I stormed down to the interrogation room a few moments later. Alex hadn't wanted to leave me – she didn't make much of a fuss verbally, but I could see it in her eyes. I'd promised to be as quick as I could be and she'd reluctantly let me go.

"Abbie," I snapped. "Give me a few minutes alone with this piece of garbage." I cracked my knuckles. I wouldn't actually hit him – now – but he didn't know that.

Abbie raised her eyebrows, making her displeasure clear, but obediently left the room.

I smirked and sat down across from him. "So, Daniel. I guess you're in for the long haul. Raping an ADA? Twenty to life, maybe." I was bluffing, but I was hoping he was too stupid to know it.

He didn't take the bait, just leaned forward, looking slightly bored. "I'm not worried."

"Does that make you feel manly?" I was pretending to be angry, and I was, but this was just part of the plan. I was perfectly in control of my emotions. "Well, I guess not, because you only did it once. Or wait – maybe you did try before, but you just couldn't get it up. Is that it?"

"Of course I could," he snapped, folding his arms.

"Right," I replied sarcastically. "You know what? I don't think you're manly enough to rape anyone. So, I guess we've got to cut you loose."

He stared at me. "What?"

I shrugged. "Well, you're just too much of a little girl to rape anyone. So I guess it wasn't you, and we have to search for the real man who raped her."

I knew this could backfire and I could end up getting another innocent woman raped, and I knew I would probably be fired if the captain found out what I was doing, but I had the situation under control. I had a plan and I was going to follow through if it killed me. This could either be really smart or really stupid, but I was desperately hoping it was the former.

"You're free to go," I added, getting up and beckoning to two other police officers. "Stevens, Jackson. Walk him outside."

Weiss glared at me for a moment, then let them shepherd him out the door.

I took a deep breath and tried not to look too pleased with myself as I sauntered out the door.

Abbie, who'd been watching the interview, grabbed my arm. "What the hell was that?" she growled. "You just cut loose the bastard who raped your girlfriend and one of my best friends! The captain's going to have your ass."

"No, he's not, because you're not going to tell him," I said calmly. "Trust me, Abbie. You're my best friend and you're not going to say a word."

"What the hell are you playing at? I won't go along with a plan if you don't tell me what it is."

"Abbie, you're just going to have to trust me. I can't tell you anything more, but believe me, I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt Alex, and I promise you that this won't."

Abbie folded her arms across her chest. "You slapped her, Olivia. I'm not sure of anything anymore."

I knew that was going to come back to haunt me. "Did she tell you that?"

"No, but there's a bright red handprint on her cheek and she wouldn't tell me about it when I asked."

"God, Abbie, I didn't mean to! Please, please just listen to me."

Abbie still looked reluctant, but she finally nodded. "Don't make me regret this, Olivia."

"I won't," I promised, letting out a sigh of relief as I went back out to the squad room.

Alex was sitting right where I'd left her, Elliot's sweatshirt draped around her shoulders in a futile attempt to quell the trembling of her frail body. Elliot reacted first and I actually thought he was going to hit me as he shouted, "Why the hell did you let him go, Liv? He did it!"

"Shut up, El," I said, gesturing for him to lower his voice. "He didn't do it."

"Yes, he did!" insisted Alex, her voice breaking. "Liv, he did! Oh, my God, he did, he did, he did!"

I felt terrible for what I was doing to her, but I knew it would be worth it in the end. "Well, maybe he did, but we can't hold him."

Alex glared at me accusingly. "You said everything would be okay. You lied!" I could tell she was trying not to cry, and she was too far gone to even care how childish she was sounding.

I shrugged, trying to remain resolute as I took her hands and lifted her off the desk. "Come on, honey. We're going home."

She started to cry in desperation. "I didn't lie, Liv. I didn't! He raped me and now he's back on the streets and –"

"We'll finish this discussion later," I said quietly, even though this was breaking my heart. I handed her a Kleenex and led her outside.

She was still wailing as I shepherded her into a taxi and climbed in beside her. "Liv, please, please believe me! I had to –"

"Alex," I said softly but firmly. "Alex, we will get him. But you have to calm down."

She sniffled but obeyed, resting her head on the windowpane. "I'm sorry," she murmured, and I couldn't keep up the charade anymore.

I kissed her forehead and ran a hand through her hair. "Don't worry, baby. It's going to be okay, and remember, I love you more than anything in the entire world. No matter what happens, I love you, and I would do anything and everything for you. Do you understand that?"

Alex sniffed and nodded. "I understand," she whispered, wiping her eyes.

I took her hands in mine and kissed them. "Good."

I prayed that she would still feel that way tomorrow morning.

Hmm . . . so what's Olivia's plan? Review to find out!