Elliot exhaled fully as he prepared to walk up the steps to Judge Donnelly's brownstone. It was a warm morning, and the blue skies mocked his trepidation. He checked his watch - it was seven a.m. The judge would not be pleased.
Elliot knew he had no choice. A lab screw up like this could cost the case. He needed to know how a judge would perceive the evidence. There may have been little love lost between the judge and Elliot Stabler, but they went a long way back, and Elliot knew she would be straight with him.
He threw his eyes upwards instinctively as he knocked firmly on her door.
He waited. He had anticipated a slight wait. He thought he heard her voice and her stepping down the stairs. The door opened.
Elliot's eyes widened at the ex-Assistant District Attorney as she gasped. Her red hair hung wet around her face and over her white robe as her eyes widened in recognition. "Elliot," she said, a flush starting to light her cheeks. "You're looking for Liz?" The corners of her mouth started to turn up as she took in the shock that was paralyzing the detective.
He spoke, "Casey," he swallowed, "How are you? I mean, what ... " a breathy laugh escaped his mouth, "I didn't expect to see you here." He smiled, shaking his head.
Casey smiled fully now, more relaxed than Elliot, "I'll get Liz. Come on in." She motioned towards the living room.
"Oh, no, thanks, Casey. I'll, uh, wait here. Tell her I'll be quick." Elliot noticed that Casey was barefoot.
"I'm sure you will be." The redhead was more mischievous now. She walked lightly up the stairs and Elliot could hear her muffled voice and then a laugh. It was followed by the muffled but still recognizable sterner tones of Elizabeth Donnelly. His mind reeled. Casey Novak and Elizabeth Donnelly. He almost sent Olivia a text right then and there, but he was terrified the judge would walk out and know what he was doing. Elliot had no trouble at all admitting how intimidating he found Elizabeth Donnelly. She was a force of nature.
He stood up straighter as he heard new footsteps coming down the stairs. Elizabeth Donnelly was dressed in a bathrobe and slippers and it didn't soften her one bit. Assured as ever, there was no confessional blush on her cheeks or mischievous grin shaping her lips.
"Detective." It was a statement, greeting and question all in one.
"Ju-Judge Donnelly," Elliot stammered, "I'm so sorry to bother you so early."
"Then I'll presume there's a good reason." The judge held his gaze.
"There's this case.." Elliot started
"A hypothetical case...," she interrupted.
"Yes, of course, a hypothetical case... where the defense is going to use a small error in paperwork in the lab to argue DNA contamination." The detective laid out the predicament.
Elizabeth pursed her lips and squinted slightly in the morning sun. "Your problem is bigger than you think, Detective." Her eyes seemed to search the skyline behind the detective, "Your squad's cases all rely on DNA evidence. If the defense can make a credible argument, backed up by the NYPD's own shoddy paperwork, " she raised her eyebrow and fixed her gaze on Elliot.
"Overturned convictions..." Elliot caught her meaning.
She lifted her chin and nodded once, "Hundreds of them. Talk to Cabot before you proceed. Decide whether getting this one conviction is worth risking hundreds of others."
Elliot's face fell. They really were screwed. "Thank you, Judge Donnelly."
"And Elliot." Elizabeth Donnelly beckoned him closer. Leaning in, she intoned, "As this is ... improper... I expect anything you've seen here will be kept between us." The corners of her mouth upturned slightly. "Am I understood?"
"Sure, no problem, Judge." Elliot wanted out of there as quickly as possible. He was still going to tell Olivia. There was no way he could keep this secret.
He paused for a second, "But tell Casey to call us. It was good to see her again."
"Good Day, Detective." The judge shut the door as Elliot sprang down the stairs into the street. Olivia was never going to believe this.