Story : Like Father, Like Son

Summary : When a young woman is found dead, detectives race to solve the case, with her young son's DNA as the only solid clue.

Chapter Four

Don't Own it

Back at the precinct Sunday May 21st Noon Benson and Stabler are in the forensics lab talking to Warner STABLERTime of death Warner?

WARNERWell she just died Saturday Evening; I'd say in between 4 and 7 is our time frame. But closer to the earlier part. Now look at her neck. She was killed by asphyxiation, but the marks on her neck are a little strange. See it was a rope of some sort, but it was covered.

BENSONDo you know what it was covered with?

WARNERFabric samples are down at the lab. I've got a rush on it. So give me until tomorrow morning.

STABLERAnything else for us?

WARNERRape kit was done. There was enough semen on the side of the bed for a sample. And we are crossing it with urine. I promise you more information in the morning guys.

STABLERWell Olivia we should check out the theatre.

BENSONYeah, it's noon now, we should be able to catch the cast getting ready for the Sunday Matinee

Looking Glass Theatre

422 West 57th Street

12:30 pm

The two detectives enter a back stage area. Actors and dancers are applying makeup, and stretching. A young woman holding a binder comes up to them.

DANICAHold it up folks, no guests allowed backstage. Go out and see your loved one on the stage.

STABLERWe're here about Katie Brennan.

At the announcement of her name, a tall skinny blonde man (Alistair) perks his head up.

DANICAKatie? Why? She missed last night's show. Some emergency I guess.

STABLERAn emergency?

DANICAUnless you can produce Katie for me, then good day.

She turns to walk away and they flash their badges.

DANICAWhat? What's going on? I'm Danica Frost the stage manager.

ALISTAIR I told you clowns something was wrong. She would have done anything to be here for the show.

BENSONAnd you are?

ALISTAIRAlistair Pennwright, I'm a friend of Katie's.

Benson and Stabler exchange a side-glance.

STABLERCan you come and talk with us at the station Alistair?

DANICAWe really can't lose anymore cast this week.

BENSONKatie Brennan was found dead in her bedroom this morning. You better find a way to accommodate us.

Alistair falls to the ground.

DANICAI didn't know she was… oh wow… What can we do?

ALISTAIRPlease no.

BENSONIs there somewhere private we can start talking to the cast and crew?

DANICAUmm… well yeah. Come on.

They are sitting on a few old chairs in the prop room. The first interview is Danica.

DANICAShe was very excited to do this show. Several dance solos.

STABLERAt any point did you notice a change in character?

DANICANever. She was more and more excited everyday.

BENSONCan you think of anyone who would for any reason want to harm Katie?

DANICANobody really. She is, was, very well liked. Not to canonize her or anything, but I doubt anyone will have anything approaching negative to say about Katie.

STABLERDid she just not show up?

DANICANo. She came to the show on Saturday morning and then went home. She uhh… called at (checks her binder) 5pm and talked to the director Jack Anders.

Cut to

ANDERSShe called me about 5pm and sounded shaken up. She said something had come up with her family and she was going back to Toronto.

BENSONWhat did you do after she called you?

ANDERS Well she hung up before I had a chance to ask any questions. First thing I did was tell Amelia she was stepping up to Katie's part and then I found Alistair to see what he knew.

STABLERWhy Alistair?

ANDERSOh the two are inseparable.

BENSONWhat did Alistair tell you?

ANDERSHe says they went for some coffee after the matinee. He expected her to come back, and didn't know she even had any family in Toronto. But even he admitted that Katie never talked about her family.

BENSONDoes anyone strike you as acting odd around Katie?

Cut to all the different people in the cast and crew

DANICAAlistair Pennwright, they left together on Saturday. But he says he left her at her apartment.

CREW 1Alistair really puts her on a pedestal.

CAST 2Ali definitely has a thing for her, but their friends or something. They left together on Saturday.

CAST 1Ali has a lot of pictures of her. He told me once he just liked her form, but honestly. He even has pictures of her husband. I saw them once at his apartment.

CAST 3Ali Pennwright was totally in love with her.

CREW 2I guess they go way back or something, but Alistair. They went for coffee after the matinee on Saturday.

CAST 4Well Ali seemed like he was in love with her or something. But I don't know. It just doesn't all add up to me.