Title: Till Death Do Us Part (10/15)
Author: KatRose
Disclaimer: Simply put, Dick Wolf's, not mine.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None that I can think of
Author's Notes: The dates for this story are all 2004. I also have to thank kukrae for all her help, wisdom, cheerleading and browbeating me into getting this story written.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHAPTER 10
AISLE BE THERE
MAY 6
Elliot held the door for Olivia before following her inside. Kevin looked up from his desk and smiled broadly at seeing the detectives. "Elliot! Olivia! It's nice to see you again," he said coming around the desk. "What can I do for you today?"
"We wanted to ask you a question about one of the men that helps out with the weddings," Elliot said.
"We have a number of men that help out. What does he look like?" Kevin asked.
"Large man with dark hair. He may be involved with Dede."
"Dede's not involved with anyone, but I think I know who you're talking about," Kevin said, leaning up against the desk. "There's a big man that always following Dede with his eyes. He works for Kelsii, his name is Pasek something. Lemme check on that." Kevin went to a file cabinet and pulled a file out. He quickly scanned it and came back to the detectives. "Ermelr, Pasek Ermler. He helps Dede out on some of the bigger events."
"I thought he worked for Hatagov?" Elliot asked.
"He does, that's why he helps out. Dede needed someone that could deal with the laborers and not scare away the clients. Pasek does that."
"Is there anything going on between them?" Olivia asked.
Kevin closed the file and thought for a moment. "Not that I know of. Dede had a rough time in the love department a while ago. Her fiance ran away with a woman he met on the Internet the day before their wedding. She's kinda sworn off men since then. Doesn't stop Pasek from hanging around sniffin' like a junkyard dog, though," he finished off.
"He's hung up on her?" Olivia countered.
"Yeah, but not in an overt way. At least not anymore."
"What do you mean 'anymore'?"
"A couple years ago he asked her out, she turned him down. He asked her again a few months later, she said she had no intention of ever getting involved again. So he stopped asking. But I don't think he stopped hoping, if you know what I mean," Kevin answered. "I think that's one of the reasons he helps out as much as he does."
"Does he ever socialize with Dede?" Elliot asked.
"Not socially, but they do have lunch at least once a month to go over some work."
"Would he have contact with the women using your services?" Olivia asked.
"Certainly. If they got married to any of our wealthier men, Pasek would definitely be there to deal with the laborers."
"Thanks, Kevin," Elliot said. "You've been a great help."
"Anytime, Detective Stabler," Kevin said walking them to the door.
Walking to the car, Olivia said, "That was interesting. I wonder if Ermler's killing these women because they have what Dede wanted and couldn't get."
"It's possible. I wonder why these particular women though. There must be hundreds that have gone through Aisle Be There. What makes these women stand out?"
"I think we need to find out if the woman her fiance ran off with was Russian."
"Good idea."
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
"Thanks," Olivia said into the phone. Turning to Elliot she said, "I found out that about two and a half years ago Dede Rayner and Jonathan Weaver applied for a marriage license. The wedding was to take place in June. I also found out that Jonathan Weaver and Galina Petrovsky married two months after the aborted wedding with Dede. The killings started about a year after that wedding, about the time the Weavers moved out of New York."
"Was Pasek working with Dede at the time?" Elliot asked.
"We'd have to ask Kevin for certain, but the timing's right. He said that Ermler asked Dede out a couple years ago and she turned him down."
"What do you think, Doc?"
Dr. Huang stood looking at the board with all the victims on it. "It makes sense. His lady love was scorned. He's trying to help right the wrongs done to her by eliminating anyone that reminded her of her failure as a woman."
"Would the rape and torture fit in too?" Cragen asked.
"Sure. Dede was wounded by the man she loved. What better way to make the 'thief' feel the pain of her theft than by the ultimate violence possible to a woman?" Huang answered.
"Is there any indication why these particular women out of the hundreds that have used Aisle Be There?" Olivia asked.
"Could be as simple as their proximity to the office or because they still have some contact with Dede Rayner. Do we know if any of the women were friends with her?"
"We know that Lizette Cullen had lunch with her the day she disappeared. Don't know about any of the other ladies, but I'm sure if Dede had it on her calendar, either she or Kevin would be able to tell us," Olivia answered.
"I don't think you should let Dede know you're looking to her for a connection to the other victims. She might knowingly or unknowingly let it slip to Ermler that you're investigating him," Huang said.
"Ok, we go back to talk to Kevin," she said.
DELI TO GO
GREENWICH VILLAGE
"Thanks for meeting me here," Kevin said to Elliot. "I didn't want Dede to know about our chats."
"No problem," he replied. "We appreciate your help. Whaddya have?"
"I printed out her calendar for the months you requested and circled any time she met with Pasek or saw any of the ladies."
"You remembered all their names?" Olivia asked a little surprised.
"Sure. It's my business to remember everything that comes across my desk," Kevin replied. "It also helps that I have a photographic memory for names."
Olivia took a look at the calendar pages in front of her. Comparing her notes on the victims, she noticed a disturbing pattern. "Elliot," she said, "I think we need to take this back to Cragen and Huang."
"So soon?" Kevin asked with a small whine. "You just got here."
"Sorry, Kevin," Olivia replied. "Duty calls. I'm sure we'll be in touch if we need anything more from you." Olivia gathered her papers together and nodded her head to Kevin. "Thanks again."
"Anytime," he answered watching the two detectives walk through the deli's door.
In the car driving back to the station, Elliot asked, "What'd you find?"
"That Huang may be right."
"And this surprises you?"
"No, just acknowledging brillance when I see it," she replied. "I was thinking maybe the perp wasn't male as things were indicating that maybe Dede was responsible. But these dates make me believe Ermler is the rapist/murderer."
"Why'd you think Dede was the killer?"
"Because of motive and access to all the victims."
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, incredulous that his vocal partner had remained silent so long.
"Because there aren't that many cases of female serial killers. And Huang's profile put the perp as white male between twenty and thirty. Ermler's a little older than that, but the unrequited love makes it all fit," she replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh," was all Elliot could say. His partner wasn't usually so reluctant to speak her mind. He wondered what was going on. They had arrived back at the station by the time he thought of broaching that subject, so he let it go for now.
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
"Olivia," Cragen said with some enthusiasm, "you're right, these dates do coincide with all the murders."
Dr. Huang was reviewing the new entries on the big board and said, "I agree. This is more than coincidental. Dede had lunch or a friendly meeting with each of the victims within a week of their disappearances. She also had a one-on-one meeting with Ermler within that same week."
Cragen looked to Elliot and Olivia, "Now might be a good time to bring Ms. Rayner in for questioning."
A few hours later Dede Rayner arrived at the station. "I'm looking for Detective Stabler," she said to the nearest cop.
"Elliot," the cop said, "company."
Elliot came from around the corner with an open bag of potato chips in his hands. "Ms. Rayner, thank you for coming down. If you'll come with me," he said indicating the direction of the interview room. Once inside the room, he said, "I believe you remember my partner Detective Benson."
"Yes, thank you," Dede replied. "Nice to see you again."
Olivia dove right into the questioning with, "We're investigating the recent deaths of a couple of your former clients. We're hoping you can answer some questions."
"A couple? I knew about Lizette. There was another?"
"Yes, Sasha Newhouse was found murdered two weeks ago."
"Oh, no!" she cried. "What could I possibly know that could help?"
"We know you met Lizette Cullen for lunch the day she disappeared. We were wondering if you had also seen Mrs. Newhouse anytime before she disappeared," Olivia questioned.
"Two weeks ago you said?" Dede pulled out her PDA and tapped the stylus through her calendar. "Yes, I met her for drinks on the evening of April 21."
"What did you talk about?"
"This and that. Her husband was in Thailand and she was leaving for Rome on that Friday."
"How did she seem?"
"Happy. Very happy," Dede replied. "She said she felt like all her dreams were coming true."
"What about Lizette?" Elliot asked.
Dede was a little thrown by the sudden shift, but answered. "She was happy too. Just found out that she was pregnant. She was on cloud nine."
"You *knew* she was pregnant?" Elliot exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us this before?"
"I'm sorry. It must have slipped my mind. You did, after all, catch me in the middle of something else," she countered reasonably.
"Do you know a Pasek Ermler?" Olivia asked.
"Of course. He works for Kelsii Hatagov, my boss. He helps out on some of our larger weddings."
"Did you see him at anytime after you saw Lizette or Sasha?"
A few ticks of the stylus later she answered, "Yes. I met with Pasek later that same afternoon to discuss the Johanson wedding. And Pasek came by on the day after I had drinks with Sasha. You don't think he's involved, do you?"
"How long have you known Mr. Ermler?" Elliot asked.
"About two and a half, maybe three years. I met him after Kelsii offered to help me open Aisle Be There."
"What does he know about your personal history?" Olivia questioned.
"What do you mean?" Dede asked a little defensively.
"Does he know about your aborted wedding?"
"Wha', what do you know about that?" she asked in a tight voice.
"We heard about your fiancé leaving you for an Internet romance. We also know they got married a few months later."
"What does that have to do with anything?" she cried.
"Does Mr. Ermler know about it?"
"Some," was the tight reply.
"How much?" Olivia pushed.
"He kept asking me out. I got tired of trying to come up with excuses so I told him I'd never get involved with another man after what Jonathan and that bitch he ran off with did to me!" Dede's voice was getting excited and a little loud, but still under control.
"Did you talk to him about these women too?" Elliot asked, showing Dede pictures of the other four victims.
"Oh my!" Dede exclaimed, putting a hand to her mouth in horror. "All of these women are dead?"
"Raped, tortured and killed," Olivia replied.
"And you think Pasek had something to do with it?"
"Perhaps, that's why we need to know if you talked to him about these women."
Dede's shouldered slumped and she rested her head on her hand. "I can't believe he'd be responsible for something like this," she said quietly. "I wouldn't call us friends, but we have been friendly over the years. He's been a great help to us and a good sounding board for me."
She straightened her shoulders and looked Olivia in the eye. "I know I talked to Pasek about Lizette and Sasha and how happy they were. I don't know about the others, but I wouldn't be surprised if I did."
"What did you talk to him about? Specifically."
"That I was jealous of their happiness. That it should have been me," she answered with a small voice. "You think Pasek's doing this out of revenge or devotion to me, don't you?"
"The thought did cross our minds," Elliot said.
Behind the observation glass Cragen, Fin and Munch watched.
"Think we need to pick him up, Cap?" Fin asked.
"We don't have enough to pick him up yet, but I wouldn't say no to you two watching him," Cragen replied.
"We're on it," Fin responded. "Come on, Munch, let's go find us a bad guy."
Inside the interview room, Elliot and Olivia continued to probe Dede's memory for anything that could be helpful in their investigation. They finally allowed her to leave with the promise that if she remembered anything else, she'd call them.
Watching her leave, Cragen told them, "Munch and Fin are out sitting on Ermler. Maybe we'll get lucky and find him doing something that we can bring him in for."
"We can only hope," Elliot said.
Author: KatRose
Disclaimer: Simply put, Dick Wolf's, not mine.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None that I can think of
Author's Notes: The dates for this story are all 2004. I also have to thank kukrae for all her help, wisdom, cheerleading and browbeating me into getting this story written.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHAPTER 10
AISLE BE THERE
MAY 6
Elliot held the door for Olivia before following her inside. Kevin looked up from his desk and smiled broadly at seeing the detectives. "Elliot! Olivia! It's nice to see you again," he said coming around the desk. "What can I do for you today?"
"We wanted to ask you a question about one of the men that helps out with the weddings," Elliot said.
"We have a number of men that help out. What does he look like?" Kevin asked.
"Large man with dark hair. He may be involved with Dede."
"Dede's not involved with anyone, but I think I know who you're talking about," Kevin said, leaning up against the desk. "There's a big man that always following Dede with his eyes. He works for Kelsii, his name is Pasek something. Lemme check on that." Kevin went to a file cabinet and pulled a file out. He quickly scanned it and came back to the detectives. "Ermelr, Pasek Ermler. He helps Dede out on some of the bigger events."
"I thought he worked for Hatagov?" Elliot asked.
"He does, that's why he helps out. Dede needed someone that could deal with the laborers and not scare away the clients. Pasek does that."
"Is there anything going on between them?" Olivia asked.
Kevin closed the file and thought for a moment. "Not that I know of. Dede had a rough time in the love department a while ago. Her fiance ran away with a woman he met on the Internet the day before their wedding. She's kinda sworn off men since then. Doesn't stop Pasek from hanging around sniffin' like a junkyard dog, though," he finished off.
"He's hung up on her?" Olivia countered.
"Yeah, but not in an overt way. At least not anymore."
"What do you mean 'anymore'?"
"A couple years ago he asked her out, she turned him down. He asked her again a few months later, she said she had no intention of ever getting involved again. So he stopped asking. But I don't think he stopped hoping, if you know what I mean," Kevin answered. "I think that's one of the reasons he helps out as much as he does."
"Does he ever socialize with Dede?" Elliot asked.
"Not socially, but they do have lunch at least once a month to go over some work."
"Would he have contact with the women using your services?" Olivia asked.
"Certainly. If they got married to any of our wealthier men, Pasek would definitely be there to deal with the laborers."
"Thanks, Kevin," Elliot said. "You've been a great help."
"Anytime, Detective Stabler," Kevin said walking them to the door.
Walking to the car, Olivia said, "That was interesting. I wonder if Ermler's killing these women because they have what Dede wanted and couldn't get."
"It's possible. I wonder why these particular women though. There must be hundreds that have gone through Aisle Be There. What makes these women stand out?"
"I think we need to find out if the woman her fiance ran off with was Russian."
"Good idea."
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
"Thanks," Olivia said into the phone. Turning to Elliot she said, "I found out that about two and a half years ago Dede Rayner and Jonathan Weaver applied for a marriage license. The wedding was to take place in June. I also found out that Jonathan Weaver and Galina Petrovsky married two months after the aborted wedding with Dede. The killings started about a year after that wedding, about the time the Weavers moved out of New York."
"Was Pasek working with Dede at the time?" Elliot asked.
"We'd have to ask Kevin for certain, but the timing's right. He said that Ermler asked Dede out a couple years ago and she turned him down."
"What do you think, Doc?"
Dr. Huang stood looking at the board with all the victims on it. "It makes sense. His lady love was scorned. He's trying to help right the wrongs done to her by eliminating anyone that reminded her of her failure as a woman."
"Would the rape and torture fit in too?" Cragen asked.
"Sure. Dede was wounded by the man she loved. What better way to make the 'thief' feel the pain of her theft than by the ultimate violence possible to a woman?" Huang answered.
"Is there any indication why these particular women out of the hundreds that have used Aisle Be There?" Olivia asked.
"Could be as simple as their proximity to the office or because they still have some contact with Dede Rayner. Do we know if any of the women were friends with her?"
"We know that Lizette Cullen had lunch with her the day she disappeared. Don't know about any of the other ladies, but I'm sure if Dede had it on her calendar, either she or Kevin would be able to tell us," Olivia answered.
"I don't think you should let Dede know you're looking to her for a connection to the other victims. She might knowingly or unknowingly let it slip to Ermler that you're investigating him," Huang said.
"Ok, we go back to talk to Kevin," she said.
DELI TO GO
GREENWICH VILLAGE
"Thanks for meeting me here," Kevin said to Elliot. "I didn't want Dede to know about our chats."
"No problem," he replied. "We appreciate your help. Whaddya have?"
"I printed out her calendar for the months you requested and circled any time she met with Pasek or saw any of the ladies."
"You remembered all their names?" Olivia asked a little surprised.
"Sure. It's my business to remember everything that comes across my desk," Kevin replied. "It also helps that I have a photographic memory for names."
Olivia took a look at the calendar pages in front of her. Comparing her notes on the victims, she noticed a disturbing pattern. "Elliot," she said, "I think we need to take this back to Cragen and Huang."
"So soon?" Kevin asked with a small whine. "You just got here."
"Sorry, Kevin," Olivia replied. "Duty calls. I'm sure we'll be in touch if we need anything more from you." Olivia gathered her papers together and nodded her head to Kevin. "Thanks again."
"Anytime," he answered watching the two detectives walk through the deli's door.
In the car driving back to the station, Elliot asked, "What'd you find?"
"That Huang may be right."
"And this surprises you?"
"No, just acknowledging brillance when I see it," she replied. "I was thinking maybe the perp wasn't male as things were indicating that maybe Dede was responsible. But these dates make me believe Ermler is the rapist/murderer."
"Why'd you think Dede was the killer?"
"Because of motive and access to all the victims."
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, incredulous that his vocal partner had remained silent so long.
"Because there aren't that many cases of female serial killers. And Huang's profile put the perp as white male between twenty and thirty. Ermler's a little older than that, but the unrequited love makes it all fit," she replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh," was all Elliot could say. His partner wasn't usually so reluctant to speak her mind. He wondered what was going on. They had arrived back at the station by the time he thought of broaching that subject, so he let it go for now.
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
"Olivia," Cragen said with some enthusiasm, "you're right, these dates do coincide with all the murders."
Dr. Huang was reviewing the new entries on the big board and said, "I agree. This is more than coincidental. Dede had lunch or a friendly meeting with each of the victims within a week of their disappearances. She also had a one-on-one meeting with Ermler within that same week."
Cragen looked to Elliot and Olivia, "Now might be a good time to bring Ms. Rayner in for questioning."
A few hours later Dede Rayner arrived at the station. "I'm looking for Detective Stabler," she said to the nearest cop.
"Elliot," the cop said, "company."
Elliot came from around the corner with an open bag of potato chips in his hands. "Ms. Rayner, thank you for coming down. If you'll come with me," he said indicating the direction of the interview room. Once inside the room, he said, "I believe you remember my partner Detective Benson."
"Yes, thank you," Dede replied. "Nice to see you again."
Olivia dove right into the questioning with, "We're investigating the recent deaths of a couple of your former clients. We're hoping you can answer some questions."
"A couple? I knew about Lizette. There was another?"
"Yes, Sasha Newhouse was found murdered two weeks ago."
"Oh, no!" she cried. "What could I possibly know that could help?"
"We know you met Lizette Cullen for lunch the day she disappeared. We were wondering if you had also seen Mrs. Newhouse anytime before she disappeared," Olivia questioned.
"Two weeks ago you said?" Dede pulled out her PDA and tapped the stylus through her calendar. "Yes, I met her for drinks on the evening of April 21."
"What did you talk about?"
"This and that. Her husband was in Thailand and she was leaving for Rome on that Friday."
"How did she seem?"
"Happy. Very happy," Dede replied. "She said she felt like all her dreams were coming true."
"What about Lizette?" Elliot asked.
Dede was a little thrown by the sudden shift, but answered. "She was happy too. Just found out that she was pregnant. She was on cloud nine."
"You *knew* she was pregnant?" Elliot exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us this before?"
"I'm sorry. It must have slipped my mind. You did, after all, catch me in the middle of something else," she countered reasonably.
"Do you know a Pasek Ermler?" Olivia asked.
"Of course. He works for Kelsii Hatagov, my boss. He helps out on some of our larger weddings."
"Did you see him at anytime after you saw Lizette or Sasha?"
A few ticks of the stylus later she answered, "Yes. I met with Pasek later that same afternoon to discuss the Johanson wedding. And Pasek came by on the day after I had drinks with Sasha. You don't think he's involved, do you?"
"How long have you known Mr. Ermler?" Elliot asked.
"About two and a half, maybe three years. I met him after Kelsii offered to help me open Aisle Be There."
"What does he know about your personal history?" Olivia questioned.
"What do you mean?" Dede asked a little defensively.
"Does he know about your aborted wedding?"
"Wha', what do you know about that?" she asked in a tight voice.
"We heard about your fiancé leaving you for an Internet romance. We also know they got married a few months later."
"What does that have to do with anything?" she cried.
"Does Mr. Ermler know about it?"
"Some," was the tight reply.
"How much?" Olivia pushed.
"He kept asking me out. I got tired of trying to come up with excuses so I told him I'd never get involved with another man after what Jonathan and that bitch he ran off with did to me!" Dede's voice was getting excited and a little loud, but still under control.
"Did you talk to him about these women too?" Elliot asked, showing Dede pictures of the other four victims.
"Oh my!" Dede exclaimed, putting a hand to her mouth in horror. "All of these women are dead?"
"Raped, tortured and killed," Olivia replied.
"And you think Pasek had something to do with it?"
"Perhaps, that's why we need to know if you talked to him about these women."
Dede's shouldered slumped and she rested her head on her hand. "I can't believe he'd be responsible for something like this," she said quietly. "I wouldn't call us friends, but we have been friendly over the years. He's been a great help to us and a good sounding board for me."
She straightened her shoulders and looked Olivia in the eye. "I know I talked to Pasek about Lizette and Sasha and how happy they were. I don't know about the others, but I wouldn't be surprised if I did."
"What did you talk to him about? Specifically."
"That I was jealous of their happiness. That it should have been me," she answered with a small voice. "You think Pasek's doing this out of revenge or devotion to me, don't you?"
"The thought did cross our minds," Elliot said.
Behind the observation glass Cragen, Fin and Munch watched.
"Think we need to pick him up, Cap?" Fin asked.
"We don't have enough to pick him up yet, but I wouldn't say no to you two watching him," Cragen replied.
"We're on it," Fin responded. "Come on, Munch, let's go find us a bad guy."
Inside the interview room, Elliot and Olivia continued to probe Dede's memory for anything that could be helpful in their investigation. They finally allowed her to leave with the promise that if she remembered anything else, she'd call them.
Watching her leave, Cragen told them, "Munch and Fin are out sitting on Ermler. Maybe we'll get lucky and find him doing something that we can bring him in for."
"We can only hope," Elliot said.
