Breakthrough

James ran his hand over his thinning hair as he debated whether ringing the police station had been the right thing to do. In the grand scheme of things he had little choice, knowing Bea would not answer the landline at home after dark and that he didn't want her being dragged any further into the mess than she had to be. Andy had his exams soon, there was no way James was going to cause the boy and his mum any more stress. So he waited in the rain for Kate and Jake to arrive. He ducked into a shop doorway, ignoring the haunted looking reflection of himself in the shop window.

"At least there's been an arrest." Kate frowned as her husband drove towards where Angie had arranged for them to collect James. Jake nodded.

"Now our work begins."

"True." Kate bit her lip, watching the night pass by the window as she kept a look out for her friend. She knew James was tough but she also knew he was probably injured. The thought made her feel sick. James and Jake often clashed but she liked the older CPS man, knowing that his conviction rate was legendary. She just hoped he was in a fit state to help them on the case now that Ronnie and the others had arrested someone. Jake stopped the car suddenly, startling her from her thoughts as she realised James was hovering in a shop doorway. Jake flashed the lights on the car as their friend ran towards them before getting into the car.

"James."

"Hi." He coughed slightly as Kate turned to face him. "You ok?"

"Ever heard of Uber?" Jake asked as James smiled.

"I'm ok. I think. Head injury."

"Nothing important damaged then." Jake drove off as James rolled his eyes. He was finally going home. That was all that mattered to him. Kate frowned slightly, knowing that there were still more questions than answers where James' disappearance and sudden reappearance was concerned. She knew there was no way she was going to get any answers in the car on the way to the station.

"We should take you to A&E."

"I'm fine." James stated more firmly than he really felt. "Just get back to the office."

"No." Jake drove calmly. "No chance, its either the hospital or back to the police station. Ronnie and the others have made an arrest."

"Who?"

"No idea, we've been looking for you while they were picking up the suspect. Alesha is at the station now."

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"You sure you're ok?" Ronnie asked as he fell into step beside Matt. The younger man nodded. He was bruised and shaken but there was no way he was going to say he was anything other than ok. Nugent didn't have a hold on him anymore. He never would again, but Matt couldn't shake the feeling that the disgraced priest was anything to do with the murders they were investigating. He just didn't seem the type to coordinate an attack that complicated.

"I'm fine." Matt watched as Ronnie fug his car keys out of his pocket.

"f you say so son. If you say so." He unlocked the car door before getting into the drivers seat. "That scumbag will be off back to prison now. Broke the terms of is licence."

"Good."

"Not before me and Nat have interviewed him."

"You and the Guv?"

"Well, you ain't going anywhere near him. I can tell you that son."

Matt nodded. "I get that but same could be said for both of you. Original detectives on his case. Could have a grudge."

"Tell you what, I'll go in there with Stabler. Let the American Pit Bull have a go at him."

Matt shook his head, almost feeling sorry for the ex priest.

xxxxx

The rain battered New York as Munch drove through the traffic. He had no idea why but he was convinced the tall white man he had seen getting into the black SUV had something to do with the case. Fin had already found out the man was probably an employee of the dating website that all the victims were members of. He knew Fin had been right to think that the man they only knew as Pete was something to do with the murders, he just wasn't entirely sure how they were going to link him to the deaths. There had been little forensic evidence and whoever the killer was had been clever enough to remain unearthed so far. He just hoped a hunch was the right thing to go on.

"You ok?" Fin frowned as his partner drove.

"Always. Just peachy."

"Missing Benson and Stabler?"

"I think we are missing something. I dunno how or what we are missing, but if this hunch is wrong."

"Will you just quit it? We deserve a break. He was the only one who could physically commit those murders."

"Here." Munch nodded as he parked the car near the offices where their suspect had left his own car. "Not in London."

"No, but let Chandler and her crew worry about that." Fin left the car, praying they finally had a break through.

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Benson sat at the small table next to Sam as the rest of the team watched the interview room on the CCTV in Natalie's office. Nugent looked pale, nervous. Sam could practically feel the guilt radiating from him. Benson smiled slightly.

"For the benefit of the tape. Present are Detective Inspector Samuel Casey, Lieutenant Olivia Benson NYPD and Mr Jonathan Nugent. Legal representation has been offered and accepted. Duty lawyer Martine Jones is present." Oliver started as Nugent fidgeted in the chair opposite her. "You wanted to meet my colleague. Matt Devlin."

"Matthew."

"Why?" Sam frowned.

"He knows me. He knows I wouldn't do this. That sins can not be erased by more sin."

"Sin?" Olivia frowned.

"Abusing children? Is that what you wanted to erase? Peter Garvey, Matthew Devlin, and how many others?"

"I've paid for that." Nugent snapped. Sam leaned forwards. "I went to prison."

"And you are going back there." Sam stated firmly as Nugent began to hyperventilate. "What do you know about the murders of these six men and the abduction of Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel?" He pushed the photographs towards him. Olivia remained quiet, knowing that they had the suspect over a barrel, there was no point in Nugent lying to them. He had broken the terms of his licence. Whatever happened now he was going to serve the rest of his sentence in prison.

"Nothing."

"Why did you call Matt Devlin's phone? How did you get access to the number? To James' phone?" Sam pushed. Nugent shook his head. "We traced the call."

"Bad things are going to happen."

"Already have."

"End of days are coming. And the Lord said."

"Don't make a mockery of my faith." Sam snapped. Nugent paused.

"You're catholic."

"Yes, why did you have the phone belonging to James?"

"Found it."

"Really?" Olivia rolled her eyes. "Where?"

"In the café."

"What café?"

"Church café." Nugent folded his arms. "That's all I'm saying." The door opened as Joe walked into the room.

"Detective Sergeant Joseph Hawkins has arrived. Interview paused." Sam got to his feet as Joe ushered them out into the corridor. "What is it?"

Joe closed the door behind them before he spoke.

"They've made an arrest in New York. Cragan is on the phone with the Guv now." He watched as Benson smiled slightly. "We have a breakthrough."

"About time." Sam smiled before following his colleagues up to the MIU office. The nightmare seemed to be coming to an end.

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a/n anyone reading? Two possibly three chapters left. Thanks xxx