Detectives Rollins and Carisi were outside of the hospital room, taking statements from the officers on the scene.
"We saw the backpack on the street." Officer Donovan recalled. "We stopped and that was when we noticed the cellphone. We were scanning the spotlight and then we heard a scuffle in the alley, something - Ms Preston - slammed into the trash cans on the alleyway and we got out of the car."
"We heard her scream and announced ourselves, rushing to the alley. Mr Preson was laying on the ground next to metal trash cans."
"So you didn't see where the rapist went?" Rollins asked,
"Officer Jenkins?" Carisi asked the female officer.
"No, by the time we got to Ms. Preston, there was no one else in the alley. She was on the ground, barely conscious, we prioritized the victim." Jenkins recalled.
The elevator across the floor went off, a frantic man with salt and pepper hair rushing toward the nurses station. "AJ Preston?" He asked, speaking quickly. "Adeline Preston?"
"She is in surgery, Sir."
"Surgery for what?!"
"May I ask your relationship to Ms. Preston?"
"I'm her significant other - boyfriend. Rafael Barba."
"I can take you to the officers on the scene." The nurse came around the desk.
"Barba?" Carisi looked past the officers as the lawyer and the nurse walked up to the four policemen.
"Sonny, you're here for AJ Preston?" Barba asked.
"Yeah, but-"
"How is she?" The Attorney cut him off.
"She's in surgery, the attacker knelt on her chest and broke at least two ribs. Those ribs caused tearing and internal bleeding."
Rollins looked at him. "Can I ask why you are here?"
"I am her emergency contact." He fidgeted, running his hand over his face then putting his fingers in his pockets. "I was waiting for her to call once she got home, she should have called me at around midnight, 1230 at the latest."
"How do you know the Victim?" Rollins asked.
"Jesus, don't call her that." Rafael sighed. "What happened?"
The patrol officer glanced at Detective Carisi for guidance.
"We have everything we need for now." The tall man told them. "Please fax the reports to SVU once they're done. We will call you if we need anything else."
The pair nodded, making a break for the elevator.
Carisi joined Rollins as she stumbled for words. "She was attacked outside of a bookstore she owns."
"Yeah, Ships and Stars. She had a crowd there, they were paying for her to stay open the extra hour or so. She said it was a usual customer that wanted to have a discussion about some ... book, I can't remember what it is."
"What is your relationship with Ms. Preston?" Rollins asked again.
"She's my significant other, my girlfriend." He gave a dry chuckle at that.
Rollins and Carisi drew blanks as they looked at each other.
"She is 27, Barba." Rollins finally stated.
"She is also the author of an international best seller, owner of her own business, step-daughter of a diplomat and lying bleeding in a surgical room, Amanda." He had started snippy and slowly gotten to an angry tone.
"Adeline Jane Preston," Carisi mumbled, a light blooming on his face. "AJ Preston? You are dating AJ Preston?"
Barba looked like he could tear the younger man's head off.
"She was attacked," Rollins explained. "They attacker grabbed her, shoved her into the alley. He didn't manage to get her clothing off, he didn't rape her."
The older man looked like there was a weight lifted off of his shoulders. "The store has 360 degree surveillance. The opener should be able to get you the tapes after they open."
"Do you know anyone that would attack your ... girlfriend?"
"No. No, she keeps to herself mostly. Only talks to people from the shop or related to the shop."
"Do you know anyone that would attack her to get to you?"
"Yes. Which is why no one know that we're dating. We have been seeing each other for 3 years now, and not even you knew about it. I spent more time with you in the last few years than I did with her."
Rollins glanced at her phone, stepping away from the pair of them as she accepted a phone call.
"What are her injuries?"
Carisi flipped a page in his notebook. "They think she has a concussion, broken wrist, two broken ribs, another two cracked. He knelt on her chest, that's what broke her ribs."
"He knelt ... he knelt on her chest." Barba looked sick. "I should have been there. I should have gone help her close."
"There is no way you could have know-"
"I worked Special Victims, Sonny. I know how it happens." The lawyer argued. "How it can be a stranger walking down the street, how it could be someone she knows. I know it could be that impossible person that knows about us. I could never forgive myself if I ..."
Rollins came back into the room. "Hey, Barba, they're rolling her out of surgery."
"What is her condition?"
"Stable. Room 212."
The attorney got up, going to find the room.
