Best friends

Olivia turned to Elliot. He nodded.

Elliot: We'll stay behind the mirror, we'll hear and see everything.

Gillian: I have nothing to hide, I told you everything, I want to help him, understand what happened, that's all.

Elliot opened the door and Gillian followed them to the interview room. She looked at Conor behind the window. He looked miserable, tired, lost….

Gillian: Oh my God…

She opened the door. Conor jumped from his seat

Conor: Gy? What are you doing here?

They hugged

Gillian: I should be the one asking you this.

He pulled back.

Conor: Gy, I swear I did nothing! Well, we slept together but I didn't rape her! I don't understand what's going on.

Gillian: Ok, ok…calm down, you know I trust you. Tell me.

They sat.

Conor: I had a bad at work. Really rough. I've learned that I was not on a good position to get the job at San Francisco.

Gillian: No! Why?

Conor: You know my boss!

Gillian: He can't keep you by his side like this! Quit, Conor, just quit, you'll find plenty of jobs in San Francisco. You'll stay with me and the kids the time you need!

Conor: Thanks but for that I have to go out of this mess….

He put his head on his arm on the table. She let her hand through his hair.

Gillian: Hey…tell me how it happened.

Conor: Like I've said a hundred of times to the detectives….

Gillian: HEY! I'm not the detectives! Do you remember you I am?

He lifted his head:

Conor: Sorry, Gy….After this hard day I went home to get change but could not stay there. I needed to be surrounded by people and noise so that I would not think of this crap day. I went to Gino's, as usual…. I drank a lot. But I was still clear on my mind. I saw this pure beauty came in. I literally stopped. I watched her walking from the door to a table. She ordered something on her way to the table. It was…. You know, like in the movies….everything was slow… I said to the barman I wanted to pay for her drink. The waitress told her and she looked at me. I hoped that she would smile and drink but she came to me….Gy, she came to me. She sat near me and introduced herself. We talked a lot. That was easy….so easy… We had good connection. I offered to drive her back home. She looked at me with suspicion in her eyes, and I promised her it was just a lift home. And it was….I mean… of course I found her gorgeous, but I really had a good time with her talking. That was good. I completely forgot about work the time I was with her, and I was really thankful! She said yes. When we arrived at her home, I went out of the car and opened her door…

Gillian: Good!

Conor: Yeah…what do you think? I listen when you teach me things about women….

I opened her door and I wished her a good night. She kissed me. She said I would find her probably crazy but she wanted me to come up for a last drink. We didn't drink that glass. I kissed her in the elevator, she opened the door of her flat and we went directly to her bed.

Gillian: Wow, you waited until you reached her bed….

Conor smiled.

Conor: Gy, that's not funny. I swear I left in the middle of the night. I was around 3 in the morning. I kissed her on the forehead and she woke up. I wanted her to close the door behind her, you know…in case…. Sh**, what the hell happened next? I have no idea! I came back home, crashed into my bed, next morning went to work, sent her flowers, and bam! The day after the police came to arrest me, accusing me of rape. They said I used a drug, that the victim didn't have any memories but that my DNA was on her. I was sure I wouldn't be in trouble. I felt sorry, really for her, but I didn't fear anything, I gave a sample for DNA….and it matched! But I used a condom! I … I don't understand a thing about this mess, Gy… tell me what do I have to do now?

Gillian: I don't know Conor. I will do my best to find the best lawyer as possible.

Conor: I'm not guilty!

Gillian: I know this Conor, I know this! But … like the detectives said, everything is against you, so unless they find the real rapist in few hours, you'll need a good lawyer. I'll stay here as long as you need me, ok?

Conor: What about the girls?

Gillian: I have good neighbors. A cute family with three girls, almost same age. They are good friends, and I trust them. And the usual nanny will come to check for them. I called them when I arrived here, and I'll call them soon… Don't worry about the girls.

Conor: They must have grown up a lot, do you have a picture?

Gillian: Sure…

She took pictures form her purse and showed them to Conor.

Behind the glass Elliot and Olivia witnessed the whole scene.

Elliot: What do you think?

Olivia: She's right, he's innocent.

Elliot: Just because she said it, and that he told her the same thing he told us?

Olivia looked at him

Olivia: El, I can feel it. I…

She couldn't speak. She took few seconds.

Olivia: If what she said is true, about them, their story, just admit it Elliot, there is a really small chance he's our rapist. He's her best friend…she knows him.

Elliot: Easy Liv, too easy…

Olivia: Elliot….

She took a deep breathe and looked at him, almost shy

Olivia: you're my best friend, El…I know you would never rape a woman.

Elliot: Liv, please don't do that!

Olivia: What? That's exactly the same thing! Imagine you would be in his shoes…I'd fight for you like Gillian is fighting for Conor! We need to think again about this case.

*end of flashback*

Elliot was laying on a bed n the crib. He needed time alone, in a quiet environment to think. The words of Olivia were still in his mind. "You're my best friend". They still had no idea how this guy could be innocent, all the evidences lead to him. But he had a doubt now. How could a woman trust a man this way? Of course he trusted Olivia. A lot. He knew she would do anything to protect him. And his family. His family. Olivia had always been there for them. And she had nothing. No family. Her work was her family. She had been turned down for adoption. That was nonsense for him. Olivia. A unique woman. A gorgeous one, of course. His partner. His best friend. "You're my best friend". He fell asleep with these words spinning in his mind.