Chapter 1

"In the criminal justice system sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad know as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."

Long Beach, California

A teenage male and a teenage female walked down the beach late at night.

"Are you sure it's okay to be here?" the teenage female asked. "Curfew laws state we have to be home by 10:00."

"You are such a rule follower," the teenage boy said. "Why can't you just have fun for once?"

"Oh my God!" the teenage girl screamed.

"What?" the teenage boy asked.

The teenage girl pointed and the teenage boy looked to see the lifeless bodies of a woman, a man, and a male child.

Later, Sergeant Max Clark was in his apartment bed with his fiancé, Shayna.

"I can't wait until we're married," Clark said.

"I'm the luckiest woman in the world to be marrying you," Shayna said.

"You know," Clark said. "During my teen years, I never thought anyone would ever love me like you do."

"Why wouldn't I?" Shayna asked. "Autism doesn't define you. You're sweet, kind, and funny, smart, and very, very sexy."

"Sweet and kind are synonyms," Clark said.

Shayna laughed.

"Sorry," Clark said.

"It's okay," Shayna said.

"You're kind, sexy, and I can't imagine living in a world without you," Clark said.

"Kiss me Max," Shayna said.

Clark and Shayna began to kiss, when Clark's phone rang. Clark looked at his phone.

"It's work," Clark said. "They always call at the most inconvenient times!"

Clark answered his phone.

"Clark," Clark said.

Clark arrived at the beach where a male officer showed him to the crime scene.

"Three victims," the officer said. "A male, a female, and a male child. They do not appear to have been raped, but since a child is involved, we called the Special Victims Unit."

"Any ID on them?" Clark asked.

"The woman did," the officer replied. "Mary Paulson of New York."

"New York," Clark said. "I know the Lieutenant of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. Her name's Olivia Benson. I worked with her on the Harietti case."

Two Days Later: New York City

Benson sat at her desk talking to a female district attorney.

"You want me to testify for the defendant?" Benson asked.

"Yes," the district attorney replied. "Your testimony is important."

"He's guilty," Benson said. "He raped and murdered his wife and his sister-in-law. I'm not going to help the defendant get away with murder."

"Olivia," the district attorney said. "You have been subpoenaed. You have to testify."

"Damn it!" Benson shouted.

"I will see you at the courthouse first thing tomorrow," the DA said.

The DA left and Benson made strangling gestures with her hands. At that moment, Clark walked into the office.

"Hello Olivia," Clark said.

"Max," Benson said surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"We need your help assisting in an investigation," Clark replied. "Two days ago, a family was found murdered on the beach. A man, a woman, and a child were the victims. They were from New York and we believe the killer is too. We've already interrogated suspects in Long Beach."

"Alright," Benson said. "We will assist in anyway needed."

"Good," Clark said. "Because the whole plane ride here, I was freaking out over the scenario where you said no. I was so scared that you wouldn't help."

"Clark," Benson said. "It's okay."

"Okay," Clark said. "Okay. Sorry, sometimes my autism gets the best of me."