Author's Note: More of the interrogation/ hostage situation. Go get 'em Bobby!

I'm still working on the sequel to "Downward Spiral." I'm just not satisfied with it yet, and it needs to be good to follow that. I am sorry about the delay.

Where did you put the Size 13 Shoes link today?

Disclaimer: Law & Order: Criminal Intent belongs to Dick Wolf, NBC, and Wolf Films, et al. The characters and setting are borrowed without permission. This is a work of fan fiction. The plot belongs to me. I am making no money from this. I humbly request not to be sued.

Title: The Ivy Green

By: Marion

Chapter: 35

Wheeler returned with the pizza. "Here you go," she said, bringing it up to the dais and handing it to Alex.

"Smells good," Alex said as Wheeler retreated. "Here." She handed the pizza box over to Aaron.

He readjusted the grip on his gun. He changed the hand he held the gun with and flexed the now cramped one that had held the gun on Ivy for the past thirty minutes. "You have handcuffs, right?" he asked.

"Yes," said Bobby.

"Give them to me," said Aaron. Bobby tossed the cuffs to Aaron. He snapped one cuff around Ivy's right wrist, the other around a bracket on the altar. He set the gun down beside himself on the side opposite Ivy. "If anyone tries anything, I'll shoot her," he said. "So don't make any sudden moves."

"I have a clear shot," one of the officers said softly into his radio. "Do you want me to take it?"

Bobby shook his head slowly.

Aaron opened the pizza box and took a piece of pizza, munching away.

"Is it good?" Bobby asked. He noticed the boy's beer was almost empty. He popped the top on another one and passed it to him.

"Pizza's not bad," he said. He finished the first slice and took the beer from Bobby. He drank a few gulps, and set it down. He began to eat another piece of pizza. "You want some?"

"I'm not hungry," said Bobby.

Aaron looked expectantly at Alex. She shook her head. "I don't like pineapple on my pizza," she said.

"You mind if I ask you something, Aaron?" asked Bobby.

"You just did, dumb ass," said Aaron. "But go ahead."

"Why'd you do it, man?" asked Bobby. "You said you liked Shyné. Why'd you kill her?"

"I suppose we got time for a story," said Aaron.

Alex and Bobby nodded.

"I did like Shyné," he said. "Smart girl. And a fine piece of ass. Not that she put out. That always bothered me. We'd have had some really good times up in the bell tower if she had, you know what I mean?"

Ivy paled and looked at the handcuffs. Bobby nodded, keeping Aaron's attention.

"She met me in the bell tower that night," he said. "Just like she promised. She said she wanted to come with me. She promised. Then she said she didn't want to leave the stupid center." He glanced at Ivy. "She didn't want to leave you," he said scathingly. "I had a deal going down in Riverside Park. I… uh… persuaded her to come with me. I took care of my business and I asked her if she wanted to go back to my place. I have a hideout in an old building."

"What happened then?" asked Bobby.

"She said she just wanted to go back to the center," he said. "I offered to walk her home. I thought I could talk some sense into her on the way. We went back into the yard. I asked her again to come with me, but she kept insisting the center was her home. We went up to the bell tower. We had sex. She didn't want to at first but I made her like it. Virgins are the best. She was so tight."

Ivy grimaced, shutting her eyes tightly. A few tears leaked down her face. Bobby fought to remain unaffected by his niece and the story.

"I didn't mean to kill her," Aaron said, with no more affect than when he had told them what he wanted on his pizza. "She just stopped fighting. I didn't even realize she was dead at first."

"Why'd you hang her up?" asked Alex.

"I was going to lower her all the way from the bell tower," he said. "You know, find somewhere to dump the body. Then the rope got stuck. I tugged at it. But then I thought I heard someone coming, so I left."

"That's smart," Bobby said soothingly. "You liked her. That's why you came to her funeral."

"That's right," said Aaron. "Then those fucking cops tried to jump me." Bobby handed him his fourth beer and he drank it.

"Damn," said Aaron. "I need to take a leak." He looked from Alex to Bobby, then glanced at the restroom off to the left. "You," he said, picking up the gun and gesturing at Alex. "What's your name?"

"Alex," she said.

"Come here," he said. She stood up slowly and moved toward him. "You're going to hold my place," he said. "Make sure your guys don't try anything." She nodded. "Don't try anything stupid," he said. "Or I'll kill the girl when I come back." He tucked the gun in the back of his pants and headed for the restroom.

The second the bathroom door shut Bobby was up like a shot. He had the handcuff keys in his hand. He knelt before his quivering niece and set to work unlocking the cuff around her wrist. Mike and a group of other officers drew their weapons and invaded the men's room.

As soon as she was free Ivy leapt into Bobby's open arms, whimpering. He wrapped his arms around her and carried her at dead run toward the exit.

xxx

Mike and Wheeler were leading the pack into the men's room, wearing bulletproof vests. Their weapons were drawn at the ready. Aaron was standing in front of a urinal, his gun still tucked in the back of his pants.

"You really aren't the brightest crayon in the box, are you Aaron?" Mike said lightly. "Put your hands up."

Wheeler moved closer to the boy, pulling the gun from the back of his pants and handing it off to another officer. "Aaron Marsen," she said. "You have the right to remain silent." She dragged his hands behind his back and put the cuffs on him. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and to have an attorney present at any questioning. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you at the expense of the state."

"Let's go kid," said Mike, taking hold of Aaron's arm and pushing him toward the bathroom door.

Aaron was the first one through the door, closely followed by Logan and Wheeler. Shots rang out. Bang! Bang! Bang!

Author's Note: I do so love reviews. Send me one to cherish.