Author's Note: I'm sorry for the delay. I had a bit of writer's block and trouble figuring out how to say what I wanted to. Anyway, read and review. I'll try to get the next one up as soon as I can.
Chapter Three

February 15, 2006

8: 17 A.M.

Cragen angrily slammed the New York Ledger down on Olivia's desk. "How the hell did the press get a hold of this?" he demanded. Casey's case was high on his priority list, but cases where the media was breathing down his back made it that much more difficult to resolve. He was very concerned about her, but he was afraid of what all the media attention would do to her. Would it cause the man to kill her if (God forbid) he had not already?

No one knew what to say. They did not tell anyone about it. They knew better. They stood there in silence for a moment before Olivia ended it.

"Look, the press already knows," she reminded everyone. "It's a pain in the ass, but it could be helpful. The press knows, so they'll be searching for answers and breathing down our backs until they get some," she continued. "Now, I would like to ensure that Casey will return safely, so stop this pissy fit and let's get out there."

Cragen nodded at her. "Liv's right. Liv, I want you and Elliot to revisit the crime scene. Try and see how this might have happened, get possible witnesses, see if CSU turned up any new evidence, whatever." He turned over to Fin and Munch. "I want you two to go talk to Huang. See if we can get a profile on our kidnapper."

The car ride over to the crime scene was silent. Olivia was still too angry to even think of what was going on. She did not know where her friend was, or if she was even alive. This was personal. She could not think of anyone who would do this. Was it just a random attack? Was it someone she prosecuted getting revenge? Was it the family member of someone she convicted getting revenge? She had no way to be certain, and that was what bothered her the most.

The crime scene tape was already removed from the grocery store. There was not even enough evidence to prove that a crime had occurred there. What little evidence they did have was circumstantial at best. Anyone could have dropped it. Not that it was likely, but there could be another reason for why Casey's car was still in front of it.

"I just don't understand it, Elliot," Olivia said as she exited the car. She slammed the door shut behind her as she walked over towards the sidewalk between the parking spaces and the store. "How could someone distract her, grab her, and kidnap her without anyone else noticing? There had to be people on the streets. Where are they?"

"Watching American Idol," Elliot muttered. "Yet another reason why reality television is dangerous."

Olivia slapped Elliot's chest hard. "I'm serious, Elliot. This isn't just a victim. This is Casey."

"I'm serious, too, Liv," Elliot assured her. "I want Casey back just as much as you do. I'm still trying to figure out how this could have happened." He drew in a deep breath and encouraged Olivia to do the same. After she did, he continued. "Ok, even if this was a random attack, the perp had to have seen her. Since he was able to capture her, he's obviously not an amateur. I doubt he actually got her from here."

Olivia nodded. She walked over to the door and started walking to Casey's car. "She's a pretty easy target for people walking alone this street, but it couldn't have been someone walking. She would have been able to fight them off."

"Unless there was more than one," Elliot interrupted. "Humor me for a moment and say it is a walker and someone else," he said. He started walking down the street away from the store. Olivia walked back to the store entrance. Elliot started walking closer towards her. "He approaches her, starts talking to her, and somehow leads her away."

"To the alley," Olivia said as she rushed towards the alley next to the grocery store. She frowned. "How could he have led her to the alley? She's not stupid, Elliot."

Elliot shook his head. "I honestly don't know, Liv," he said. "Of anyone, I wouldn't think this would happen to her."


5: 56 P.M.

Casey knew it was almost time for him to come home. She could just tell. The sun had already set. He was normally home a little after that happened. She was still imprisoned here. There was still little food. She was afraid to eat or drink anything he offered her. The food was already opened whenever he gave it to her. The same went for the water bottles he had. They didn't even have labels.

She heard the front door opening. She prayed that it would be the police, but she knew that was impossible. There was no way anyone could know she was there. Within seconds, she heard the door slam shut. She heard the locks on the front door being locked. She truly was trapped in this house. She heard him walking around until he opened the door to the basement. Within seconds, he would call her.

"Precious, where are you?" he called as he opened the door. "I got a present for you," he added as his boots hit the stairs.

"I don't want a present," Casey argued. She was trying her best to be tough in front of this guy. He did not own her. He did not control her. She was her own person. She just needed more time to figure a way out of here.

All lies. She could put on that appearance in front of him. Maybe if she kept it up long enough, he would let her go. However, she had to face the reality of the situation. This basement only had one door. It was locked unless he was down there with her. The window was too high for her to reach. It was probably bolted shut, too. She had to face it. She would not be getting out of there.

"But I had my secretary help me with it," he said. He walked over and grabbed her from behind. Casey knew resisting would be futile. He dragged her over to the other side of the room where the couch was. He turned the lights on and produced a small bag. The label said that the bag was from Victoria's Secret. Casey swallowed. She did not want him to open it.

"Spring sales," the man stated. "I don't know why stores like to advertise this early, but I'm glad they do," he said as he opened the bag. He pulled out a small string bikini-looking top. It was dark red in color. It had laces, too. It wasn't a bikini, Casey realized as she fought the urge to groan and curse.

The man just stared at her as he sat back on the couch. "Well, what are you waiting for, Precious?" he asked. "Put it on."

Casey's mouth dropped open in shock. "Here?" she asked. "In front of you? Who are you kidding?"

He smiled sweetly at her. "Come on, lover girl," he said. "If you won't cooperate, I can make you cooperate." He reached into the bag again and tossed her the matching thong. He then handed her a mini-skirt that would probably come seven inches below her waist if that.

He was serious. Casey could tell. He was staring intently at her. She remained petrified in fear of what he was going to do. He glared at her as he pushed himself off the couch. He lunged towards her before she realized that he seriously would rip her clothes off of her.

Tears filled in her eyes as she slowly started undressing.