about it but he said that it was nothing.
R: It definitely has something to do with this case.
O: Mm-hm.
They arrived at the Chilton but didn't find much. The bartender and the maid both said that he was there with someone but they didn't see who. Their suspect was careful and made sure that no cameras or people saw him.
=Precinct=
Nick went through all three weeks of footage and saw all three of their victims with the same guy. He isolated parts of the videos with their suspect and deleted the rest of it. When the rest of the team got back to the precinct he had the guy's picture up on the board with the three victims.
R: Is that the guy? (She asked as they walked in)
N: Most probably, he was on camera leaving with all three our victims.
O: But we still need proof that it was him.
Cragen: Without proof, all we have are two men leaving a club together.
F: Did you guys find anything?'
O: Perp knew where all the cameras were and made sure to that no one saw him.
R: There must be cameras around the hotel that we can check out.
F: I'll get on it.
C: Someone find me something that we can work with!
Just then Rafael Barba walked in.
R: To what do we owe this honour, counsellor?
B: I was in the building so I thought I'd come check in on the case.
F: That's a first.
B: Well this case is racking up a lot of publicity, so have you been able to make any headway so far?
O: Almost, we might have a suspect but we need enough evidence before we bring him in,
B: Okay let me know if you have enough. I'll get going now.
N: Hold the elevator I want to go get myself something to eat.
B: Okay.
N: I'll be back now. (He said taking his suit jacket and rushing to the elevator)
Barba held the elevator door open for Nick and closed it as soon as he came in.
B: What's wrong?
N: Nothing.
B: And I don't believe you.
N: It doesn't matter.
B: Nick?
N: ... This case that we're working now it's...
B: What?
N: I'm just like them.
B: Like who, the victims?
N: Yes.
B: No you're not, Nick. (He said as they left the elevator and entered the parking garage)
N: They're hiding from their families. They're cheating on their wives and they're so far in the closet that it took us three weeks to figure out.
B: You're not married and you're definitely not lying to anyone.
N: My co-workers who are my friends, my ex-wife, my kids, nobody knows.
B: I know.
N: That's different, I'm just like them.
B: You're not cheating on anybody and you haven't lied to anyone about it either, querido.
N: But why do I feel like this then? (He asked with a dejected tone in his voice)
B: Because you're a good person, Nick and you care about them but you aren't doing anything wrong, I promise you. (He says pulling Nick in for a quick hug)
N: Do you think I should tell them?
B: That's your decision querido but I'm behind you no matter what.
N: I'll think about it.
B: Now do you want to go grab something quick to eat?
N: I thought you'd never ask. (He laughed getting into Barba's car)
...
Nick brought back meatball subs for the rest of the ream and he looked a lot calmer than he did when he left.
N: I thought we all deserved some lunch.
R: Mario's, nice.
O: I didn't know you ate there.
N: I don't, Ra... Barba likes it there and said that I needed to try it.
F: I thought you and Barba couldn't stand each other.
N: We talked and we're okay.
O: Thanks for lunch and now we need to get back to the case guys.
...
Everyone sat at their desk going through case files, making calls and trying to find a lead.
~3 Hours Later~
C: Okay guys, I think we've all put enough effort in today...
R: It doesn't feel like it captain.
C: I know but sitting around here isn't helping anyone so let's call it a night and come back with a fresh set of eyes.
F: I'm not going to argue with that. See you in the morning guys.
R: Me too, bye.
SVU: Bye.
O: Well, I'm out too. Nick, you coming?
N: I'll leave in a minute.
O: Okay, don't stay too late.
N: I won't.
...
C: Something is up with you and I just want to know if it will affect you working on this case.
N: No, it won't. I promise.
C: Okay but you need to make me a promise right now.
N: Okay.
C: Promise that you'll pull out when it gets too much for you, okay Nick.
N: Yes sir, thank you.
C: No go home to your friend. (He said with a smile as he himself also left)
Nick sat there starring at the space that the Captain was previously standing at with awe.